Some key points to get the most out of your appointment
Being Punctual
As it is far easier to work with a prey animal in an environment they already feel safe, I encourage people that I come to them. This means more travel on my part, but it’s worth it for your horse(s). Subsequently this means I have to run to a timed schedule so that I can get between properties and horses. Being on time, with your horse ready makes this all run a lot smoother, and doesn’t waste time that your horse could be getting spent on them. What does this mean?
Brought in from pasture, and either tied off, or in a stall
If you need to feed them, feed them prior to their appointment time, or after. A hay bag is easy enough to remove when we start. This ensures they are not distracting themselves from integrating tension.
Covers off
No need to groom / brush – believe it or not, I use this as a part of understanding what they are trying to say. If muddy - feet hosed down.
I will always do my best to stay on time, as I value and respect your time just as much as my own. Because of working with mother nature, at times this can be challenged (traffic, weather, horses etc.). I will always do my upmost to keep you informed if there are any delays. I appreciate your patience and understanding in the rear occasion this happens.
Communication
My time with your horse involves a lot of communication. Whilst it’s very important for me to hear from you, it is also important for me to understand and hear from them. You might experience me going quiet at this time as this back and forth takes place. Rest assured this is not me ‘tuning out’, it’s me ‘tuning in’.
If you have concerns which you would like to discuss at length, do not hesitate to contact me (phone, email, text) prior to your appointment. If there are videos you have taken, these can be sent through via email or phone.
During appointment
As much we all love to interact with our horses, doing so during an appointment is only going to interfere with their care. Horses are prey animals. They are not neurologically wired to be vulnerable. Tension to them is a ‘weakness’ which leaves them at risk to predators. They will quite commonly seek comfort and/or distraction when confronted with internal tension – fidgeting / eating . Please resist the urge. Remember, we are here to help your horse not only in the short term, but also the long term.
Post appointment
Horses have to integrate the neurological changes in their central nervous system after their appointment is finished. In order to do this effectively we have to avoid placing demands on that very system.
For the optimal results and benefit for your horse from their appointment a hand walk, or turn out is ideal. Depending upon the horse and the amount of change, from clinical experience the optimal time for turn-out post an appointment is 2-3 days. Understandably, this can obviously prove challenging for some sport performance horses. Please discuss with your practitioner at the time of the appointment how this can be accounted for.