From saddles to stethoscopes: Mikaela Sattler’s journey from rodeos to nursing and equine therapy
Mikaela Sattler spent her childhood travelling to rodeo circuits throughout Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and North and South Dakota. It is safe to say that she grew up on a saddle and her passion for riding and love of horses was embedded at a young age. Mikaela smiles and comments, “I don’t remember not taking part in rodeos. It was what my family did and still takes part in,” said the 20 year old who is the youngest daughter of Mike and Sheilagh Sattler of Stockton.
But she also grew up in a family of healers, Mikaela was influenced by her late grandmother, Maureen Cullen, a highly respected Registered Nurse, and her mother, an LPN. Known as Mickey to her friends and family, she has just completed her second year at Brandon University, where she is studying for a Bachelor of Nursing degree with the goal of eventually becoming a physician.
Mickey has always been an astute student which earned her a number of university scholarships to assist with education costs. The remainder of her tuitions are covered through her business Spruce Hills Equine through riding lessons and most recently she has expanded her services to include equine massage.
“I had been wanting to take the course for a few years so when I learned it was being offered in Dunrea I jumped at the opportunity,” explained Mickey who added that the intense 80 hour course was held over six days. The course Mickey referred to is, “National School of Equine Massage & Rehabilitation”, offered by 30 year veteran and owner Sidonia McIntyre, RMT, CEMT and CCF. McIntyre has trained and been accredited in a number of different styles of massage therapy including Swedish massage which is one of the techniques she shares in her courses. No devices are used, it’s all through touch and healing hands.
It’s understandable how a massage would benefit a horse, when approximately 60% of their body is made up of muscles and tendons. Whether they are working horses, jumpers or racing horses their bodies are continually taxed. Unlike humans they can not tell us where they are hurting and it is through the teachings of this course that Mickey is able to find the trigger point and release the pain and discomfort. “It is pretty gratifying to see a horse yawn (a sign of comfort), close their eyes (another sign of relief), or when they press their body into my hands as I’m working on them; when they do that I know they are responding positively to the treatment.”
During the six days Mickey studied massage theory and technique, scar tissue development theory and reduction technique, lower limb swelling reduction, hoof heat reduction, deep fascia release, behaviour issues with direct physical correlations, movement of CSF, colic relief technique, equine anatomy, assessment of the body and joints of the horse, hydrotherapy and stretches. “The course was very intense, we covered a lot in a few days. We had 3 written tests and a 2 hour hands on exam at the end,” explained Mickey who has been practising the techniques on her own horses and feels confident in skills to offer her services to the public this month.
The first thing taught is safety; how to approach a horse and how to stay safe while handing it. A therapeutic massage can be intense, and if you have ever had one to treat a painful area, you know it can sometimes hurt as the masseuse skillfully works it out. This is why it is so important to be mindful at all times when working with equine. “It isn’t like working with your own horses that you are familiar with. So having the ability to read them and gain their trust is essential,” explained Mickey.
Throughout the past two years, Mickey has earned the respect as a riding instructor, she still takes part in the rodeo circuit and Jackpots and has been quite successful. “The cash prizes help with the high costs involved with owning a horse and travel expenses. Revenue from riding lessons and soon the massage treatments fund my eduction.”
Aside from her education goals, Mickey expresses her other goal is to bring confidence to her young riding students and expand the riding community. “It is also really important to me for Spruce Hills Equine to be a well known and respected riding lesson program and therapeutic treatment centre for horses.”
Her gratification derives from watching her students mature in experience and having many successes at Rodeo competitions.
Her caring and love for her quarter horses mixed with her passion for healing lead to the question of if she considered to expand to veterinary school. Her answer was quick and emphatic, “I’ve actually never considered becoming a vet or vet tech. I’ve always known I wanted to enter the medical field and have never had any second thoughts, I guess medicine just runs in the family!”
PHOTO CAPTION: Mikaela “Mickey” Sattler has a love of horses and a strong desire to help people and animals heal.
