Ruth Mitchell, PT, ESMT, CMT

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 and, In 2022 Ruth became a Certified Animal Aromatherapy Specialist.
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 which was based at Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia from 1998-2018. It is now based in the Dallas, Texas area from April through October and in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas from November through March. 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 certified pure tested grade essential oils, laser, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, Red Light Acupoint Therapy, 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.
Ruth started teaching for Equinology, Inc. in 1999. She has taught Myofascial Release for horses at facilities in California, Virginia, Texas, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Additionally she has taught the Equinology, Inc. Equine Body Worker Certification Courses in the United States, England, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, Canine MFR in Canada and England, and human MFR in England.

Ruth’s book, Facilitated Healing through Myofascial Release – Putting the Pieces Together for Horse and Rider was first released in 2001. The revised second edition is now available through animalmfr@gmail.com. She has also released a second book, Canine Myofascial Release which is available at the same email.