Last month I discussed why I engage on a regular basis a body worker for my competition horses. The article also focused on some of the key factors I would keep in mind when I am first engaging a body worker for my horse and some tips on getting the most out of any treatment.
This month I want to continue in the same vein of equine body work and focus on some of the wide variety of modalities that are available. As this is getting way out of my expertise I have called in assistance from my own equine/canine body worker Naomi Harmer – Integrated Animal Welbeing.
As you can see below Naomi is extremely well qualified in equine rehabilitation. However, with all the varying modalities and approaches available I was curious to know why she chose the modalities and remedial treatments she works with.
Naomi ……” As a qualified therapist myself I personally have chosen the courses that are hands on therapy, because I like to look at the biomechanics (movement) of a horse before I treat them.
I like to feel the individual structures on the skeletal system, making sure they have mobility in their structure.
I like to feel the muscles structures and their insertion points (where their attachment is) as this helps me feel if there is damage to a muscle, ligament or tendons, is there inflammation in an area etc.”
My next question was, ok so what are the options of treatment for our horses and what are the basic healing principles each are trying to achieve? We have broken them into hands on and machine supported.
This therapy is my favourite therapy as it gets down to the primary problem (underlying) cause of a horse’s issue and uses a 2 handed touch to realign the horse. It is an energetic alignment technique that engages biokinetics master points to “coax” the bones of the horse to realign correctly. A very gentle treatment and horses love it. This therapy helps horses actually heal from issues like chronic lameness, back soreness, repetitive misalignments, stiffness, and performance hindrances.
I can vouch for how much my horses looove this modality and how effective it is at keeping them performing at their best.
This therapy is a gentle, non-intrusive hands-on therapy which stimulates the body’s inner ability to heal itself and be activated. This is a soft tissue therapy which ‘disturbs’ the fascia or connective tissue. The therapist uses fingers and 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 45minutes. Two or three treatments, usually at weekly intervals may be required to achieve lasting relief.
After some serious smashes off horses in 2012 and then again in 2015 I sought help from a Bowen therapist. When I commenced therapy, I was struggling to walk and could not ride. It took some time and dedication to the cause, but I believe it saved me from early retirement from riding.
Using a variety of massage techniques and strokes which help to stimulate blood flow to different areas of the body. This brings blood flow and oxygen and other nutrients, at the same time removing lactic acid build up and eliminating other metabolic waste from the body. It helps injured muscles to heal, and healthy muscles to stay flexible.
It is a form of equine massage that allows the horse to release deep, accumulated pain and tension in the muscle and connective tissue. Using light touch with gentle movement when the horse is in a relaxed state, and observation of a range of the horses Reponses. Using visual and palpable responses will tell you what the horse’s body is feeling.
This is a very safe and gentle manual therapy that works on the central nervous system and connective tissue called “fascia”. This light touch technique helps to stimulate the body’s own healing properties along with lessening the restrictions found in the nervous system. It works primarily on the central and autonomic nervous system, which has been proven to calm and rebalance these systems.
Animal chiropractor is a non-surgical, drug free approach for correcting or managing many musculoskeletal disorders that affect the joints, disc, soft tissue and nerves, which are bio mechanical in nature.
The only people that can treat as a chiropractor are:
1. Human chiropractors, who have completed extra study in animals.
2. Vets that have continue ongoing study with Animal biomechanical medicine course, and
3. Human osteopaths, who again have studied the animal biomechanical course.
This is something that everyone should be aware of, not having someone that is qualified in this profession can lead to unknown adjustments that can course damage to the skeletal system by fracturing bone, tearing of muscles, brain or spinal damage.
This machine uses long hose looking tubes which delivers a short pulsed electromagnetic field therapy all over the horse as the tubes are moved. It helps stimulate the cells metabolism, which helps to bring oxygen into the red blood cells, which help muscles to recover. Horses don’t generally need to be sedated in order to receive treatment. The treatment does cause muscle contractions which is from the induction of nerve firing.
Lasers stimulates the cells in the body that help:
Pain and inflammation management: additionalal option for better mobility; anti-inflammatory; and analgesic effect. Osteoarthritis and or Kissing spine along with Sacroiliac joint, acupuncture, and trigger points.
Tendons and Ligaments: decreases oedema and inflammation to reduce the recovery period. Suspensory injuries; Radial nerve paralysis; Tendinitis and tenosynovitis; Bursitis; Strains and sprains.
Wounds and Lacerations: higher tissue oxygenation and growth factors for faster and better quality healing. Taumatic wounds; Chronic wounds/ indolent ulcers; Large hematoma/ bruises
Athlete horse: Better muscles recovery; Hamstring muscles; Back & neck muscle pain.
Performance close to events: improved blood flow on specific area; Non-Invasive pain relief on previous injury.
There is a back pad which has a wireless remote control which is placed on the horse back. This delivers a deep- tissue cycloidal massage to your horse’s body. There is a handheld unit which complements the back pad, allowing for spot treatments over the body.
Improves blood circulation; relaxes muscle; stimulate muscle tissue; Increases lymphatic drainage; Improves injury healing; reduces joint pain; improves joint mobility and assists recovery
I am not sure we have demystified the body work options, but I certainly have a clearer idea of what my horses are receiving with each treatment. Deciding on a body worker and modality is a very personal decision.
So, to assist us in making that decision Naomi offers some food for thought. While I mentioned qualifications and some of the others in last month’s article the points Naomi makes are very valid.
This is an important question as the person may not have been to a collage or a school to complete a qualification. There are a lot of very short weekend courses that are available for any horse owner to complete. These courses are designed for horse owners to learn to do on your own horses. Not however to become a practitioner and treat other people’s horses.
Knowing how long someone has been practicing for is an important question. This will give you an indication of how much experiences they have had in the industry.
For someone like myself that has a few modalities up my sleeve, it is always good for you to know what kind of treatment your horse is going to get and what to expect immediately after and in a few days’ time.
Knowing how long it will take helps you plan the rest of your day. We know as therapist some of you book us in on your day off, just before you go to work, or just as you get home from work, or in between other appointments. To make it work best for all knowing the time it will take helps all concerned.
With different modalities the post care is often different. You will need to know what is expected of you to ensure best results. For example, can you still ride your horse? How long does the horse need off before being ridden? Does it have to be ridden only in straight lines etc.
Naomi and I hope this article has gone some way to clearing the fog around this topic. I would like to thank Naomi for her input to this article and also her ongoing support with all of my competition team.
Cheers, and stay warm.
Andrea
Naomi Harmer - Integrated Animal Welbeing
Masters in Biokinetic therapy: Bowen therapy:
Acupuncture: Diploma in Canine and Equine Rehabilitation therapy
Nes Wellness therapy
Vetkin taping and rock taping
Laser
Currently studying saddle fit 4 life
Andrea Williams
330 Burma Rd, Table Top
New South Wales AUSTRALIA 2642
0412859756
Arandth