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The Bowen Technique - a gentle, non-instrusive therapy which has transformed the lives of many horses – and their riders!

The Bowen Technique was originally developed by Tom Bowen, who lived and worked in Geelong, Australia in the 1960’s. Originally the therapy was only used on humans, but Tom Bowen also worked with animals – reportedly treating one horse which came second in the Melbourne Cup.
Bowen therapy – whether given to horses or humans – is an extremely gentle, non-instrusive muscle release therapy which encourages the body to ‘reset’ itself and break the tension-pain-tension cycle so often experienced. This is achieved by the therapist gently using thumbs and fingers in a rolling action over specific muscles, tendons and ligaments. This gentle action has a significant impact on fascial connections and nerve pathways which affect all systems of the body, including the digestive, nervous and circulatory systems. It can also stimulate the lymphatic system and is therefore especially effective in helping the body to expel unwanted toxins naturally, without over-exertion - this is particularly beneficial to horses on box rest.

Bowen for horses: An equine Bowen treatment usually lasts around 45 minutes, although the first treatment may take a little longer as the therapist will take detailed notes and may ask to see the horse ridden or lunged. Two or three treatments at weekly intervals may be required to achieve lasting relief but many horse owners notice a significant improvement after only one treatment.

Equine Bowen therapy is suitable for all ages and types of horses, from happy hackers to competition horses. It can help a wide range of ailments, from acute pain to chronic conditions, including:

• unlevelness, disunited gait or irregular action ‘cold’ or sore back
• muscle atrophy or uneven development
• stiffness on one rein
• uneven wear of shoes
• sluggish lymphatic system or weakened immune system
• uncharacteristic change of temperament or deterioration of performance
• stiffness due to old age (many old horses have returned to gentle work after treatment).

Very often, horses which do not like other forms of therapy relax and enjoy Bowen therapy.

Bowen for Riders: Bowen therapy is equally effective for humans too - by helping to relieve pain and tension in the rider, it allows the rider to provide a more even, balanced weight on the horse’s back. An unbalanced and crooked rider often results in an unbalanced and crooked horse – and vice versa! Common problems addressed in riders include lower back pain, hip/pelvic pain, shoulder pain and headaches (including migraine). The Bowen Technique has also been successful in treating many other conditions, including asthma, eczema, psoriasis, sinusitis and respiratory problems.

What are the benefits of Bowen?

As well as initiating a deep state of relaxation that encourages the body (human or equine) to heal itself, Bowen therapy also encourages the release of endorphins, the body’s own natural pain killer. As a result, it also helps to improve rehabilitation time (irrespective of how old or recent the injury may be) and by encouraging deep levels of relaxation it also supports and stimulates the immune and hormonal systems.

As a rider, after treatment you may feel better balanced, more supple, with greater feel and response to your horse; it is also likely you will have greater joint mobility and an increased ability to recover more quickly from injury.

Your horse will respond in a very similar way to Bowen. It is likely that he will feel freer through the shoulder, have a more elevated stride and generally feel more balanced. It is easy to see why when both horse and rider are treated at the same time, greater benefits can be obtained; in fact, some owners and riders decide to have regular treatments on a maintenance basis two or three times a year to help prevent injury and to keep themselves and their horse supple and balanced.

One of the greatest benefits of Bowen is that virtually every body and every horse can benefit from a treatment. It doesn’t matter whether you are 18 or 80, or your horse is a retired pony or a competition horse, a brood mare or happy hacker, just two or three treatments are usually enough to often see remarkable results. The Bowen Technique complements in every way other medical treatment and also works well with homeopathy, herbal medicine and flower essences. You do not need to seek medical advice from your doctor in order to have a treatment, but you must obtain your vet’s permission before asking anyone else to treat your horse – this is usually just a formality, but if your vet has any queries, your Bowen therapist would be happy to talk to them about the therapy.

For an informal chat about Bowen and how it may be able to help you and/or your horse please contact:

Krystyna Monks

Tel: 01372 372129

Mob: 07850 157435

Email: km@bowentherapies.co.uk

www.bowentherapies.co.uk

Areas covered: Surrey, Kent, Sussex, Middlesex, Berkshire and south-west London. Other areas by arrangement.

Case Study 1

30 year-old pony who was experiencing difficulty in getting up and moving around generally.

Following his first treatment, this pony had been very itchy all over his body. After his second treatment, his mobility improved significantly, with his owner noticing a marked improvement in his movement and suppleness. For the first time in nearly a year, the pony was seen to trot and canter to meet his field companion when he was turned out. ‘my horse is moving much more freely through the back and shoulders and is cantering happily around the field’..

Following the third treatment, his owner wrote: ‘my horse has so much more freedom of movement. He seems much more supple and is tracking up behind, which is something he hasn’t really managed before and I have had him 20 years. It is good to see such freedom of movement as he is 30 years old.’

The photographs above show how following treatment, the pony was able to stand with his weight more evenly distributed; there was also considerably less tension in his neck and shoulders, which had filled out.

Case Study 2

15hh, 12-year-old rescue pony

Before treatment, this pony was standing tucked under both in front and behind, especially the latter: his tail was clamped down and he was standing with his weight on his forehand; as a result, there was tension in his shoulders. After the third Bowen treatment, the pony was able to stand in a much more relaxed manner, with his weight evenly distributed across all four feet. The tension in his back from sacrum to coccyx disappeared and his tail was not clamped down.

This change in posture is almost the equivalent of a human being able to stand comfortably in an upright position with their shoulders relaxed and down and pulling their stomach in and in horses is often referred to as the ‘circle’ or ‘ring of muscles’. This ‘circle’ is formed by the muscles in the hindquarters, back, neck, poll, jaw, lower neck, sternum and abdomen and when these muscles all work together, they allow the horse to stand and move in a manner that looks and feels forward and upward.

Case Study 3

16.1hh, 18 year old Irish Draught x TB mare, gentle hacking

Before treatment, this mare showed a considerable amount of tension in her frame and musculature; she was standing tucked under in front and behind and as a result, held her head and neck awkwardly. Her shoulders were also tense.

After treatment, the mare stood much more relaxed but alert, with her head held up, her back lengthened and her legs much more outstretched. Overall, her whole frame has lengthened and the ‘haunted’ look in her eye has disappeared.

Following her course of treatment, the mare’s owner noticed that she was ‘becoming much more obedient again – she doesn’t fidget when being tacked up anymore and seems to have found an extra gear in faster work!’

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