Ortho-Bionomy® & Horses
Equine Athletes
Sport Horses use their bodies in many ways. Jumpers, Gamers, Rodeo, Dressage, and Trail Horses all have demands put upon their bodies. Whether it is a long ride, new body movements, or a long work out, sore muscles can follow. This can be short term discomfort and pain, or it can lead to new compensation patterns in the body while the sore muscles try to recover. This can look like lameness issues, among other symptoms. Ortho-Bionomy® helps to release these patterns of tension in the body and can ease muscle soreness. Because Ortho-Bionomy® works with the horses nervous system, the horses own ability to self-correct is engaged, allowing the body to release patterns of tension and pain. Once patterns of tension and compensation are released the horse's body can re-balance and move more freely.
Aging Horses
Aging horses have natural body changes that can occur whether they are retired and in pasture or actively working as they age. The body changes that can occur can be uncomfortable and even painful for your horse. We often see changes in the spine or the hips among other signs of aging.
Horse & Rider Balance
When your horse's body in better balance their performance is improved. They have a greater ease of movement and comfort in their daily life. Imagine the feeling of a ride when your equine partner is feeling great. Now, imagine how it feels for your horse when you mount up and your body is in balance too. Your pelvis is aligned, your weight is evenly distributed through your seat. Your back is comfortable and supporting a more aligned posture. Your aids feel more effective. If you ride with your seat, your horse receives more clear messages from this aid too.
In my personal experience when my horse's body feels good, we have a good ride. If my body feels good, we have good ride too. We have our best rides when both of our bodies are in alignment and feeling balanced. As you care for your horse, be sure to care for your body too. Your horse will appreciate it as much as you do.
What Does A Session Look Like?
Due to the fact that Ortho-Bionomy® is different than most body work that you may have seen, a session may look a little different too. Our team often uses small, intrinsic movements to work with the body. Often these are only held for 30-60 seconds, and it can look like not much is happening. For some parts of the body we use leg lifts, neck bends or other movements to access parts of the body (i.e. a leg lift to work with shoulder.)
How does Ortho-Bionomy® Work?
Ortho-Bionomy® engages the proprioceptors (little nerve bundles in the body that tell us where we are in relation to time and space.) By engaging the nervous system with gentle compression and movements, the body is able to recognize patterns of tension and to move to patterns of comfort, structural balance and comfort. We like to call this "factory reset" for the body.
As a rider herself, Jennifer continues to experience how Ortho-Bionomy and working with horse and rider balance impact not only her riding experience, but also her horses performance and comfort.
Testimonials
"Jennifer has been working with my mare who suffers from Navicular Syndrome, a progressive degenerative condition of have the navicluar bone in her front hooves. She has heel pain and is often lame. I have had Jennifer working on Te now off and on for about a year. During the body work Te is always giving us many "releases" or indicators that she is feeling very good. She licks and chews, yawns, stretches her neck and basically acts very agreeable! I have noticed that she moves much better after and generally acts more comfortable and in less to little pain. I love that mare and I want her to have the best quality of life she can. Jennifer helps me provide that for my girl." - Joni R.
"My horse greets Jennifer with enthusiasm and loves the body work she does. She's very tuned in to what the horsed wants and needs but always keeps and open dialogue with them. Her work has definitely helped with various body issues in my horse through realignments and noticeably releasing tightness in his body. The fact that my horse wants her to work on him says a lot about the effectiveness of her work." - Kathy D.
"I highly recommend Jennifer as an equine body practitioner. She has worked on both of our mares with excellent results. Not only do they move better after treatments the actually enjoy the process, Jennifer has great rapport with my mares. Thank you Jennifer!" - Cheri G.
Equine Before & After Photos
Horses bodies change so much during a session that we take before and after photos. All of these photos are taken after 1 session.
Barn calls for equine appointments will have a barn call/travel fee associated based on the distance to your location from our office.
0-10 miles- No Barn Call Fee
11-30 miles- $20 Barn Call Fee
31-50 miles- $40 Barn call Fee
More than 50 miles- Please call our office for details.
Special Equine Discounts are available when you have 4 or more horses receive sessions at your location.
Each session will be discounted by $10.
0-10 miles- No Barn Call Fee
11-30 miles- $20 Barn Call Fee
31-50 miles- $40 Barn call Fee
More than 50 miles- Please call our office for details.
Special Equine Discounts are available when you have 4 or more horses receive sessions at your location.
Each session will be discounted by $10.
Ortho-Bionomy® & Dogs
Dogs can be our best friends and a key part of our family. They can comfort us in times of need, and remind us to play after a long day. No matter the role that your dog plays in your life, you can give your dog the gift of more comfort and function in their life with an Ortho-Bionomy® session.
Companion Dogs
Many dogs play hard and through play and the normal use of their body, a dog may need support to help them stay at their best for all that they do with you.
Any dog can benefit from a body work. Some times a dog will jump off a bed the wrong way and twist their back or injure a leg. It is best to seek veterinary care first, then body work, like Ortho-Bionomy® can help them get back to their normal, lovable self more quickly.
Active Dogs
Dogs can be athletes. Some of them run or hike with us, others are agility dogs, and the list goes on. No matter how your dog uses it's body, sore muscles can be a result. The short term result may be some discomfort or difficult movements. The long term result may be new compensation patterns in the body while it is trying to heal. This can look like lameness or trouble with certain movements. Ortho-Bionomy® helps to release the patterns of tension in the body and ease muscle soreness.
How Does Ortho-Bionomy® Work?
Ortho-Bionomy® works with the proprioceptors in the body (little nerve bundles that tell us where we are in time and space.) By engaging the nervous system with gentle compression the body is able to recognize patterns of tension and release them, moving to patterns of structural balance and comfort that improve movement and body function. I like to call this "factory reset" for the body.
Companion Dogs
Many dogs play hard and through play and the normal use of their body, a dog may need support to help them stay at their best for all that they do with you.
Any dog can benefit from a body work. Some times a dog will jump off a bed the wrong way and twist their back or injure a leg. It is best to seek veterinary care first, then body work, like Ortho-Bionomy® can help them get back to their normal, lovable self more quickly.
Active Dogs
Dogs can be athletes. Some of them run or hike with us, others are agility dogs, and the list goes on. No matter how your dog uses it's body, sore muscles can be a result. The short term result may be some discomfort or difficult movements. The long term result may be new compensation patterns in the body while it is trying to heal. This can look like lameness or trouble with certain movements. Ortho-Bionomy® helps to release the patterns of tension in the body and ease muscle soreness.
How Does Ortho-Bionomy® Work?
Ortho-Bionomy® works with the proprioceptors in the body (little nerve bundles that tell us where we are in time and space.) By engaging the nervous system with gentle compression the body is able to recognize patterns of tension and release them, moving to patterns of structural balance and comfort that improve movement and body function. I like to call this "factory reset" for the body.
Please Remember:
Jennifer Hickel is NOT a veterinarian, chiropractor, or massage therapist.
Body Work is NOT to replace veterinary care, but is considered a complimentary care and may be used concurrently and in conjunction with veterinary care.
Body Work is NOT to replace veterinary care, but is considered a complimentary care and may be used concurrently and in conjunction with veterinary care.
- Understand that body work (a) is not like not like most conventional or drug therapies in that it may affect multiple parts of the body or systems within the animal; (b) it may have no effect; (c) body work is considered safe however possible side effects may include temporary worsening of symptoms, transient muscle soreness during or after the session. This often resolves during the session or within a short time.
- Jennifer Hickel is a Practitioner of Ortho-Bionomy® and is insured through ABMP as such.
* Ortho-Bionomy® is a registered trademark of the Society of Ortho-Bionomy International, Inc. and is used with permission.
* Society of Ortho-Bionomy International® is a registered trademark that indicates membership in the Society, and it is used with permission.