Shirley is the New Zealand Instructor for the European School of Equine Bowen Therapy. Together with Beth Darrall from the UK, she offers one year practitioner courses in Equine Bowen Therapy suitable for experienced horse people, vets and vet nurses, who are passionate about making a difference to the wellbeing of horses.

For Information on Equine Bowen Courses go to www.equinebowentherapy.co.nz

Equine Bowen Therapy

Equine Bowen Therapy is a gentle, non-intrusive hands on therapy which stimulates the body's inner ability to heal itself to be activated. This reorganisation of the musculature of the body can bring increased energy levels and pain relief.

As a soft tissue therapy, it 'disturbs' the fascia or connective tissue, there is no pulling or cracking of joints and no insertion of needles. The therapist uses fingers or thumbs in a rolling action over specific muscles, tendons and ligaments, incorporating resting periods to allow the body to absorb the information and respond accordingly.

Shirley Calder with Beth Darrall
Developer of Equine Bowen Therapy

The treatment is essentially holistic, treating the whole body and is generally a pleasant and relaxing experience. A treatment will take approximately 45 minutes. Two or three treatments, usually at weekly intervals, may be required to achieve lasting relief.

Holistic Therapy for Horse and Rider

Equine Bowen Therapy allows the horse to perform his best for his rider. Likewise, by addressing any muscular stiffness in the rider with the Bowen Technique, the horse will appreciate a balanced weight on his back! Any correction of a horse's problem may not hold unless the rider is also in complete structural balance..

Weight on his back! Any correction of a horse's problem may not hold unless the rider is also in complete structural balance.

As with many holistic therapies, the body is treated as a whole, without referral to named disease.

Bowen Therapists will treat the complete body, horse or human, and not a specific disease.

Conditions which respond well to EBT

The technique is useful for a wide range of conditions from acute pain to chronic conditions

• Unlevelness, disunited gait or irregular action
• Uneven wear of shoes
• Muscle atrophy or uneven development
• Stiffness on one rein
• 'Cold back' or sore back
• Sluggish lymphatic system or weakened immune system.
• Uncharacteristic change of temperament or deterioration of performance

 

Horses can also injure their backs by getting cast, pulling back when tied up, slipping in the paddock, and from poorly fitting saddles or rugs. Many older horses that have been retired due to stiffness have returned to gentle hacking following EBT.

Please note: The Bowen Technique and Equine Bowen Therapy are not intended as a substitute for medical or veterinary advice or treatment. If in doubt, please consult your Doctor or Veterinary Surgeon.

 

 

The best protection you can have is prevention

Sports therapist Jack Meagher says 'No athlete should have to wait to be hurt before getting help!'

All horses will benefit greatly from a Bowen Therapy treatment; like tuning musical instruments tune - your horse will have more elevation in his stride by freeing the shoulder and more power from his hindquarters.

 

Miniature Zebby relaxing at the end of his
bowen treatment

 

Zeb as Purdys Imona Jet, NZMHA Show Cambridge 2008 where he received two Championships in the Yearling section.

Show horses benefit from regular bowen therapy to ensure correct muscle development and freedom of movement.
 

Photo courtesy of Alpha Equus.
 

 

For Information on Equine Bowen Courses go to www.equinebowentherapy.co.nz