Meet the Team
“If you would have told me when I was a teenager/ young adult that this is what my future looked like, I can’t say I would have believed you. As a horse crazy young girl, competitive in the barrel racing world, I always dreamt of working with horses for the rest of my life. However, many influences in my life recommended I ‘pick a different path because you can’t make a living with horses’. I initially took this advice and did a year of Police Science at Hocking College. Within the first year, I knew this wasn’t where my calling was. Realizing the only thing I knew and liked was horses, I switched to the “Equine Health and Complimentary Therapies” program with the intention of mentoring with an equine adjuster after school. Massage was the first semester and I hit the ground running. I started working before the end of the first semester and the rest is history.
I have spent the last 12 years refining my technique and learning through thousands of horses. Starting in 2019, I started exploring headaches in horses through a large number of case studies. 5 years later, The Headfirst Approach was born. The Headfirst Approach is the understanding of how pressure through the head effects the whole body and the technique to relieve it.
My future goals include continuing to grow the educational program while working primarily in Ocala and Wellington, Fl.
When not working, I enjoy gardening and canning, riding the motorcycle with my husband, Adam, and spending time with my 2 kids, Stetson and Savannah.
Taryn Stillwell- Owner, Founder of The Headfirst Approach
Angela Tewksbury
Administrative and Scheduling Assistant
I am a lifelong central Ohio resident, and currently live in Westerville. Married to my best friend, Kevin, for 25 years and fortunate to have had a wonderful career in the I.T. industry and as a Realtor.
I have always loved horses, Arabians in particular, and when I finally had the opportunity, well…
I bought and love my sweet arabian mare, Pearl. She is my first and only horse that came into my life as a 4 year old with only 30 days under saddle, and I didn’t know a halter from a bridle! She has taught me everything and is the best horse I could ever imagine owning.
Pearl and I enjoy dressage, hacking out around the barn where we are boarding, and trail riding when we have time.
Sidney Hardy
Certified Provider
Patrick Starrett
Certified Provider
I spent eight years active duty as a submariner in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. I transitioned out of the military during the global pandemic, earned an MBA from Ohio State, and found a wonderful corporate job.
During this transition, I unexpectedly lost my father. Though he ran his own HVAC business, he occasionally thought he should've been a cowboy (and loved to sing that song). As I grieved, I turned to westerns (old and new, and yes that included the Duttons). I thought about trying a dude ranch or cattle drive, but I didn't know how to rope or ride. During the first Christmas without my dad my aunt heard about my "cowboy" aspirations and offered to let me ride her Friesian named Luci that she keeps at Lord's Performance Horses. Annie Lord started giving me lessons, I showed her sister's horse in Western Pleasure, learned from Jim Skidmore at Central Ohio Riding Club how to ride a retired reiner (Magik) and a western dressage horse (Andy), and by the end of the year I tried a cutting clinic from Zoe Woodland Performance Horses (and didn't fall off).
Being around horses has really helped me through tough times. I was drawn to connecting with them and wanted to do more for them than just clean stalls. Annie Lord recommended I learn equine bodywork from Taryn as she's the best out there. So I looked her up and coincidentally she was about to offer her first ever certification program. I got enrolled and learned a lot. I was even able to help Luci using the program's techniques (as part of my case study requirements).
I am excited to continue my journey of helping horses on the weekend not only for my mental health, but also to support my newfound addiction to cutting horses.
