Sherry Chesler Of SherAl Farm Specializes In A Variety Of Holistic Equine Therapy Disciplines
Sherry Chesler of SherAl Farm is a registered, FEI-permitted equine therapist. She provides Bowen therapy, muscle massage, osteopathy and holistic equine therapy.
The multi-disciplines that Chesler works in are all interrelated for her, as she draws upon all of them from beginning to end.
In steps, Chesler begins with finding out what the horse eats and the additives and why it is their diet. Noting any previous injuries and known problems, she finds out their age, dental records and when any maintenance was done. She determines their “job,” and listens to knowledgeable staff to learn all she can about the horse. Then she takes them for a walk. This allows Chesler to assess step, walking and circling.
“I wipe the entire horse with a small towel to introduce myself while visually noticing anything that could be an issue, including mouth, tongue and color,” Chesler explained. “Then, using my hands and a dynamic warm-up prior to measuring ranges of motion and flexibilities, they are completely looked over from nose to toes, including their tail and appearance of manure.”
The client benefits with a horse that is more comfortable, and the owner will become more knowledgeable about why, as Chesler provides an extensive educational report of the day with each session.
Originally from Ohio, Chesler loved animals growing up and began doing odd jobs to earn money while being around horses.
“I loved all animals, but especially horses and dogs. I’d earn money washing cars, mowing lawns, bathing dogs, anything an eager child could do who was anxious to earn enough for bus fare to a riding stable,” Chesler recalled.
At age 16, Chesler’s mother passed away. Shortly thereafter, the teenager, who had acquired a work permit two years earlier, completed secondary school and made her way to South Florida to rent a room from a distant relative.
“My life became work, school and horses, with me always hoping for more horses,” Chesler said. “Luckily, a retired racetrack Thoroughbred came my way, and we learned slowly together at a stable.”
Alan Chesler, who was to be her future husband, also came her way.
“Hailing from Toronto, Canada, he was more horse crazy than I,” she recalled.
That was four decades ago, and Chelser has been active in the local horse community ever since.
“Throughout the last 45 years, we have seen the equine community in the Village of Wellington grow exponentially,” Chesler said. “It is very difficult for an outsider to understand the equine foothold here unless they have truly experienced it.”
Beginning the show barn SherAl Farm in 1980, daughter Frankie became the rider/trainer. It was easy for Chesler to see the physical and emotional stress of being a competitive show horse.
“All animals suffer anxiety, and horses are no different. Stepping into this world was almost a no-brainer for me,” said Chesler, who has also been a learning disability specialist for many years.
By the mid-1990s, the Chesler family was making semi-annual commutes between a rental and later a residence in Wellington and a Canadian farm they had purchased in Toronto. “For the next 25 years, we worked in both countries by e-mail, telephone and physical trips. Last year, they decided to sell the farm and remain in Wellington year-round.
Competing as an amateur rider before her children were born, Chelser was mostly taught by her husband before stepping back to raise a family. She remains married to Alan Chesler, who also has strong Wellington ties.
“He is president and co-owner of Bob’s Barricades Inc., still very gainfully employed, not competing, and enjoys golf and our horses,” Chesler said. “We still have show horses with our favorite, Stanley Stone, who will retire with us, and new sale horses for development. I keep them feeling tip-top.”
The farm is also home to rescued dogs, mini horses, a cow, a donkey, horses and sheep, as well as waterfowl and poultry all on automatic waterers/feeders.
“It emits the most welcoming sounds daily, and geese are incredible watchdogs,” Chesler noted. “Those welcoming warm bodies are my hobbies and labor of love.”
Having been in the industry for 40-plus years, Chesler knows a horse is more comfortable after the therapy she offers.
“Each session is geared to produce a horse that is more supple, straighter, with stepping and tracking more in line, and is more rideable. If a standard modality has not achieved my desired result, I put on my thinking cap and find another,” she said. “When a situation occurs where a different specialist should be required, I am the first to explain why. Ego is never an issue. It is only about the horse.”
Chesler thanks potential clients for their interest in her services and believes that her clients become assured that the best effort will always be put forth and that she will be totally honest in all respects.
She loves her work and aims to continue it as long as she is able. “On occasion, I have been asked when I will actually retire, and I always answer, ‘Five minutes before I die,’” Chesler said.
Sherry Chesler can be reached at s.martinlds@gmail.com or (561) 676-0266. Learn more at www.sheralfarm.com.
