Where do you practice?

I am based in the Coffs Harbour area and work with horses between Kempsey and Casino. I can make trips further afield for larger groups of sports horses.

Will the Equine Touch be right for my horse??

Any horse whose owner cares enough to book a session. I work with dressage horses, show jumpers, race horses, leisure horses, barely handled brumbies, police horses when I can… ages vary from very young foals through to the retired veterans. Always check first that your vet is happy for your horse to receive non-invasive bodywork.

How many visits are recommended?

I ask that you commit to two sessions. These can be between one week and six weeks apart, depending on the horse’s problem (and your purse). There are several reasons for this.

1. The progress achieved in the first session is often consolidated in the second. Equine Touch may uncover a problem in the first session and then address it more fully in the second.
2. Some horses take more from the second session than from the first. After the first session has ended, they learn that their body starts to feel better. By the time of the second session, they are far more receptive.
3. Horses often have more than one issue going on at a time. With two sessions, a more recent issue may need to be addressed before an older one can be resolved. We have to work through all the compensation problems that have built up.
4. With horses that have experienced trauma, there is a greater chance for trust to develop. Some horses will not ‘let go’ until they feel particularly safe with a person.

Can you tell me what is wrong with my horse?

I don’t diagnose – that is best left to the vet. If you have any major concerns about your horse, always call the vet first. What I can do is, by giving the Equine Touch, allow your horse to show us where the pain is, and sometimes what the issue is, while addressing the cause at the same time. There is never any guarantee of outcome – all I do is offer the bodywork to the horse and trust that the Equine Touch will have its benefical effects.

I may need to chat with you about hoofcare, saddlery, dentistry and the way in which the horse is kept. This is purely in the best interests of your horse, as all of these have an impact on the horse’s physical condition.

What does a session involve?

I always work at the right speed for the horse. An initial session can last up to an hour, a second session 45 minutes to an hour. Some sessions do take longer. If your horse cannot deal with a lot of work, I may have to do a shorter session and build up the next time. It just depends.

All horses respond to the Equine Touch in their own, unique way. Often, this will change from session to session. For this reason, it is impossible to say just how your horse will react. There are some common signs though: the horse ‘processes’ the effects of the moves, looking as if it’s dozing; it licks and chews; the eye goes drowsy; it looks back at its own body; it scratches; it stretches its limbs; it yawns.

Is there a ‘right’ time for a session?

The physical changes triggered by an Equine Touch session can keep occurring for a further four days after the session. The recommendation is that you do not ride on the same day (unless before the session, allowing time for the horse to cool down) and then only very light work (if at all) for the following four days. It is therefore best to book a session when you can give your horse this time off or a reduced workload. We can decide together what is best for your horse.

How much does a session cost?

My standard rate is $100 for the first session, then $75 for follow-up visits. The first session is longer and involves an assessment of your horse. The majority of horses require just two visits, between one and four weeks apart. I am pleased to discount for groups of three or more horses that I can visit in one location, due to the savings this offers in terms of fuel and time spent travelling between properties.