Improving Performance In The Competition Horse

*** Also see the Results for the Trial in Competition Horses***

I specialise in treating horses in competition.

This is in all disciplines, mostly at affiliated levels, where riders appreciate fine tuning of their horse's abilities.

Presently I am working with horses competing at advanced and above dressage levels, 3 star eventers and affiliated showjumpers. I also work with Lusitano and Andalucian horses, including ones that train in working equitation competitions.

All the clients have noted that their horse's performance has substantially improved since having Bowen treatments.

For example, straightness, rhythm, and increase in stride length are usually common improvements.

I also treat stallions, thoroughbreds and horses with behaviour problems.

At higher levels of dressage, where a higher level of collection is required, I find geldings benefit from Bowen treatment especially around the gelding scar. Fascia is usually very tight here, but rarely a problem in the general riding club horse. However when greater collection is required, the cremaster muscles, which are attached to the abdominal muscles (used when a horse is asked to round and collect) are tight and pull which aggravates the horse. Suddenly a horse which was soft and willing begins to move crookedly, not work through with one particular hind, or tries to evade in other ways. After one or two Bowen treatments, this is usually rectified.

As more and more horses are imported from Holland or Portugal, these animals are gelded a month or two before import (as most livery yards will not take stallions). The gelding scar after healing, requires at least 8 months to form the tightness within the fascia. It is only once this has healed do I work around the scar.

The horses above are my specialities, however I work with all horses at any level. I also give exercises to the owner/ rider to help the horse relearn its new range of movement. I will cater this to each rider individually depending on their experience. Groundwork and inhand work is usually given.