Equine Natural Movement Series

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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 doesn't always stretch back out. This can shorten the muscle, preventing it from stretching out fully, which will affect movement in that area of the body and others as they try to compensate. Connective tissue adhesions and shortenings can be caused by many factors, such as: injury, strain, 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
• Smoother gaits
• Better balance

This work can allow a horse to use his muscles in harmony, rather than 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. 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 1½ hours long, although it may be shorter or longer 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. Even though the sessions are in a specific series, 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.

The Sessions

1. Session One: This first session allows your horse to get accustomed to the work, and begins to release superficial tension and holding. It allows me to begin to learn what his holding patterns look like.
2. Session Two: This session focuses more on the shoulder, knee, hip and hock. Deeper holding patterns are addressed.
3. Session Three: The barrel is addressed more specifically in this session. Once the barrel is released from restrictions, the hind end can communicate movement to the front end more freely.
4. Session Four: Integration of the whole horse comes together in this session. The deepest layers of restrictions are released around joints, allowing whole muscle groups to function smoothly together.
5. Session Five: This session is designed to further reinforce the new structural balance achieved by the earlier sessions.

The first four sessions are done about a week apart, depending upon the horse and scheduling. Between session 4 and 5 your horse will have about a month to integrate the new patterns through regular exercise and training. Your horse will need to build strength in muscles that have weakened and were underutilized in the 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 needs 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 four months depending upon the individual horse.

For pricing of sessions, please go to the Pricing and Policies page.

During a session

Preferably the owner will be present to hold the horse and answer any questions. A quiet roomy area (a stall is fine) is best for the sessions.

After a session

Immediately after a session, lunge or walk your horse at a walk, trot and canter for a few minutes in both directions to help begin your horse's integration of the work. Don't 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 half the normal 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 work with the nerves, spine and bones that are out of alignment. Chronic tension or injuries can cause connective tissue to pull bones out of alignment. Equine Natural Movement work can enhance the effects of chiropractic.

Equine massage focuses on the relaxation and softening muscle tension and increasing the blood supply to soft tissues. Equine Natural Movement sessions may have some of the same effects, but this work 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 alignment, 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.