The practice of Equine Ortho-Bionomy

This is a gentle, yet profound type of bodywork in which we elicit self corrective reflexes to release tightness, tension and brace in the horses body. To do this, the  practitioner creates comfortable positions in accordance with the pattern of tightness within the horse's body.

This method of bodywork is not a list of techniques done 'to' the horse, but rather a very specific conversation 'with' the horse.

Equine Ortho-Bionomy® is a method of bodywork where the practitioner has a conversation WITH the horse to discover where the tension and brace lie within the body and create a comfortable release position to release the brace.

The practitioner must acquire a sense of "FEEL" to determine and create specific releases for each individual horse. No two horses are alike therefore no two release positions are alike, as they all have different patterns of tension/brace/dysfunction. Many patterns are similar, but none are exactly the same.

These patterns can arise from a difficult birth, to an injury in the pasture, to incorrect training/riding. When the body experiences an injury, the soft tissue often creates a "splinting" to protect the joint/bone from injury. This splinting is created as a way for the body to heal. Once the healing has happened, the splinting remains and often times a compensation pattern develops as well. Either of these things will prevent the horse from working correctly as well as being totally comfortable within their body.

Equine Ortho-Bionomy is a gentle and comfortable way for the practitioners to employ 'user-friendly' techniques to assist the horse in releasing tightness. The release positions are specific to each horse and are easy for the practitioner to create. The horses receive this work willingly and happily as the release positions move away from the painful patterns into comfort. The release position shortens the affected tissue rather than pulling, poking or stretching it. Contracted tissue resists and resents these methods. The shortening of the affected tissue is a way to encourage it to let go while supporting its tightness. Going with, rather than against, is a main principle of Ortho-Bionomy.

Equine O-B practitioners “do less” to encourage the horse to feel safe and comfortable as we release the tension. The horses relax, lick and chew, yawn and become very much a part of the "conversation". This work is very different than other modalities that "do to" the horse rather than "working with."

As we exaggerate the pattern in the body, we illicit the innate self corrective capacities within the horse. Often this method will encourage and allow the horse to release its own tensional pattern by resetting the agonist/antagonist muscular relationship. When one or a group of muscles contracts, a signal will be sent to the opposing muscle/muscles to relax. We use this complex, yet simple method to assist the horse in re-balancing/resetting a tensional pattern within its body. Sometimes the simplest method is the most profound, especially if it uses a system already in place. This accesses the innate intelligence of the being to self-correct. The resetting and re-balancing of the body has a longer lasting effect if it is done from within.

“The changes from Equine Ortho-Bionomy bodywork are amazing, very noticeable and permanent. I have been a witness to these changes for years and am in awe of the power of Ortho-Bionomy.”  ~ Julie A. O’Neil

MASSAGE ISN'T JUST FOR PEOPLE.

One of the main benefits of massage is to increase circulation, allowing the muscles to receive fresh blood and nutrients. Massage is beneficial not only for circulation but also lymphatic drainage and the musculoskeletal system. Massage is deeply relaxing and very beneficial for people and animals.

Massage can be used before an event to prepare the body for sport. Massage can also be beneficial after exercise as a sports flush to remove lactic acid from the muscles. 

I use massage techniques to get a sense of the health of the horse's muscles and tendons. Once I have that information, I will use Ortho-Bionomy and other bodywork techniques to release contracted muscles, neuro-muscular tension and to re-educate their body.