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The
Natural Horse Group was established in 2001.
It aims to provide
information that enables people to explore ways of keeping and managing
equines that enhance wellbeing and encourage a natural lifestyle
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Articles
Shiatsu
By Sandra Hunt
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When the Natural Horse Group announced they had organised a weekend of Equine Shiatsu I thought it may be something I would enjoy and perhaps my Arab horse Billy would like it too. I really did not know what Shiatsu was or what to expect from the weekend. What happened to Billy and I that first weekend has had a lasting and life changing effect on both of us.
Shiatsu is the gentle use of physical pressure and meridian stretches to help the body loosen up and heal itself. Our tutor for the weekend was Liz Eddy from Perth who has been practising Equine Shiatsu for about eight years.
Over the weekend Billy quickly changed from being a “typical scatty Arab” to a calm, relaxed horse who took all the strange sights, smells, people, hens and tying up (something he will not do at home) in his stride. I learnt how to do a basic Shiatsu from head to tail and found I could get similar results at home to the weekend. This encouraged me to go on another weekend with Billy and repeat the course.
After that I was well and truly hooked. I am now halfway through my first year of a three year Equine Shiatsu course that also includes basic human Shiatsu, so the rider can be helped also. Elaine Liechti who runs the Scottish School of Shiatsu teaches us the human part.
Billy continues to be my inspiration for doing the course. He loves the Shiatsu and will often come and stand in front of me waiting for me to realise that he wants some Shiatsu. It has helped enormously with his tight shoulders and withers and stopped him tripping up so much. He is great at letting me know when I have got the right spot and also if I am not taking enough care over any sensitive areas he has.
Shiatsu has also helped to sort out my stiff locked hips, and by doing so it has enabled Billy to work much better when I am riding him, as I am now more flexible so he finds it easier to move underneath me.
I find doing the Shiatsu very rewarding, seeing the dramatic changes as with Billy or just as rewarding are the small subtle changes or the horse that just comes and stands quietly next to me when I have finished. I like to think he is saying thank you. |
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