The Heart Behind Vital Touch Integrated Equine Bodywork
Welcome to Vital Touch Integrated Equine Bodywork, where your horse’s well-being comes first. I provide personalized equine massage sessions enhanced by various modalities, including Reiki, Acupressure, and other bodywork techniques, to encourage relaxation, relieve stress, and support overall health.
I was bitten by the horse bug as a kid where I took Hunter/Jumper lessons for 10 years.
The smile says it all!
The Rest of the Journey
Having always been interested in healing, I pursued the medical field in college and continued to work in that field for about 15 years. But my heart was always bringing me back to the animals, and especially the horses.
I went back to school and completed a certificate in Equine Management.
Wanting to explore further I pursued a Master’s degree in Animal and Biological Science.
My disillusionment with traditional medicine led me to explore the metaphysical world and energy work.
I became certified in a number of different Reiki traditions:
- Usui Master Teacher
- Sacred Flames Master Teacher
- Reiki for Animals and Humans
I then became a certified member of the International Natural Healer’s Association
I also received certification in Reconnective Healing, and became an Access Consciousness Bars Practitioner.
I pursued and received a Bachelor’s degree in Metaphysics, which provides me with certification as an Ordained Minister.
Again, feeling the pull to horses and wanting to find a more holistic approach, I completed a certification in Holistic Horsekeeping. I have also studied Natural Horsemanship and have worked with a number of horses in various barns over the years.
Always wanting to expand further, I pursued and received certification as an Equine Shiatsu Massage Therapist (CESMT).
Unfortunately, the state of Colorado does not recognize this certification since I obtained it in California.
Wanting to be able to practice in Colorado, I attended Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure and Massage and successfully received certification in:
- Equine Therapeutic Massage (ETMT) – general equine massage.
- Advanced Equine Massage Therapist(AEMT) – focused on working with seniors and horses that are recovering from injury, illness, or surgery.
I have also recently renewed my certification in Equine First Aid and I am currently studying the Masterson Method, Trust Technique, and Equine Musculoskeletal Unwinding.
Masterson Method :
Unlike traditional massage techniques, the Masterson Method involves working with the horse rather than on it. Practitioners use light touch and gentle movements to identify and release restrictions in key junctions of the horse’s body, particularly in areas that most affect performance: the poll (neck and head), neck, shoulders, back, sacroiliac joint, and hind end.
Key principles include:
- Reading the Horse’s Responses: Observing subtle signs such as blinking, licking, chewing, and shifting weight to identify areas of tension.
- Light Touch and Gentle Techniques: Using soft hands and minimal pressure to encourage the horse to relax and release deep-seated tension.
- Interactive Process: Engaging the horse in the session, allowing it to guide the practitioner toward areas needing attention.
- Targeting Key Junctions: Focusing on specific areas that impact movement and performance for lasting improvement.
- Enhancing Performance and Comfort: Aiding in pain relief, improving flexibility, and supporting overall well-being.
Trust Technique:
The Equine Trust Technique, developed by James French, is a gentle and mindful approach to building trust and deepening the relationship between humans and horses. This method emphasizes creating a calm and safe environment where horses can release tension and emotional stress.
At the core of the Trust Technique is mindfulness—humans practice being present and calm, allowing the horse to mirror this state. By entering a peaceful mental state, the human helps the horse feel safe, encouraging it to relax and process emotions. This leads to a stronger bond built on trust and mutual respect rather than dominance or force.
Key aspects of the Trust Technique include:
- Mindful Presence: Using mindfulness to project calmness and security to the horse.
- Emotional Release: Allowing horses to process and release stored emotional tension.
- Non-Dominant Communication: Building a relationship based on trust rather than control.
- Gentle Interaction: Encouraging cooperation through understanding and patience.
- Long-Term Well-being: Supporting the horse’s emotional and physical health for improved behavior and connection.
The Trust Technique is widely used for handling anxious, fearful, or traumatized horses, fostering a compassionate partnership that benefits both the horse and the human.
Equine Musculoskeletal Unwinding:
April Love, an experienced equine bodyworker and founder of Holistic Horseworks, emphasizes the importance of working with the horse’s body to uncover and release the root causes of discomfort rather than just treating symptoms. Her approach blends intuitive touch with a deep understanding of equine anatomy and biomechanics to support the horse’s self-healing process.
The process involves using light touch, slow movements, and subtle manipulations to engage the horse’s natural healing response. Practitioners pay close attention to the horse’s body language and reactions to guide the session, allowing the horse to “unwind” areas of stored tension at its own pace. This can lead to spontaneous stretching, yawning, or body shifts as the horse releases restrictions.
Key principles of Equine Musculoskeletal Unwinding include:
- Listening to the Body: Observing subtle responses like breathing changes, blinking, or shifting weight to locate tension.
- Gentle, Non-Forceful Touch: Using soft, intuitive contact to encourage the horse’s body to release tension naturally.
- Fascial and Muscular Release: Targeting the fascia (connective tissue) and muscles to restore flexibility and alignment.
- Whole-Body Balance: Addressing compensation patterns and imbalances to improve overall movement and posture.
- Supporting Self-Healing: Facilitating the horse’s innate ability to heal by allowing it to process and let go of restrictions.
Equine Musculoskeletal Unwinding is especially beneficial for horses recovering from injuries, experiencing stiffness, or displaying behavioral issues linked to physical discomfort. It promotes relaxation, enhances performance, and fosters a deeper connection between horse and handler through mindful, compassionate care.
I plan to continue my education with courses in Cranisoacral Therapy.
Equine Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on bodywork technique that focuses on releasing tension and restrictions in the horse’s craniosacral system—which includes the skull, spine, sacrum, and the surrounding soft tissues. This system influences the central nervous system and overall health. By restoring balance in this area, CST helps improve the horse’s physical, emotional, and neurological well-being.
Practitioners use light, non-invasive touch to detect and correct subtle restrictions in the movement of cerebrospinal fluid and cranial bones. This gentle manipulation encourages the body to release deep-seated tension, improving communication within the nervous system and supporting the body’s natural healing processes.
Key principles of Equine Craniosacral Therapy include:
- Gentle, Non-Forceful Touch: Using light pressure (no more than the weight of a nickel) to engage the body’s self-correcting mechanisms.
- Balancing the Craniosacral System: Releasing tension in the skull, spine, and sacrum to enhance nervous system function.
- Whole-Body Integration: Addressing imbalances that may affect posture, movement, and internal health.
- Emotional and Physical Release: Helping the horse let go of trauma, stress, and discomfort stored in the body.
- Improved Health and Performance: Supporting better mobility, reduced pain, relaxation, and overall well-being.
Equine Craniosacral Therapy can be especially beneficial for horses with head trauma, behavioral issues, stiffness, asymmetry, or unexplained lameness. It is also helpful for enhancing relaxation and recovery from stress or injury. This therapy strengthens the bond between horse and handler by fostering trust and communication through mindful, compassionate care.
But, of course, the best teachers are the horses, themselves.
Give Your Horse the Care They Deserve!
Experience the difference with tailored equine massage and bodywork sessions designed to enhance your horse’s comfort, performance, and overall well-being.
Ready to get started? Schedule your session today and see the transformation for yourself!