My name is Jessica Gehman, and I’m the founder of Optimal Equine Spa. I’m a heavy-duty mechanic by trade, but my true passion has always been horses and the art of caring for them. I’ve always had a special interest in the early stages of training young horses, finding joy in building strong foundations for their future success.

In 2021, I bought a two-year-old filly and my journey with her led me to meet many of my closest friends, including some incredible professionals in the high-level competition world. Unfortunately, she had a habit of kicking fences. In an effort to treat her, I tried cold hosing, but in the heat of summer, the water just didn’t seem cold enough to be effective. I tried ice boots but again would thaw way too quickly and were a pain to put on. So, I resorted to making her stand in a tote filled with ice that I’d pick up from a gas station, just trying to keep the water cold enough to reduce the inflammation.

As I spent more time in the equine community, I became increasingly curious about the therapies that top competitors were using to keep their horses in peak condition and prevent injuries.

In 2023, I discovered cold saltwater therapy and saw my first hydrospa. I was instantly drawn to the concept—cold water therapy, simple yet highly effective(and exactly what I had needed). However, I quickly realized how inaccessible these spas were. Trainers either needed a large budget to afford one of their own, had to trailer their horses’ long distances to a facility, or simply had to go without. With my mechanical background, I became obsessed with the idea of redesigning the system into a compact, portable unit. My goal was to bring this proven therapy directly to barns and shows, making it affordable and accessible to all horse owners and trainers.

This passion for horses and dedication to improving their care combined with my mechanical experience led to the creation of Optimal Equine Spa. I’m proud to offer a service that allows every horse owner to experience the benefits of cold saltwater therapy, no matter where they are and at an affordable price.