1.
How can I tell if this work will help my horse?
2. Will this work hurt my horse?
3. Does this replace my Vet?
4. How long do treatments last?
5. What conditions can't
this work help?
6.
Why is this better than a regular chiropractor, or massage therapist or
acupuncturist?
7. What if my
horse won't tolerate being worked on?
8. Are there any guarantees?
9.
My horse isn't injured, is there any point in having him/her worked on?
10.
As a trainer, I can usually get my clients horses to do what I ask, why do I
have any interest in bodywork?
1.
How can I tell if this work will help my horse?
The types of problems that respond best to bodywork are
those related to pain from muscles or skeletal imbalances After your vet does a
lameness exam and doesn't find anything conclusive, problems of intermittent
lameness, deteriorating performance times, changes in ability to perform
patterns or jumps, inability to collect, one sidedness i.e. difficulty taking
particular leads, poor behaviour, missed transitions, both up and down, dragging
a limb, unusually head carriage or position, stiffness and repeated neck
stretching are some of the issues that bodywork can help remedy.
2.
Will this work hurt my horse?
Unlike some forms of chiropractic or drug therapy, this
work is non invasive and non traumatic. While there are some conditions that may
not respond as well as others, it doesn't make problems worse.
3.
Does this replace my Vet?
No. Your vet should be your
first resource for resolving lameness issues. Although, since many vets are
focused on their area of expertise, they may not be aware of the techniques or
benefits of therapeutic bodywork. I always ask you the owner to consult the vet
prior to Equine Body Work commencing.
4.
How long do treatments last?
It depends. Acute (recent) injuries that are caused by a
definable, physical mechanism of injury usually respond quickly, in one session.
Long term (chronic) problems or problems caused by the stress of competition or
poor handling sometimes take longer.
5.
What conditions can't this work help?
Therapeutic bodywork can’t correct problems caused by
disease, bone fractures, torn ligaments or tendons, behaviour problems caused by
poor handling or poor training. But, even with these problems, bodywork can make
the horse more comfortable and allow the horse to direct more energy to healing
the actual problem instead of overall pain management. It can also reduce the
strain and tension on injured systems or allow the horse to be able to focus on
what the trainer is asking.
6.
Why is this better than a regular chiropractor, or massage therapist or
acupuncturist?
The reason this work is so powerful is the synthesis of
various disciplines. It allows us to work on many levels. The cause of
imbalances is rarely on only one level. From the gross to the subtle, we can
take care of poor shoeing, restore flexibility to the skeletal system, release
muscle spasms and trigger points then balance energy flow through acupressure 84
points are covered. Each level interacting and supporting all the other levels.
7.
What if my horse won't tolerate being worked on?
One of the things most remarked on is how most horses
relax into the session. Even high energy, nervous horses usually relax when they
realize that this is helping to remove pain. Also, much of the work tends to
release endorphins, the body's natural tranquilizers, which help the relaxation
response. My experience is that out of the horses I've worked on, there were
very few that didn't really like the session and this reaction was due primarily
to the strokes used adapting the massage to meet their needs resulted in them
receiving a positive experience.
8.
Are there any guarantees?
As with life, there are no guarantees, but if you would
like to contact me I can provide you with references and put you in contact with
my clients to see for yourself the type of results and the quality of work
performed.
9.
My horse isn't injured, is there any point in having him/her worked on?
Most musculoskeletal injuries and problems do not come out
of the blue, they are what is known as cumulative strain injuries, meaning that
a series of small strains tend to accumulate and build up until they show up as
lameness or movement problems. Preventative bodywork, especially for performance
horses, is one of the best ways to ensure soundness and prevent sudden
surprises.
10.
As a trainer, I can usually get my clients horses to do what I ask, why do I
have any interest in bodywork?
While many trainers can push a horse to do things that may
be uncomfortable for the horse, it is more a testament to the horse than the
trainers overall awareness. A horse whose body is physically able to perform is
usually more than mentally willing. From a practical point of view, comfortable
horses are far faster and more efficient to train, thus maximizing the trainer’s
effectiveness.
