WHAT IS A HOLISTIC APPROACH?
A
holistic approach seeks to restore a balance for the entire organism that tends
to prevent the expression of disease. It views the entire patient, its physical,
mental and emotional environment, as an intricate network of interconnected
energies that contribute to the health of the being. In this approach, how a
horse is kept, what it is fed, how it is trained, shod and cared for all have a
bearing on its state of health. While in many cases, particularly trauma or
acute colic, modern veterinary techniques work wonders; there are other cases
that do not respond as well to drugs and surgery.
For musculoskeletal conditions or a diagnosis of 'non-specific lameness' there
are complementary therapies that could possibly give our animal’s additional
relief. Integrating traditional vet diagnosis with therapeutic sports massage
and acupressure provides a powerful toolkit working on various levels of health
for our animals.
While in
humans, determining symptom versus source for disharmony is difficult, with
animals it's even more difficult due to lack of a common verbal language.
Fortunately, body, movement and energy language is universal. Equine Body Work
is a technique that not only addresses the immediate needs of the horse but also
the deeper issues in a unique way.
THE
HOLISTIC APPROACH
The
Saddle
The
saddle itself must fit the horse correctly because however minor a miss-fit,
whether it be too narrow or slightly unbalanced, it can still be restrictive
enough to prevent the muscles from receiving adequate circulation during
exercise, without it actually causing pain. With reduced blood supply, the
development of the muscles cannot occur when in training, instead the muscles
under the saddle begin to waste and compensation occurs in other areas. This
affects the nerves by squashing the protective sheath that helps to transmit
signals therefore no message or response can occur, except for pain signals. The
saddle pressure may be caused by it being too narrow, wide, unbalanced or having
asymmetrical stirrup bars, girth webbing, stuffing or even an asymmetrical tree.
As the horses body shape changes due to aging, conditioning, discipline or a
change of rider so the saddle needs to change to adapt to the new shape.
The
Riders Seat
Even
if the saddle is a perfect fit, the rider may cause imbalance, with many riders
sitting crookedly causing the horse to over compensate. Misalignments in the
rider (especially pelvic) will also affect the way in which they sit. These
asymmetries could easily be passed on to the horse, having an affect upon the
musculature that lies beneath the saddle.
Balanced
Training
There
is a necessity for horses to be worked evenly on both reins. This reduces both
the negative effects that may be caused by the rider and/or horse favoring a
particular direction, rein or leading limb.
The
Near Side
Horses
being led from the left and mounted from the left
Riders
almost always mount their horse from its left side. This drags the left
shoulder, thoracic side down, causing muscle weakness there. Always use a
mounting block to mount if possible a second option is a leg up as this puts
less strain on the horses back than mounting from the floor.
Lameness
When a horse becomes lame, the animal tightens up the muscles around the affected limb to guard it from further pain. In order to stay balanced the horse usually tightens up the area of the back which is on the side diagonally opposed to the injured limb, which can often remain even after the injury has healed.
Poor
conformation,
The
conformation, type and use to which horses are put can have an important bearing
on the injuries involved. Horses that are short-backed with restricted
flexibility of the spine tend to exhibit more vertebral lesions than longer
backed animals. It is believed that larger framed animals with comparatively
weak-looking quarters definitely appear to be more susceptible to sacroiliac
problems.
Each
horse has their own natural way of traveling, depending on their breed,
conformation, conditioning and the work they perform. The unique breed
characteristics of each animal must be included in the equation when you
evaluate a horse.
Edited text by Patricia
Whalen-Shaw M.A./L.M.T.
Pain
or discomfort in the mouth will cause tension at the jaw joint (temporal
mandibular joint), which in turn affects the poll, neck and back. If the teeth
are not ground down by natural wear or rasping, the molars and premolars develop
sharp points, which can catch on the inside cheeks. The horse may find it
uncomfortable to relax its lower jaw to the pressure of the bit. Locking of the
lower jaw can occur, causing tension in the poll and therefore along the back.
If
the horse is uncomfortable for any reason on its feet, whether front or back, in
response the muscles tighten in the back, particularly the loins. This is an
attempt to reduce concussion but in effect it reduces the stride and increases
the discomfort in the feet.
What is your Vets Role?
As
always, your vet is the primary caregiver for your horse. I require a referral
or permission from your vet before I will see a horse. My work is not a
substitute or an alternative to traditional vet work, but a complement to it.
The
demands of ridden work and living in an unnatural environment take their toll on
a horse's physical body and emotional system. The energetic impact of
these stressors can become stored in the physical body and manifest in physical symptoms long after the physical injury
has healed or the emotional stimulus has long gone.
A primary
physical injury may result in secondary manifestations of physical illness
caused by postural adjustment, for example where the horse compensates for an
injury and sets up tension elsewhere. These often respond well to physical
manipulation. Physical injury can also have emotional or behavioral implications when a horse develops a 'habitual movement pattern', these tensions
create further energetic blockages.
Dawn
Clow is unique as she incorporates Acupressure, Myofascia Release and Reiki within her Massage to
support the release of these negative energies
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A BODY WORK
SESSION
