The Quarterly Journal of Holistic Equine Care

Craniosacral therapy:

EQUINE

Getting back home after

DISASTER HITS:
Equine ID helps

Restore Balance & Biomechanics, Relieve Stress

Dressage...
FOR THE HORSE!

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Oct/Nov/Dec 2013

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Volume 15 Issue 4

HANDs ON
Photo: www.ForestBoyz.com

Equine
by Francis Gilbert

Craniosacral Therapy: Meeting Horses

on Their Own Terms

Craniosacral Therapy: A Primer
As its very name clearly indicates, CSTs main focus is the craniosacral system. The cranium, the spinal column, the sacrum, and the spinal meninges (protective membranes) comprise the protective casing of the spinal cord, the main information pathway between the brain and the peripheral nervous system. The meninges and cerebrospinal fluid protect the central nervous system. The meninges surround the brain and, with their tube-like structure, continue through the vertebrae to end at the coccyx. Moreover, the cerebrspinal fluid, being pumped through the system by NATURAL HORSE Magazine VOLUME 15 ISSUE 4 71

raniosacral Therapy (CST), a gentle hands-on technique, is gaining increasing popularity as a highly effective therapeutic solution to common equine ailments.

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Therapists mare, shows obvious signs of stress rse Rocky, a Quarter Ho ck and nostrils completely laid ba are rs Ea n. and tensio enation this poor yg er how much ox nd wo I d. what se clo y tightl rs situation is some am told that the ea I ? ng see if tti to ge is is on rse ssi ho tial se My goal for this ini close my d (an ch of a chronic issue. tou e to therapeutic tiv ep rec nce. be rie ll pe wi ex the horse axation she can ) and how much rel ity xim pro l ica ys ph of-age, 15.2-hand : Rocky is an 8-yearsts en m m co ve her ears laid s ha t Owner ldom does no se e Sh re. ma rse Ho began with crossbuckskin Quarter ed flat. The session mp cla s up her ay alw t a fly-like touch back, though no oached her with pr ap wn the do cis , an jaw Fr r d he an tying her worked around He e. tim the all mi ly e. After 10 nutes nose, speaking quiet g quietly all the tim kin ea sp , s, the ne dli mi forward, licking lip neck, the topline, ays and at times ew those sid of t l ou Al g. ed ax the ears rel king lips, sighin lic g, sin clo y all W rti . s pa so minutes hen eyes softening, lid over the next 20 or es tim a ral ve se ted backed off to an are physical signs repea a, she was angry, he are tes n nu tto mi bu lly few be a r fo he moved to the and worked there threatening to her d, licked lips. he sig e sh , close by but not so ed ax rel her. The ears were then re-approached

TUDY: Notes: CASE SP re-Session

the brain, generates rhythmic motions (as many as three tides, with varying cycles, have been identified so far), much akin to other rhythmic cycles performed by our main organs, like the heart and lungs. Connecting to the overall quality of the fluids rhythms is the cornerstone of CST. However, a practitioners overarching focus is the broader craniosacral system, with its connected network of tissue, fluid, fascia, bones, and muscles. By listening through gentle finger palpation for patterns of imbalance or congestion, the therapist assists the release of information stored by the body as trauma, injury, or immune-related issues. Although much of a therapists attention might be focused on the head, the entire physical and emotional body benefits from the treatment, from head to toe, and truly everything in between.

All photos courtesy of Robin Stancliff Photography.

do what it ne Trusting the body to

eds to! Rocky needed

to unload so much pe

nt-up tension.

nce What a visible differe horse! Rocky is a different

Rocky with her ears back at first contact.

Equine CST 1. The Perfect Patient

I honestly Notes: WOW!!! n o si es -S st ce she started o P On . ation Therapists Rockys transform s did

CST is a highly effective therapeutic solution thatsupports the restoration of balance and overall healthy biomechanics of a stress-free horse. In other words, most horses respond extremely well to CST, and are very often the perfect patient. With the 26 bones connected by joints and sutures that make up their skulls, horses heads are designed to disperse some of the impacts that would otherwise be fatal to other animals. However, these impact-related traumas, or any other applied forces to the head, can result in some real emotional (read behavioral) or physical issues. Experience would indicate that the very physiology of the horses skull does favor a cranial approach to therapy, making it the perfect point of entry for a subtle and gentle therapeutic solution. The list of issues that can be addressed through Equine CST is somewhat limitless (why not try to address a www.naturalhorse.com

ysical evidence of All this tension wa not expect such ph times (I lost track!). 20 er ing! ov ed wn ya have p yawning. Amaz relaxing, she must e. She couldnt sto tim up l ed rea en in op y dy all bo r fin d the nostrils an , dissipating from he wn do s nt ay we ew too, her head itive but a sid Her ears relaxed area was quite sens n tto ed bu ax rel lly d Be ye . position d she sta in a very relaxed ect with that area an I was able to conn . belly button area? ck in tri y the vit iti did ns ch se r approa ble reasons fo ssi po re plo ex to throughout. Need Birth trauma? ly. of so much so quick us results. She let go vio ob th wi on ssi se st A very positive fir d all this tension. was ready to unloa It is clear that she
72 NATURAL HORSE Magazine VOLUME 15 ISSUE 4

chronic concern with a gentle, non-invasive technique?), and it has certainly proven itself by offering real solutions to the following: Lameness Head shaking TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder) Head injuries, traumas or partial paralysis Poor biomechanics (posture issues) Emotional and physical stress Behavior issue Immune-related disorders Shoulder and leg injuries Teeth grinding Birthing trauma Post-dental stress

2. A Typical Session

Of course, no two sessions are ever alike. That being said, most equine CST practitioners are trained to follow a basic road map that will often be adorned by the therapists own intuitive perception, taking horse and therapist on the roads less traveled. An initial session will start with an assessment of the horses movement, overall posture, and any other visible indications of the animals general state of physical and emotional health. Looking for restrictions, blockage and imbalances in the craniosacral system and, at first, following a well-established protocol, the therapist palpates various areas of the horse, starting with the head. The gentle acupressure-like touch of the fingers (the weight of a nickel) is the means through which the practitioner connects with the Breath of Life. The goal is to restore fluidity throughout the musculoskeletal and nervous system, the craniosacral system, and release any blockage in the fascia, the fibrous connective tissue that holds everything together. Experienced therapists will let themselves be guided by the body itself. Words of wisdom from my mentors, to this day, ring in my ears, reminding me to trust the body! and to take the body where it wants to go... As the session unfolds and as the body self-corrects and restores fluidity in the craniosacral system, a horses posture, mental and physical attitude, and overall relationship to his environment will be profoundly transformed. As in human subjects, this transformation can take place over several hours or even days. Early signs of release and relief in the fascia and musculoskeletal system can be yawning, lowering of the head, relaxing of the nostrils and softening of the eyes and ears, stomach gurgling and passing gas, and licking and sticking the tongue out (see photos). But in the end, these reactions are just the visible cues to the subtle and yet profound changes that are taking place at a multitude of levels within the horses body.

Meeting Horses on Their Own Terms

Experiencing others, be they people or animals, through CST is a real privilege. The healing communication that unfolds between horse and therapist transcends species and our common perception of language. CST is about trust and I believe that horses respond particularly well to CST treatments because, over the centuries, they have had to come to terms with the notion of trust, especially as far as people are concerned. Horses are instinctive beings whose perception of humans never ceases to amaze me. The particular success of a given session is often predicated on the horses ability to trust both therapist and the therapists intent. Clarity is key and horses always know the difference. A CST session is a rare opportunity to provide for the physical and emotional wellbeing of our equine companions in a subtle, gentle and effective way, and to meet them on their own terms. www.naturalhorse.com

About the author: Francis B. Gilbert, Ph.D., is a Visionary CST practitioner, who was trained in Equine CST by Bailey Tune, a pioneer in the field, author of Tuning In: Equine Craniosacral Therapy and Somato-Emotional Release. As an avid student of indigenous healing practices, he often brings to his healing sessions other modalities that support optimal conditions for health and overall wellness. He recently moved his two and four-legged practice to Marylands Hunt Valley from where he is currently serving the Mid-Atlantic and Southwest regions. General information is available at www.redroadwellness.com and at www.docnature.net for Equine CST. Heartfelt thanks to Linda McKee for a great afternoon of Equine CST and photo opportunities. All photos courtesy of Robin Stancliff Photography.

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