Course Outline     To download and save a copy of the prospectus click here

Course Format

Each day starts at 9.30am and ends approximately 4.30pm and we break for an hour for lunch. Courses run for three days, usually Fri-Sun or Sat-Mon although all week-day courses available. Course sizes are typically 6 – 10 students. Students must be aged 18 or over.  There is no requirement of students to have studied any form of bodywork, complementary therapy or anatomy / physiology prior to the course.

Human Work: Both Level One and Level Two courses contain an element of human work. This gives you the chance to practice your moves on fellow students and gain feedback before moving on to work with horses. You will also experience the work on you, giving you the chance to learn how the equine touch (vht) move can make you feel (sleepy, light-headed, tingly, colder, hotter etc) and therefore you will gain an appreciation of how a horse may feel following ET.

Human work is carried out through light clothing and massage tables are provided.

Horse Work: Horse work is generally carried out in pairs with students taking it in turns to act as handler and to provide the Equine Touch. All students should bring suitable footwear for use around the horses and appropriate clothing for the British weather. Wherever possible horse work is carried out under cover either in stables, schools or barns.

Level One

• Learn the Equine Touch move
• Learn a dynamic body balance for the rider
• Learn the full Basic Body Balance for horse
• Learn six key Area of Concern procedures for the horse
• Illustrated manual provided
• Laminated ‘horse-proof’ summary card provided
• Certificate of attendance presented
• DVD of Level One course content available for purchase

Day One

Morning: Human Work
Afternoon: Horse Work

Day Two

Morning: Human Work
Afternoon: Horse Work

Day Three

Morning: Horse Work
Afternoon: Horse Work

Level Two

• Refresh all Level One human and equine procedures
• Learn an Advanced Body Balance for the horse
• Learn fifteen new procedures for Areas of Concern for the horse
• Learn three new procedures for Areas of Concern for the rider
• Illustrated manual provided
• Laminated ‘horse-proof’ summary card provided
• Certificate of attendance presented
• DVD of Level Two course content available for purchase

Day One

Morning: Human Work
Afternoon: Horse Work

Day Two

Morning: Horse Work
Afternoon: Horse Work

Day Three

Morning: Horse Work
Afternoon: Horse Work

Level Three - Practical module (2 days)

Lara is one of the 3 UK instructors teaching the new Level 3 practical course, launched in January 2010.

On the course students will:

• consolidate their understanding of the Equine Touch technique and correct use of the individual procedures
• refresh the practical skills from Level One and Two courses
• learn nineteen new moves and procedures designed to address Areas of Concern
• improve their working style to ensure the effectiveness of their work and their longevity as a body worker

Level Three - Theory module (3 days)

This is taught by Ivana Ruddock. Courses take place approximately twice a year in the UK.

Student will learn how to incorporate the Equine Touch into a multidisciplinary approach to the well-being of the horse, and gain an understanding of the importance of team work with other professionals dealing with dental work, hoof care, saddle fitting and the condition of the horse.

Applied lectures introducing the other influential factors on the horse's body and the potential problems these bring Topics covered:

• The equine's teeth and dental care
• Anatomy and physiology of the feet and its impact on the horse's body
• Review of the principles of saddle fitting
• Effects of feeding and nutrition
• Review general principples of rehabilitation exercise which can help the horse to receover after an injury or period of inactivity

For more information see www.theequinetouch.com