Lessons, Consults, Training

---

SCH draws on the knowledge of equine experts to help address and prevent the damage often caused by new fads, rushed “training,” or gaps in knowledge. Such experts include:

Kelly Snyder is an Advanced Equine Structural Integrator and Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist (NCLMBT #14691). She proudly serves horses and riders in Asheville and surrounding areas by facilitating pain relief while increasing mobility, balance, strength, and overall health. She is also a saddle-fitter and representative for Pegasus Saddles, a faculty member with the Equine Natural Movement School and a farrier's apprentice. As a result of her training, she is able to identify structural imbalances within horses and riders that create painful compensation patterns within the body. These compensations prevent clear communication which leads to less than ideal rides. Kelly has been riding for more than 20 years and has trained with many knowledgeable, talented instructors including nationally rated rider/instructor, Catherine Hunter, author of Sacred Connections Horsemanship. 

John Banks, is a legend in his field, locally as well as regionally, while also being an extraordinarily humble man. Catherine and Kelly would not be nearly as successful without John's wisdom and skill addressing hoof imbalances causing movement and performance issues often associated with pain throughout the horse’s body. John studied, trained, and worked as a professional mechanical engineer before retiring. That knowledge is employed brilliantly in his ability to know when a horse’s hoof angles are causing discomfort and impairing quality movement. As a result of John’s eye for angles, deceased master farrier, Red Tomlinson, employed John to teach hoof angles to students at his farrier schools. Reactions from horse owners after John has worked on their horse’s feet have ranged from tears of joy, hugging him with gratitude, and insisting he’s an angel!