Equine Bodywork

 

 

 

THE BENEFITS OF EQUINE BODYWORK

 Mary has been studying horse manipulation and specialised techniques for many years.  Mary has studied many different modalities and specialises in working with horses in soft tissue manipulation and working with vibrational essences on acupuncture points for treating emotional issues held by our beloved equines, thus working on a physical and mental level to gain maximum results. 

The body work in which Mary works with, works predominantly on the fascia bands within the body, coupled with trigger points, acupressure and stretching.  When worked in a combination, it allows for muscle tissue to relax, releasing tension and a much improved overall performance of your horse. 

In working with race horses and competitive athletic horses, it has effectively proven to have outstanding results, by having better heart rate return, improved length of stride and overall body fitness if a regular routine is maintained.  It helps to increase the range of motion and as the body works more efficiently in the correct balanced state, he is uses less energy correcting himself and more energy into running his race.

Equine body work works effectively in helping the attitude of a horse.  Many people are unaware, that due to the nature of horses, and them being a flight animal, they need to compensate where possible to be able to run effectively.  It is not until a horse has used all its compensatory elements, that they can show signs of dis-ease within their bodies (unless it is an acute injury that needs immediate attention).  Horses show us in many ways that their bodies aren't comfortable, simple signs can be being "girthy" when the saddle is done up, ears going back when the saddle is placed on their back, could be an indication that the saddle hurts them.  Not picking up his legs or heavy legs can be an indication of pain in the opposite leg or muscular soreness elsewhere throughout the body. Many times a horse that is not yielding, not taking the right leg lead, or just genuinely not listening, could be due to muscle stress, mis-alignment of vertebrae, teeth problems and much more.

A horses body is not designed to carry human weight, they have a straight spine which is designed to hold the horse upright on four legs, not for weight bearing.  Many horses are put through rigorous training programs without allowing muscles to heal and mend, or even be stretched as a human athlete would do with their own body.  When muscles in a horse are over worked, or have had strenuous physical activity, without the correct cooling down procedures, compensatory patterns start to show and put the horse off their centre  of balance.  Allowing the horse to experience bodywork allows for the correction of these compensation patterns. 

Ideally, horses would benefit greatly when they undergo dentistry and hoof work from farriers.  When horses have corrective trimming/shoeing done, it takes a little while for the ligaments and muscle alignment to adjust to these changes.  If radical trimming is done in one process, the horse has to undergo major ligament changes which causes the horse to be in pain in other parts of his/her body.  Although it is beneficial to the hoof, it is not so beneficial to the body.  Ideally, it would be in the best interest of the horse if farriers recommended bodywork in which to help the horse maintain correct structural balance whilst adjusting to having new feet.

Bodywork is not for all horses, some horses just don't enjoy it, just like some humans don't like being touched, neither do some horses.  It is an interesting journey to take, when approaching a horse that is not wanting to be touched, or worked on.  In most cases, it is one of two things, either they are in immense pain or they have emotional issues which need to be dealt with.  Ideally in these situations, essence therapy, homeopathic remedies and/or animal communication and working with horses on an etheric level helps immensley.

A question commonly asked is that people don’t believe that body work is appropriate for their horse and the response to that is, most horses do require body work. Horses from all disciplines, whether they be dressage, pony clubbers, hacks, race horses and geriatric, will find immense benefit from having bodywork, just as we occasionally treat ourselves to a massage, to help us destress, unwind, and release tired muscles, we should treat our beloved horses too. It really is a gift from you to your horse.

Allow your horse to experience bodywork, and see for yourself the difference in both performance and attitude.   It is usually the case that the horse will need at least two visits for maximum results, however that does depend on what is out of balance and what needs addressing.  In some instances, horses do need regular maintenance visits.

Mary works with a fabulous team of vets, chiropractors and equine dentists to help bring the very best of care to the horse in your care.

Mary has a special interest in the emotional bond between humans and equines, and expressing the dynamics between horse and owner.  Is your horse trying to show you something within yourself that you need to work upon, are you not listening to the subtle cues given by your horse.  How is it that you can improve the relationship between yourself and your horse for the emotional gain of the perfect harmonious union between the both of you.

Using Vibrational Essences, soft tissue work for both horse and rider, remarkable results can occur and lasting, beautiful relationships can be obtained.  It is also advisable if you are having ongoing problems with your horse, to also have a look at yourself and see whether or not it is actually you, as the rider, which is causing your horse to behave inconsistently due to you having an unbalanced position in the saddle due to muscular stress or emotional issues that have not been dealt with.

Mary is also dedicated to the horse community and horse people, and brings to WA many outstanding people in their field to conduct classes and workshops, so that overall improvement of knowledge and understanding is at an optimal level for all people and believes that knowledge is what makes us be able to better understand our relationship with not only our horses, but that of ourselves as