Equine TouchTM is a gentle, non-invasive hands-on system of bodywork, that addresses the whole horse with an organised series of unique, subtle yet extremely powerful series of moves. It is a unique modality using a distinctive, three-part move that focuses on the soft tissue with the practitioner working with (not on) the horse both on a physical and an emotional level. Equine TouchTM sends a vibration into the fascial layer as a way of releasing tension and promoting a flow of energy through the body. The Equine Touch move with its soft tissue approach and unique combination of bodywork properties can often not only address established problems, but by locating and addressing niggles early enough, can potentially prevent minor strains or imbalances from becoming long-lasting issues or injuries. (It should be noted that it is not a diagnostic tool and that practitioners, unless also vets, are not trained to diagnose.)
Why have I not heard of it?
Equine TouchTM was originally developed by a vet, Ivana Ruddock, of “Equine Anatomy in Layers”, from a human bodywork technique pioneered by her husband, Jock, who was a professional wrestler. On retiring from the ring he turned to the world of complementary health, qualifying as a clinical hypnotherapist before opening five successful bodywork clinics in his native Scotland. During his 28 years as a globe-trotting wrestler he had learned practical chiropractic and osteopathic manipulations from his fellow matmen in New Zealand, Australia, USA, Hawaii and Japan and earned himself a reputation as a ‘bone setter’; the laws of the wrestling world being ‘if you hurt me, fix me’. Jock formally trained in Aikido, Dynamic Ki, Hyperton-X, Kinesiology, Bowen and Isogai.
The origins of The Equine TouchTM
In 1997 Jock began to research, develop and choreograph a complete new modality partially based upon the principles of bodywork as pioneered by Dub Leigh, Lauren Berry and Tom Bowen. He discovered that by vibrating the muscles in a certain sequence and at specific points in the body using his own Aikido based move, the entire body could be induced to slip into a state of medical chaotic confusion and at the same time, relaxation. The syndrome is something similar to an entire orchestra tuning up prior to a concert and then settling down as an in tune symphonia. Out of this cellular and holistic confusion and what is now termed as medical chaos, order emerges and within the body homeostasis is attained. After considerable studying and fine-tuning of this new approach, Jock decided to name it The Vibromuscular Harmonisation Technique (VHT).
From VHT to ET
In 1997 transposing the fundamentals of his unique VHT technique he began to work professionally as an Equine Bodyworker on horses. From a simple beginning at a stable in Aberdeen Scotland the Equine Touch has now grown to a complete Equine Bodywork modality, used by horse owners and equine professionals worldwide. Ivana first studied the Equine Touch in 1999 with Jock and after they married, she then partnered him worldwide in the research, development and teaching of this unique discipline. Initially they only taught the technique to qualified vets, but now the courses are open to horse owners and non veterinary professionals; however, there are still stringent criteria to be met to become a certified practitioner. .
Read more of Jock’s story here
Equine TouchTM is a unique whole body balancing modality. It is holistic in that it addresses the whole body, not just the obvious problem, nor the part immediately under our hands. Although performed on the superficial fascia, the vibrational component to the ET move sends signals throughout the entire fascial web that acts as a 3D framework to hold the body together. The primary moves are done in a prescribed sequence, in an exploratory as well as restorative mindset, with a portfolio of additional moves which can then be tailored to address areas that require more attention. Many of the Equine TouchTM moves are performed along meridian lines and at acupressure or reflex points. Due to this, the effect of the session does appear to be greater than the sum of its sequence; a gentle coordinated address with the unique Equine TouchTM moves provides a powerful change in the structure of the fascia, allowing the body to self-adjust.
We very much work on the principle of ‘Less is More’ – staying below the brace threshold, being attentive to the horses’ responses and working with them in order to achieve the most profound effects. Similarly, the horses body must be allowed time to readjust and rebalance – so a day or two off work after a session is always advisable, especially if the horse is new to this type of body work. Since the body can hold onto trauma, both physical and emotional, for many years, it may take weeks and two to three sessions before the full results of the body balance and the extent of change in the horse becomes apparent.
Is it like massage?
This gentle modality is quite different to physiotherapy, which tends to be manual adjustments over the body, and to traditional massage, which works deeply into the muscle. Some horses may find these better-known modalities too intrusive, especially if they are sore or tight, and working too hard and too fast with the tissue can cause the horse to put up a defensive reaction, stiffen and lock the bodyworker out. When the body worker inadvertently evokes the cellular defensive mechanism, the innate healing ability of the body may be shut down.
Fantastic Fascia
Everyone seems to be talking about fascia these days, but what actually is it? Fascia is a blanket term used to describe the 3-dimensional network of connective tissue that holds the entire body together. Everything is connected to everything else, from the thickest tendon to the most delicate cell membrane, the fascial system entwines its way throughout the equine (and every mammalian) body. Fascia surrounds each muscle and cradles every organ, there are also fine layers found throughout the muscles, veins and arteries are made of tubular fascia, ligaments and tendons are thickened forms of fascia. The fascia contains nerve receptors and carries nerve impulses and determines the whole-body response required for a particular stimulus. Furthermore, we now know that this intricate system of connective tissue plays a key role in the body’s ability to store and release kinetic energy elastically.
Previous post- The buzz about the fuzz
Dr. Sinja Guth explains the relevance of the fascia to soundness and health-
“In the tensegrity model, one no longer sees the skeleton/bone framework as a framework “stacked” on top of each other, pressing on each other. On the contrary, the bones are virtually floating, held in place by tensile forces. These tensile forces are applied in the body not only by individual strands of tissue, as in the architectural models, but by forces, whether tensile or impact, which are distributed throughout the entire network. It is only recently that we have become aware of the immense role that this storage capacity for kinetic energy of the fasciae and tendons, and of the connective tissue network in general, plays in the quality and effectiveness of movement execution. (The jump of a frog, for example, would not be possible without it).”
Gill Hedley’s famous video about the fuzz
Tension or trauma to the fascia restricts every function from mechanical movement to overall organism homeostasis. Biomechanically, when the layers of fascia are stuck together instead of gliding over each other, this can lead to poor muscle and tendon function, reduced flexibility, and decreased range of movement in a particular joint, eventually setting up a chain of dysfunction which perpetuates to protect the damaged area. If a certain muscle has been switched off due to pain, then other muscles and tendons will take over jobs that they are not supposed to be doing, often creating damaging compensation patterns.
Horses are not naughty
We must remember the the only way that horses have to communicate with humans is through their behaviour. Conflict behaviours or communication of pain may include pinning the ears, grimacing, biting, bucking, kicking out, moving away from the human, reluctance t be bridled of saddled, not standing still at the mounting block, and then the more serious signs of pain include kicking out, bucking, napping, rearing and spinning while ridden.
Once the horse has been sore for some time and the pain has become locked into the cellular muscle memory, they may continue to guard the area despite the original injury supposedly having healed. Equine TouchTM can and does assist to reset this cellular memory. Equine TouchTM is a holistic modality which works on the whole body and so can help to release the compensatory patterns that the body invoked as a coping strategy.
The Equine TouchTM move acts on the layers of the superficial fascia and reverberates through to the inner layers of myofascia surrounding the muscle and deeper tissues. The vibrational moves stimulate a process of restoring homeostasis, returning blood flow and fluid elasticity to the network of fascia. Once the fluid properties within the fascia return, not only is there more muscle movement action/ engagement, but optimal organ function. Improved respiratory capacity will assist with oxygenation, boosted circulation aids stamina, better digestion will provide the nutrients required to help cell regeneration, improving proprioception will help with balance and movement, and in time will improve whole body awareness and function… the benefits are self perpetuating.
What do you have to do to call yourself a practitioner?
To earn the coveted diploma and become a qualified Equine Touch Practitioner, the student must attend 3 in person courses, complete six theory papers and pass three hands on assessments at various stages of the training. The courses are the Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced, totalling 7 days of hands-on training and are usually run at intervals over the course of a year. In between each course, the student must then complete a Theory paper and an Anatomy and Physiology paper, and undertake 10 practical case studies. Each case study consists of 3 visits to a horse, after seeking specific veterinary permission to work on the horse and obtaining written feedback from the owner after each session and at the end of the series. There is then a practical assessment, examined by the course instructor, for each level. After the Advanced assessment, for the final 10 case studies, the ET student is encouraged to work in collaboration with hoof care providers, saddle fitters and other equine professionals to gain experience of the multi-disciplinary approach to help the whole horse. As a result of this emphasis on holistic care, we Equine TouchTM Practitioners are trained to look at all the areas of influence that can affect both the physical and emotional wellbeing of the horse and are encouraged to actively seek out advice and collaborate with other equine professionals as part of our Continuing Professional Development e.g. saddle fit, feet, teeth, rider, nutrition, environment. Many ET practitioners also hold other qualifications in these areas.
The Equine TouchTM address is very effective for promoting or rebooting the process of homeostasis and innate healing. Many people discover Equine Touch because they’ve already gone down the traditional vet and physio route, after which they may have seen a few improvements but nothing long-lasting. Having said this, Equine TouchTM is not a quick fix. Asymmetries and compensations have formed over time, be it days, weeks, months and even years, and the body cannot simply release all of these in one session, which is why often it takes 2-3 sessions over a period of 2-3 weeks to assist the body to be balanced and in harmony. A maintenance session every 6-12 weeks is then advised in order that we can maintain the balance and tensegrity and reduce the tension which leads to asymmetries and often injury. With the unique vibratory move into the 3D fascial layer, Equine TouchTM does indeed reach the parts that other modalities can’t, and often horse owners express surprise at how a gentle and non-invasive technique can have such a profound and lasting positive impact.
Eurobodalla I have arrived- please do get in touch for a booking 🙂
