KESMARC Staff
Every person at KESMARC is committed to the exceptional care of your horse during their stay.
Kirsten Johnson, the owner of KESMARC, has the most dedicated staff in equine rehabilitation and she considers them family. Our work can only be done with experienced, dedicated, and long term staff and that is what sets KESMARC the facility apart with more than 100 years of combined experience in just equine rehabilitation care and conditioning of for all disciplines.
"My staff is my family and soul; they have made KESMARC what it is. It has been one of the honors of my life to assemble and work with the most knowledgeable horsemen and women in equine rehabilitation!"
Kirsten Johnson - Owner
California native, Kirsten Johnson, is the founder and owner of Kentucky Equine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Center (KESMARC) in Versailles, Kentucky. With more than 20 years of experience serving the rehabilitation and sports medicine needs of top equine athletes, Johnson has worked with everything from Kentucky Derby winners, Olympic medalists, and national/world champions in various breeds and disciplines to beloved family horses whose sentimental values are priceless.
She opened the second equine hyperbaric oxygen chamber in the world, using it for equine medical use as well as therapeutic applications, and was also a driving force behind the development of the equine rehabilitation field.
“Taking care of horses is my life. By working with your veterinarian and trainer, our mission is to return your horse happy, healthy and ready to train. ”
Victor Torres - General Manager
Victor Torres is the General Manager of KESMARC and an expert in equine husbandry. Victor is a consummate and respected horseman and has dedicated his life to equine health and rehabilitation. His experience and understanding of the horse has helped set the standard in how to safely introduce and use water therapy. Victor Torres and Kirsten Johnson have been working together for more than 22 years. Victor has worked with every breed at every level of competition. His extensive knowledge and horse handling skills is what sets him apart and makes him an invaluable part of KESMARC.
Marsha Glass
Marsha Glass has been at KESMARC for more than 16 years and is the glue that holds KESMARC together. She has extensive knowledge of not only the horse industry but is also an expert bookkeeper.
Troy Hamilton
Troy has been with KESMARC for 10 years and specializes in hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatments. He has experience in thoroughbred training and has more than thirty years of horse experience. He has successfully treated horses and dogs in the hyperbaric chamber and has completed 1000/ year.
Christine Basham
Christine Basham originally came to KESMARC as an intern. She completed her schooling at University Of Tennessee with a degree in animal science and returned to assist in the management of the barn and the intern program in 2017. She has interned with two equine therapists that use many modalities such as laser therapy, Magnawave, and iontophoresis. Christine has a passion for the more uncommon injuries that come to KESMARC. She enjoys learning the different ways to treat them as well as seeing different modalities used in conjunction with the aquatic therapies to speed healing of injuries.
"KESMARC is where I fell in love with equine rehabilitation and therapy. This is the only place I have seen where vets from different practices work together cohesively to solve a problem with a horse with their only concern being the recovery of the horse."