Equine Touch is a non-diagnostic, noninvasive, energy and connective soft tissue discipline which works at a complete holistic level; that is, it addresses the equine as a whole without paying any particular attention to any named problem as such.
On a practical level Equine Touch consists of a series of gentle vibrational moves performed over specific points in specific chreographed patterns, some of which may be interspersed with observation periods to allow the equine to recognizes and process the effects of these subtle procedures.
These soft tissue vibrations when performed correctly with the ET move have the effect of releasing spasms, distortions and adhesions in the connective tissue, and smooth muscle of organs. In synergy they stimulate the body's natural inclination towards balance and harmony in its structure and function as well as creating awareness of placement and motion within the equide.
For instance such a soft tissue correction can very quickly restore the compromised saddle area of the horse to its full pain -free-mechanical function or at the very least relieve or reduce the current level of pain giving it a better quality of life.
Equine Touch which was first introduced into Australia and New Zealand in 2003,is a dynamic, non-diagnostic, non-invasive discipline which addresses the connective soft tissue, fascia and muscle. Equine Touch works at a holistic level. In practice it is a complete Equine Bodywork system which sits upon a specific body balancing foundation consisting of a series of precisely choreographed vibrational moves performed gently over specific points in predetermined patterns which when processed by the horse allows it to attain the ideal state of homeostasis at all levels. Area of concern addresses will then have a greater chance of success and longevity when applied to a balanced and relaxed body.
These procedures when performed with Accuracy, Integrity and Intent (A.I.I.) have the effect of inducing deep relaxation, releasing hypertonic and traumatized muscles, encouraging muscle tone recovery from injury and atrophy, reducing the pain spiral, and assisting in detoxification and lymphatic drainage. The horse through these series of gentle moves is trained to rebalance not only physically but emotionally, energy blocks are released, unwanted structures appear to dissolve, and the flow of Ki is stimulated through the meridians, allowing the equine to attain and maintain the ideal state of homeostasis in which its own innate healing power is able to work to its maximum potential.
The Equine Touch is not designed or intended in any way in whole or in part to be a substitute for orthodox allopathic veterinary practice. It is not a therapy as such but a holistic gift to the equine which is as complementary to an allopathic address as it is to chiropractic, homeopathy and herbal medicine as well as the horses own healing system.
The Equine Touch has been described by leading equine vets as the 'ultimate hands on body work therapy for horses'.
It
is important to repeat that First and foremost the Equine Touch is not
a 'therapy' under the definition by law which states that 'Therapy' is
defined as being the treatment to heal a specific medical problem by means
other than surgical intervention. Similarly a 'therapist' is a person
who tries to fix a specific problem usually under the direction or control
of a licensed medical practitioner. The Equine Touch is quite simply a
discipline, a set of pre ordained procedures that the student or practitioner
applies to the horse no matter what problem the equine presents at the
time. The fact that the equine is able to deal with long standing problems
after a session of ET and that there is undeniably a remedial and therapeutic
effect, wherein the horse is, as a result of its own innate healing system,
freely able to process and ultimately dissolve unwanted structures while
in the balanced state of homeostasis.
Is Equine Touch Compatible with recognized therapies?
While having the unique ability to stand on its own as a positive corrective system at all levels, one of the most valuable assets of the Equine Touch is its total compatibility to work in a complementary and harmonious synergy with many recognized equine healing modalities including allopathic, acupuncture, homeopathy, herbs, Bach flower remedies and chiropractic. The Equine Touch is not only compatible with equine therapies but with all types of equine address such as trimming, shoeing, saddle fitting and correction, balanced riding, training, rehabilitation and nutrition, all essential elements in creating and maintaining stability and health in any horse.
Equine Touch was developed in 1997 by Europe's leading Bowen consultant and pioneer of the Vibromuscular Harmonization Technique (VHT), Jock Ruddock. Jock originally addressed the equine's body by transposing his VHT soft tissue moves from the human to the horse using his own unique aikido based muscular vibration move. Later however, after he was joined by his veterinary surgeon wife Ivana, he studied and researched the mechanics of the animal as an individual species as well its associated energy patterns and the emotional armor. Subsequently he amended and evolved his approach to where the Equine Touch is now recognized as a premier equine care discipline taught world wide from Norway to New Zealand.
Is Equine Touch recognized by any known associations or bodies?
The Equine Touch is the first equine bodywork discipline in the United Kingdom to be awarded National Education Credits. With UK government agencies providing this accreditation of the Equine Touch Levels they became the first recognized standards to be developed in this field anywhere in the world.With the adoption of the Equine Touch standards of instruction now being unified in UK, USA, Scandinavia, Europe, Africa,Canada, Australia and New Zealand, this represents an exciting future for all ET instructors and practitioners. The most valuable part of this recognition and formal endorsement by various UK government agencies is that we are no longer self-accrediting which will be a positive step in the acceptance of ET, both from the teaching and practicing paradigms.
The Equine Touch was also the first Equine discipline to be recognized by: The British Complementary Medicine Association (BCMA) The British Register of Complementary Practitioners (BRCP)and The Institute for Complementary Medicine (ICM). (these bodies are apparently no longer recognizing animal modalities). It is recognized by the Hypiatric Society and the Veterinary University in Czech Republic and was publicly endorsed by Parelli Natural Horsemanship (PNH) and Equinology in the USA. It is also recognized by the Bowen Therapists European Register (BTER) who recognize Tom Bowen's inspirational role in Jock's human work. Further credence has been given to The Equine Touch is given further credibility by the number of veterinary surgeons who are now learning the discipline in all countries and giving their support including the highly acclaimed Dr Judith Shoemaker, Dr Luann Groves, Dr Debra Tibbits and Dr Madlyn Ward.
Dr Judith Shoemaker said "You have come up with the complete equine bodywork system ever."
Dr Zdenek Zert , head of surgery at the University of Veterinarian Studies in the Czech Republic and one of the most respected equine veterinary surgeons in the world, had this to say,
"The Equine Touch Practitioner as well as the veterinarian can use this type of specific movements on the horses body for releasing hypertoninc and traumatic muscles in the equine athletes before competition and for unspecified convalescence after or during race events. Interesting is the Equine Touch mono-therapy of some diseases such as inflammation of the lymphatic veins, sprains, combustion's, some neurological and musculoskeletal problems. It reaches many interesting and encouraging results, however the most important indication is the support of classic allopathic therapy with this type of treatment. Together with homeopathy and acupuncture the Equine Touch is an important member of the alternative medicine in the horse."
Lyle ' Bergy'
Bergeleen,
legendary farrier, instructor and hoof
expert in the USA who experienced the Equine Touch first hand made this noteworthy comment:
"I have been shoeing and trimming horses hooves for over 30 years and I am more than well aware of the effect of tight and spasmed muscles on the horse and its effect upon the work of ferriers. In all my years I have never seen any Equine Bodywork as powerful and effective, gentle, simple, act so quickly and yet be long lasting as The Equine Touch."
The Equine Touch is also unique in the fact that it is: