I have been working with one of my clients once a month, showing her some basic bodywork techniques to use on a horse diagnosed with chronic Lyme Disease.

If you don't know much about Lyme, it is a bacterial infection mostly transmitted by ticks. The symptoms in horses can mimic lots of other conditions, so proper diagnosis is very important. But so is a good wellness program after the the initial veterinary treatment. It effects the horse's whole system including joints and soft tissue.

I perform bodywork on this particular horse once a month. And we have achieved some really good results, especially since he has a long history of health issues.

But when my client started incorporating these simple techniques into his care, the progress we are now making is just amazing!

One of my horsemanship instructors always said: your best friend is consistency, your worst enemy is inconsistency. This applies to so many things in life, but is especially true when it comes to our horses and their health. Bodywork is not just for recovery from injury or illness, or when your horse is older. It is also a huge benefit to your horse's performance.

When you as the owner/rider/trainer use simple bodywork techniques consistently along with your training program, you will see:

• an increased range of motion
• more suppleness
• faster recovery time
• less fatigue
• healthier joints
• better engagement
• increased responsiveness to your aids and cues
• enhanced balance

These are just some of the benefits - there are also more subtle ones that might not be apparent right away:

• better communication
• increased willingness
• better connection and throughness
• better mental and emotional connection with your horse

So what difference did we see in my client's horse?

We are making progress much faster now in reducing stiffness, restriction and soreness. He is now able to pick up his feet more easily and exhibits a better quality in his gaits. His stamina is better because his workouts can be increased slowly, he shows improved physical condition and less compensation - which in turn allows his rider to build the right kind of muscle and movement patterns., and most importantly, he is happier and has his sparkle, and a bit of his 'Tude back!

Yes, it does take a bit of time, and yes, I realize it's another item on your to-do list. But if you want excellent performance and good health for your horse, investing in a good maintenance program and your own knowledge is time well-spent. The pay-off is worth it.

Email me if you would like to learn more!