about us

The Equi-Bow technique was founded and created by Cheryl Gibson and Simone Usselman-Todd in 2002. 

Cheryl was passionate about researching, developing, and fine-tuning various alternative modalities for horses using her intuition and unique perspective. Through her years she drew on her experience within a spectrum of holistic healing practice incorporating horses, humans, companion animals and exotic animals.

Cheryl Gibson

Simone Usselman-Todd

We know the horse’s bodily systems - internal organ systems and musculoskeletal systems are addressed through the fascia and nervous system. These neurological impulses are sent to the brain, which is then given time to integrate the information. We then see the nervous system reset the body.

Respecting this feedback loop is essential to allow the body to restore its own natural balance. Benefits are usually apparent within two to three sesssions, even when long-standing conditions are being accessed. Equi-Bow results are long lasting and profound.

Cheryl and her colleague, Simone Usselman-Tod, working together with Jonathan Damonte  (a talented and experienced human Bowen instructor) as well as other qualified professionals in the veterinary and therapy fields, started to develop an equine protocol. Although initiated by the human Bowen techniques, Equi-Bow quickly evolved into a different type of holistic technique uniquely suited to horses.

Due to the broadly based experiences of Cheryl and Simone, Equi-Bow encompasses other disciplines, philosophies & methods:

The Equi-Bow technique functions as a form of neuromuscular re-patterning. It works primarily by addressing the nervous system on both structural and energetic levels to bring about change. It facilitates healing of the whole body from there.

Often the body holds patterns of pain and physiological dysfunctions are removed by restoring the structural integrity of the body. The Equi-Bow technique brings a specific series of muscle and connective tissue movements designed to address a wide range of problems and injuries. It is very gentle and non-invasive, but incredibly effective!

Instructor Team

Equi-Bow Canada brings together world-class practitioners who have graduated from the CEBP program and/or are highly respected in their field of practice. These practitioners are dedicated to teaching you the latest in the equine industry and how Equi-Bow creates an impact on the overall health of the horse.

  • Cheryl Gibson

    FOUNDER

    A past member of the International Alliance of Healthcare Practitioners, Cheryl has been involved with natural approaches to bodywork and equine behaviour for over forty years. She has practiced and taught equine Feldenkrais, and has developed and practiced myofascial release and Cranio Sacral techniques for horses and companion animals. Cheryl studied with the Upledger Institute in Florida for Human Cranio Sacral therapy and has accepted humans into her practice since 1996.

    Her interest in the physical and mental well-being of horses combined with a holistic approach to problem-solving has led to extensive research, development, continuing education, and teaching, as well as the development of Equi-Bow Bodywork Technique.

  • Linzi Sally

    INSTRUCTOR, CEBP

    Linzi fell in love with horses after her first lesson at the age of six, and that love for horses is now stronger than ever! Becoming a certified Equi-Bow practitioner in 2012, Linzi began assisting with Equi-Bow classes, which led to pursuing further training to become an Equi-Bow Instructor. She is currently helping to formalize Equi-Bow Canada’s instructor training protocol.

    Linzi has always enjoyed teaching and realized at a young age that teaching would be part of her future. Learning to become an Equi-Bow practitioner and now an Equi-Bow instructor is one of her greatest accomplishments to date. This journey has taught her how to “think outside the box” and to connect with horses in a very different and significant way. Linzi is thrilled to be part of the Equi-Bow Canada teaching team!

  • Angela Saieva

    INSTRUCTOR, CEBP, CETP, CEMT

    Angela holds multiple certifications including Equi-Bow as both a practitioner and instructor, equine kinesiology taping, equine massage therapy, and SURE FOOT Stability Pads practitioner.

    She brings all her experience to her business, Equine Elevation, where she practices bodywork and offers education and mentorship services for horse owners and professionals. Angela is passionate about educating and empowering owners to truly be able to see and hear their horses. She believes the best way to support both her equine and human clients is to help them create authentic connections and partnerships based on love, trust and consent.

    Angela believes wholeheartedly in the power of Equi-Bow and is honoured to be a part of the EB practitioner and teaching team. She looks forward to working with you and being part of your equine educational journey!

  • Lisa Byers

    Instructor, CEBP, CETP, CECST

    Lisa is certified in Equi-Bow, Equi-Tape, Surefoot®Stability Pads, CranioSacralTherapy. She has experienced the most incredible results over the past couple of years and has built up a great portfolio of satisfied clients and their happy, balanced, pain-free horses. She is always looking to expand her knowledge to gain more skills to help her equine clients. She incorporates T-Touch, Masterson Method, plus others.

    She is also a student of Straightness Training. She loves this method to support the newly found balanced postures of our horses.

    Equi-Bow protocol has altered her vision of how to work with and help horses become more balanced and moving more functionally correct, which is so important for health and longevity.

    As both an Equi-Bow Practioner and an Equi-bow Instructor, she looks forward to being able to share her knowledge and help others help their horses.

  • caren dougall

    Instructor, RVT, CETP, CEBP, WEBBP

    Caren’s entire career has been devoted to working with many animals. She is passionate about seeing horses and dogs thrive in their lives. She takes a multi-modal approach to provide comfort, confidence, and capability to all of her equine and canine clients. Caren’s goal is to always empower owners to learn and be actively involved in the wellness plans for their animals. Whether you have a challenging rehabilitation case, a performance horse with a full athletic schedule, or a favorite companion who deserves optimal wellness, she will tailor a bodywork and wellness plan to suit.

    Outside of teaching Equi-Bow, Caren owns and operates North of 9 Equine ( a small boarding & rehabilitation farm), sees clients through her bodywork business (North of 9 Equine & Canine Bodywork), and teaches WEBB (Whole Energy Body Balance).

  • calla martin

    INSTRUCTOR, CEBP

    After completing an initial Diploma in Animal Science Technology, she moved to the United States, where she started an Equine Science Degree program at the University of Kentucky. While she was there she competed on the Western Equestrian Team at UK. She then transferred to Colorado State University in Fort Collins. She had the opportunity to work at multiple show barns with world-class horses in both Kentucky and Colorado. Her move back to Alberta in 2015 brought her back to my roots; to create a community of equine education here in Western Canada. Through her pursuit to learn she found Equi-Bow, and became a Certified Practitioner and Instructor.

  • Ashley Stinson

    Instructor, CEBP, CEMT, CETP

    Ashley started her bodywork journey to help support her own horses, one being a head shaker and the other recovering from an injury and an idiopathic lameness. Fueling her passion for knowledge, Ashley pursued formal education in equine sciences, anatomy, and bodywork. This commitment to understanding the intricacies of equine physiology led her to acquire certifications in various bodywork techniques ensuring that she could contribute meaningfully to the well-being of her equine partners, as well as her client’s companions.

    Equi-Bow is one of her favourite modalities to utilize as it allows her to connect with horses in such a profound way to support the body and its own natural healing and balancing and she is excited to join the Equi-Bow Instructor team and share this amazing modality with others.

  • Julia Merrit

    Instructor, CEBP, CETP

    Julia became a Certified Equi-Bow Practitioner in 2016, a Certified Equi-Tape Practitioner in 2017, and Canine/Equine Trigger Point Therapy in 2020. She is currently enrolled in the London College of Animal Osteopathy. Her talents lie in analyzing complex situations to improve athletic performance and the horse-human relationship.

    Julia has over 25 years of horse experience including competition experience in eventing, jumpers, and dressage, as well as the rehabilitation and care of chronic conditions. She sat on the Board of Directors for Ontario Equestrian 2017-2023.

  • Brianna Ferguson

    MEDIA MANAGER, CEBP

    Brianna began her bodywork journey after seeing the profound results it had on her personal horses. Her journey into holistic equine education began by studying equine behavior science. As she continued to learn more about equine behaviour, she realized that no matter how much time we spend training, progress is determined by how the horse is feeling in their physical body. She began searching for a bodywork technique that aligned with her ideals of what interactions with horses should look like - consent-based, minimally invasive, gentle, and positive. That's when she found Equi-Bow.

    As a consent-based horsemanship trainer and Equi-Bow practitioner, she aims to help horses and their caregivers build healthy relationships built on trust and connection, synergistically combining behaviour consulting, enrichment, and training with equine bodywork.