Equine Natural Movement Series
Equine Natural Movement bodywork (a type of structural integration) is used to help improve a horse's balance and increase freedom of movement. It focuses directly on the connective tissue (fascia) surrounding the horse's tissues, especially the muscles. Every muscle is wrapped in a sleeve of connective tissue that comes together to form the tendon that attaches muscle to bone. If this sleeve becomes tightened, it often doesn't loosen on its own. This can shorten the muscle, preventing it from stretching out fully, which will affect movement in that area of the body and elsewhere as other muscles try to compensate. Connective tissue adhesions and shortenings can be caused by many factors, such as: injury, strain, stress, surgery, inflammation, kicks, poorly fitting saddles, and rider imbalances.
Equine Natural Movement sessions work by loosening up the horse's tissues, releasing stuck areas and tension patterns, and correcting imbalances in the horse's structure. The benefits of the work include:
- Improved performance
- More willing attitude
- Increased wellbeing and sense of ease
- Decreased pain
- Improvements in soundness
- Increased range of motion and greater strength
- Smoother gaits
- Better balance
This work can allow a horse to use his muscles in harmony, rather than the disharmony of one area compensating for the pain or dysfunction present in another area.
Equine Natural Movement bodywork is done in a manner that is very respectful of the horse and proceeds at a pace and depth that the horse can accept and work with comfortably. The work is done initially in a series of five sessions. Each session will sequentially unwrap accumulated restrictions and proceed deeper as the horse's tissues allow. A session is typically about 1 to 1½ hours long; the length varies depending on the horse's temperament and condition. Some horses may require a session or two before they adjust to the work and accept it, allowing themselves to relax and let go of tensions. Multiple sessions are required to work slowly and respectfully through the multiple layers of tissue. Each horse is treated as a unique individual and the sessions will be adjusted to suit your horse specifically. Please be sure to read about other horse owners' experiences with Equine Natural Movement bodywork.
During a series, you should see immediate improvements in your horse's movement and attitude. Patience will reward you with even greater changes over the following months. Unlike other types of bodywork, structural integration (like Equine Natural Movement bodywork) can bring about profound, permanent changes in your horse's structure. Many of these changes are gradual and develop over the months following a series.
The Series
- Session One: The first session allows your horse to become accustomed to the work, and begins to release superficial tension and holding. It is also the beginning of understanding your horse's holding patterns.
- Sessions Two and Three: In these sessions the work proceeds deeper into your horse's tissues, releasing and opening them layer by layer.
- Session Four: The deepest layers of restrictions are released, allowing whole muscle groups to function smoothly together. Integration of the whole horse comes together in this session.
- Session Five: This session is designed to further reinforce the new structural balance achieved by the earlier sessions.
The first three sessions are done about three days to a week apart, depending upon your horse and scheduling. Sessions 4 and 5 are each scheduled a month from the previous session. The longer timing between the final sessions is given to your horse to provide time to integrate the new patterns through regular exercise and training. Your horse will need time to develop strength and coordination in muscles that are weak from being underutilized in his old patterns.
It is critical to continue training and exercising your horse regularly between all the sessions. However, it is not a good idea to push your horse to new levels or try new things during the series (which can be a temptation as you begin to see improvements). Your horse will need time to adjust to and build and strengthen the new structural patterns. This is his integration time. Do your best to respect his learning process during this time and you'll be rewarded with a smarter and more adept horse soon after.
After a series, reinforcing the work and proactively addressing newly developing fascial adhesions with maintenance sessions is recommended. These sessions typically would be scheduled every three to six months depending upon the individual horse.
For pricing of sessions, please go to the Pricing and Policies page.
What will you need to do at each session?
Preferably you can be present at the first session and as needed at later sessions to hold the horse (if needed) and answer any questions. Sessions are done in a quiet roomy area where your horse is at ease and can move somewhat freely on a lead rope.
Immediately after a session, it is helpful to lunge or walk your horse to help begin your his integration of the work. Particularly for the first three sessions it is best not to ride your horse the rest of the day after a session so that he can adjust to the bodily changes without your weight and directions. He may want to roll or romp when turned loose to explore his new body patterns. Keep an eye on him to be sure he doesn't overdo it. The next day or so, do a lighter workout, with groundwork only. He will be learning and adjusting to his new balance and flexibility which can complicate jumping initially. It typically takes a horse about 3 days to integrate the work, particularly after receiving the first three sessions.
Is Equine Natural Movement the same as equine chiropractic or equine massage?
Equine chiropractors focus on the nerves, spine and bones of your horse, adjusting misalignments. Chronic tension or injuries can cause connective tissue to pull bones out of alignment. Equine Natural Movement work can enhance the effects of chiropractic work by addressing the connective tissue.
Equine massage focuses on relaxing and softening muscle tension and increasing the blood supply to soft tissues. Equine Natural Movement sessions may have some of the same effects as massage, but focuses primarily on freeing up connective tissue, correcting postural alignment and returning balance to your horse.
If you've tried some of these other therapies for your horse and didn't achieve the results you were looking for, this structural work may be what your horse needs. Once freedom of movement and balance are returned to your horse, other therapies may be better able to achieve greater results.
Read what clients say about the Equine Natural Movement series.
For pricing of sessions, please go to the Pricing and Policies page.
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