Testimonials

Ilene has worked on hundreds of horses of all breeds and disciplines throughout her career.  She is the equine massage therapist for the Portland Mounted Patrol.  Her massage and bodywork services range from assisting in injury recovery, management of chronic issues, preparation for and recovery from shows, endurance rides, and trail rides, to the occasional “tune up” massage.  She also provides saddle reflocking, saddle fitting and basic tack repair services.

Here is what some of her clients have to say….

Ilene is a miracle worker! My gelding, Toby, was experiencing major issues picking up and holding the right lead. I was considering retiring him from the show pen. He would contort himself every time I asked for the lead. Circles were impossible to perform. I knew he was not comfortable. After just a few sessions, Toby was transformed. Now, it is incredible to feel Toby yield so easily and willingly when I ask for a shoulder lift. He takes his leads quietly. For the first time since I've owned him, he is able to hold his hip properly. My trainer and I are amazed by the change!
Deb C.
Hillsboro, Oregon

Ilene is the most professional equine massage therapist I've ever worked with, and I can recommend her without hesitation.  She continues to do amazing work, allowing my show horse, Chase, to perform at his best.

Ilene is also an exceptionally reliable ranch-sitter. Not only does she follow our very detailed instructions, she also competently handles issues as they arise.   Now we can leave town without worrying about what's happening back at the farm - what a relief!
Rachel McCart
Owner Equine Legal Solutions
Beavercreek, Oregon

Our Modern Shetland stallion, Toby, was having issues with shaking his head while being driven. It was so bad that a couple of times he shook his bridle off while standing in line. He also would not let anyone touch the right side of his head. After a particularly harrowing drive, I contacted Ilene take a look at him. She found a number of tight areas including a lot of tension in his poll and around his right eye and his left pectoral and leg muscles. After a couple of treatments, his head pain and poll tightness were gone. His leg and pectoral tightness also resolved after a just a few treatments. He now willingly accepts having his halter and bridle put on. He has since drove beautifully and finished his points for his Supreme Championship. We love working with Ilene and, more importantly, Toby loves her!!
Sue Svendsen
Owner, Designer Dog Grooming
Vancouver, WA

Thank you so much for coming to speak at the OET Annual Meeting on Saturday. We got rave reviews about your presentation from our members. It sounded like everybody learned a lot and enjoyed hearing what you had to say, and nobody wanted to leave your presentation to attend the next session. Way to go!! Thank you for coming!!
Kim McCarrel
VP Marketing, Oregon Equestrian Trails

Thanks, Ilene, for all your help.  You're amazing!!
Paula T.
Hillsboro, Oregon

We just wanted to thank you again for coming out today and seeing Trey.  As you know, he means a lot to us, and it's reassuring to know that he's getting such wonderful care.  You're the best, and we're so very grateful to you.
Carrie M. and Rodney P.

In February of 2007, my mare, Sophie, fell and injured herself.  We did not see her fall but think she went down with her legs out behind her, pulling all sorts of things along the inside of her legs and in her back. 

I had the vet take x-rays, a chiropractor visit several times, plus acupuncture treatments.  Each practitioner had different ideas on what I should be doing to get Sophie sound again.  By early December of 2007 I had tried twice to gradually to bring her back into working condition; all would be going well and then as soon as I asked her to use her back, she would be lame again.

At the end of December, I invited Ilene to come to evaluate and work on Sophie.  Sophie was still sore in her back and neck and inside her hind legs.  She was a very cranky horse as she likes to work and doesn’t like not having a job.  Ilene used massage and heat and cold therapy, and started developing a plan for the three of us to get Sophie back to work.  It was a long, slow plan, adjusted as necessary to Sophie’s needs.  I did a lot of hot and cold treatment, massage, and stretches with Sophie in between Ilene’s visits as part of the plan Ilene developed…and a lot of hand walking (the reward for me was some relaxed time with Sophie and being able to eat more Ben and Jerry’s ice cream!)

In April, I started to ride Sophie again, at a walk, for a few minutes at first and week by week adding time.  By May we were working on walking over poles, plus doing circles and serpentines.  By June Sophie and I were back to our dressage training.  Sophie is now completely sound and a much happier mare.  Ilene visits occasionally to check on our progress.

Ilene identified Sophie’s problems and came up with a plan for Sophie’s recuperation.  Ilene has an excellent manner with horses (and people) and is sensitive to the horse’s needs.  It took about six months working with Ilene to heal Sophie compared to almost a year before that when she was lame, and I was trying various other treatments.
Catherine Keith
Owner,  Valley Vista Farm