Equine touch
Equine Touch is a unique bodywork technique which can be applied to horses, dogs, cats and humans.
This internationally acclaimed modality which is taught in exactly the same way in over 20 countries worldwide, is now growing fast in NZ. Founders, the late Jock and his veterinary wife Ivana have done an amazing job in 10 years to bring this teachable bodywork modality to horse owners worldwide. Their motto is to help people to help horses.
ET is an incredibly affordable way for horse owners to become more aware of what is normal and be able to detect discomfort and pain before it becomes a major problem. Horses find the work pleasant and relaxing and it is a good way for owners to create a bond with their horse. A gift if you like – to say thanks for the hours of pleasure your horse gives to you.
Acupressure and Acupuncture
I have studied and read extensively on this subject, and incorporate accupressure and acupuncture in treatments when it is indicated. I use it on myself regularly, and it has helped me with some quite chronic pain issues referred from trapped spinal nerves. I have recently attended a 2 day clinic in Melbourne with the amazing Dr Kerry Ridgway and studied specialist techniques for ulcer treatment, psoas muscle injuries, fascial release points, and lameness/inbalance issues.
I regularly use my Electro Acusope as part of electro-acupuncture protocols with some amazing and long term results on patients who have been written off by conventional medicine practitioners. More recently I have been using Red Light Therapy on acupuncture points (Low Level Laser). This is easier for new students to apply rather than using needles, and can do no harm. It is very powerful and is a great way to access acupuncture points that would be difficult to needle on a horse.
Deep Tissue Massage and Stress Point/Trigger Point Therapy
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Following techniques based on the teachings of Jack Meagher. I have purchased his video and books, and find his teachings very easy to follow and very effective. I include many of these techniques in my one day horse owners “learn how to massage your horse” class
Sports Massage
I purchased the Bill Masterston dvd on sports massage, several years ago. He is now so popular that he offers certification courses in the USA. If you never learn any other way of helping your horse, a small investment of purchasing this DVD from his website will give you the ability to keep your horse pain free and healthy during his working life. I thoroughly recommend it for any horse owner. All my students get to watch this DVD before they start any work here, as it explains really well about pressure and response and reading the horses body language.
Stretching exercises to increase mobility using Feldenkrais Techniques
We use many of the methods described in Linda Tellington Jones books as rehabilitation exercises for patients who are treated at our therapy centre. These Physiotherapy techniques are very under-utilized in equine rehabilitiation, I like to leave my clients with some ongoing exercises to assist their horses to be aware of their normal range of movement. Excellent for freeing up shoulders and necks, forearm extension for jumpers, and back relaxation for dressage horses.
Learn to Massage your own Horse clinics:
For Pony Clubs, riding groups or just groups of friends keen to improve the comfort levels of their equine companions. I run a 3 – 4 hour seminar covering basic bodywork techniques that will help you assess your horse, know what is normal and what is painful, where to look for pain reaction and how to deal with it, and some great massage techniques and exercises that will help your horse to perform better. Contact me if you want to organise a group at your place or mine. $80 pp or group rates Negotiable.
More about Equine Touch and Clinics
Most countries now have trained and certified instructors who teach the Level 1 and 2 clinics, both held over 3 days. Ivana Ruddock-Lange will then teach the advanced levels 3 and 4, which take students through to practitioner status and beyond.
NZ is lucky to have 2 instructors, both located in the Mainland, Karen Burrowes in Invercargill and Janice Clyma in North Canterbury. Both offer regular clinics in their own areas, and will travel to teach clinics if interested groups will organise and host them.
Minimal anatomy knowledge is required, just a desire to learn, and two hands are an advantage. ET is a great career choice for teenagers wanting a paid equine lifestyle. ET compliments many other modalities like cranio sacral, acupuncture, chiropractic and physiotherapy. Ivana Ruddock-Lange is based in New Zealand at present, but spends several months of the year teaching ET advanced levels round the world, and meeting some very famous horse experts. Monty Roberts and Pat Parelli are steadfast endorsers, vets and equine professionals worldwide endorse and use the techniques, and weekly the good news stories of how ET has helped horses that other treatments have failed on are recorded.
Visit www.theequinetouch.com for more details.
The ET foundation is very professionally run. Their centre is in UK. All classes are recognised as a certified qualification standard, and Equine Touch practitioners are very sought after as bodyworkers.
Personally having learned other modalities prior to being exposed to ET I found it quite different initially. Having seen the amazing results both physically and emotionally on so many of the horses I have worked on, I thoroughly endorse it, and because it is teachable and correctable it is great that anyone can learn to do it. I would like nothing better than to see all horses totally pain-free, balanced and happy because their owners have the knowledge to create and maintain this state.
An ideal goal would be if ET could be taught at the upper levels of the pony club system, and at Equestrian Learning Institutions. I am sure our equine sporting achievements would be able to reach new heights in no time if this were the case.
EQUINE TOUCH CLINIC DATES:
This years dates are not set, however for groups of 6 to 10 students I am available to teach at your venue or mine any time of the year. Please dont hesitate to contact me and register your interest so we can build class numbers in your area.
Contact us if you would like to host a clinic. For 6 or more paying students the host receives the tuition free.
FULL BODY DISSECTION –
There is a dissection class most years in NZ, either at Massey University or Lincoln University. Dates are usually listed on the Equine Touch website or contact me.
Register your interest now, rave reviews available for previous clinics. 3 Days of amazing learning.
Equine Touch: For more information visit,
www.theequinetouch.com
NB: no bodywork, regardless, is effective if your horse has bad teeth, bad foot balance or bad saddlefit.