About Mebane Equine Bodyworks, Inc
Tara C Mebane CSF, EM/MT, EEMFR
As a lifelong horse owner and classically trained professional rider, I've always been an advocate for horses. This passion drives my continuous pursuit of knowledge in horsemanship, always putting the horse's best interest first. This philosophy guides my approach to saddle fitting and bodywork, ensuring the well-being and happiness of every horse I touch.
Background
Riding Experience
I grew up training and competing in hunters, jumpers, eventing, and dressage. For the past decade, my focus has been learning classical dressage under the guidance of trainer Gayle Dauverd. Influenced by her training with classical greats like Vi Hopkins, Mary Wanless, Dennis Callan, and Charles de Kunffy, Gayle emphasizes the meticulous, artful process of developing a horse's balance, strength, and straightness. This deep understanding of biomechanics profoundly informs my approach to saddle fitting and bodywork. Additionally, as Gayle is also a master trimmer, I spend several observation hours each month learning hoof care and function, and how it effects performance and posture issues in horses.
Education and Career
Graduating with honors from NC State, I hold a B.S. in Agricultural Extension Education with minors in Animal Science and Ag Business Management. Combined with over a decade of experience at Southern States and attending their (and later Cargill's) husbandry classes, I am well-versed in equine nutrition and health management. During my nine years at ThinLine Saddle Pads, I developed popular products, collaborated with top riders, and attended prestigious events like the 2010 World Equestrian Games, World Cup Finals, and Rolex 3 Day Event. Before focusing full-time on saddle fitting and bodywork, I also worked as a sales rep for Intrepid International, an equestrian wholesale distribution and manufacturing company based in Pennsylvania.
Saddle Fitting Certification (CSF)
In September 2015, I became a Certified Saddle Fitter after passing my finals at the completion of the 250-hour English Saddle Fit & Flocking Course, taught by world-renowned saddle fitter Mike Scott at his school in Camden, SC. This is an independent saddle fitting training course, meaning it is not brand-affiliated and focuses on understanding anatomy, movement, tree and panel shape and design, and flocking techniques to assess the suitability and fit of any English saddle and make appropriate adjustments or recommendations. This intensive six-month certification course involved classroom and hands-on training, independent case studies, observation hours/internships, quizzes, a research paper, and a hands-on and written final.
Equine Sports Massage Certification (EM/MT)
In May 2018, I became a certified equine massage therapist after passing my finals at the completion of the 300-hour Equine Massage/Muscle Therapy Course, taught by Mike Scott and Joy Falese at their school in Camden, SC. Both instructors have decades of experience as both human and equine massage therapists. The course material focused extensively on anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, sports massage techniques, and the equine massage principles and theories of Jack Meagher and Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt. Like the saddle fitting course, this was also an intensive six-month certification program that involved classroom and hands-on training, independent case studies, observation hours/internships, quizzes, a research paper, and a hands-on and written final.
Equine myofascial release certification (EEMFR)
In 2020, I completed all course requirements for the 100-hour EQ1100: Equine Myofascial Release Techniques Level 1, and in 2021, the 65-hour EQ1110: Equine Myofascial Release Techniques Level 2, culminating in my certification in Equinology® Equine MyoFascial Release through the Equinology Institute, offered by EquiLearn Institute. Both courses were taught by Ruth Mitchell-Golladay, one of the premier educators in myofascial release in the country. These courses included classroom and hands-on training, as well as externship requirements, which involved case studies and summaries, visual presentations, and written essays.
Craniosacral Therapy Techniques
While I had some exposure to craniosacral therapy techniques through my myofascial release courses and as a recipient of the therapy myself, I wanted to pursue further training. In 2020, I enrolled in the level one equine program with the Upledger Institute, the gold standard of craniosacral therapy, but unfortunately, the class was postponed and the program never resumed post-COVID.
In the summer of 2023, I began training with Stephanie Mills, a certified equine massage therapist and Upledger-trained craniosacral therapist. I completed her certification course in craniosacral therapy technique integration for equine massage. This course introduced me to understanding and feeling the craniosacral rhythm and implementing these techniques into my current bodywork program.