Equine Defined | Equine Touch | Massage Therapist

What is Equine Touch?(TM)

Equine Touch has been described by leading equine vets around the world as the "ultimate hands on address for horses". Equine Touch is a non-invasive, non-diagnostic, unique system of equine bodywork that addresses the connective soft tissue, muscles, fascia , and ligaments of the horse at a holistic level. It is considered a complete Equine Bodywork technique that provides a fantastic foundation of body balancing thru very specific and choreographed vibrational moves performed over precise points in a very gentle fashion. These gentle moves, which are applied in predetermined patterns, are processed by the horse and then aids the horse to attain an ideal state of homeostasis at all levels-physical and emotional. This unique equine bodywork technique is to be performed with Accuracy, Integrity, and Intent (A.I.I.). When preformed with A.I.I., the moves will greatly enhance deep relaxation, release hypertonic and traumatized muscles, assist in recovery from injury and reducing the pain spiral, encourage increased muscle tone, and assists the equine in detoxification and lymphatic drainage. These gentle moves result in the horse learning to become more self and body aware, resulting in being more balanced both physically and emotionally. Many of the unwanted energy blockages and unwanted structures seem to dissolve as the flow of Ki is renewed and stimulated thru the meridians of the body. This enables the equine body to attain and maintain its own natural healing ability and creates the opportunity for maximum homeostasis. The Equine Touch is rooted with the principles of equine natural behavior and reactions in mind, and thus gave birth to the title of "Equine Bodywork Horsemanship" associated with Equine Touch.

Where did Equine Touch start?
Equine Touch was founded by Jock Ruddock in 1997. Jock was recognized as an internationally acclaimed instructor for the International Academy of Somatic Harmonization, and he was also a former national standards advisor for Bowen in the United Kingdom. Jock was the pioneer of Vibromuscular Harmonization Technique (VHT). He discovered that by transposing the soft tissue moves of VHT from the human to the horse that the results were very positive and clearly notable even in the early stages of Equine Touch. Later, during his world wide teaching tour, he met his wife Ivana, veterinary surgeon and former university equine anatomy lecturer. Jock and Ivana then joined forces to teach and evolve Equine Touch even further. As a result of Ivana's expert input, even more attention was paid to the anatomy of the horse, location of the moves, body mechanics and associated energy patterns and emotional armor of the horse. Jock and Ivana have traveled the globe teaching equine veterinarians, owners and trainers this premier equine bodywork technique.

Equine Touch was the first and only body work to be recognized by:
The British Complementary Medicine Association, The British Register of Complementary Practitioners, and The Institute for Complementary Medicine which at one time governed animal modalities. It is also recognized by the Hypiatric Society and the Veterinary University in Czech Republic and publically endorsed by Parelli Natural Horsemanship and Equinology, in the UK by the Bowen Therapist European Register and Equine Ethology. Many veterinary surgeons have found it very beneficial to learn this form of equine bodywork and are very supportive of this work. Some notables include Dr. Judith Shoemaker, Dr. Debra Tibbits, Dr. Madalyn Ward and Dr. Luann Groves.

Is Equine Touch compatible with other recognized therapies?
It is important to first note that Equine Touch is not a "therapy" by the definition which states that a "therapy" is defined as being a treatment to heal specific medical issues by means other than surgical intervention under the direction of a licensed medical practitioner. Equine Touch is a discipline with a set of procedures in which the student or practitioner must attain a required level of competence. In essence, it is a bodyworkers art. While Equine Touch certainly has the ability to stand on its own, it is very complimentary to other equine healing modalities including allopathic healing, acupuncture, chiropractic and osteopathic, herbs, essential oils, bach flower remedies and homeopathy. Equine Touch is also meant to work in concert with correct trimming and shoeing, balanced riding, correct saddle fitting, dental work and training. Your veterinarian should always be your primary equine health care provider.

Equine Touch is unique in that it can be:
• Recognized
• Repeated
• Duplicated
• Critiqued
• Applied to horses, humans, canines, and nearly any other animal species.

Equine Touch is truly a wonderful gift for your horses well being.



	What is Equine Touch?(TM) Equine Touch has been described by leading equine vets around the world as the "ultimate hands on address for horses". Equine Touch is a non-invasive, non-diagnostic, unique system of equine bodywork that addresses the connective soft tissue, muscles, fascia , and ligaments of the horse at a holistic level. It is considered a complete Equine Bodywork technique that provides a fantastic foundation of body balancing thru very specific and choreographed vibrational moves performed over precise points in a very gentle fashion. These gentle moves, which are applied in predetermined patterns, are processed by the horse and then aids the horse to attain an ideal state of homeostasis at all levels-physical and emotional. This unique equine bodywork technique is to be performed with Accuracy, Integrity, and Intent (A.I.I.). When preformed with A.I.I., the moves will greatly enhance deep relaxation, release hypertonic and traumatized muscles, assist in recovery from injury and reducing the pain spiral, encourage increased muscle tone, and assists the equine in detoxification and lymphatic drainage. These gentle moves result in the horse learning to become more self and body aware, resulting in being more balanced both physically and emotionally. Many of the unwanted energy blockages and unwanted structures seem to dissolve as the flow of Ki is renewed and stimulated thru the meridians of the body. This enables the equine body to attain and maintain its own natural healing ability and creates the opportunity for maximum homeostasis. The Equine Touch is rooted with the principles of equine natural behavior and reactions in mind, and thus gave birth to the title of "Equine Bodywork Horsemanship" associated with Equine Touch. Where did Equine Touch start? Equine Touch was founded by Jock Ruddock in 1997. Jock was recognized as an internationally acclaimed instructor for the International Academy of Somatic Harmonization, and he was also a former national standards advisor for Bowen in the United Kingdom. Jock was the pioneer of Vibromuscular Harmonization Technique (VHT). He discovered that by transposing the soft tissue moves of VHT from the human to the horse that the results were very positive and clearly notable even in the early stages of Equine Touch. Later, during his world wide teaching tour, he met his wife Ivana, veterinary surgeon and former university equine anatomy lecturer. Jock and Ivana then joined forces to teach and evolve Equine Touch even further. As a result of Ivana's expert input, even more attention was paid to the anatomy of the horse, location of the moves, body mechanics and associated energy patterns and emotional armor of the horse. Jock and Ivana have traveled the globe teaching equine veterinarians, owners and trainers this premier equine bodywork technique. Equine Touch was the first and only body work to be recognized by: The British Complementary Medicine Association, The British Register of Complementary Practitioners, and The Institute for Complementary Medicine which at one time governed animal modalities. It is also recognized by the Hypiatric Society and the Veterinary University in Czech Republic and publically endorsed by Parelli Natural Horsemanship and Equinology, in the UK by the Bowen Therapist European Register and Equine Ethology. Many veterinary surgeons have found it very beneficial to learn this form of equine bodywork and are very supportive of this work. Some notables include Dr. Judith Shoemaker, Dr. Debra Tibbits, Dr. Madalyn Ward and Dr. Luann Groves. Is Equine Touch compatible with other recognized therapies? It is important to first note that Equine Touch is not a "therapy" by the definition which states that a "therapy" is defined as being a treatment to heal specific medical issues by means other than surgical intervention under the direction of a licensed medical practitioner. Equine Touch is a discipline with a set of procedures in which the student or practitioner must attain a required level of competence. In essence, it is a bodyworkers art. While Equine Touch certainly has the ability to stand on its own, it is very complimentary to other equine healing modalities including allopathic healing, acupuncture, chiropractic and osteopathic, herbs, essential oils, bach flower remedies and homeopathy. Equine Touch is also meant to work in concert with correct trimming and shoeing, balanced riding, correct saddle fitting, dental work and training. Your veterinarian should always be your primary equine health care provider. Equine Touch is unique in that it can be: • Recognized • Repeated • Duplicated • Critiqued • Applied to horses, humans, canines, and nearly any other animal species. Equine Touch is truly a wonderful gift for your horses well being.