A series of rolling moves are made over fascia, muscles, tendons and ligaments in specific areas and in a particular sequence.
The treatment has breaks of a few minutes between the moves to allow the horse’s body to adjust, and in this time the practitioner leaves the stable leaving the horse to fully relax. These pauses allow the body to make subtle and fine adjustments, helping reduce pain, relieve tension and re-balance.
During the treatment the horse’s lymphatic and circulatory systems are activated along with the muscles and central nervous system, this in turn aligns the skeletal system taking pressure off the internal organs and promoting good functional health. Bowen moves both disturb the underlying fascia and stimulate the nervous system, initiating the body’s own ability to re-align and heal itself.
This hands-on therapy is gentle and non-invasive; there is no manipulation of hard tissue, there is no pulling or cracking of joints and no insertion of needles. No force is used or needed.
Most horses find Bowen therapy deeply relaxing, falling into a sedated state during treatment as endorphins are released. Bowen Therapy prompts the body to switch from a sympathetic to a parasympathetic state, which is the state during which resting, digesting and repairing takes place. Horses often display many forms of ‘releases’, examples of which can include licking and chewing, head shaking, yawning, stretching and audible gut noises.
It is recommended that the horse is well hydrated beforehand and receives a few days recovery (days off or light work) after treatment for an optimum results.
It is a very powerful technique, with changes in behaviour and comfort sometimes observed from the first treatment.
Treatment duration: 40 minutes up 1 hour + depending on circumstance.
Common issues that can be helped by bowen treatment:
- Unlevelness, disunited gait or irregular action
- Intermittent/unresolved lameness
- Reluctance to stride out, disunited paces
- Injury – tendon or ligament, joint stiffness
- Muscle atrophy or uneven muscle development
- Uneven wear of shoes
- General stiffness, or stiffness on one rein
- ‘Cold’ or sore back
- Sluggish lymphatic system or weakened immune system
- Uncharacteristic change of temperament
- Deterioration of performance
- Horse exhibiting a “bad” attitude/unexplained resistance
- Difficult to shoe
- Pain relief in support of laminitics
- Heavy in the hands
- High and low head carriage.
- Head shaking
Equine Bowen Therapy is covered by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and is a treatment suitable for all ages and physical types of equine but is not intended to take the place of veterinary advice.
Horse and Hound reviews Equine Bowen