Dennie Semore, CEMT, VOM
Equine Massage Therapist
Aristocrat’s Rocketman
As a Certified Equine Massage Therapist, I would like to take all the credit for his remarkable story, but I cannot; however, Rocket and
other equines are why I continue in the most extraordinary service available to our Equine friends.
Before I continue, I cannot stress enough the importance and necessity of veterinary diagnosis prior to using alternative practitioners.
Alternative practitioners are not a shortcut to veterinary expertise. Equine massage is a complement to veterinary care. Massage
speeds healing, reduces inflammation, increases circulation, oxygenation, range of motion, and endorphins, as well as relieves
spasms…the list is incredible.
Rockets' story started with his strong will. We were living in Ohio at the time and this particular day he did not want to work. His trainer
fought with him a bit, ended the session and put him up. Hours later, I was hand walking him and noticed as he grazed he was
spreading his front legs like a foal. The next day he was almost doing the splits and his neck looked very straight and tight. I called my
vet right away. He did the necessary things for tying up and muscle strain but nothing helped. He suspected Cervical Strain. Rocket
went down hill fast.
As a four year old Rocket was very fit - I had been driving him since the age of two. He always had lots of energy, hence his name.
Once out of the womb he never stopped and was always full of life. So what he was reduced to in such a short time was agonizing for
me.
My vet and I consulted and had Rocket examined by many professionals, but no one was quite sure what was going on. There were
several possibilities - cervical strain, EPM, Wobblers' Sydrome, or ??? Had he played too rough with one of his friends or was it the
unyielding hands of his trainer that day? There was no cost affective way of knowing. So I made up my mind to treat it as a cervical
strain. I had only $2,000 left to spend on trying to fix him. The question I was faced with was how to spend it. I had already treated him
for EPM to no avail. And the other possibilities offered no real cure. So rather than spend my last dime on more tests and x-rays just to
try and know, I decided to put the money into therapy. If he was going to get well, and I stress IF, only time and TLC was going to have
to do it.
Rocket was a trooper; he suffered through all the poking and prodding. Within weeks his muscles atrophied and he was reduced to
what you see in the picture below. He could not raise or lower his head. He had the heart to survive. At times, in the pasture, I would
catch him on his knees (like a goat) eating. It really broke my heart.
I continued looking for a cure meanwhile he received regular massage. The massage therapist taught me how to work on him on a
daily basis, saved me a lot of money. I continued working closely with her after his recovery.
It wasn’t until months later, when I came across an Alternative “Chiropractor / Acupuncturist / Veterinarian", when the healing
process began. Chinese Herbs, Acupuncture and Massage brought Rocket back to life.
Today he is what you see in all my advertising. His body is a true testament of what Alternative methods can accomplish. Rocket is
back Jumping, Dressage and his favorite; Long Distant Trail. He still gets massaged every week whether he needs it or not and loves
every minute of it.
Dennie L. Semore, EMT
Quick San Joe
Joe is a thirteen-year-old cutting horse who was referred to me by Dr. Stewart DVM, with facial paralysis. Normally with facial
paralysis, on average, it will take six months to recovery. That is if recovery is possible. It is one of those things that are unknown until
the time passes and once it does, “you get what you get”. Joe’s owner had asked me about acupuncture and I had expressed to her
how it had helped my horse. So we set out to find the best. Dr. Xie was the Doctor of choice. We took Joe to Gainsville and consulted
with Dr. Xie and he said it would take at least six treatments. On the third treatment he released Joe. Dr. Xie said with the commitment
to massage Joe’s recovery was accelerated tremendously.
As a Certified Equine Massage Therapist, I would like to take all the credit for his remarkable story, but I cannot; however, Rocket and
other equines are why I continue in the most extraordinary service available to our Equine friends.
Before I continue, I cannot stress enough the importance and necessity of veterinary diagnosis prior to using alternative practitioners.
Alternative practitioners are not a shortcut to veterinary expertise. Equine massage is a complement to veterinary care. Massage
speeds healing, reduces inflammation, increases circulation, oxygenation, range of motion, and endorphins, as well as relieves
spasms…the list is incredible.
Rockets' story started with his strong will. We were living in Ohio at the time and this particular day he did not want to work. His trainer
fought with him a bit, ended the session and put him up. Hours later, I was hand walking him and noticed as he grazed he was
spreading his front legs like a foal. The next day he was almost doing the splits and his neck looked very straight and tight. I called my
vet right away. He did the necessary things for tying up and muscle strain but nothing helped. He suspected Cervical Strain. Rocket
went down hill fast.
As a four year old Rocket was very fit - I had been driving him since the age of two. He always had lots of energy, hence his name.
Once out of the womb he never stopped and was always full of life. So what he was reduced to in such a short time was agonizing for
me.
My vet and I consulted and had Rocket examined by many professionals, but no one was quite sure what was going on. There were
several possibilities - cervical strain, EPM, Wobblers' Sydrome, or ??? Had he played too rough with one of his friends or was it the
unyielding hands of his trainer that day? There was no cost affective way of knowing. So I made up my mind to treat it as a cervical
strain. I had only $2,000 left to spend on trying to fix him. The question I was faced with was how to spend it. I had already treated him
for EPM to no avail. And the other possibilities offered no real cure. So rather than spend my last dime on more tests and x-rays just to
try and know, I decided to put the money into therapy. If he was going to get well, and I stress IF, only time and TLC was going to have
to do it.
Rocket was a trooper; he suffered through all the poking and prodding. Within weeks his muscles atrophied and he was reduced to
what you see in the picture below. He could not raise or lower his head. He had the heart to survive. At times, in the pasture, I would
catch him on his knees (like a goat) eating. It really broke my heart.
I continued looking for a cure meanwhile he received regular massage. The massage therapist taught me how to work on him on a
daily basis, saved me a lot of money. I continued working closely with her after his recovery.
It wasn’t until months later, when I came across an Alternative “Chiropractor / Acupuncturist / Veterinarian", when the healing
process began. Chinese Herbs, Acupuncture and Massage brought Rocket back to life.
Today he is what you see in all my advertising. His body is a true testament of what Alternative methods can accomplish. Rocket is
back Jumping, Dressage and his favorite; Long Distant Trail. He still gets massaged every week whether he needs it or not and loves
every minute of it.
Dennie L. Semore, EMT
Quick San Joe
Joe is a thirteen-year-old cutting horse who was referred to me by Dr. Stewart DVM, with facial paralysis. Normally with facial
paralysis, on average, it will take six months to recovery. That is if recovery is possible. It is one of those things that are unknown until
the time passes and once it does, “you get what you get”. Joe’s owner had asked me about acupuncture and I had expressed to her
how it had helped my horse. So we set out to find the best. Dr. Xie was the Doctor of choice. We took Joe to Gainsville and consulted
with Dr. Xie and he said it would take at least six treatments. On the third treatment he released Joe. Dr. Xie said with the commitment
to massage Joe’s recovery was accelerated tremendously.
CASE STUDIES & TESTIMONIES
| Rocket before (left) and after (right) the benefits of massage |
| Joe before (left) and after (right) the benefits of massage |
Hi Dennie,
Wanted to share the success of
massage therapy and accupuncture!!
As you can see, Quicksan Joe is back to
doing the job he loves. After the
debilitating facial paralysis left his muzzle
twisted to the left of midline we started
massage therapy and took him to
University of Florida for accupuncture.
He was to have six treatment of
accupuncture plus continuation of
massage. His improvement was so great
he was able to cut his accupuncture
treatment in half. This was possible, I
believe because of using massage
therapy aggressively.
You are talented and instinctive in your
work as a equine massage therapist.
Many Thanks Dennie...Susan Brooks,
LMT and Quicksan Joe
Wanted to share the success of
massage therapy and accupuncture!!
As you can see, Quicksan Joe is back to
doing the job he loves. After the
debilitating facial paralysis left his muzzle
twisted to the left of midline we started
massage therapy and took him to
University of Florida for accupuncture.
He was to have six treatment of
accupuncture plus continuation of
massage. His improvement was so great
he was able to cut his accupuncture
treatment in half. This was possible, I
believe because of using massage
therapy aggressively.
You are talented and instinctive in your
work as a equine massage therapist.
Many Thanks Dennie...Susan Brooks,
LMT and Quicksan Joe
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Dial: 850-623-1971 or 850-565-0281
Write: bfreesmt@bellsouth.net
Write: bfreesmt@bellsouth.net
I have been a human chiropractor for 20 years
and find postural imbalances in horses respond
faster and better than their human counterparts.
Dennie has helped my horses profundly. Often
when I treat my patients who ride, the more
courageous riders tend to ride the more difficult
horses but anyone can get into trouble with
horses now and again causing problems. After
treatment patients report their horse's canter
with less frustration or attitude under work
is so much better once our signals are clear our
horses are happier. Whether our horse's have got
caught in their blanket or a fence or our injuiries
are interfering with their ability to move. Massage
great deal of credence to performance. Posture
matters. Dennie has done a wonderful job with my
animals.
Dr. Nancy MacKenzie D.C.
and find postural imbalances in horses respond
faster and better than their human counterparts.
Dennie has helped my horses profundly. Often
when I treat my patients who ride, the more
courageous riders tend to ride the more difficult
horses but anyone can get into trouble with
horses now and again causing problems. After
treatment patients report their horse's canter
with less frustration or attitude under work
is so much better once our signals are clear our
horses are happier. Whether our horse's have got
caught in their blanket or a fence or our injuiries
are interfering with their ability to move. Massage
great deal of credence to performance. Posture
matters. Dennie has done a wonderful job with my
animals.
Dr. Nancy MacKenzie D.C.
