A State Dressage competition was the place where my equine bodywork began.
The horse of a good friend was suffering chronic shoulder pain. Before the event the horse’s usual bodywork therapist had been unavailable. On the day the horse was not performing well at all and it was clear he was in significant pain.
After two decades working with touch on humans, I sensed I might be able to help. My friend was enthusiastic so I began working on the horse’s shoulder.
I worked intuitively until I felt the tension underneath my hands give and the muscles become soft and supple.
He responded immediately with obvious relief and relaxation in his eye and posture. He surprised me by turning his head to give me a beautiful look and a touch with his muzzle – a ‘thank you’ in his language.
For the rest of the day, he performed with fluidity and ease, placing top 5 in the State.
It was a life changing moment. It was clear that I could help horses and was tremendously moved by doing so.
Immediately I enrolled in education and training, expanding the ways in which I could apply my skills to horse care. I remain committed to training and learning about medical advancements and progressive healing modalities.
As a horse rider throughout my childhood and today an experienced Dressage competitor, it was a natural progression to apply my experience in human bodywork to my passion of horses, which is how Equine Bodyworx started.