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Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q: Can Equine Hanna Somatics (EHS) help with my horse’s ongoing stiffness?

 

A: Yes it can. EHS specializes in creating greater comfort and freedom of movement for horses with such issues. Like humans, horses experience stress (physical/emotional) and develop chronically contracted muscles as a result. Chronically contracted muscles can often cause discomfort and restricted movement and are often confused with the signs of growing old. EHS unique method helps to relieve tension and stiffness and restore balance to their musculature. You can normally expect to notice a difference in your horse’s movement potential as early as the first session.

 

 

 

Q: My horse has a resistance to working on one side, Why is this?

 

A: Horses often become very one-sided due to injuries or the way they are continually asked to move in life. Do you lead your horse from the same side (the left), do you pick up your horses feet from the same side, are you balanced in the saddle or favour one side more, has your horse been injured on one side more than the other. All of these issues can cause your horse to have some asymmetry (in-balance from side-side) in their posture. Take a look at your horses posture from a front, rear and elevated position, and check if they stand straight or deviate to one side. Horses with this asymmetric trait find it very difficult to work equally well on both sides. Their ability to freely move the appendage outward (abduct) and inward (adduct) becomes impaired and as a result their lateral movement is affected. The EHS techniques can help your horse to find balance from side to side and increase its freedom of movement to work laterally as well as freeing up other movements.

 

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Q: My horse can be very resistant to being saddled, sometimes biting or kicking. Can EHS help with this issue?

 

A: Yes, EHS can help with different behaviour related issues. Horses are often referred to as stubborn when things do not always go, as a person would like. Quite often it has just become an expression on their part, they are trying to tell us something. In our experience, horses resistant to being saddled have either had a previous upsetting experience or they are currently experiencing pain (usually in the withers or back). EHS sessions are a great way to encourage your horse to relax and be more co-operative. The sessions include specific movements tailored to individuals needs; they help to relieve tension and lengthen previously contracted muscles. Tension filled or chronically contracted muscles can become sore, painful and fatigued through constant use and are a large contributor to why a horse may behave in an uncharacteristic manner. A similar example in a human is a nagging lower backache that will not go away, affecting your ability to bend over easily and see things from a positive perspective. EHS recognizes this and can help to change many issues through its sensitive approach to your horses needs.

 

 

Q: How is EHS different from an Equine Chiropractor?

 

A: Equine Chiropractors use varying manipulative techniques, focusing on the position of the bones to improve skeletal alignment and joint mobility to reduce pain and improve movement. The adjustments are actually done to the horse, and while the changes can be effective, they are often short lived. EHS understand that bones only move because tension from the muscles pulls on them. Horses muscles often become chronically contracted due to repeated physical or emotional stress. EHS stands out from manipulative therapies as the horse is asked to perform the movements; the practitioner makes no adjustments. Horses have many reflex patterns but they do have voluntary motor control. The slow precise and voluntary movements are pandicular by nature. All healthy vertebrates are capable of performing a "pandiculation”. Which is a full body muscular contraction and slow elongation. The brain controls the muscles; therefore the only way to effectively change the tension of the muscle (and allow the bones to come into alignment) is to change the message that the brain is sending the muscle to contract.

This is exactly what a pandicular movement can achieve, along with the practitioners assistance your horse learns how to change involuntary messages from the brain causing their muscles to contract. Often muscles become lengthened and have a lower resting level as a result, reducing pain and tension, improving posture and movement potential in the process.

 

 

Q: Does insurance cover Equine Hanna Somatics?

 

A: Firstly, contact your insurance company and inquire if they cover neuromuscular or movement type therapies. Our current policy is to collect payment each session and provide any paper work or other information that will allow you to file for reimbursement. You can ask your local vet for a referral, which can often help in attaining full reimbursement.

 

 

Q: What is a session like?

 

A: Each session typically lasts an hour and should ideally take place in a quiet environment. Practitioners start the session with an intake of your horse’s history and by assessing certain characteristics displayed in their posture, movements and body language. Practitioners also palpate (feel) muscles to find which are more contracted (overused) and which are more atrophied (underused). Assessment is a vital component in determining where to begin each session. During the session horses are guided through a series of slow, gentle and safe movements designed to reduce pain, relax and lengthen muscles and increase movement potential. Each horse is asked to voluntarily perform the movements known as pandiculations. A pandiculation is a full body muscular contraction and elongation, which all healthy vertebrates are capable of performing.

This voluntary action helps to create a lower resting level for their muscles, enabling them to have greater freedom and comfort. Horses find the sessions very relaxing; they may stand quietly, yawn, lick their lips and allow their heads to drop.

 

 

Q: What conditions can EHS help to relieve/resolve?

 

A: EHS practitioners are trained to identify patterns of muscular tension that relate to areas of pain and/or movement dysfunctions as oppose to giving a diagnosis for a condition you believe your horse to have. Many owners have been informed of a condition from a vet, chiropractor or massage therapist, so we have provided a list of common complaints for your reference. If your condition is not listed, please feel free to contact us to see if we can help.

And many more....

  

 

Q: My horse has very poor posture/conformation; can EHS help to address this?

 

A: Yes. Horses assume habituated postures and poor confirmation due to repetitive movements, injuries, surgeries, forceful riding, poorly fitted equipment, inactivity, emotional stress and so on. Horses learn to hold themselves tightly in reaction to these issues; because of this they assume characteristic postures and no longer have the ability to move about freely. EHS is a great way to restore balance and often improvements in their posture will take place as early as the first session.

 

 

Q: My horse has reduced performance and stamina; can you help?

 

A: Yes. EHS is great for enhancing performance, speed and stamina and aiding quicker recovery times. Your horse’s performance may have become affected due to chronically contracted muscles. These muscles have a tendency to fatigue quickly, and can also cause pain and resistance in some individuals. EHS can enable your horse to regain voluntary control of contracted muscles, enabling them to move with more freedom, speed and increased stamina through the one-one hands-on sessions and additional exercises.

 

 

Q: Are the exercises set out for my horse easy to do?

 

A: Yes they are. The movement exercises should be performed with your horse in a slow, precise and sensitive manner. The slow release phase of the exercises are where the horse’s muscles begin to relax and lengthen, so pay great attention at all times. Make sure you always practice good human/equine safety. Horses should never be tied, a flat and soft underfoot service is ideal and try to work in an area free from to much external noise.

 

 

Q: How often should I do the exercises with my horse?

 

A: As often as you can. The simple yet very powerful movement exercises remind your horse’s brain how to efficiently use their muscles with the minimum of effort.

It’s a great way to warm up before riding or for helping their muscles to relax and lengthen after riding.