Over the years Clare’s primary techniques have evolved from deep-tissue/sports massage to a much lighter, fascia-based technique, informed by the horse and tissue’s reactions.
Although it’s not much of a spectator sport, all of the action is happening beneath the hands, and throughout the horse’s nervous system.
The body has an innate intelligence; it knows when it is in or out of balance. A lot of the Whole Horse technique involves surrendering to, and being guided by, the tissue under the therapist’s hands.
Fascia is a beautiful network which encapsulates anatomical units while also connecting the entire body, and can come up against various challenges, from trauma to restrictions/’shrink-wrapping’. A muscle with restricted fascia cannot work to its full potential; a restricted line of facsia can influence the horse’s whole posture and way of moving (and then be reinforced by these patterns as a vicious cycle).
Clare aims to work with the body, staying below the horse’s mental and physical point of brace, in order to build trust and sense of safety to let things go.
Bodywork can aid the ridden and driven horse to achieve increased length of stride, improve joint articulation, comfort and willingness, retrain conditioned pain responses and even help resolve chronic issues such as girthiness. As a whole-body therapy it aids all body systems to work together more efficiently for a happier horse and improved performance.
Will bodywork ‘fix it’?
The aim of bodywork is to set up the optimum conditions in the body for it to heal itself. Healing can’t be forced, only facilitated. In some cases this happens as quickly as in one session, in other cases it may take several. I like to treat the first session as an evaluation session and initial treatment, then work out a treatment plan.
If I (or you) feel that the horse is not improving within a specified number of sessions, I will recommend alternative routes that may be more helpful in addressing your particular problem or augment the bodywork protocol. I have a great network of equine health care professionals. If you do not have someone in the field you need, I may be able to point you in the right direction.
Getting a horse to peak health, especially if they are starting from a compromised state, is like lining up a combination lock. The numbers have to work together. Bodywork is only one number in the combination, and needs to be considered alongside diet, exercise, hoof trim, dental care, saddle fit, training (horse AND rider), veterinary and chiropractic care.
While regular sessions are the ideal, some clients prefer one-off treatments as their schedules allow, engaging my services on a 3-, 6- or 12-monthly basis for a check up, maintenance or preventative treatment.
Who benefits?
– Sport horses: pre- and post-competition bodywork is available. These horses are athletes and need to be treated as such!
– Old horses: these treatments focus on relaxation and warming techniques.
– Horses recovering from injury: bodywork and laser are both useful tools to target healing areas, setting up the best conditions to help the body to heal itself. They are also important for addressing areas of secondary injury due to compensation.
– School horses that carry many different riders: bodywork can identify imbalances that pop up in horses who need to adapt to lots of riders and relieve associated compensations and tightness.
– Rescued horses: massage can help to reeducate response to touch, build trust and identify and treat compromised areas in the body. When applied sympathetically, bodywork can help the horse regulate its nervous system.
Any horse can benefit from bodywork as a preventative, remedial or relaxing treatment!
Contraindications
There are several instances where massage is contraindicated. These include, but are not limited to
– malignant cancer
– infection
– raised temperature
– pregnancy
– skin conditions
– broken bones
– heart conditions
– nervous conditions.
Please do not underestimate the physical effects of bodywork! It is vital that I have been informed of any conditions of concern prior to the massage. In some cases a partial or modified treatment may be used. Please ALWAYS inform me if you suspect your horse has any of these conditions! In some cases I may refuse to massage these horses until veterinary permission is granted.
On the day
Before the session
Please ensure
– the horse is dry – wet coats drag and can be uncomfortable for the horse, and distracting for my hands
– the horse is clean (-ish…at least not caked with mud!)
– the horse has had no drugs or medication (including worming pastes, bute, antibiotics etc.) in the 72 hours prior to treatment – if this is not possible please inform me in advance
– MOST IMPORTANTLY – the horse is in a place where it is calm and happy (I don’t mind a walk!). The more regulated the horse’s nervous system is, the more they will get out of their session.
– the horse hasn’t been fed a large or unusual hard feed or exercised vigorously in the previous hour (grazing/roughage is fine)
– there is shelter from rain in inclement weather (I’m old)
– the location is safe and non slippery
– it’s appreciated if the horse is caught prior to the session and held throughout.
The session
– I begin by getting a full case history of your horse and any particular concerns the owner has. The horse is observed moving and at rest, and the session is tailored to the individual (no two horses are the same, so no two sessions are the same!). As important as the owner history is, the horse usually tells me the most important information.
– A combination of bodywork techniques, breathwork and laser are used as indicated.
– Questions are encouraged throughout the treatment, and in some cases I try to get the client to feel what I’m feeling. If you haven’t learnt something by the time I’ve left, I haven’t done my job!
After the session
– I generally recommend a horse is given 48-72 hours rest following a treatment, which may include in-hand exercises to help the horse explore its new body. Take it easy! Remember, you can’t hurt anything by going too slow (please advise if you have a competition coming up in the following days and I will adjust the treatment to accommodate this, or we can reschedule for after the competition).
– Please DO NOT administer worming pastes, drugs or medications in the 12 hours following a massage.
– It is normal for horses to display lethargy or increased thirst in the 24-48 hours following a treatment. If you are at all concerned, please don’t hesitate to call me!
– Please also consider that symptoms may not be related to bodywork. If in doubt please use your best judgement in seeking veterinary advice.
Any questions or concerns following a treatment? Get in touch.