Sacred Bliss

Traditional veterinary medicine, much like in the human world, is often based on treating symptoms rather than the cause, or the underlying problem. Alternative horse therapies, on the other hand, are ancient forms of treatment that take a holistic approach to the whole body, mind, and spirit of the horse, to treat the underlying causes of problems manifesting in the body, and promote an overall sense of well being.

There are many types of alternative horse therapy treatments used to treat a large range of problems that your horse may be experiencing. It is recommended that alternative treatments be used regularly as a preventative treatment, rather than having to use them as a treatment after damage has been done. Below are some of the most commonly practiced alternative therapies for equine treatment, and well being.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture, as an alternative therapy, which uses tiny needles inserted into meridians, or certain parts of the horse body, to maintain the horses balance, as well as promote good overall health. The examination and treatment requires close observation of the horse to identify the points of the body that need the treatment.

Chiropractic Therapy
Chiropractic treatments also need close observation of the horse, after a close observation the horse body is then manipulated to improve the flexibility of the horses spine, and joints. Horse chiropractic therapy is much the same as human chiropractic therapy and can increase the performance of a horse by moving joints into place to assist with overall performance.

Body Work
Bodywork is the term used for massage therapy, which treats soreness in the horse muscles. Unlike chiropractic therapy; bodywork concentrates on the horses muscles, rather than joints. This therapy is used to promote efficient movement by taking away the soreness in the horse muscles.

Homeopathy
Using naturally occurring substances diluted down to minute particles are the basics of homeopathy medicine. This therapy is used for treating diseases in a horse body. Homeopathy is an ancient Chinese form of medicine, which has been used successfully with horses and humans alike to treat a large range of diseases, and illnesses. Homeopathy is usually used along with other alternative therapies, such as chiropractic, bodywork, and acupuncture.

Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy uses fragrances that can affect the mood of a horse, assist in healing, and promote a sense of wellness. Aromatherapy is often used alongside herbs in a horse diet, to reduce irritation of the digestive tract, for better overall health, and well being.

Other Physical Therapies
There are many physical therapies being introduced to treat pain in horse tissues, and bones. Some of these therapies are known as magnetic therapy, laser therapies, electrical stimulation, and ultrasound, and are often used by veterinarians.

In most cases, the horse body can heal itself without medicines, synthetic, or alternative. But when natural therapies are used, they provide quicker healing times, and a feeling of overall well being, which will put the horses body into the healing mode faster, and possibly reduce healing times considerably.

Massage

Massage is another field which is used extensively in the treatment and training of human athletes. The benefits of equine massage has gradually gained credence and equine massage specialists are now available in many parts of the country.

Equine Assisted Therapy

What is Equine Assisted Therapy?
It’s about horses helping people with range of mental health problems to experience themselves differently.
It involves a team of horse/s, and professional therapists and a horse speacialist.
Workling with horses and professional therapists, people discover new ways of dealing with problems. Sometimes these problems can be greatly reduced or overcome.
A relationship developed with a horse can offer challenges to help overcome fears, build up trust, respect, compassion, develop communication skills, problem solving and coping techniques, self confidence and self esteem. These skills are transferrable to many other areas of ordinary day to day life.
Thd role of the therapy team is to act as guides through these processes. It is experiental by nature. People learn about themselves and others by participating in activites with the horses.

Equine Bowen Therapy
      
What is it?
The Bowen Technique is a gentle, non-intrusive hands on therapy which stimulates the body’s inner ability to heal itself to be activated. This reorganisation of the musculature of the body can bring increased energy levels and pain relief.

As a soft tissue therapy, it ‘disturbs’ the fascia or connective tissue, there is no pulling or cracking of joints and no insertion of needles. The therapist uses fingers or thumbs in a rolling action over specific muscles, tendons and ligaments, incorporating resting periods to allow the body to absorb the information and respond accordingly.

The treatment is essentially holistic, treating the whole body and is generally a pleasant and relaxing experience. A treatment will take approximately 45 minutes. Two or three treatments, usually at weekly intervals, may be required to achieve lasting relief.

Holistic Therapy for Horse and Rider

Equine Bowen Therapy allows the horse to perform his best for his rider. Likewise, by addressing any muscular stiffness in the rider with the Bowen Technique, the horse will appreciate a balanced weight on his back! Any correction of a horse’s problem may not hold unless the rider is also in complete structural balance. As with many holistic therapies, the body is treated as a whole, without referral to named disease. Bowen Therapists will treat the complete body, horse or human, and not a specific disease. Conditions which respond well to EBT. The technique is useful for a wide range of conditions from acute pain to chronic conditions Unlevelness, disunited gait or irregular action Uneven wear of shoes Muscle atrophy or uneven development Stiffness on one rein ‘Cold back’ or sore back Sluggish lymphatic system or weakened immune system. Uncharacteristic change of temperament or deterioration of performance Horses can also injure their backs by getting cast, pulling back when tied up, slipping on tarmac or icy roads, and from poorly fitting saddles or rugs. Many older horses that have been retired due to stiffness have returned to gentle hacking following EBT.

Please note: The Bowen Technique and Equine Bowen Therapy are not intended as a substitute for medical or veterinary advice or treatment. If in doubt, please consult your Doctor or Veterinary Surgeon. The best protection you can have is prevention. All horses will benefit greatly from a Bowen Therapy treatment.