Lindsey Rovenstine works on adjusting a horse.

Lindsey Rovenstine’s love for animals began long before she chose a career in animal chiropractic care. As a kid, she dreamed of being a barrel racer. “Going to rodeos made me want to compete,” she says.

Rovenstine’s passion only grew when she got her first horse, Ambitious, at 11 years old. She became the start of a lifelong connection to animals.

Joining FFA and Finding Her Place

Rovenstine joined FFA during her freshman year, following in the footsteps of her parents. “Both of my parents were in FFA, and my mom was an FFA Sweetheart,” she says.

That family legacy inspired her to get involved, and she quickly found her place in the organization. Some of her favorite memories include FFA Olympics, national convention, Alumni Camp, showing livestock, National FFA Week and state convention. Her Supervised Agricultural Experience projects — rodeo, pecan production and swine production — reflected her active lifestyle and growing understanding of the agricultural world.

An Accident That Changed Everything

While riding in the pasture with her family, Rovenstine experienced a severe horse accident that changed the course of her life. She was life-flighted from the field, spent time in a wheelchair and had to relearn how to walk.

“After the accident, I decided I wanted to do something where I could help other people,” she says.

At first, she thought veterinary medicine might be her path — until one day of preg checking cows convinced her otherwise. “I decided it wasn’t for me,” she admitted with a laugh.

When she discovered animal chiropractic care, everything clicked. The field allowed Rovenstine to help both people and animals, without giving up the hands-on lifestyle she loved.

Helping Rodeo Horses Perform Their Best

Today, she primarily works with rodeo horses, using chiropractic care to keep them comfortable and performing well.

“I enjoy helping them compete to the best abilities,” Rovenstine says. “Or to enjoy their pasture life — and helping them feel better.”

Whether preparing a horse for competition or improving its daily comfort, she finds purpose in every adjustment.

The FFA Influence That Still Guides Her

When asked what part of FFA had the biggest impact on her life, Rovenstine didn’t hesitate: her agriculture teacher. “He was a very good influence,” she says. “I don’t know if I would have ever done half the stuff I did if it wasn’t for him.”

She continued visiting him and his wife even after graduating, a reflection of how much he encouraged her to “be different and to stand out,” Rovenstine says.

She still uses lessons from FFA today — even signing her emails with something he taught her. Her knowledge of cattle and her family’s agriculture background also support her every day in her work.

Advice for the Next Generation

For current FFA members considering animal health careers, Rovenstine offers simple, but meaningful advice: “Pay attention to the animal and not the owner,” she says. “You’re doing it for the animal, not for the person.”

She admits her favorite work is “when I go to the barn, and no one is there,” allowing her to focus completely on the horse in front of her.