Equine Bowen Therapy - What can it Help?

Your horse does not need to have anything 'wrong' to benefit from a treatment. Many people (and horses) now benefit from having regular treatments (every few months, or once or twice a year) to keep fit and healthy. Routine healthcare can help to prevent injuries, or identify issues before they develop further.

As with Bowen for humans, there are many problems that may be resolved simply and effectively.

Conditions that often respond well to EBT include

• 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
• Unusual change of temperament
• Deterioration of performance

Horses can injure their backs by getting cast, pulling back when tied up or slipping on tarmac or icy roads. Poorly fitting saddles or rugs can be a problem too. There are many small 'tell-tale' signs that there may be an unresolved issue - banking up of bedding so that your horse stands with hinds elevated, nipping when being girthed up, walking away when you approach with headcollar or bridle - all of these indicate that there may be some pain or discomfort associated with these activities. Once any pain is ruled out, there may still be an association of pain, so this may have to be addressed by the owner or trainer.

Many older horses that have been retired due to stiffness have returned to gentle hacking following Equine Bowen Therapy. Many riders have remarked how energetic their horses have become afterwards. I can vouch for this from personal experience.

Referral to other professional people may be indicated, such as your vet, farrier, saddle fitter, a trainer/instructor or an equine dental technician.

EBT is recognised as a form of physiotherapy, and so is covered with Physiotherapy, Osteopathy and Chiropractic, by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons under The Veterinary Surgery (Exemptions) Order 1962. Before treatment, it is a legal requirement to gain the consent of your Vet.