The Equine Touch

atlantis

atlantis

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What are people's opinions on this? If any? The mctimmony practitioner i used when i had my boy a few years ago now runs courses for ET. I think it looks interesting and wondered about possibly doing the training. Or starting it anyway.

All opinions welcome.

Jx
 
I did the level 1 course a few years ago.

It's quite good if you want to learn to give your horse a wee treat now and again - I've not actually done a session on my horse in ages but he does enjoy the odd body balance session although hates it if you do it too often.

It wasn't particularly cheap though and rather interestingly, my friend who's a qualified human physio and about to complete her equine physio qualification maintains that stretches are the best way to release tension in horses as massage and similar doesn't really work as well for them.
 
Is this the equine Ttouch?

I've only ever seen it on dogs and other animals - but it's clearly quite effective. I think it's fasinating, and was thinking about doing one of the courses actually, but apparently the equine course is seperate to the companion animal one.

Courses seem a bit pricey though so I've left it for now ;) I'm not even sure I'm talking about the same thing as you though!!
 
Its called equine touch or canine touch. Its bowen therapy based. Intersting reponses. Anyone hadvtheir horse treated by a practitioner? Its pretty similar to Equine Muscle Release Therapy.
 
I have done the level one and 2 courses and I plan to do my level 3 when I get the time. I must admit a was sceptical about it until I had a practitioner come and do my horse and the difference I felt in him was amazing. Since then I have been a total convert and regularly do my own horse who loves it. Like all things I think you get good and bad practitioners and it may not work for all horses all the time but I certainly have seen the difference in my mare. I also think it makes you more aware of picking up slight differences in horses movements or muscle build up etc.
 
atlantis said:
Its called equine touch or canine touch. Its bowen therapy based. Intersting reponses. Anyone hadvtheir horse treated by a practitioner? Its pretty similar to Equine Muscle Release Therapy.
Click to expand...

It's basically manipulating the skin fascia - very light touch unlike massage.

My horse likes a good, hard massage - he enjoys a bit of pressure - he'll tolerate the ET but it's almost as if he finds it ticklish - hence I don't do it that often!
 
Ok change in approach to this post.

I'm a qualified human Physio saving to do my veterinary masters. However that's realistically a long way off as its thousands of pounds. I had my old boy treated with EMRT about 8 years ago with AMAZING results as recommended by Emma Overend, a mctimmony chorley practitioner who has now trained to do equine touch which in her opinion is very similar.

I found EMRT brilliant as did a friend if mine who used it for her horse too.

I'm looking for opinions on if this is a viable way if making a bit of extra money while doing something really worthwhile that I could use on my own horses (when I get some. Currently horseless). I don't need to make a living out if it, I have a job (and a husband lol) but I'm looking for people's opinions.

I purposely did a vague post earlier to see what response I got but I think I need to give more detail so people get what I mean.
 
I did level one and two training it's a good complement to ACPAT physio.
It makes horses feel better and it gets you thinking about how what the practitioner feels ( and you as feel if you have done the course) relates to how the horse works.
Having the human form ( VHT ) is an interesting experiance I would recommend anyone with chronic muscles issues gives it a go.
Some of the more new agey stuff they come out with is not my thing but it definatly makes horses feel better.
 
I am doing ET part 1 course soon :D

It'll be nice to have a couple of days away on my own while learning something :).

From what I understand, ET is a good tool to have in the box of a body worker.
Some horses can't tolerate massage or much touching at all. ET can be a way to provide such horses some comfort/relaxation while easing them into the concept of bodywork.

FWIW, this year I am also doing courses in bridle work, myofascial release, swedish massage (human), equine massage, Masterson Method and colonic hydrotherapy (human) :D

OP, I would really look into the Masterson Method, it blends stretching and relaxation to provide effective healing. It lets the horse guide us to what they need.
I love watching Jim Masterson working - the horses start rolling their eyes and twitching as soon as he gets out of his car :D

[YOUTUBE]RKgFxTxpNZY[/YOUTUBE]
 
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I qualified as an Equine Touch practitioner several years ago and still use it as part of my "toolbox" when working with horses. In my humble opinion, ET is as good as the intent of the person giving it.
 
Thanks Oberon I have had a look at the masterson method. It does look interesting and he has a great feel with the horse on the video doesn't he.

Jamie-lee interesting comment. Could you expand on what you mean. Pm if you wish.
 
We have an ET lady that treats quite a few of the horses at my yard, some people think it makes a difference, others aren't sure.

I had my horse done once, was supposed to be a 'treat' for her as she loves massage, shiatsu etc and she hated it! Was extremely suspicious, wouldn't relax and just generally didn't get it. I have seen some of the others seeming to really enjoy it so thought she would, but she obviously didn't like the feeling.
 
Jamie-lee said:
I qualified as an Equine Touch practitioner several years ago and still use it as part of my "toolbox" when working with horses. In my humble opinion, ET is as good as the intent of the person giving it.
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The intent thing is one of the new agey that put me off equine touch .
Basically it just means if your intent when doing something is to do good then good things will follow.
As say if you give your horse steriods to help save its life in illness the intent is good if you give it to make it run faster and further the intent is not good and bad things will follow.
If you pay someone to work on your horse as long as they are professional and skilled it matters little if they are doing it to pay the mortage or to save the equine world.
If a horse is say jumping to a high level in a commercial type setting and recieveing ET it will That horse benefit no want those around are trying to achieve as will the horse just having ET because its owner just wants to have a nice afternoon.
Of course an ethical approach means that you must intend to do good but really ET is no different to anything else in that respect .
ET is simple to learn and the level one and two courses that I did where fun made you think and be more aware how your horse works and gave you good tools to help keep them comfy when they are working hard.
It however not a substitute in my opinion for a ACPAT physio working with a vet for hard working horses right, it's an add on but a valuable one.
 
Thanks Goldenstar that's probably the bit I missed, the intent bit. Being a Physio I'm pretty medical minded, but I'd like to think I have a very open mind. I found EMRT so very helpful for my boy but it takes so long and is very expensive to train. I know there are differences but ET sounds like it will fit in better with what I'm trying to achieve with my budgets.

I'm definitely not trying to replace an ACPAT route for me, and I'd like to study something now and if I get to use it professionally then great. If it then compliments future work when I do manage to fund my vet Physio masters then all the better. Another tool in the toolbox!!!
 
atlantis said:
Thanks Goldenstar that's probably the bit I missed, the intent bit. Being a Physio I'm pretty medical minded, but I'd like to think I have a very open mind. I found EMRT so very helpful for my boy but it takes so long and is very expensive to train. I know there are differences but ET sounds like it will fit in better with what I'm trying to achieve with my budgets.

I'm definitely not trying to replace an ACPAT route for me, and I'd like to study something now and if I get to use it professionally then great. If it then compliments future work when I do manage to fund my vet Physio masters then all the better. Another tool in the toolbox!!!
Click to expand...

I think it will be an excellent thing for you to do, combined with passive stretches it can be a powerful tool.
I urge you to get a pracititoner to give you a session on your self as that was what really got me going on it , it is a wierd experiance.
 
Yeah I'll look into that. The other plus is there is only Emma in my area doing ET looking at the list, so more potential for clients if I want to push that route.

I'll get booked onto the stage 1 and approach her got a session. I'm all for trying something myself before subjecting others to it!!! Helps me to understand it!!

Ooh exciting!!!
 
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