Equine Touch Classes

LEVEL 1

Foundation Clinic                                                             3 Days Class

On this three day foundation clinic the focus is on teaching students how to care for their own horses. The novice students are introduced to ET by practicing the basic procedures on their fellow students prior to being instructed to transpose them onto the equine. This is an extremely important facet of the work as it supplies an inner knowledge of how the technique works at the human level.

Safety for horse and student is stressed throughout and each student is supplied with a user-friendly manual which contains diagrams, photographs and instructions on how to perform all foundation procedures.

A fully professional instruction L1 DVD is available.

Upon completion, a certificate is issued.

  Level 1        CLINIC SYLLABUS

1. PRINCIPLES OF PALPATION, THE MOVE, SAFETY AND BASIC BODY BALANCING

Understand the ET move and practice it on humans to develop a degree of proficiency before applying it to the horse. Learn and practice the choreographed Basic Body Balancing (BBB) procedures on the human first prior to transposing them in safety to the equine.

This part of the clinic covers:

Understanding the complexity of the ET Move and its relationship to specific laws of bodywork practices both western and eastern • Learning how to present the Move on different surfaces and at different angles • Learning to recognize and use anatomical landmarks to locate the specific points to apply the move on humans and transposition of these points to the horse • Learning the precise performance of the Basic Body Balance (BBB) techniques in order to encourage and enhance relaxation and balance the whole musculoskeletal system in the horse • Learning when, where and why to introduce observation times to allow the horse to process the work being done on it and to allow it to slip deeper into relaxation.

2. AREA OF CONCERN ADDRESSES AND SAFE APPLICATION

Application of area of concern addresses related to specific areas on the horse as revealed by response of the horse to the work, as well as education on the safe way of applying each procedure.

This part of the clinic covers:

Understanding why, where and how to perform sequences of moves related to: the foreleg, pectoral muscle, sacrotuberous ligament, hamstrings and hock, throat and temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

LEVEL 2

Intermediate Clinic                                                             3 Days Class

This seminar focuses on refreshing and fine tuning the students on all that they have learned on the Foundation Clinic as well as being instructed in several new procedures designed to address even farther Areas of Concern on both the horse and the human. Each student is supplied with additional course material in the form of a complete Intermediate Manual which includes the new Advanced Body Balancing (ABB).

Upon completion of the Intermediate Clinic a certificate will be issued.

A fully professional DVD is also available covering this entire clinic.

  Level 2      CLINIC SYLLABUS

1. REVIEW LEVEL 1 WORK ON HUMANS AND HORSES

This part of the clinic covers:

Confirming purpose of the Basic Body Balancing, ‘the Move’ and palpation to assist in recognition of Areas of Concern • Understanding the need for communication with the horse when addressing areas of concern and what procedures to use.

2. NEW AREAS OF CONCERN PROCEDURES

• Learning 16 additional area of concern techniques on the human and the horse relating to the head, neck, shoulders, abdominal, sacrum and pelvic areas and how to apply them safely.

3. ADVANCED BODY BALANCING TECHNIQUE

Application of the Advanced Body Balancing Technique (ABB). Understanding where when and how to use it on its own or interspersed with the fundemetals of the Basic Body Balancing (BBB). This part of the clinic covers: Understanding the reasons behind development of ABB • Understanding the correct application of ABB and the different variations of it • Understanding where and when to incorporate specific procedures of ABB when applying BBB • Understanding how to read feedback from ABB to decide upon which advanced area of concern procedures to use.

LEVEL 3

Advanced Clinic                                                            

Please note: In most countries the Advanced Clinic is a four day seminar taught by Ivana, where the students attend theory classes in the morning and in the afternoon practical hands on.

In the United Kingdom and in the United States the syllabus has been changed to suit the educational as well as the physical requirements of those countries. The Practical Module of Level 3 is taught over two days by a qualified National Instructor and then the Theory Module is taught by Dr Ivana Ruddock.

The students are expected to demonstrate expertise in the modality and will be thoroughly assessed on their performance. New moves will be explored and presented as will additional information on how to approach the technique from a more professional point of view.

Instruction will be given and comprehensive information supplied on other relevant principles relating to a holistic approach to the 'Equine Elements of Influence', hooves, teeth, saddles, riders and nutrition all have their integrated part to play and are all touched upon in this clinic.

The clinic a must for all serious equestrians who wish to not only know more, but understand more about the problems that we humans have brought into the lives of the horse and what to do about them.

Level 3      CLINIC SYLLABUS

1. PRACTICAL PRESCRIPTION PROTOCOL FOR ADDRESSING AREAS OF CONCERN.

Understand additional Area of Concern addresses and the application of these techniques as a focused presentation to a specific need of the horse.

The Clinic covers: Understanding and practicing of Advanced Area of Concern procedures which relate to (a) The Forequarter, (b) The Hindquarter, (c) The Neck and Head, (d) The Saddle Area (e) Body and Mind • Understanding the layering of Area of Concern procedures from levels 1, 2, and 3 into techniques of address for revealed Areas of Concern.

2. THEORY ELEMENT

This intensive clinic which is open to all students of both tracks will be held only by Dr Ivana Ruddock and will focus on the 'Equine Elements of Influence": teeth, feet, saddles, training, influence of the rider all of which have a role to play in the benefit or to the determent of the horse. This clinic will consist of in classroom lectures, with professional power point presentations as well as practical demonstrations relating to each subject on the horse itself.

The clinic covers:

• Understanding the theory behind the basic 'equine elements of influence' upon the horse, increase the understanding of anatomy and the steps necessary to become an ET practitioner and equine bodyworker. • • Understanding the wholistic importance of the teeth and TMJ influence upon the horse • Understanding the wholistic importance of the hooves to the horse and how to observe imbalance coming from that area • Understanding the importance of the saddle, its fit and its influence upon the horse • Understanding the importance of balanced riding to the well being of the horse • • Understanding the principles and consequences of compensation • Understanding the importance of environment to the well being of the horse • Understanding general functional anatomy of the horse • Understanding the correct use of ET in association with allopathic medicine and specific therapies • Understanding which therapies are complementary to and which are contraindicative to ET

Understanding the requirements to becoming a certificated Equine Touch Practitioner • Understanding how to use assessment and client case study sheets to the best advantage. Upon achieving the status of Equine Touch Practitioner it must be remembered at all times that in order to work within the horse care world, many countries, states and even counties have their own laws which cover this field. Therefore it is essential that all practitioner level students are aware that it is their own personal responsibility to inform themselves of these regulations and work within their borders. If in any doubt one should approach a local veterinarian and seek their advice. Many Equine Touch Practitioners work in conjunction with and in communication with their local vet. Equine Touch Practitioners may not call themselves equine therapists unless qualified to do so in some legally accepted modality. A Diploma in the discipline of the Equine Touch is not a licence to practice.