Aloha: Summer is almost over, so they say, here in the Czech republic the weather girls lie just as beautifully as they do in the rest of the world. This weekend we sweltered as we taught for the first time the all new Module 5 and 6 from the new VHT manuals. Really exciting except for the fact that I do not know what my interpreter is saying. I say 6 words she says 106. I say 50 and she says 5. My interpreter is of course Ivana, I then go to tell a story and she says's ' its OK Jocko, I just told that one'. So life goes on. I have to hold a class back in my home town in Scotland where I can speak my local dialect and she does not understand one word of it. So if anyone from Forfar is reading this letter, please, book me. The days are pretty full for us just now, teaching, new manuals to write, magazine articles, Ivana popping in to the University to do a dissection or post mortem to fulfil her never ending quest for knowledge to pass on to you to help us understand the horse better as well as studying to prepare her presentation at the Conference. That is one thing about being the beauty of the duo and not the brains, I am just given a horse that I know nothing about and told to get on with it. We have exciting news about VHT as well as new manuals, new certificates and new procedures, but will be releasing the news at the Conference, and in the newsletter immediately after that. So for those of you who are interested in the human side of bodywork - watch this space. On the 8th of next Month we start the long drive back to Amsterdam and then over the water and up to The Blue Cross at Burford where we will be teaching a class especially for horse welfare staff from all over the country. This is something we are really looking forward to and which will start off two weeks of intensive ET in the UK before we take off for the USA on the 29th. Then its non stop until we reach home in New Zealand on the 12th of November. Holiday time - forget it, six days later we head for Perth Australia for some clinics there before returning to New Zealand for the Dissection Clinic at Christchurch Lincoln University. Although its almost 4 months away we already have the clinic almost full so if you are intending coming contact Janice Clyma immediately. The day after that we start again with a Level 3 and a Level 4 before jumping on a plane and heading up North to catch up with a famous lady we have heard so much about and who is a great supporter of ET, Peggy Cummings. This is someone we are really looking forward to meeting, not only for her amazing style of riding and training but to sit down and listen to a trainer who cares so much about the horse, as a horse. I will let you know how that all turns out.
Till next time - Keep Touching!
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Sept 11, 12, 13 Level 1 with Jock & Ivana at the Blue Cross, Burford. This clinic is for horse rescue and welfare staff from all over the country. |
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Sept 14, 15, 16, 17 Level 3, with Ivana at Harstrop Farm, Whitney, this clinic will be the 2nd last L 3 clinic of this style held in the UK. Due to a student transferring to Bristol one place is vacant. Book now! |
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Sept 14, 15, 16, Level 4, with Jock at Harstrop Farm, Whitney, this clinic is almost full and will be the 2nd last L4 in the UK this year. A whole new look at ET. |  |
Sept 19, 20 The International UK IETA Conference at Newmarket Racing School. Some great presenters as well as the Founders will be there, this is a must for all ET at all levels. |
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Sept 24, 25, 26, 27Level 3, with Ivana at Bristol Horse World. This clinic is filling fast. The last chance to qualify under the current system. Book Now. |  |
Sept 26, 27 These two one day clinics are all new to ET. 26th at Glastonbury for L4 and above is all about putting together procedure prescriptions. 27th at Horse World is the first ever mobilization and stretching clinic and is open to all - Horse World |
Tip: If you find yourself in a situation where a horse will literally not let you touch it. Find out if it has a paddock mate. If so get the both of them together, Bond with the paddock mate and keeping the problem horse very close work on the friendly one. Watch for reaction from the troublesome one. I have found on occasion when the paddock mate starts to process the other horse often does likewise, not to mention it picks up the relaxation from the mate and may then be quite receptive to having the work repeated on them. |
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Hi Jock: I have a situation here that I need help in dealing with. I saw this horse back in May both hind legs too close together as if holding himself in, the forelegs short and with stiff movement. I asked if any issues had occurred from behind? It turns out he was purchased in Spain as a stallion and when asked should she wish for him to be castrated before she could change her mind, his hind legs were tied together and with no anesthetic his parts were removed there and then!! His feet also looked shocking so I suggested an excellent barefoot trimmer to see him and maybe she could give the owner sound advice, also I discovered she had never had her saddle properly fitted so I suggest the saddle be checked too as he disliked being tacked up. This took place shoes came off and he was doing really well. I had finish my sessions and was happy with result, a saddle fitter came out, one that her friend recommended which lead to the saddle fitter saying all OK but try a ‘Chiropractor’ he may have an out of line pelvis. In the meantime this ‘Chiropractor’ lets her down, and I was called back. After I carried out my BBB and a few Area of Concern he was walking really well and looked so much happier, so I said I would go back after his feet have been trimmed in a few days. Today the 'Chiropractor' just turned up unannounced, the owner explained that he had had a session with me and needed a few days grace, this was ignored and she carried out her treatment. This person then diagnosed (!!) the beginnings of navicular she was not happy with his feet and stated he needs hart bar shoes on tomorrow and she will be back next week. Now the owner is in a spin, she then contacted the barefoot trimmer who went to see her today. The horse had kicked out several times during the session of chiropractic and has over stretched himself. So all my work is undone, I am due to see this horse in a few days time, as I am only a level 3 students and not yet qualified where do I stand? the barefoot trimmer is furious as she knows how to recognize signs of Navicular, she is also very supportive of ET, I did not pick up any problem in his Tendons, only AOC's were poll, shoulder and girth. What are the signs for future reference of navicular and should I carry on with this horse? |
Hi Sue: I fully understand the situation, as I have gone through it in the past, word for word, with bodyworkers, who virtually dismissed me and the work also and ended up hurting the horse. Firstly let me say you have acted correctly in every sense. The horrific style of castration would most definitely have had an effect on the horse. The problem you have is not really the horse, or the 'Chiro' but alas the owner, She sounds a really nice person who genuinely cares for her horse but like many horse owners does not know enough to be able to stand strongly on their own two feet and take charge before anything is done. I of course cannot, and would not, even if I saw the horse make any comment on navicular, I am not a vet, that is their job. I would listen to what a foot specialist had to say, but would still request a vets opinion, diagnosis and advice. I subsequently asked one of our advisors from the same school of manipulation as the therapist you mentioned for their professional opinion.
The answer which I suspected was: "NO NO NO there, simple! We can not diagnose full stop. I would suggest not even a vet would want to diagnose Navicular without X-ray or at least diagnostic testing which is only available to them.
If presented with a horse like this, that I really believed to have a major problem I would immediately refer back to the vet. We of course have to have veterinary permission to treat every horse so this should have been gained before the practitioner touched the horse, thus making it easy for the practitioner to, with the owners consent, discus the concerns with the vet and move forward with a plan of action for that particular horse.
WARNING Is this owner sure the 'Chiro' diagnosed Navicular,or was it the case that she suggested there was a problem in the hoof balance that could lead to changes within the hoof capsule such as navicular, arthritic change, joint pressure, etc etc..... which could possibly be helped with corrective shoeing.
Owners as you know JUMP on words and can get mixed messages.... It also sounds like she upset the owner before she even started on the horse by just turning up and going ahead with the treatment even ignoring the owners wishes that the horse NOT be done. If I didn't want someone to treat my horse I certainly wouldn't allow them to go ahead - would you. !! If it is the case that the person DID do exactly as accused then it is a breech of our contract and indeed illegal. There you have it. The person even although highly trained was out of order, professionally and legally, once again we have to go back to our mission statement " Helping Horses by Educating Humans". |
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NAVICULAR DIAGNOSIS: Diagnosis of navicular disease is based on an overall evaluation of the hoof that includes: (1) response to diagnostic manipulative tests; (2) response of the lameness to diagnostic analgesia; (3) imaging of the foot; and (4) evaluation of hoof conformation. The diagnosis is made based on the clinical signs and may be corroborated by radiographic evaluation. However, radiographs alone do not diagnoses the disease. The first steps developing a logical approach to the treatment of this hoof lameness are an accurate assessment of the pain and careful evaluation of hoof structure that may predispose it to the condition or cause the pain. Treatment then should be based on the type of and location of the disease. Only licensed Vets are allowed by law to diagnose any disease in a horse and we must respect this. |
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JOINING I.E.T.A : The case above is a lesson that all horse owners must be educated in: Is the person you have asked to work on your horses an up to date member of a recognized association with rules and regulations and where the members are bound by a Code of Ethics set out in writing? The horse represents an investment in money, time, and emotion, why would any owner invite someone to work on their horse who is not governed or controlled by a body which has not only a Code of Ethics but a strong disciplinary protocol? The answer once again is simple, they did not know. It is not just about whether the person has done a course on a subject, it is about whether that person is any bloody good at it which counts, especially when it involves hands on bodywork and works within the law. Every ET Practitioner must be a member of IETA and should be able to offer proof to the owner that they are current members. This means that they have completed their ongoing professional development requirements and that their quality of performance has been regularly assessed by licensed instructors. In Equine Touch we have a two layer Code of Ethics (IETA and ETF) and a two layer disciplinary protocol in order to protect the customer, our students and practitioners and most of all the horse. These are enforced with fairness to all concerned, so that any horse owner who employs a practitioner or allows a student to work on their horse as a client or a case study then that ET person must act, not only with integrity but, within the boundaries set down by IETA and the ETF. IETA is the credible foundation of all practices of Equine Touch and any member who abides by the Code of Ethics will be supported by them. |
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I have worked in the equine industry for 24 years. In 1998 I graduated with a BSc in Equine Science and went on to qualify as a McTimoney Animal Spinal Therapist in 2000, and Equine SMT in 2005. I discovered Equine Touch in 2006, and was so impressed by the profound results of this unique technique, I became a fully qualified Practitioner and later a fully qualified Instructor of Equine and Canine Touch. I now use the Equine and Canine Touch as my primary address on every horse and dog I see, with some wonderful results. I really enjoy teaching, I just love the amazing transformation in people and horses over the 3 days of the course. Some people have no confidence in themselves at all when they first start the course, but by the end are enjoying the work so much and getting amazing results. On every course I have taught so far, one or more of the students have had horses lying down after they have performed the Equine Touch body balance, it is amazing. The best thing for me is that students don’t need to have any anatomical or physiological knowledge of horses to come on the course, but after just three days they have a powerful tool in their hands and can get out there and start helping horses straight away. |
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CALIFORNIA CLINIC. October 30, 31 and November 1. The founder's last Level 1 and Level 2 Symposium in North America this year. This symposium will be held at the ' Flag is Up Farms' the home of Shy Boy, just outside Solvang, California. The farm owned by Monty and Pat Roberts is one of the most ideal teaching centres for Equine Touch anywhere in the world. Ivana will be taking the level 1 and Jock will be taking the Level 2. If you are interested, or you have friends who may be interested contact either Jock and Ivana at: equinetouchinc@aol.com or Raian Kaiser at the USA NCC: equinetouchusa@yahoo.com. There is excellent affordable accommodation for students in Buellton, and the venue is only a three minute drive from the town. Early Bird Fee available Photo: Jock with Shy Boy |
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THE ALOHA CLINIC. November 6, 7, 8 Equine Touch returns to Hawaii and Maui in particular, where Jock and Ivana will be holding a Level 1 and level 2 at the Waihe'e Valley Plantation, Waihe'e Valley Road, Waihe'e. This is great time for Jock's old friends, students and clients to catch up with him. Jock has has a long history with Hawai'i and Maui in particular where he taught many classes of Bowen, which he introduced into Hawai'i back in 1996. the class will be hosted and Coordinated by Jill Fairchild, dressage judge and riding instructor, you may contact Jill on her Email at: horsesfromtheheart@mac.com or phone (808)357-6131, or PO Box 2627, Wailuku, Hi 96793. A map will be sent to those interested. Early Bird Fee available. Photo: Jock and Ivana with a dear friend in Hawai'i the late great singing star, Don Ho |
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Any good stories, please send them in. We always look forward to hearing from you.