Caretaking and bodywork for horses
I involve myself in caring for horses out of love, respect, and an ancient karmic need to give back to them for all they have done for us.
As an equine caretaker, I take heartfelt pride in all of the daily basics: feeding, watering, mucking, attentive grooming; holding horses for farrier and vet visits; acute awareness of horse’s health, and application of basic first aid when necessary; barn, property, and ranch maintenance and organization; and caring for any other animals on a property. I believe very strongly that horses must be allowed choice, natural herd engagement, and high standards of care according to a horse’s needs and not necessarily those of their human owners.
I also provide equine bodywork to horses either as part of a caretaking role, or on a horse-by-horse basis. When working with a new horse, I enter their space gently; asking for their permission and preferring to simply spend some time with them until I sense acceptance. As I listen to the horse’s communications, some horses will even begin to ask for bodywork through non-verbal cues.
Information about a horse’s condition from the horse’s owners, as well as assessing all I can from my own visual and palpating skills, I provide a variety of techniques including massage, stretching, energy work, relaxation, stall exercises, as well as basic groundwork when able. The benefits of these sessions performed on a regular basis are numerous, but include: alleviation of stress and improving overall immune function, improving elasticity in movement and helping to prevent injury, balancing emotions, increasing proprioception leading to greater confidence, flushing out of toxins by increasing blood flow, and the release of endorphins which can alleviate pain.
My training as a horsewoman includes three years as a working student with Agi Yother of Bodies in Motion located in the wider San Francisco Bay Area, a five-month equestrian arts mentorship residency with Fabi Vlchek of the Swift Wind Herd Equestrian Arts Academy located in Hawaii, and individual mentorship with Amanda Leto of Horse by Northwest Equine Bodywork and Massage located in the greater Portland, Oregon area.