Body work
Horses are a complete organism comprised of a multitude of perfectly honed parts. All these parts are in perfect position to make a grand and perfect horse. If you influence one part, you will affect all the rest. It stands to reason that if you influence the hooves in such a way, the rest of the body will also be influenced. Hooves are connected to the rest of the body via, muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, blood, blood vessels, nerves, and meridians. And the rest of the body is comprised of all these parts as well.
The following modalities are what I offer in addition to barefoot hoof care. There are many modalities available for your horse. I encourage you to research the different modalities and how they may be beneficial for your horse.
Acupressure
Is a noninvasive and gentle process that can profoundly impact horses. Acupressure treats the mind-body-spirit as a single entity in harmony within itself and the environment. Acupressure has been proven to release endorphins needed to reduce pain, relieve muscle spasms, and resolve injuries more readily by removing toxins and increasing blood supply. Acupressure can enhance mental clarity required for focus in training and performance, release natural cortisone to reduce swelling, and build the body’s immune system.
Application to hooves- can reduce inflammation from founder or laminitis, and improve circulation to the lower limb and hoof.
JointYoga
This is a system created with the yoga principles in mind: deep and rhythmical breathing, a clear mind, and stretching. The practice of JointYoga will increase range of motion and muscle flexibility while reducing pressure on nerves. JointYoga will improve mental and physical flexibility, deepen the human-equine bond, improve performance and strength, turns off “fight or flight” response and encourages the relaxation response.
Application to hooves- Joints become 'tight' when shoes limit and strain the hooves. This will help the horse adapt to the changes they will incur while transitioning to barefoot.
Energy
Every living being radiates warmth and energy. This is the life force energy within all of us. Energy is known around the world in various names; Mana, Prana, and Chi to name a few. We are vibrational beings and we flow energy into everything we do. Focused energy work raises our vibrational frequencies to support the body in a non-invasive way to create a space for healing to occur.
Application to hooves- Hooves pick up vibrational frequencies from the ground. This is hampered with shoes. Helping the horse 'reconnect' with the ground can increase their surefootedness and support the transition to barefoot.
Sports Massage
Massage works with the soft tissues of the body to bring about mechanical (increase range of motion, reduce inflammation and pain), physiological (improve circulation and immune system function, thus reducing healing time from injuries), and psychological (reduce stress and anxiety) change.
Application to hooves- Simply increasing range of motion in the limbs, increasing circulation, and improved proprioception.
Myofascial Release
Fascia is an intrinsic web of connective tissue throughout the body. Known as the organ of form it surrounds and defines the shape of everything in the body. When the body incurs trauma the fascia can become restricted and shortened, which can cause pain and muscle tension. Releasing restrictions improves blood flow, reduces inflammation, increase flexibility, promotes a faster healing time, and allows the body to work more efficiently.
Application to hooves- Scars and restrictions from shoes or injury can cause all sorts of restrictions and inflammation. By using myofascial release we are able to restore better blood flow to the hoof for improved healing and increase lower limb flexibility.
Stretching and Passive Range of Motion
These techniques will gently work with all the soft tissue in the body allowing for greater range of motion, relaxation, and increased comfort. They will increase blood and lymph flow for optimum performance of the tissue. These techniques will help to remind the body of proper biomechanics and bring it back into a state of balance.
Application to hooves- By restoring balance to the body I will be able to trim the hooves to a balanced horse instead of trimming to an unbalanced one.
Boude is really 'getting into' his body work.
*Always consult with your veterinarian regarding body work for your horse. Acute conditions, broken bones, degenerative diseases, pregnancy, and open wounds can be contraindicated with certain modalities.
*This website is for informational use only. It is in no way intended to diagnose, treat, or cure and is not to replace traditional veterinary care. The information described is from my experiences and observations.
