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Debranne Pattillo, MEEBW MSc.(h.c.), ASTR, PRESIDENT EQUINOLOGY ® INC
Debranne’s unique vision blends the precision of a bodyworker with the creativity of an artist, allowing her to perceive equine anatomy through a dual lens. Her teaching is a joyful fusion of the meticulous anatomical accuracy required for expert bodywork and the lively unpredictability of working with living, breathing, and often opinionated horses. With an artist’s eye, Debranne can deconstruct the equine body from skin to bone and then reassemble it—whether through detailed drawings, “air massages,” building the muscles inside out in clay with the Equiken® Learning System, or vibrant chalk paintings on live horses. This distinctive approach fuels her passion as a practitioner of equine bodywork and sports massage, making her a highly sought-after instructor. Her renowned “Painted Horse,” a cornerstone of Equinology since its inception in 1994, was even featured on the UK’s BBC program “Countryfile” in 2001.
Her book, Anatomy of Equine Bodywork: The Equinology® Approach, first published in 2018, encapsulates over 30 years of her experience, knowledge, techniques, and applications. The book includes contributions from esteemed professionals such as Dr. Peter Flood, Dr. Kerry Ridgway, Dr. Barb Crabbe, Kalyani Premkumar, and Dr. Joanna Robson. The text is brought to life by fresh illustrations from Celia Strain, Laurie O’Keefe, and Catherine Twomey, all acclaimed medical illustrators. A new edition of the book is anticipated in early 2025. In 2019, she launched the Equine Anatomy Learning Aid app, which complements both the book and Equinology courses. A canine version is expected to be released in late 2025, along with several eBooks and online courses tailored for professionals, trainers, and owners.
Debranne’s introduction to hands-on work with horses began with her Sonoma County trainer, Gayle Hunt, who took her to a clinic led by Linda Tellington-Jones—a pivotal moment that ignited her passion. Debranne acknowledges the profound influence of all the instructors at Equinology, particularly the late Dr. Kerry Ridgway, a pioneer in acupuncture, animal manipulation, and saddle fitting, and the late Dr. Des Greaves, an Australian expert in acupuncture, homeopathy, osteopathy, and chiropractic care. Among her most significant mentors was also a feisty 16-year-old Thoroughbred mare named Ronamead.
Before focusing on developing Equinology’s curriculum and faculty, Debranne owned and operated a small sport horse lay-up and boarding facility for six years. It was during this period that she discovered the benefits of equine sports massage for the rehabilitation and preventive care of equine athletes. In 1993, she sold the ranch to dedicate herself to a growing clientele that spanned multiple disciplines, including dressage, hunters, jumpers, endurance, cutting, pleasure, and geriatric retirees.
Since 1994, Debranne has been the lead instructor for more than 400 equine sports massage and anatomy courses, teaching over 4,000 participants across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., South Africa, New Zealand, and beyond. She holds the Equinology® Master Equine Body Worker Certification, a rigorous qualification requiring over 2,000 hours of coursework. Debranne is the author and facilitator of the unique Equinology® Equine Body Worker Certification Course, the signature program of Equinology. This course serves as a professional qualification within the BSc in Equine Sports Therapy presented by Writtle Agricultural College and the University of Essex in the U.K. In recognition of her contributions to equine education, Writtle University awarded Debranne an Honorary Master of Sciences Degree in 2019.
Debranne is also the co-founder and past Chair of the U.S. division of the International Equine Body Worker Association (IEBWA), an organization dedicated to supporting and promoting ethical practices in equine bodywork. She currently serves as the Division Head of the IEBWA for the USA, Australia, and New Zealand. A regularly invited lecturer and guest speaker, Debranne has given presentations on anatomy, stretching, and massage at colleges, universities, private educational institutions, and various equestrian venues.
In addition to authoring Equinology’s certification courses, Debranne has been featured in numerous international publications, including:
• United Kingdom: Horse and Hound, Practical Horseman, and Horse and Rider
• Australia: Endurance Magazine and Hoofbeats
• United States: Horse and Rider, Ride!, Riding Magazine, and Holistic Horse
• New Zealand: Horse and Pony
Her work has also been highlighted in regional newspapers and on various websites.
Listed below is a partial list of courses attended to complement and enhance Debranne’s current occupation. In addition to classroom theory hours, hundreds of additional hours have been spent assisting and learning under various instructors and doctors in health care and riding instruction. Hours listed are instructor contact hours only: most courses required case studies and externships following course completion.
Acupressure Convention – w/ Dr. Caine, DVM & Dr. D. Giniaux, MV, Biology
CESMAS (Conference on Equine Sports Medicine and Science)- Saumur (2002) and Oslo (2004),
Conformation clinics including Sporthorse Judging -Glen Ellen, CA
Diagnosing Back & Tendon Issues – Dr. JM Denoix, MV and Dr K. Allen, DVM, 16 hours,
Diagnosis of Poor Performance – Dr. A. Couroucé-Malblanc, MV and Dr. E. Hammer, MV,
Dr. Desmond Greaves -Maryborough, Australia-mentor in complementary equine modalities
Equiken; Anatomy in Clay by Zahourek Systems Anatomy-4 sessions, 160 hours,
Equine Acupressure – Dr Peggy Fleming, DVM-1 session, 72 hours,
Equine Acupressure -Dr Kerry Ridgway, DVM-1 session, 72 hours,
Equine Acupressure -Susan Tenney, CMT, EBW-2 sessions, 80 hours,
Equine Biomechanics & Applied Anatomy -Deb Bennett-1 session, 16 hours,
Equine Biomechanics -Barb Crabbe, DVM-3 sessions, 120 hours,
Equine Biomechanics -Dr. Hilary Clayton-3 sessions, 66 hours,
Equine CranioSacral Techniques I by Upledger Institute USA-1 session, 24 hours,
Equine Dentistry – Dr Mitch Benson, DVM-2 sessions, 16 hours,
Equine Dissection- Dr. Narelle Stubbs and Nicole Rombach- 2 sessions 52 hours,
Equine Dissection (Head & Neck)-Dr. Deb Bennett, PhD – 1 session, 24 hours ,
Equine Dissection – Dr. Deb Bennett, PhD -2 sessions, 80 hours,
Equine Exercise Physiology – Dr. Hilary Clayton, DVM- 2 sessions, 64 hours,
Equine Lameness – Dr. Michael Ross, DVM-1 session, 6 hours,
Equine Lamenes – Dr. Carrie Schlachter DVM- 1 session, 24 hours,
Equine Locomotion Conference – Michigan State University (2005),
Equine Myofascial Release -Ruth Golladay, CMT, ESMT, PT – 2 sessions, 80 hours,
Equine Nervous System & Function -Chris Pasquini, DVM-1 session, 40 hours,
Equine Nutrition – Dr. Carey A Williams, PhD -1 session, 24 hours,
Equine Nutrition -Dr Robert Bray, Phd -2 sessions, 48 hours,
Equine Postural Release – Zarna Carter- 1 session, 14 hours,
Equine Sports Medicine & Science – Dr. Steven Wickler, DVM- 1 session, 32 hours,
Essential Oils – Catherine Bird- 1 session, 24 hours,
Farrier Science and the Current Trends -Patrick Reilly- 2 sessions, 32 hours,
Gait Abnormalities -Dr Bob Norrie, DVM- 3 sessions, 72 hours,
Hands on Horse Care- Diana Thompson,
Horse Handling Skills for the Equinology® Equine Body Worker- Terry Church- 2 sessions, 48 hours,
Horse Handling Skills for the Equinology® Equine Body Worker Tina Hutton- 1 session, 24 hours,
Master Equinology® Equine Body Worker certification Equinology, Inc.,
Monitoring of Health and Performance in Sports Horses – Dr. Anne Couroucé-Malblanc and DrA. Lindholm, MV,
Physical Therapy & Stretching -Nancy Spencer CFI, 2 sessions, 48 hours,
Principles of Farrier Science -Ed Laney, California-2 sessions, 48 hours,
Principles of Farrier Science -Stuart Greenberg-college semester, 3 units,
Reiki Level One certification -QLD Australia
Saddle Fitting – Dr Kerry Ridgway, DVM- 3 sessions, 72 hours,
Saddle Fitting -Andrew Foster, England-seminar,
TTEAM – Linda Tellington Jones-seminar,
Ultrasonography of Equine Articulations – Dr Jean-Marie Denoix, MV, Zoology
Debranne currently resides at Lake Berryessa, CA with her husband, Paul Hougard. Paul is “Mr. Equinology” and the flagship of running the education company office
CONTACT INFORMATION
Address: Napa, CA
Phone: (707) 377-4313
Email: equinologyoffice@gmail.com
RUTH MITCHELL-GOLLADAY, PT, EEBW, CMT
As a physical therapist, massage therapist, Equinology Equine Body Worker, and lifetime animal lover, Ruth Mitchell-Golladay is able to combine knowledge and experience with love to care for animal populations. Ruth, a Texan, received her graduate degree in physical therapy from The University of Iowa in 1972 and opened a private practice in Dallas in 1978. She then attended The Institute of Natural Healing Sciences in Colleyville, Texas, in 1991, for her massage therapy training. She is Nationally Board Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Body Work and state licensed. Additionally, she obtained her Equinology Equine Body Worker certification in 2004. Ruth began her Myofascial Release education in 1987, has taken all John Barnes MFR courses (including equine), and was a Senior Instructor/Coordinator, Co-lecturer and Primary Lecturer for John Barnes, teaching over 130 courses for him from 1988-2002. From 1999 until her resignation in June 2001, she was the Primary Lecturer for the Barnes Equine MFR courses. In 1990, Ruth opened Equine Therapeutic Center, Inc. which is now based at Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia from May through October and the Rio Grande Valley of Texas from November through April. In both locations Ruth provides therapy for horse and rider. She uses her biomechanical knowledge to assist in determining a problem with the horse (or human) and then primarily utilizes Myofascial Release to decrease the symptoms and/or dysfunction. In addition, she uses laser, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, Red Light Acupoint Therapy, essential oils and specialized taping techniques. To assist owner, trainer and/or rider in a home program of care she also includes exercises, including stabilization and core exercises for the horse and rider.DR NICOLE ROMBACH, APM, MEEBW, CCBW, MSC., PHD
Nicole attained the ITEC human massage qualification in 1997, the Equinology Equine Body Worker ® certification in 1998 and the Equinology Master Equine Body Worker ® certification in 1999 and has since taken most of the courses in the Equinology Extension certification series. She also completed the post-graduate and Master of Science degree programmes in Animal Manipulation from the McTimoney College of Chiropractic and University of Wales in the United Kingdom. She earned her PhD in 2013 from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University. Her main interest lies in the effect of complementary therapies on equine performance, and the subject for her doctoral research was investigation into equine neck pain from the perspectives of pathology, neuromotor control and equine behaviour associated with spinal dysfunction. Nicole is the president of Equinenergy Ltd. (www.equinenergy.com) and Caninenergy Ltd. (www.caninenergy.com) in the United Kingdom. From 2003 to 2009 she was based in São Paulo, Brazil where she worked in direct liaison with various veterinary clinics, focusing on sports therapy for performance horses from novice to Olympic level. She travelled to national competition centres and private clients throughout Brazil and in other South American countries. In addition, she carried out infrared thermographic imaging (thermography) in conjunction with equine veterinarians to aid their diagnostic procedures. She also uses thermography to assess hoof balance, saddle fit and changes in thermal patterns following sports therapy sessions. Nicole regularly lectures at various universities and for professional associations. She travels within the USA and to Europe and Brazil on a regular basis, to teach some of the modules of the Equinology course curriculum and to work on her established clientele of horses and dogs. She is currently based in Petaluma, California. In addition to clinical consultations, she is the Course Development Liaison Manager for Equinology, Inc., in charge of national and international expansion of the Equinology course curriculum. In her spare time she produces her own horses for dressage and showjumping competitions, and she holds Brazilian state and national amateur championship titles.DR MILA SPECIANI. VM, EEBW
Dr. Mila Speciani, DVM, CCBW, EEBW, GPcert WVA&CPM, lives and works across Northern Italy running a freelance practice for both small and large animals, as well as consulting as a senior specialist for the Clinica Veterinaria San Marco – Small Animal Hospital in Veggiano, Padova. The majority of her daily practice includes dogs, cats and horses. She integrates natural medicine, sports medicine, natural management and gentle horsemanship, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, pain management and acupuncture in order to provide health and wellness to animal athletes and pets. She graduated with full marks in 2006 at “University of Parma – Veterinary Medicine Department” (Final thesis “Ultrasonographic evaluation of the thoracolumbar spine of the horse”) Dr. Mila Speciani speaks 4 languages (Italian, English, German and Spanish) and has built her experience internationally – including: Externships at Santa Lucia Farm, Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center, San Marcos Equine Practice (California, USA); EEBW® certified; Certified by Holistic School on Natural Horse Management and Natural Barefoot Trimming (with Dr.Sabioni, Imola, Italy); Equine Physiotherapy, Preventive Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Ultrasound and PMF-Magnetic Field Therapy (with Dr.Amon, San Rossore Racetrack, Pisa, Italy); Equine Sport Medicine and TECAR® Therapy (with Dr.Lattanzio, Milan, Italy). Following three years of postgraduate school, she graduated CUM LAUDE on June 11th 2011 as Doctor Expert in Homeopathy, Homotoxicology and Integrated Therapies. (Final thesis: “Integration among homotoxicology, homeomesotherapy, homeosiniatry and physical therapy in Veterinary Medicine”). Her dissertation earned her the recognition of the Internationale Gesellschaft für Homotoxikologie (Baden Baden, Germany). In 2013 she completed an Equine Kinesio Taping course of studies (Fundamentals & Advanced – KT1 & KT2) certified by Kinesio Taping Association International (Instructor Dr. Sybille Molle). In 2014 Mila enriched her knowledge on Myofascial Release by attending seminars and being further mentored by Ruth Mitchell-Golladay (PT, CMT, NCTMB, EEBW®). She then further specialized in Western Veterinary Acupuncture and Chronic Pain Management (GP Cert WVA&CPM – course of study 2017-2019). Dr. Speciani is an instructor and lecturer for many world-renowned institutions and regularly teaches courses and seminars all over the world. She has published peer reviewed articles concerning her scientific areas of expertise, and developed the Caninology Canine Body Worker course portfolio for the international school Equinology Inc. An interest in the interactions between animal and human athletes, has led her to undertake training as a Human Shiatsu Therapist, whilst also studying for a BSc in Human Kinesiology & Sports Science at the University of Padua.DR KAREN ISTED, MCHIRO BSC (HONS) UK EQUINE NDIP
Dr Karen Isted (MChiro BSc(Hons) UK Equine NDip) is a registered chiropractor who graduated with distinction from the world renowned AECC at Bournemouth University in the United Kingdom. Since completing her Masters she has done several Sacro-Occipital postgraduate courses and specializes in the treatment of children, cranial work and low-impact adjusting.
On the equine side of the clinic her work builds on an Equine Science and SANEF foundation and she has a passion for bringing a true understanding of Wellness into the world of equine management. Apart from the human practice in town, she is currently involved on a weekly basis with the Hemel & Aarde Farm rehabilitation & training programs for all the resident and visiting horses as well as occasional guest tutoring for Equicanis Africa.
Karen also has 2 young twin girls, Olivia and Rachel, who are fast following in their Mother’s footsteps when it comes to a passion for horses!
ANNE BONDI, BHSI
A successful professional rider and trainer who has competed at advanced level both in eventing and dressage, Dr. Anne Bondi has also been placed in international three-day events including Windsor, Blair and Blenheim. As a trainer, she has prepared pupils for both competition careers and professional exams and was a Senior Examiner of the British Horse Society. Specialising both in the production of young competition horses and in the education of problem horses, she has also produced a dynasty of homebred horses. Anne currently rides a very nice young event horse that is competing consistently well at amateur level and also owns an advanced horse that competes at 3* level with a young professional rider.
In 2009, Anne founded the Saddle Research Trust to promote the welfare of the ridden horse, to educate and raise awareness of the widely underestimated issues surrounding saddles, welfare and performance and to support research into this important field. The SRT is now internationally recognised for its ground-breaking work.
In 2017, Anne was awarded a doctorate for her novel research of horse, saddle and rider interaction. She teaches world-wide, giving lectures and presentations to a wide range of groups including equine healthcare practitioners, saddle fitters, coaches and equine science students, sharing her passion for this complex but fascinating subject.