Equine Touch is a non-diagnostic, noninvasive, energy and connective soft tissue discipline. An elite system of equine bodywork 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 choreographed 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.
A PROFESSIONAL EQUINE BODYWORK TECHNIQUE - DESIGNED WITH THE HORSE LOVER IN MIND
Equine Touch is a non-diagnostic, non-invasive equine body work system which addresses the connective soft tissue, fascia and muscle, and which works at a holistic level. In practice it is the complete Equine Bodywork technique which which sits upon a specific body balancing foundation consisting of a series of choreographed vibrational moves performed gently over specific points on the equine's body. These moves are carried out in predetermined patterns which when processed by the horse assists it to attain the ideal state of homeostasis at all levels. Area of concern addresses then have a greater chance of success and longevity when applied to this balanced and relaxed body.
These equine bodywork 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 pain spiral,
and assisting in detoxification and lymphatic drainage. The horse through
these series of gentle moves is trained through awareness to rebalance not only physically
but emotionally, energy blockages and unwanted structures appear
to dissolve, and the flow of Ki is stimulated through the
meridians. This allows the equine to attain and maintain support of its own innate healing ability 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 allopathic address as it is to chiropractic, homeopathy and herbal medicine as well as the horses own healing system. The Equine Touch is the only equine bodywork which has evolved and established itself with the principles of equine natural behavior and reaction in mind.
The Equine Touch has been described by leading equine vets as the 'ultimate hands on therapy for horses', an Equine Bodywork technique that all horse owners should learn.'
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 a treatment to heal a specific medical problem by means
other than surgical intervention. Similarly a 'therapist' is a person
who endeavors to heal a specific problem usually under the direction or control
of a licensed medical practitioner. The Equine Touch is quite simply a
discipline, a bodyworkers' art, an adhered to program of procedures, that the student or practitioner
is required to attain and maintain competence in. Applied correctly to the horse no matter what the presented problem, the equine is often able to deal with even long standing problems physical, emotional and behavioral.
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, chiropractic and osteopathic. The Equine Touch is not only compatible with these 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 of influence in creating and maintaining stability and health in any horse.
Equine Touch was developed in 1997 by Jock Ruddock.
Jock the pioneer of the Vibromuscular Harmonization Technique (VHT) 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 bodywork technique and equine care discipline which is taught world wide from Norway to New Zealand. The Equine Touch can now be defined as being Professional Equine Bodywork designed and developed with horse owners in mind.
Is Equine Touch recognized by any known association or bodies ?
Equine Touch Levels are the first recognized standards to be developed in the field of Professional Equine Bodywork 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. Equine Touch in 2005 was given UK educational accreditation government in Britain to officially achieve this status.
The Equine Touch was the first Equine Bodywork to be recognized by:
The British Complementary Medicine Association (BCMA) The British Register of Complementary Practitioners (BRCP)and The Institute for Complementary Medicine (ICM). (Alas these bodies apparently are no longer recognizing animal modalities).
It is recognized by the Hypiatric Society and the Veterinary University in Czech Republic and was publicly endorsed by in the USA by Parelli Natural Horsemanship (PNH) and Equinology, in the UK by the Bowen Therapists European Register (BTER) as well as Equine Ethology.
Credence is further given by the list of veterinary surgeons who are now learning this form of Equine Bodywork in all countries and giving their support including the highly acclaimed equine specialists Dr Judith Shoemaker, Dr Madalyn Ward, Dr Luann Groves and Dr Debra Tibbits.
As Dr Shoemaker said, "You have come up with the first complete Equine Bodywork system ever ".
Dr Zdenek Zert, Board Certified Surgeon, head of surgery at the University of Veterinarian Studies in the Czech Republic and one of the most respected equine veterinarians 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 an Equine Bodywork system 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:
DON'T MISS JOCK AND IVANA AT EQUITANA IN MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, NOVEMBER 20 - 23 .
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