Lorre's Path to Helping Horses

    Lorre’s path into equine massage has been

a long roundabout journey. She has always had

a profound love for animals and managed to bring

home all the strays as a child, to the great dismay

of her parents. She grew up on Martha’s Vineyard

on what she considered a small farm with chickens,

pigs, rabbits, lots of dogs, even a bull for awhile, and

of course her beloved horse, Tipi. Lorre and Tipi had a wonderful childhood together riding the beaches of the Vineyard, trail-riding through the woods, and some English and Western showing. However, one of the hardest decisions you ever have to face in life is parting with an animal you love so dearly, but college in Boston was no place for a horse.

    College, traveling, and life-choices took Lorre away from the horse world for sometime. She always missed it though. She spent 10 years living in Northern California and at least was able to make friends with people who had horses. Being around them at least filled the void and gave her a chance to connect with these incredible animals.

     However, in 1995 life threw Lorre another curve-ball. Her Father became very ill and needed her help. So she packed up and moved back to Martha’s Vineyard, started her own cleaning company and cared for her Father for the next 2 years. She often reflects on the times she had with her Father: the most difficult 2 years of her life and the most rewarding 2 years of her life. Lorre’s Father passed in 1997, but before he went he told her a wonderful story. The story ended with the Father telling the Daughter that, “she would be okay, that in one year’s time she would find happiness.” She left the hospital room that day wondering what he knew that she didn’t. She never saw or talked with her Father again.

     Believe me when I say that “God works in mysterious ways”. He worked through Lorre’s Dad that day. In one year’s time God brought into her life the most wonderful man she now calls her husband and they built a beautiful life together. Lorre and Todd resided on the Vineyard for the next few years but then in 2001 moved to New Hampshire to be closer to Todd’s 2 older children. In doing so, Todd was able to help Lorre fulfill a long time wish of being able to have horses again. Lorre got her horse Ditti, a big beautiful Appaloosa, in June of 2002 and then Cisco, a handsome Quarter horse, in September 2002. After only a few very cold winters and the children heading off to college, they began to dream of warmer weather.

     In early 2005 they visited the Austin area. They fell in love with Bastrop and bought land on that very same trip. One year later they packed up their 1 year old son, Mitchell; their 2 horses, 2 dogs, 2 cats; and moved to the great state of Texas…Yee Haw!

     The family is so happy here in Bastrop and Life is Good on their little ranch, The Sunrise Ranch. They have 4 horses now and, knowing Lorre, more will come. Some how, the ones that need her love and care find their way to her. She adores them all and knows that this is her path.

     Upon moving to Bastrop, Lorre knew she wanted to do something with horses, she just didn’t know what. She thought maybe she could apprentice with her dear friend, Rachel Steen at the Balance Point Equestrian Center and become a trainer someday. But that wasn’t God’s plan for her. She took a course in Myofascial Release, with Willie Ellis, offered at the Balance Point. She was thinking it would help her take better care of her own horses that have some physical issues. She quickly discovered how much she enjoyed the work and how much she loved the connection she made with the horses. She soon began to work on horses at the Balance Point as well. God’s plan began to seep into her head and heart that maybe this was what she was supposed to be doing. Lorre decided to get her certification in Equine Sports Massage Therapy through world-renowned Equissage, Inc., in Virginia. Equissage is founded by equine massage pioneer Mary Schreiber.

     Lorre believes that you never know where your journey will lead no matter how long and roundabout it may seem, but you need to listen to your heart. Horses captured Lorre’s heart as a young girl and continue to do so on a daily basis. She finds very few days that go by that she doesn’t learn something from them, whether it’s from one of her own 4 horses or from one of her client’s, if she is listening she learns.

     As for the name, Magga Massage. Magga is a Buddhist term meaning path, specifically the path to the cessation of pain and stress. Lorre read this in a Buddhist dictionary and thought, “What a perfect name for my business”. It truly is a befitting name considering the path God has put her on…caring for one of His greatest creations.

     When Lorre is not hard at work massaging horses she thoroughly enjoys being at home with her family and their menagerie of animals.

“Joy comes in many forms, but the joy I get from seeing an animal in pain feel better, especially one so noble as a horse, is absolutely indescribable.”

~ Lorre