"Change is the only constant." -Albert Einstein
Q. What is your fee?
A. Because it is important for a horse to have a minimum of 3 sessions to truly begin to get the cumulative effect of this work, I encourage owners to schedule 3 sessions at least a week apart, not more than 3 weeks apart (each), and I give a discount for sessions that are pre-purchased in bundles of three . Once a bundle is purchased, the sessions must be used within 6 months, and are not transferable unless circumstances require it. Pre- purchased bundles are non-refundable. I do not charge "by the hour" but rather "by the session". It is the horse that will tell me how much or how little he needs. The value of the work does not change. Go to "Reserve Cori" and fill out the questionnaire. Your fee is based on your zone location, and how many animals are receiving bodywork at one destination. Based on your questionnaire, I will e-mail you a price quote.
Q. What should I expect to see afterwards?
A. There have been many observed reactions to The Equine Touch including slight fluctuation in vitals, temporary welts or at the sight of the moves or localized sweating, a deep state of relaxation, runny eyes or nose, and other reactions described as "detoxification". Because this work addresses the whole horse and helps the horse to release compensation patterns it is also possible that your horse may show a sign of lameness or discomfort that was not noted before. The Equine Touch is too gentle to inflict injury upon a horse, but it can help the horse release soft tissue in such a way that reveals a lameness issue that has been lurking under the surface. If this happens, it is important that you notify me and you should also consult your veterinarian. I am happy to confer with your veterinarian and you have my permission to give him/her my contact information. I also encourage you to support your horse and consider sticking with his body work "program" as he works through any issues that arise.
Q. Are there any contraindications for The Equine Touch?
A. Yes, and it is important that you inform me of any possible medical conditions that may be a concern, and also consult your veterinarian for a go-ahead. Any information you give me about your horse’s condition will help me to avoid working in contraindicated areas, but it will not change my approach: I will always address your horse as a whole and I will not address your horse as an "issue". The Equine Touch can be a powerful tool for horses with acute injury and post surgery, for example, but the moves are never done over acute inflammation, bruises, or lacerations. It is also not recommended that The Equine Touch be done for the first time with a mare that is in her first trimester of pregnancy, especially if there is any history of spontaneous abortion.
Q. What problems can The Equine Touch solve?
A. The Equine Touch can be used to teach a horse relaxation, it may increase body awareness, it has been used to help keep horses comfortable when colicky, it is being used to improve performance, it can help a horse release vicious cycles of pain and it is believed to help a horse heal itself. The Equine Touch itself does not address or solve any problems or "heal" anything. It is a wonderful gift to the equine and the equine’s body will take from this gift what he needs and the results are therefore often unpredictable, but always evident.
Q. Why would I use The Equine Touch?
A. The Equine Touch can be used as an important part of your horse’s maintenance program. It can be used to help a horse through rehab, it can be used to enhance your horse’s show performance, it can relax a high strung horse or wake up an unenthusiastic one, it can be used to help a horse with an acute injury. The intended purpose of using The Equine Touch will dictate how I use this tool. Note: The Equine Touch should never be used for the first time while a horse is under saddle or just before a performance, but once a horse becomes familiar with the work, the sessions can be conducted outside of the norm to achieve different results.
Q. What should I do after the sessions?
A. For the first 3 sessions it is ideal that you simply leave your horse alone for 24 to 48 hours! That means; please, no grooming or excessive petting or handling. Why? Because of the unique vibrational nature of this work, the horse will benefit from having time to process the work without anything "dampening" the sensations and vibrations afterwards. It has been observed that some horses even process as long as 3-5 days. This does not mean that if you need to put a blanket on your horse that you shouldn't’- or if you want to ride tomorrow you shouldn't’t. It means you should try to schedule your horse’s work at a time when leaving him in his stall and run or out on pasture for a minimum of 12 hours to rest and do what he needs to do. Handle him as little as possible. Sure, give him treats, feed him and touch him if you must, but refrain from rubbing, stroking, brushing, etc.
Q. What is The Equine Touch™?
Click here to link directly to The Equine Touch™ Web site for additional information
A.
The Equine Touch is a non-diagnostic, non-invasive, hands-on system of bodywork, addressing the whole horse with an organized series of unique, gentle, vibrational moves over soft tissue.
a. Non-diagnostic means that practitioners of The Equine Touch do not diagnose, and subsequently do not "treat" any named problem or disease in the equine. The whole horse is always addressed, never a singular issue.
b. Non-invasive means that The Equine Touch is in essence not painful and not deep. The pressure and depth of the thumbs and fingers is not more than the equine will comfortably permit, thereby preventing the instigation of pain and defense resistance.
c. Hands-on means that we use no instruments other than our hands to facilitate the move.
d. System of bodywork reiterates that The Equine Touch is not a therapy as legally defined and is not used as such by the practitioner. It is merely a system that consists of a series of procedures. The focus and intent of the system’s user is to perform the procedures to the best of his/her ability.
e. Organized series of moves are performed in sequence over specific points. The points can be recognized as acupuncture points, trigger points, or points related to common areas of muscle injury. The Equine Touch students are taught these sequences as a discipline which they must turn into a habit in order to present the move to the horse with the correct intent and integrity.
f. It is Unique in that even though fingers and thumbs are used to perform the move, they are in essence only the tools. The move itself is generated by an Aikido or Tai Chi like flow of the body and breath. The ET move has three distinct phases: slide, challenge, and glide. All of these components make up the ET move. If any piece is missing the power of the move is lost.
g. Gentle means that it does not inflict or induce stress, pain, or discomfort. At the same time it is not soft, or so light as to have no synchronization with the equine.
h. Vibrational recoil similar to the playing of a double bass string occurs when the move is performed correctly over the soft tissue or muscle.
