RICHARD VALDEZ, LMT, ESMT
Richard has dedicated his career to the well-being and athletic performance of equines and their riders. Richard has a full-time massage therapy practice in Middle Tennessee, where he has been serving the local community and abroad since 1998. Richards comprehensive background underscores his commitment to enhancing equine sports massage therapy through expertise and passion for animal and sports health.
Richard and Laura his wife of 41 years, live on a small farm in Columbia, TN. They have two grown sons and seven grandchildren. When Richard is not working with horses, he is in his garage working on his 1957 Chevy Bel-Air or traveling the roads with Laura in their vintage Airstream.
- Equestrian Massage Therapist for the Endurance team at the United States Equestrian Team (USET) World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Spain, 2002. This experience allowed me to work with top-tier equestrian athletes, riders and contribute to their preparation for international competition.
- Worked with vaulting horses for the WEG games in 2010, enriching my experience in supporting a different facet of equestrian competition.
- Performed over 15,000 equine treatments, specializing in pain management, prevention, and post-injury rehabilitation utilizing evidence-based techniques focusing on enhancing athletic recovery and optimizing performance.
- Provided services to high-profile clients, including top dressage, eventing, hunter-jumper, steeplechase, and flat-track racehorses, equipping me with a comprehensive understanding of the specific physiological needs of various equestrian sports.
- Featured in several reputable publications, including Back to Work by Lucinda Dyer, highlighting my commitment to the field and contributions to equine therapy practices.
- Expert consultant on various projects, including helping to develop TN Equine Therapy guidelines, which aim to establish best practices and standards within the industry.
