Jennifer McDermott

Jennifer has been mucking around barns since the age of ten. She attended Kenyon College, and soon found herself pursuing a career as an art appraiser/ dealer in New York City. While in Asia she juggled horses and a young family working with ex polo ponies in a Riding for the Disabled Program. Upon returning to the US her exploration of horse energy began while rehabilitating hunter/jumpers over 12 years ago in Fairfield County. Her Equine Reiki practice, where she earned Master Teacher level, led her to certification in Equine Acupressure II through Tallgrass Institute. She has studied nutrition with Eleanor Kellon, DVM, and she is an avid researcher on most equine healing modalities. Her passion for preventative health has caused her to recognize the necessary three-pronged approach of Foundational Rehabilitation: Nutrition, Bodywork and Positive Reinforcement Teaching. She has had the unique experience of studying with Anna Twinney gentling orphan foals and starting premarin colts. This August Jennifer will be gentling BLM mustangs, giving them the best possible start. Her work with Animal Behaviorist Casey Sugarman solidified the successful implementation of positive reinforcement teaching. She now lives in Guilford, CT with her husband and three boys and devotes herself to the rehabilitation of the Off the Track Thoroughbred. This Spring marks the beginning of her joining CANTER New England (adoption and placement service for retired thoroughbreds,) introducing her highly effective and sustainable approach to rehabilitation.