About Me:
Dr. Barbara parks, pt, dpt, cerp, ctri, cemt
Born and raised in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Barbara moved to Tennessee to attend the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Belmont University, graduating in 2018. She went on to complete the Certified Equine Rehabilitation Practitioner (CERP) program through the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in order to apply her physical therapy training to equine patients. She is also an NBCAAM-certified Equine Massage Therapist and a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor.
As the founder of Imagine Equine Services, she brings a whole-horse, evidence-informed approach to equine rehabilitation and performance. Her work is grounded in a passion for positive reinforcement training, including the use of clicker training to support recovery and strengthen movement patterns. She has pursued extensive continuing education in equine bodywork, biomechanics, and orthopedic assessment, barefoot hoof care and composite shoeing, equine nutrition, and equine behavior and learning theory.
Through Imagine Equine Services, Barbara provides physical therapy services for both horse and rider in the greater Nashville area, virtual consultations, positive reinforcement training, and a variety of educational online courses for horse owners and professionals. She also operates a track system rehab boarding facility, offering an environment that supports optimal healing, movement, and long-term wellness.
For a full list of services - click here.
For a comprehensive look at my educational background - click here.
Why Physical Therapy ?
Physical therapy is the standard of care following injury, surgery, and neurological disease in human medicine. I believe the same should be true for horses!
Physical therapy combines manual therapy (bodywork), modalities, and targeted exercises to reduce pain and restore function to get you back to doing the things you love!
In addition to facilitating recovery from injuries, physical therapy can prevent future injuries, decrease pain without the need for medications or injections, and remove the need for costly and invasive surgical procedures. I will work with you and your veterinarian to develop a plan tailored to your goals and your horse’s specific needs.
Physical therapy can also help solve many common equine behavioral problems. Issues spanning from biting to bucking are often rooted in pain and physical dysfunction. With a thorough assessment, we can find and target the root of the problem.
Because I was trained in human medicine first, I am uniquely qualified to assess and treat equestrians, too! I understand the unique fitness needs of equestrians and the intricacies of the interactions between horse and rider. I can help you improve your seat and the clarity of your aids, or get you back in the saddle after an injury. I apply my tools as a therapist to help you improve your riding technique and identify ways in which you might be blocking your horse from his full potential. Unfortunately, we are often the underlying cause of our horses’ asymmetries, and vice-versa!
If physical therapy sounds like the right choice for you and your horse, please contact me today!
My Educational Background
(I have completed well over 1000 hours of continuing education since 2018. This is a comprehensive but not exhaustive list)
Degrees, Licences, & Certifications
Bachelor of Science in Financial Economics & French (2013) - Centre College, Danville, KY
Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (2017) - PATH International
Doctorate of Physical Therapy (2018) - Belmont University, Nashville, TN
Certified Equine Rehabilitation Practitioner (2018) - University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Credentialed Clinical Instructor (2018) - American Physical Therapy Association
Certified Women’s Coaching Specialist (2019) - Girl’s Gone Strong
Certified Equine Massage Therapist (2024) - National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure and Massage
Trauma Informed Yoga Certification (2025) - My Vinyasa Practice
Presentations & Interviews I’ve given
Keynote AAETT Conference Speaker (2024) with Suzzi Peeler - The Equine Dental Connection
Webinar with Wendy Murdoch (2024) with Suzzi Peeler - Dental Balance and How it Impacts the Body
IAAT 2 Part Webinar Series (2025) with Suzzi Peeler - The Equine Dental Connection & Neurobiomechanics of Dentition
The Whole Horse Podcast (2025) episode 145 with Alexa Linton - Positive Reinforcement Training in Equine Rehabilitation
Veterinary Compendium Community Gathering (2025) with Jena Question - R+ Applications in Therapeutic Settings
Relevant Continuing Education Coursework
Dry Needling Level 1 (2018) - Belmont University - 27 hours
AHA Level 1 Treatment Principles Course (2018) - American Hippotherapy Association - 27 hours
7th International Biennial Conference (2019) - American Hippotherapy Association - 16 hours
Hoof Rehabilitation and Protection Clinic (2019) - Pete Ramey - 16 hours
Beginner Hoof Trimming (2019) - Ida Hammer - 8 hours
Concussion Management (2019) - Upstream Rehabilitation - 16 hours
Para-Equestrian Classifier Clinic (2019) - United States Equestrian Federation - 10 hours
Rocktape Equine Kinesiology Taping Certification (2019) - Northeast Seminars - 3 hours
Progressive Hoofcare Practitioners Mentorship (2020) - Anne Buteau - 8 hours
Progressive Hoofcare Practitioners Mentorship (2020) - Patrice Sager - 16 hours
Assessment of BPPV (2020) - Belmont University - 8 hours
Exploring the Equine Hoof (2021) - Ida Hammer - 8 hours
Horse-Human Connection Academy (2021) - Mustang Maddy - 102 hours
Understanding the Mechanics of Jumping Horses to Optimize Performance and Reduce Risk of Injury (2021) - Centaur Biomechanics - 1 hour
Master Horse Program (2022) - University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension - 20 hours
Hoofwear Patterns (2022) - Ida Hammer - 8 hours
Unveiling the Hoof and Neck Connection (2022) - Ida Hammer & Deb Davies - 8 hours
Conformation: From a Biomechanical Perspective with Prof. Hilary Clayton (2022) - Centaur Biomechanics - 2 hours
Peripheral Nerve Sensitivity: Upper Quarter (2022) - Belmont University - 15 hours
Introduction to Tensegrity Balancing Therapy (2022) - Elkayam Equine Therapy - 21 hours
Vet Rehab Summit (2022) - Curacore Vet - 10 hours
The Willing Equine Foundations Course (2023) - Adele Shaw - 30 hours
Shawna Karrasch Clinic - Burns, TN (2023) - Shawna Karrasch - 20 hours including 1:1 ridden instruction
Shawna Karrasch Clinic - Chattanooga, TN (2023) - Shawna Karrasch - 16 hours
Shawna Karrasch Clinic - Huntsville, AL (2024) - Shawna Karrasch - 16 hours
CCAT Module 1 Online: Introduction to Companion Animal Rehabilitation (2023) - Northeast Seminars - 13 hours
Introduction to Connective Tissue and Equine Lymph System (2023) - Holistic Equine Academy of Lymphedema - 3 hours
Beyond Horse Massage: The Masterson Method 2-day Course (2023) - Masterson Method - 14 hours
Do Training Aids Provide a Biomechanical Advantage or Challenge to the Horse (2024) - Centaur Biomechanics - 2 hours
Advanced Animal Training (2024) - Illis Animal Behavior - 17 hours
Intermediate Hoof Trimming (2024) - Ida Hammer - 8 hours
Treating Equine Asthma and EIPH Using Shockwave Therapy (2024) - Zomedica - 1 hour
Equine Dry Needling (2025) - Myopain Seminars - 25 hours
A Whole Horse Approach to Hoofcare (2025) - Hannah Nichols - 8 Hours
Dry Needling: Level 2 (2025) - AdaPTed Continuing Education - 27 hours
Trauma Informed Yoga Certification (2025) - My Vinyasa Practice - 40 hours
A Body of Knowledge: A Practical Exploration of Anatomy (2025) - Denali Equine/Rexos Academy and Sharon May-Davis - Dissection of a horse with ECVM - 14 hours
Equine Scentwork Summit (2025) - Rachael Draaisma et. al. - 9 hours
Foal Hoof Trimming (2025) - Ida Hammer - 8 hours