Company Overview
Media Exposure
Kesmarc Open Second Equine Rehab Center, in Florida
February 2009
The internationally renowned Kentucky Equine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Center (KESMARC) has opened a second location, in Ocala, Fla, offering high-level services to equine athletes. KESMARC-Florida provides state-of-the-art therapy and rehabilitation designed for the recovery and conditioning of equine athletes. Founded in Versailles, Ky., in 2002, KESMARC has become synonymous worldwide with equine rehabilitation.
KESMARC-Florida is housed in a 100,000-square-foot building accommodating up to 75 horses. The new facility includes a 200-foot-diameter indoor equine swimming pool, underwater treadmills, hot/cold saltwater spa, vertical hyperbaric oxygen chamber, climate-controlled stalls and one of the nation's largest new indoor synthetic tracks.
It also provides individualized exercise programs, 24-hour postoperative care, nutritional consultations and therapeutic farriers. Additionally, a 1,500-square-foot viewing area allows owners to watch their horses' progress through five 15-foot-wide windows.
The visionaries behind the collaboration are business investors and father-son duo Robert and Myron Miller of Palm Beach, Fla. Known for their successful ventures and real estate developments throughout Florida, they also appreciate and realize the importance of the state's equine industry, which generates $2.2 billion in products annually, and has a total annual economic impact of an estimated $7 billion. The Miller's conceptualized Kesmarc-Florida and chose the Ocala location - the "horse capital of the world" - because of its famous winter show horse events and warm weather. Also, Ocala is home to more than 600 thoroughbred farms and training centers.
"There was such a clear need for a center like ours in this area," said Hub Johnson, KESMARC co-owner and founder. "There are more than 600 Thoroughbred farms and training centers in the Ocala area, and hundreds more from other sporting horse disciplines. But due to of a lack of facilities, horses often had to be sent long distances for medical treatment and rehabilitation. KESMARC-Florida allows owners and trainers to remain close to their horses throughout the recovery process."
"What really sets KESMARC apart is our individualized, sound treatment and conditioning protocols, which are proven by successful outcomes in all disciplines," Hub Johnson said. "We consistently seek out the world's top specialists in all fields of equine medicine, including orthopedics, internal medicine, infectious disease and general practitioners."
Hub Johnson and Kirsten Johnson, longtime innovators in the field of equine rehabilitation and education, introduced the first hyperbaric chamber to the Thoroughbred industry 10 years ago. Together with their partners, father and son, Robert and Myron Miller they established KESMARC-Florida on the Millers 426-acre Farnsworth Farms property, which was originally purchased in 2006.
"After buying the land we felt an equine rehabilitation center would be a natural fit" said Myron Miller. "We then enlisted the Johnsons as partners and KESMARC-Florida was created."
KESMARC graduates include some of the most prominent runners this decade, including Eclipse champions Ginger Punch and Kitten's Joy, as well as Grade I winners Roses in May, Einstein, After Market, Any Given Saturday, Precious Kitten, Colonel John, Well Armed, Silver Wagon, Purim, Dream Rush, Unbridled Belle, Thorn Song, Silver Train and Sunriver. In 2008, KESMARC clients included 24 individual Grade I winners. KESMARC-Florida is located at 15500 W. Hwy 326, Ocala, Florida, (352) 528-0583. Visit www.kesmarcflorida.com.