What does a bodywork session look like?
So far I’ve introduced who and I and what equine bodywork is. But what does a session actually look like once you book one?
The first session is generally a little bit longer than ones after because I like to do a full assessment of the horse. I look ever their whole body, do some flexion and extension tests, and feel where they might have problem areas. This helps me create a plan as well as identify any areas that may need to be looked at by a vet before I proceed. It is standard practice to have a vet clear any lameness’s or injuries on a horse before I work on them. This also helps me know any areas I need to stay away from while they are healing. The assessment also allows me to ask any questions about the horse that the handler may not think of. I like to be thorough in my assessments but also like to fit in a bodywork session on that first visit.
Once the assessment is done I move into the actual bodywork part of the first visit. Each horse is different and their bodies require different areas to be worked on. For the first bodywork session I try to do a full body session where I work on every part of the body in some way. This gives me a base to work off of in the future and gives me an even clearer sense of the horse and its needs. After the first session I create a care plan for the horse based off of what its body told me and the goals of the owner or rider. Ideally the owner is present for that first visit. If they cannot be present then I like to have the next closest person to that horse there. At the very least I need someone who can hold the horse for me during the assessment. Having someone who knows the horse too is helpful. Beyond the first visit I usually do not need someone to hold the horse as long as I have a safe place to soft tie the horse.
Bodywork sessions beyond the first one look a little different. Since everybody and horse is different, I never try to have a set plan going into my sessions. I may start working on a general area and the horse may let me know that it really wants me to go deeper. An area may be super sensitive when I first start on it that I may spend more time there really trying to loosen it up. Their left shoulder may have been really tight last session but now their right hip is tight due to bilateral compensation. My favorite part about equine bodywork is learning to listen to the horses body and what it needs so that is what I like to do in every session.
