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.
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!
