Balance Body TherapyFor Horses and Dogs

Every session starts with a consultation. A handler holds or stands with your dog or horse to keep them calm and still. I watch them move from the front, back and sides to spot any asymmetry, stiffness or restricted movement, then gently palpate from the head and neck to find muscle tension or structural imbalance.

Then I perform the moves. I place my fingers according to your animal’s size (one finger width for small dogs, two for medium, three for large) so each move lands exactly over the muscle, tendon or fascial point. I gently take up the slack in the skin, apply subtle cross-fibre pressure and roll lightly across the connective tissue, without force. The handler and I keep a calm voice and a gentle touch so your animal stays relaxed and trusting.

Between sets of moves I pause for up to a minute. Animals process neural signals quickly, and these pauses give their nervous system time to shift out of fight-or-flight and naturally reset muscle tone.

A minimum of two sessions is ideal to get the best benefit from Bowen therapy. Follow-up sessions are normally spaced 5 to 10 days apart, so the body has time to adjust and heal.

After that, a maintenance session once a month is helpful.

Water: make sure plenty of fresh drinking water is available. Animals are often thirsty after a treatment.

Exercise: keep to low-level, controlled exercise for at least 3 days, preferably on level ground, and prevent or minimise any high-impact movement. Depending on the area treated, non-ridden exercise may be needed.

Saddle fit: reassess saddle fit before riding, so it isn’t restricting newly balanced muscle groups.

Other therapies: avoid any form of manual or physical therapy for 1 week after a session.

Yes, I’m fully mobile and come directly to you. Treating your animal at home or in their stable is ideal: familiar, peaceful surroundings keep horses and dogs calm and let their nervous system relax, so they get the most from the treatment.

A safe space free from other animals. The session takes place in a quiet, familiar spot, away from distractions and busy areas, and not around feeding time or straight after exercise, so your animal stays relaxed.