What is holistic evaluation and rehabilitation? Simply put, it is way of helping horses by addressing them as “whole” individuals, and recognizing that problems can often be traced to more than one contributing factor. My aim is to restore a healthy physical, emotional, and energetic balance to the horse; this, after all, is the foundation for whatever work will follow, regardless of the particular kind of riding or training being done. Key elements of my method include:

* Integration of therapeutic exercise, both mounted and ground work, with body work and other therapeutic modalities to change the bad movement and behavioral habits developed by the horse through years of compensating for unsoundness.

*I can work with the owner and trainer to develop a ground work and riding program that will support proper muscle development and movement habits as the horse heals from past traumas.

*I can teach riders how to be balanced and support the correct movement of the horse as they heal. (I believe in involving the rider in every step of the horse’s healing process.)

*Creation of a maintenance program to help the horse stay sound after the rehab. This can also be of benefit to healthy horses as preventive maintenance - it is a proactive way to catch small problems before they become big problems.

My primary tool in both rehab and maintenance cases is thorough evaluation of the horse to identify reactive areas and other items of concern such as improper shoeing and trimming, followed by an Equine Touch treatment, which consists of a foundation body balancing and then attention to specific reactive areas as they become apparent. Subsequently, I provide comprehensive stretching that includes the neck, back, and each leg. This last step is key to helping the horse integrate and benefit fully from the Equine Touch moves.