The benefits of Equine Touch

Induce deep relaxation Restore emotional balance Improve posture and facilitate freedom of movement Improve muscular health and function Release hypertonic and traumatised muscles

Encourage muscle recovery from injury and atrophy Reduce the pain spiral Improve circulation and lymphatic drainage Increases flow of energy through the horse Improved flexibility and soundness of your horse

  Horses benefit from Equine Touch in the following situations

• When your horse just doesn’t seem right but there are no obvious lameness issues
• During rehabilitation from injury or lameness – compensation build up
• During transition to barefoot trimming
• During rehabilitation from laminitis or navicular
• Post foaling for mares
• Pre-chiropractic adjustment – it has been found that ET aids in the length of time that adjustments hold
• To help release pain and tension in the back due to poor saddle fit – best accompanied by change to well fitting saddle
• After dental work
• After long distance travel
• After a fall or major trauma
• On the run up to a major competition or during a change in training

  Here are some of the common signs that your horse may have a problem

Unwilling to back up Not tracking properly or evenly Unable to perform lateral work Unwilling to move forward No longer straight Face pulling and or biting when being brushed or tacked up No longer able to stand still for mounting

Appears ‘cold backed’ Problems with canter Bucking and/or rearing No longer wants to jump Unwilling to walk up or down hills Changes in behaviour or temperament

Of course, your horse does not need to have a problem to benefit from ET. Regular sessions will help to keep your horse in tiptop condition during the year especially when extra demands are being made during the competition season.

  The History of Equine Touch

The Equine Touch (ET) was evolved in 1997 by Jock Ruddock when he was requested by a client to translate his unique form of human bodywork to her equine companion - and the rest, as they say, is history!

News soon spread of the sometimes miraculous results Jock was achieving by addressing the horse as a 'whole' and encouraging the body's innate healing system to help itself and he was invited to conduct seminars to introduce the Equine Touch to veterinarians and trainers throughout Europe.

It was on one of these seminars that Jock met his future wife, Ivana, who was at that time teaching at a veterinary University in the Czech Republic. With Ivana's exceptional knowledge of anatomy and physiology and Jock's amazing instinctive bodywork skills they studied, refined and researched the mechanics of the horse, as well as its energy patterns and emotional armour. The routines were evolved to turn the ET into the growing and living modality that we know today, known and recognised as a premier equine care discipline worldwide from Norway to New Zealand.

  What is Equine Touch?

The Equine Touch (ET) is defined as a gentle, non-invasive, non-diagnostic muscle relaxation ‘discipline’ designed to work at a holistic level. The horse is addressed as a whole without paying any particular attention to any named problem as such.

ET consists of a series of gentle moves performed over specific points on the body in predetermined patterns. These are interspersed with resting periods to allow the horse to recognise and process the effects of the moves. Many of the moves are positioned over key acupuncture points and meridians making the Equine Touch session truly holistic in its approach and action.

Recent research has led us to believe that ET works through the intelligence network of the body known as the fascia or connective tissue. The moves carried out during a session help to release muscular constrictions, releasing pain from the body and increasing circulation, lymphatic and energetic flow.

The Equine Touch has been described by equine veterinarians as “the ultimate hands on modality for horses”.

It is believed that up to 65% of injuries in the horse involve soft tissue.

  What Happens During an Equine Touch Session?

Information is gathered about the horse during the consultation phase of the session. I then make notes based on my observations, and following on from palpating the horse Dynamic Body Balancing is carried out. Rest periods allow the body to recognise and process the moves and often the horse will respond by becoming relaxed and still, the eyes soften and become heavy. Some horse lick and chew and others yawn or sigh as a sign of release.

The majority of horses find the sessions very relaxing and beneficial. The horses soon realise that it is ET time when I turn up and some start to get sleepy before I’ve even started. Owners’ comments have been that they notice an improvement in their horse’s flexibility and attitude they seem happier in themselves, have increased freedom of movement and are generally more relaxed.

  Would You Like Your Horse to be Considered for a Case Study?

I am Level 3 student and I am currently undertaking case studies towards my Practitioners qualification. If you are in the Surrey area and think that ET would benefit your horse please contact me.