No form of Equine Bodywork is complete without addressing passive and active mobilization as well as stretching. After years of peer pressure Jock and Ivana have put together one of the most comprehensive stretching manuals available anywhere in the world. This manual covers the horse from top to bottom, introducing the student in a one day intensive clinic to the principles of passive mobilization, active mobilization and limb extension, or stretching as we know it.

The most important thing that horse owners must understand is that you cannot learn stretching from a book! Safety is and always must be the criteria, not only for the horse but also for the student. In the Equine Touch mobilization and stretching clinic each student is taught the correct approach, balance and the principles of the dynamic sphere as well as the anatomical understanding and physiology relating to each joint and each limb.

On this clinic the principles of Equine Bodywork Horsemanship is enforced to the maximum, the idea and principle to have the horse actively work in harmony with you as you ask him to perform each exercise, whether it be passive or active in nature.

Knowing when and when not to mobilize or stretch is as important, sometimes even more so, than knowing how to. The 52 page manual sets out in detail, in script and in illustration as never before the principles behind this protocol. While in the one day Equine Touch Stretching Clinic horsemen and women from all disciplines and schools are taught the rudimentary and somewhat 'recognized stretches' (safely!) they are also introduced to and taught the Equine Touch Stretching method which was originally developed by Jock when he was incapacitated due to an old ring injury which saw him unable to use his left arm. As a result he developed an assisted style of stretching which has proven to be excellent for the smallest person working on the largest horse. To quote Jock, Tom Dorrance and Ray Hunt 'Its all about timing and balance, its not what you can do to the horse that counts. Its what the horse will allow you to do with him that is of consequence'.

To watch a horse present you with a limb to stretch is magical, as it is to feel the horse stretch the limb out for you, thereby releasing problems and re-educating its propreoreceptors as to what it is capable of.

CARROT STRETCHING

The carrot stretching sequences have been put together by Ivana and the position for the release of each vertabrae is set out in detail in each procedure. In her usual consummate manner Ivana has left no stone unturned as in the manual and the accompanying DVD she takes you through each movement piece by piece and the reasons for it.

All ETF Stretching Clinic instructors have been taught personally by Jock and Ivana in all procedures.

COMMENTS:

I have owned horses for fourteen years but have never known how to stretch. This was an amazing clinic, I now stretch every horse I work on, ride, or play with, often after as well as before. What a difference it makes. Dorothy

I have waited for two years for Jock and Ivana to develop this clinic. The wait was worth it, absolutely brilliant. Kathy

I was terrified to pick up the leg of my 17hh Hanovarian. Now its a piece of cake, and he loves it. Gina

My horse now expects it every time I am with him, he paws the ground until I pick up his leg and support it. Then he examines it minutely before extending it all the way out in front of him. Nancy