TTeam practitioner Danielle Dibbens has worked with The Laminitis Site on several laminitis rehabilitations, and has made a video showing how to carry out several TTouches suitable for horses recovering from laminitis.
Danielle emphasises that bodywork is complementary to veterinary care and that the cause of the laminitis should be identified and removed/treated, and the feet supported and realigned.
She begins by running her hands all over the horse and becoming aware of warm/cool, hard or bumpy areas, watching for feedback from the horse, feeling for textures, tone and temperature, and notes that the back, quarters and hamstrings are often tight in horses that have had laminitis. This is followed by:
Zebra Zigzag TTouch - can be used all over the body, may help to relieve muscular tension and reconnect the body when the horse's posture has changed following laminitis.
Python Lift TTouch - good for legs, may help increase circulation, improve proprioception and release muscular tension.
Raccoon TTouch - a light circular touch, which may help increase circulation around the coronary band.
These and other TTouches were used during Herbie's rehabilitation - see:
Herbie and TTouch: Using TTouch to help rehabilitate a pony from long term box rest and laminitis
by Danielle Dibbens
Notes:
The pressures used are very light. These techniques can be used on any horse or pony and on other animals, and can be practised on friends and family to check and perfect your technique.
Include pauses to allow the horse to process information, and remember to breathe and smile when working with your horse.
Be aware of feedback from the horse, such as eye blinking, eye size, breathing rate, ear and head position, stepping away from or into the handler or lifting a leg. Be aware of the horse's comfort zones and areas that the horse may be protecting, and use approach and retreat to slowly increase access to protected areas.
Use EVA gym mats to support the feet if necessary - see EVA foam pads.
For more information about laminitis see www.thelaminitissite.org.
You may enjoy these articles: Laminitis, EMS and PPID and Laminitis and the Feet.
For further information about Tellington TTouch or to find a practitioner near you please visit www.ttouch.com.
Danielle Dibbens is a Tellington TTouch Training practitioner for horses based in south west France.
Website: danielledibbens.fr
TLS Tellington TTouch for horses and ponies with laminitis - link to video on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Uw3PuDAVEM
Disclaimer: The information, suggestions and links (hereafter referred to as “information”) contained in this video are provided for information purposes only and should not be relied upon nor replace professional veterinary advice. Information is non-veterinary, is based as far as possible on current research, does not constitute advice or diagnosis, and should be discussed with all relevant vets and hoofcare or other professionals. No responsibility is taken for the accuracy or suitability of information contained in this video, and no liability accepted for damages of any kind arising from use, reference to or reliance on any information contained in this video. It is your responsibility to take appropriate care of your own safety when working with horses. If you suspect your horse has laminitis or is ill, please consult your vet.
Danielle emphasises that bodywork is complementary to veterinary care and that the cause of the laminitis should be identified and removed/treated, and the feet supported and realigned.
She begins by running her hands all over the horse and becoming aware of warm/cool, hard or bumpy areas, watching for feedback from the horse, feeling for textures, tone and temperature, and notes that the back, quarters and hamstrings are often tight in horses that have had laminitis. This is followed by:
Zebra Zigzag TTouch - can be used all over the body, may help to relieve muscular tension and reconnect the body when the horse's posture has changed following laminitis.
Python Lift TTouch - good for legs, may help increase circulation, improve proprioception and release muscular tension.
Raccoon TTouch - a light circular touch, which may help increase circulation around the coronary band.
These and other TTouches were used during Herbie's rehabilitation - see:
Herbie and TTouch: Using TTouch to help rehabilitate a pony from long term box rest and laminitis
by Danielle Dibbens
Notes:
The pressures used are very light. These techniques can be used on any horse or pony and on other animals, and can be practised on friends and family to check and perfect your technique.
Include pauses to allow the horse to process information, and remember to breathe and smile when working with your horse.
Be aware of feedback from the horse, such as eye blinking, eye size, breathing rate, ear and head position, stepping away from or into the handler or lifting a leg. Be aware of the horse's comfort zones and areas that the horse may be protecting, and use approach and retreat to slowly increase access to protected areas.
Use EVA gym mats to support the feet if necessary - see EVA foam pads.
For more information about laminitis see www.thelaminitissite.org.
You may enjoy these articles: Laminitis, EMS and PPID and Laminitis and the Feet.
For further information about Tellington TTouch or to find a practitioner near you please visit www.ttouch.com.
Danielle Dibbens is a Tellington TTouch Training practitioner for horses based in south west France.
Website: danielledibbens.fr
TLS Tellington TTouch for horses and ponies with laminitis - link to video on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Uw3PuDAVEM
Disclaimer: The information, suggestions and links (hereafter referred to as “information”) contained in this video are provided for information purposes only and should not be relied upon nor replace professional veterinary advice. Information is non-veterinary, is based as far as possible on current research, does not constitute advice or diagnosis, and should be discussed with all relevant vets and hoofcare or other professionals. No responsibility is taken for the accuracy or suitability of information contained in this video, and no liability accepted for damages of any kind arising from use, reference to or reliance on any information contained in this video. It is your responsibility to take appropriate care of your own safety when working with horses. If you suspect your horse has laminitis or is ill, please consult your vet.
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