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Sam
He is an 18 year old, 15.2 hh, thoroughbred gelding. He
currently trains for dressage up to Prix St Georges and competes
at Advanced level. Sam is boss in the field but a
gentleman in every way. However, he has suffered with a tight
back.
I generally work with Sam’s back for around 80% of the treatment
and this is becoming more and more supple. He easily accepts
the Reiki treatment and we have built it up from an initial 25
minutes to between 45 minutes and 1 hour. I think he would
actually take longer now too.
Sam will also move forwards or backwards if he wants me to work
elsewhere, eg at his base, or at his head. Recently Sam drew me
towards his head and let me hold him working at his poll and
forehead for about 20 minutes.
Sam will quite often hang his head over the stable door and lean
against it during the treatment – he really does relax to the
point of sleep!
Sam also dislikes being restricted to his stable during the wet
and windy winter months, however, this year he has been much
more settled and has continued eating well during this time –
which is undoubtedly different to previous years.
Ali Hughes – Stable Manager says of Sam’s progress:
“Sam is currently training at Prix St Georges level and
competing successfully at Advanced level. Work load is tough
but enjoyable for him! For his high level of dressage all
movements need to be free flowing, relaxed and supple. Sam can
suffer from tightness through parts of his back thus restricting
dressage movements. With his usual physio checks and with the
weekly Reiki treatments those ‘tight’ spots are no longer and I
am able to continue to keep this older horse in a supple and
happy condition.”
Ambrose
Ambrose is a 7 year old, 17.2 hh, 7/8 thoroughbred gelding. He
is currently training to Event.
At first Ambrose seemed a little wary of the treatment so I
really had to listen to what he was giving me. During the first
treatment he was edgy and unsure of it – it was like he was
saying “it’s a bit weird”! I asked his owner to stand with us
and that helped and he took the treatment for about 15 minutes.
I then checked in with him by asking if he wasn’t’ sure of it
and wanted me to stop to give me a sign – he promptly moved his
back end away from me by 90o.
I write this to demonstrate how important it is for me to listen
to the horse I am working with and also to respect what it is
telling me. I wouldn’t impose Reiki on a person or an animal.
It’s not for everyone/horse so I will always listen and respect
whom I’m working with.
Over time though, I have been able to increase the amount of
time spent giving Reiki to Ambrose and he now really settles
into a relaxed state during the treatments.
Unfortunately, Ambrose has recently suffered with deep seated
bruising in all four feet. I was made aware of this, and during
the treatment worked with his front feet. He stood and allowed
me to work with each foot for about 20 minutes – this is unusual
for this horse as he doesn’t stand still for long periods
normally.
Additionally, on one occasion whilst the new Farrier was shoeing
Ambrose, I stood
a little distance away and worked with him. During the
shoeing Ambrose fell asleep – yes, even though he had been
experiencing a great deal of pain in his feet. It was only a
van coming on to the yard that woke him!
Farrier, Rory Morgan said of this experience:-
“It was nice to shoe such a relaxed Ambrose after his Reiki
session with Carmen. During his 1st couple of
shoeings Ambrose was quite a stressed and excitable horse.”
Ambrose does seem to like the treatment in targeted areas so
that’s what I go with as that’s what is working for him. For
me, it feels like because he is a younger horse, he doesn’t need
as much and targeting it seems more appropriate. Funnily
enough, this ties in with how I work with children as oppose to
adults!
Owner, Ali Hughes, says:-
“Ambrose has been having remedial shoeings, and he also has
to cope with a slipping stifle (with such a huge frame). The
Reiki treatments over the last 10 months have undoubtedly aided
the relief and recovery with the severe bruising in all four
feet, enabling him to deal with the pain and stress in a much
calmer and more accepting manner. He is now improving immensely
week by week and I think, from the treatments, he now receives
relaxation both mentally and physically, increasing his poor
appetite and help in strengthening through his whole frame and
also in the problem stifle joint area. My horse is happy,
focused, loose, light and forward in his school work.”
Daniel
Daniel is a 12 year old, 16.1 hh, thoroughbred gelding. He
suffers from Navicular, therefore, only hacks with light
schooling and jumping.
He seems to have found Reiki beneficial from the first
treatment. To begin with he showed signs of relaxation which
over the time have included; lowered or resting his head, deeper
and slower breathing, bottom lip quivering, droopy eyes or even
sleeping.
Daniel now stretches himself naturally during and after the
treatment, so for example; he lifts up a hind leg and stretches
it right back with a strong but slow backward extension. He
also sometimes stretches the whole of his forehand up, thus
creating an arc like longitudinal spinal stretch from pole to
tail.
Daniel stands pretty much still for the whole treatment (approx
45 mins) and will occasionally move forward or backwards if he
wants me to work different parts of his anatomy.
Additional benefits for Daniel include:-
·
He is now “a dream to ride” says Ali Hughes – his canter is more
positive whilst his trot is bigger and more flowing, where
previously it was tight and small.
·
We have also found that the normal shoeing time for Dan is
significantly reduced following a treatment. The Farrier, Rory
Morgan, informed us that for him it was far less effort to shoe
Dan as the horse seemed so much more relaxed, supple and loose –
the differences being quite incredible.
·
Being less nervous with passing traffic and farm vehicles – he
used to get incredibly stressed and anxious but now he will
stand more easily as they pass without fretting as much.
·
Less accidents! Daniel was accident prone to the point of them
happening on a monthly basis – this has subsided.
·
Standing more easily while being groomed.
·
He goes into a space where he can really relax deeply and is of
a much happier and calmer disposition following the treatment.
Ali Hughes – Stable Manager - says of this horse now:
“Daniel is a Navicular suffering horse (which is being managed)
and always felt like that to ride – until now. Coupled with
remedial farriery, the Reiki treatments have enabled
this horse to be transformed. He is a happy forward thinking
ride, eager to please and ‘get on with it’. He was unhappy to
canter and his trot was small and restricted. He now tries to
‘take off’ into a gallop whilst out hacking and the trot is much
bigger, softer, more engaged and stronger with suppleness. He
even enjoys a little jumping session once a week!! Riding him
later in the day after a Reiki treatment, he feels even more
amazing!” |
