Bodywork Session

Help your horse have the best bodywork session by following these guidelines!

When preparing your horse for a bodywork session, I try to help the owner, myself and the horse set up a session for success. Horses know when their environment is conducive to releasing tension (physically and emotionally) and restriction in the muscles of the body. What makes this form of bodywork very different from other forms of bodywork is that the horse MUST participate. The horse tells us where to go, what to do and even what pressure we should use or not use! A typical session can last anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours. It’s completely dependent on the horse.

The unique approach I must take goes well beyond just focusing on the soft tissues of the body but it also involves aligning the mind and body of the horse to fully engage in the treatment provided. To optimize the benefits, there are times when I will need to integrate movement during the session. Please make arrangements to provide an area or clear and safe space where I can move your horse around, if need be. An arena or paddock will suffice. I can work in a stall but sometimes will need room to allow movement of the horse. In case of inclement weather, we may need to conduct the session indoors, take breaks or reschedule in cases where an indoor isn’t available.

Here’s just a few things you can do to prepare your horse for a wonderful and beneficial bodywork session:

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1. Be on time with your horse. Please have your horse and his environment ready when your practitioner arrives. Doing so will give them the opportunity to dedicate as much time needed for your horse before they have to move onto the next session, be it at your location or somewhere else.
    

2. Turn out before a session can help free their mind and body so they feel ready to give of their time. Turn out right after the session is highly recommended and will allow their body to adjust to the bodywork and the tension it released. If you can’t turn your horse out after the session, a brisk 15 minute hand walk will suffice. ***The horse will need at least the next full 24 hours off all work. This time gives the horse a chance to feel what tension was released and gives his body time to adjust to the new way of going. If we work them too soon the tension will return.
    

3. Cool muscles respond best to this work! Refrain from a workout just before a session. You may ride/work your horse before their session, as long as you give their muscles a few hours to cool down.
    

4. With many of the techniques your practitioner will utilize a clean level stall works well, but I may need to step out with your horse to integrate movement. Please be sure to remove any urine or manure before the session. Fresh sawdust or bedding will soak up any urine expressed during the session. Urinating during a session is quite common and may also happen more than one time. As the muscles relax, the organs may do the same. Taking your horse from the sympathetic state to the parasympathetic state can cause great relaxation and urinating and defecating are some things they may do, just to name a few. Some horses may lay down during a session and your practitioner may be kneel on the ground for some of the techniques. PLEASE REMOVE ALL FOOD SOURCES TO KEEP THE DISTRACTIONS TO A MINIMUM! Water provided is highly encouraged. No stalls? No worries! The session can also be done in an area a, run-in shelter or a shady level place in the pasture or paddock.
    

5. Refrain from petting or interacting with your horse during a session. Many times, horses are hesitant to release tension and will look for ways to block out what’s happening in their body. Petting makes it easy for them to block out the release. It’s also very important for your Bodyworker to focus on your horse. Watching the horse’s body language tells me exactly what pressure to use, where to go next and if the horse is ready for a particular technique. Please don’t feel you’re being ignored if your bodyworker can’t engage in conversation.
    

6. Try to schedule your session during quiet times at the location. Feeding, turn in/turn out time, and busy times such as these are not ideal. Though we can certainly work through these situations, it’s easier for the horse to focus on the session without interruptions. This includes but is not limited to, minimizing distractions, such as avoiding high barn traffic times and children playing.
    

7. Have your horse’s buddy and/or buddies nearby. Horses take more comfort in numbers and are much more open to releasing tension in the body when they feel the support from the herd. You may also see herd mates taking advantage of the session and begin releasing as well!
    

8. A flat nylon or leather halter works great! Rope halters may cause unwanted pressure on the delicate nerves of the poll and face during the session. No worries if you don’t have one, I can provide this.
    

9. Be sure your horse has been fed. This will help the horse stay focused during their session. Give him some time to settle into his stall or the location where the session will take place. Horses are constantly assessing their environment. A few minutes for them to do so, relaxes the mind and saves time.
    

10. Try to avoid scheduling your horse’s bodywork session on the same day as other equine professionals, such as, vet appointments, farrier or dental days. This not only cuts back on distractions but also ensures that all professionals have as much time needed to complete their work. It also helps the client to pinpoint exactly what
    service may have improved the horse’s “stuff” they may have been experiencing.T
    
    ******************You’re welcome to take pictures but please NO video taping during sessions.***********************
    
    Setting up your horse’s session in this manner will afford them the opportunity to receive the best results from their bodywork! If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to let me know! I look forward to working with you and your horse!