Equine Therapy

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Rachel has trained in Australia, Germany and England in human and equine massage therapy. She has been treating horses for 13 years and runs a busy full time business.

Equine Therapy is like physio for horses.It focuses on helping the horse obtain optimum performance. It provides quality treatment that pinpoints a horse's weakness, areas of discomfort and then works to bring the body back to balance. The techniques used are: massage, manipulation, stretching, TENS machine, bioptron light treatment, saddle fitting, nutritional and shoeing advice.

Rachel has travelled to USA to complete thermal imaging training and purchase state of the art thermography camera.

Thermal imaging is a non-invasive pain detector.

Thermal imaging has the ability to read reflected heat from the body. It is a pictorial representation of the surface temperature of an object. It measures skin temperature and has the ability to read alterations in circulation of deeper tissues.

Heat is one of the signs of inflammation and called a "hot spot". "Cold spots" however may also be a sign of injury and reflects the presence of marked swelling, decreased circulation in the damaged tissue or the presence of scar tissue.

Thermal imaging reveals biomechanical stress created from riding or lungeing techniques. Most importantly is the horses vertebrae column. Riding and lungeing will have an impact on the spine, especially if the horse's spine is subjected to inverted rotation forces which will then reflect in the horses limbs. If a rider sits off centre or rushes the horse forward onto the forehand, stress and inflammation will be seen in the legs, joints, tendons and spine. Stress in the lower joints can be pin pointed before they turn into boney changes. Changes in riding can made to aid in recovery for the horse.

Equine Massage Course - 5-6 May and 21-22 July 2012 at Premier Equine Services - Dairy Flat

Dog Massage and Dog Thermal Imaging available.

Click Here for Thermal Imaging Information.

Rachel will travel for groups around New Zealand, please email for pricing.

Rachel Harford(Phillips):0274 863 014 or 09426 5424