The Bowen Technique 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.
SERVICES
What is Equine Bowen Therapy
What is it?
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.
A major response to Bowen Therapy is re-hydration of the tissues and the removal of toxins, as the lymphatic system is stimulated. Students will learn in-depth, the science behind Bowen Therapy, and it's effect on the body physiologically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
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.
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 on tarmac or icy roads, 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 - your horse will have more elevation in his stride by freeing the shoulder and more power from his hindquarters.
History
Introduction to EBT, Beth Darrall
After discovering the Bowen Technique in 1995, Beth trained with Julian Baker, director of the European College of Bowen Studies. She quickly found Bowen taking over from Aromatherapy as her main treatment of choice.
She says The Bowen Technique is the most user (and receiver) friendly modality that I have experienced. It can be anything you need it to be; a sports therapy; a functional muscula-skeletal therapy; a hormone/blood pressure balancer; an aid to comfortable respiration; a stress reliever; and energy booster; the possibilities are infinite!
Several years ago, Beth started to apply some Bowen moves to her own horses with great results.
In 1998, she studied with an Australian, Michael Nixon-Livy the Neurostructural Integration Technique (N.S.T.) training programme, later going on to qualify as an advanced practitioner.
Following many requests for a professional approach to Equine Bowen training, Beth started planning and designing a professional training programme for Bowen Therapists wishing to take this versatile healing modality to horses.
Her aim was to produce skilled, knowledgeable therapists who would work along side other professionals within the equestrian industry. It was vitally important to ensure credibility and respect that this excellent therapy so deserves.
With over 34 years experience, riding and handling horses and a deep passion for these four-legged animals, Beth set about constructing a training course that would offer a holistic approach to professional practitioner skills and horse management.
With the assistance and support of Nigel Dodman, veterinary surgeon and Bowen Therapist and Heather McLain, BHSI, a training course was put together and the first Equine Bowen Therapy courses were held in Gloucestershire in the summer of 2000.
Beth was also asked to teach her work in Switzerland in November 2000 and success here has meant further courses are planned.
Beth lists her hobbies as horses, horses and horses! When time allows, Beth likes to compete at riding club competitions. In discovering Natural Horsemanship, Beth has learnt the art of communication with horses.
Today, Beth runs a very busy practice working from home and travelling to stable yards to treat horses. She feels privileged to be able to mix business with pleasure!
Courses
Currently 5 Students are learning EBT in 2012,
including the first one from Texas USA.
The next course starts January 2013 - Enquire now!! filling fast...
About the Equine Bowen Therapy Course
The Equine Bowen Therapy training course has been developed with the help, guidance and support of a British Horse Society Instructor and examiner, and a British veterinary surgeon, who is also a Bowen therapist, acupuncturist, homoeopath and herbalist.
The course focuses on the holistic view point, taking other related topics such as saddle fitting (Kay Humphries), holistic farriery, anatomy and physiology, static and dynamic conformation, equine dentistry, nutrition, equine behaviour, natural horsemanship, etc. into consideration.
The entry requirements for Equine Bowen Therapy training course are:
1) Candidates must have completed a minimum of six days introductory (human) Bowen training.
Human Bowen Course information can be obtained from www.fascialkinetics.com or www.bowenz.org.nz
(You may commence the EBT training and continue the human Bowen along side the equine course. However, Certificate of Completion for the EBT course will not be awarded until the human Bowen training is completed)
EBT trained practitioners are qualified to treat both horse and rider.
(After all, what's the point in balancing the horse, if the rider's pelvis, for example, is out of alignment and throwing the horse off balance?)
2) Candidates must have experience and confidence in handling horses. Previous students range from Bowen therapists who have their own horse(s) - lots of experience but no formal qualifications, to ones with BHS Stage II/BHS AI qualification or even an equine degree. Whilst it is not a prerequisite to be a horse owner, it is certainly an advantage if you are.
It is not sufficient to just be an occasional rider at a riding school.
3) First Aid Certificate.
4) Appropriate insurance cover including insurance to treat people and animals once you have graduated.
There are written assignments to complete throughout the period of the course, as well as case studies and practical workshop days. It is strongly advised that students allow sufficient time to complete this section of the course. Course places are kept small to ensure plenty of personal supervision.
The EBT training course is approved and supported by the ECBS and the BTER (Bowen Therapists European Register)
Once qualified in human Bowen and EBT, practitioners are entitled to enrol with BTER and use the letters MBTER (Equine) after their name. This acknowledges both human and equine Bowen training and allows practitioners to register on a national referral system.
The aim of the EBT training course is to produce professional, knowledgeable practitioners who are able to work along side vets and other equine professionals with credibility and respect within the veterinary, equestrian and complementary fields.
Bowen on other Animals is covered in the EBT course.
For details of when the next course will be starting please contact Cath Garden. Courses are available in New Zealand and overseas. If you wish to schedule a course overseas please contact Beth or Cath.
Standards
Standards, support and development.
The Equine Bowen Therapy training course was the first course of its kind to insist upon the entry requisites in place to ensure a professional, credible and respected standard of therapist. All Equine Bowen Therapists are qualified human Bowen Therapists. This is vitally important to ensure that all practitioner have a complete understanding of the Bowen Technique.
Practitioners are required to attend Continuous Professional Development study days and workshops, in order to remain on the EBT professional referral list.
The training course has been developed under the guidance and approval of Mr. Nigel Dodman, BVSc, Cert.Ed, Cert.Vet.Ac, MRCVS, Bowen Therapist and Mrs. Heather McLain, BHSI.
The Equine Bowen Therapy training course is approved and supported by the European College of Bowen Studies, the Bowen Therapists' European Register and is recognised by the British Holistic Veterinary Medicine Association.
While the Bowen Technique is a relatively young therapy compared to some other complementary therapies, with the basic principles of the technique observed accurately, there is a continuous observation, research and development programme in place. This allows further discovery of the many beneficial aspects of this amazing therapy.
History of EBT
Equine Bowen Therapy (EBT) is based on the principles of the Bowen Technique, pioneered by the late Thomas Ambrose Bowen, born in 1916 in Geelong, Australia. It is believed that Tom Bowen initially worked on greyhounds and racehorses, having a remarkable result with one horse who came second in the Melbourne Cup.
This hands on treatment is not entirely new; many similar techniques have been used on animals in different countries and cultures; Accupressure; Shiatsu; Stress Point Therapy; Myofacial release Therapy; Equine Touch Therapy, to name a few.
EBT is an amalgamation of elements from established practices whose roots go back thousands of years.
All Equine Bowen Therapists are qualified human Bowen Therapists. This is vitally important to ensure that practitioners have a complete understanding of the Bowen Technique.
Instructors
Cath Garden
Equine Bowen Therapy NZ
Equine Bowen Therapist and ESNZ Performance Coach. Rider, trainer and instructor for over 35 years in New Zealand and in over 10 countries. Wide range of experience in may disciplines and with many types of breeds of horses
Dr Lucy Walden
PhD RNutr RA
Dr Liza Scneider
Holistic Veterinarian
EBT Examiner
Christine Thomson
BVSc (Hons), DipACVIM (Neurol), DipECVN2, PhD (Neurol), DipECVN, PhD
Service Categories
Animal Therapy, Bowen Therapy
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