HORSES

EQUINE TOUCH

Equine Touch is a non-diagnostic, non-invasive energy and muscle release that works at an holistic level, addressing the horse as a whole.  The gentle non-invasive procedures re-educate the horse's body to re-balance at a cellular level. 

Equine Touch is complimentary to orthodox veterinary medicine and is a body work system.  Equine Touch encourages the horse's body to move towards balance, which maximises the efficiency of the body systems.

 

EQUINE MASSAGE 

Massage has many benefits for animals, which can be divided into physical and mental.

The physical benefits include aiding 'fittening' in horses for a range of disciplines.  The term 'fittening' refers not only to the heart and lungs but also strengthening of the muscles and the nervous system that controls those muscles.  Massage can improve muscle strength and innervation, which is the muscle's nerve supply, allowing the animal to perform more easily and comfortably.

The psychological benefits include calming a nervous animal, which is an advantage to the horse owner.

Many horses suffer injuries, which affect their working life, some occur as a result of everyday stresses and strains. 

There are many injuries that affect horses, but the most common ones fall into two types.

1)  Soft tissue injuries do not include bone but are most commonly tendon or ligament

2)  Degenerative problems are the result of excessive damage to the bones or joints, these progress over time

Injuries are nearly always the result of multi-factoral causes, as there is often not one clear cause.

Regular massage can help minimise the risk of injury occurring and detect early signs.

 

REIKI HEALING FOR ANIMALS

Please see under the complimentary modalities link. 

 

Appointments for Equine Massage, Equine Touch and Reiki Healing are available, horses are usually visited in their own yard or field.  Please contact for further information.

 

 Please note that none of the above modalities are a substitute for proper veterinary care.  If you have an animal that is ill or injured it is vital that you seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.

 

DAFFY'S AND VANESSA'S DESENSITISATION

 As I walk my three dogs in the woods and fields, we often come across horses.  Hendrix and Dylan are fine but I wasn't sure about how Daffy would react, as I had only had her a short time.  No problem I'll ask Elaine I thought.

The next Saturday found Daffy and myself in Elaine's dog field while Elaine led Glentower a 16.2hh Thoroughbred past us.  Daffy ran forward, then barked and ran behind me, as Glentower was led to the stable Daffy tried running behind him barking.  Okay, work needed.

Over the next few weekends, Glen was walked past Daffy until she barely glanced at him.  The next Saturday Glen was left in the next field while Daffy and Elaine's dog Robbie played in the dog field.  Daffy didn't take any notice of him at all.  The dogs played then we decided to get Alfie, Elaine's German Shepherd Dog and do a stay.  We lined the three dogs up with their backs to Glentower's field and set them up for a stay.  We walked away and all was fine for three minutes but curiosity overcome Glen, he walked over to the fence and lowered his head towards Daffy.  As she turned her head slightly Robbie did one loud bark exactly at the same time Daffy came eye to eye with Glen. Have you ever seen a Border Collie go from lying flat on the ground to being two feet in the air without actually jumping to get there?  She even landed on all four feet simultaneously.  I'm sure Glen and Robbie conspired to set Daffy up as Glentower has a wicked sense of humour, which he has displayed on numerous occasions.

Glen has even helped me.  I love the look of horses and didn't mind stroking them as long as there is a fence between us.  One hot afternoon, we were in Elaine's office when Glen started 'screaming' and galloping around his field.  Elaine ran down stairs (she can run fast when needed!!) grabbed a cloth and dashed into Glen's field cursing about wasps and hornets.  As soon as Glen saw her he stopped bolting, trotted over to her and stood perfectly still while she whipped all round him with a cloth trying to get the wasps.  He was stung again and took off only to return to Elaine.  She led him into the dog field to take him into the stable.  Only she didn't have a lead rope to take him across the yard.  "Here hold his headcollar while i get his lead rope", she said looking surprised at my look of horror, but i did it.  When he was in his stable, we could see that he was smothered in strings.  He was so good considering the discomfort he must have been in.  Elaine didn't realise that i was 'worried' as i always stroked Glen over the fence but she now said i must progress as Daffy has and i now have to hold him when he has a bath.

I did hold him while he had his bath, but it didn't end there.  Elaine had to attend a meeting in London and needed someone (me) to look after the animals that evening.  This included getting Glentower in from his field taking his turnout rug off and putting his night rug on.  After some training sessions of learning how to put his headcollar on and learning to lead him, i had to learn how to take rugs off and put them on.  Not easy tasks as there are so many straps to do.  Nevertheless, I was successful and looked after Glentower that evening and several evenings since then with success.

Daffy is now fine with horses and I am too if their name is Glentower.  I am not willing to handle any other horses, so if you need someone to look after your horse, please do not ask me.

Completing this training earnt me the Glentower Award for 2002, which was presented to me at the Christmas dinner 2002 along with a large photo of Glentower.

Vanessa Brocklesby