Equine  NST Bowen

Having run a professional yard for many years, I have experienced many professional equine therapist from old fashioned back men to professional physiotherapists, osteopath and chiropractors. I was recommended to try a NST Bowen therapist on a horse with behavioural problems and intermittent low grade lameness, he was also extremely sensitive around his poll.

 After several sessions, his attitude to work changed, he was no longer tossing his head and napping. I was also now able to touch his poll and ears, generally a happier horse, more balanced and and working more consistently. 

I also tried a course of treatments for long term back pain, having regularly received osteopathic and chiropractic treatments for over 20 yrs. I found this gentle therapy  to be extremely successful!  I had a number of sessions, and was actually free of my 'constant nagging' back pain, for the first time in years.
Karen Burkin BHSAI
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Event horse competing at BE has regular sessions, showing marked freedom in his paces, improved bascule over a fences.
NST Bowen takes a holistic approach by adressing the whole body as one.
Checking postural alignment, muscle development, muscle atrophy, movement, balance, flexion, past injuries etc.
 Common presentations known to have responded to Bowen Therapy:
  • Stiffness - Flexion
  • Canter Lead Problem
  • Muscle Atrophy
  • Lameness
  • Pelvic Misalignment
  • Performance Deterioration
  • Cold / Sore / Tense Back
  • Behaviour Changes
  • Head Shy
  • Weak Immune System
  • Lengthening Difficulty
  • Hollowing over fences
  • Lymphatic System
  • Arthritis
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Gentle moves are made on very specific areas on the horse from head to tail.
The aim is rebalance the entire body,  initiate self healing, freeing the whole body from impingement down to cellular level, aiming to remove toxins thus allowing the body to absorb nutrients; prompting cells, tissues, organs and structures to function more efficiently.  In turn supporting the body to fight injury and disease,  to maintain a well-balanced, muscular skeletal structure and nervous system, that is also free from neurological tensions.

The equilibrium between horse and rider is equally important and therefore, the corrections to the horse will only be sustainable if the rider is also thoroughly balanced and relaxed.  All NST/ Bowen Equine practitioners are qualified human practitioners in order to provide therapy for both horse and rider.
Significant changes can be experienced from just one NST session, however to achieve a more sustainable outcome
​ especially with older and long term injuries then further or regular treatments are advised.

  • ​​Both horse & rider are treated from head to toe
  • A series of very specific soft tissue moves made over tendons, ligaments, muscles and fascia.
  • Most horses find the treatment very relaxing - periods of rest are  included during the session allowing the body to respond.
  •  A session lasts for approximately 45 mins to hour. Detailed notes are recorded at each session, so that changes and rebalances can be identified.​
  • Veterinary permission is required prior to treatment
"Even after that first session the difference was amazing"
Manda is our nine year old Clydesdale mare, she was having difficulty traveling in the horse lorry due to balance problems, finding it hard maintain a solid stance. We did all the research as one does and basically came to the conclusion of "just get on with it and she'll get it". Being a draft horse Manda naturally has a plating gait, however due to a possible injury when a youngster (identified by Karen) instead of placing her hind foot normally, Manda crossed one of her excessively across herself, and when at rest she would continually switch her weight from one rear leg to the other, this was something she had always done. 

After some light hacks around the farm I noticed a slight nod and slight lameness on her near fore. This got better and then reappeared a few weeks later, so had her checked out, feet & saddle and all the usual suspects but couldn't really say what was causing this subtle nod. Karen was recommended to us by someone at the same yard so we booked her to come out and see if she could help.

This was one of the best things we could have done!! Karen spent the next hour or so checking Manda over and giving her hands on treatment. I must say at this point that Manda will eat everything put in front of her, hay nets being a specialty. Karen said at the outset that she might accept the treatment and relax and even possibly nod off!!!!!!! Not my horse I thought, if there's a food source that's not going to happen, well I had to see it to believe it, Karen had found tightness in her off hind which she manipulated and released, this in turn made our eating machine stop, head drop down and duly nod off! Still amazed even now.

What Karen had found was the off hind was really tight and sore this in turn was causing the slight lameness in the near fore, this possibly happened when she was a youngster .Even after that first session the difference was amazing and we continued with the next two as Karen recommended over the next few weeks. So about one year forward and with a top up session every eight weeks for both our horses the transformation is truly amazing. Manda now stands square at rest and because she does the lorry problem has gone. Her gait is normal, she has built up more muscle and conditioning, and we now go hunting with the four shires. Manda is a totally different horse, happy, confident and enjoying galloping around the Derbyshire countryside, what a transformation.
Thank you Karen absolutely brilliant.

 Ken & Jane Keighron. -  Ashbourne  March 2016
Bowen therapy is not a substitute for medical or veterinary treatment.