Neill Saunders Animal and Human Therapist

Neill has become qualified in a number of specialist therapy areas and is the only animal and human therapist to incorporate such a range of therapies which complement not only one another but conventional medicine or veterinary treatment.

Neill is qualified and specialises in the following areas in the treatment of both animals and humans :

Mc Timoney-Corley Spinal Therapy

Cranio-Sacral Therapy

Equine Touch Therapy (was also an Instructor)

Visceral Manipulation Therapy (organs)

Neural Manipulation Therapy (nerves)

Vascular Manipulation Therapy (blood vessels)

Using his unique skills, Neill aims to take pressure off the brain and spinal cord.  By addressing imbalances in these delicate structures (and related tissues), restrictions are released within the body and this enables it to work closer to maximum efficiency required for health and performance.  Tension in an organ or peripheral nerve can have an effect on the mobility of the spine and by using his skills, Neill works to free tension and thus resolve symptoms and disease which manifest as a result of tissues not working correctly as a whole unit.

As an example, Neill worked on our 9 year old complicated Thoroughbred mare ‘Sun’ with a history of laminitis and metabolic dysfunction.  Amongst other imbalances, he found and worked on a spasm in the colon which he has recognised as being associated with an initial attack of laminitis and may be responsible for recurrent bouts.  He also found a problem in her guttural pouch which was challenging the function of her vagus nerve and in turn was causing problems with the spine and a resulting loss of performance and balance.  He corrected this quickly and without discomfort to the horse.  There were immediate and obvious postural changes and her overall health has since improved after her treatment in December 2011.  In fact, in January 2012, previously unsuccessful sarcoid treatment was this time successful and we believe this was due in part to Neill’s therapy.

Fenland Lodge host clinics with Neill approximately every 3 months.  Neill may also be able to visit you and your horse at your home or yard.  Treatment takes around 60 minutes and costs around £60 (although additional travelling from Fenland Lodge (HU15 1RE) may incur additional charge.

For more information about Neill’s therapy contact Neill directly on mobile number 07770 408767.  To find the next clinic date or to book a place contact Beccy Smith at Holistic Equine, mobile number 07766 772245 or email: beccy@holisticequine.co.uk

Fiona Varian: Structural and Movement Integration Body work therapist and DAEP

Fiona has worked in Structural and Movement Integration on horses and humans for the last 12 years.  Fiona’s job is to facilitate the best possible use for any particular individual and horse.  Fiona changes the tissue lengths (the ‘guide ropes’) in the body in order for the skeleton (the ‘tent poles’) to be in the best alignment to receive and distribute the load with respect to gravity and allow the joints to work in the most efficient biomechanical way.

Most places that are in discomfort (other than through disease or direct trauma) are being squashed or overworked because something else somewhere else in the body is not working properly or is over working; throwing the load in the wrong places – rather like driving a car with the hand brake and accelerator on, or continually correcting a car for veering off to one side when the tracking is out.  This compromises joint space and correct biomechanics and puts strain on the other areas of the body.  Merely working on accelerator control or steering technique won’t resolve things because the true cause of overwork or trauma is the handbrake or tracking for example.

Differences in tissue lengths are achieved by slow, deep and connective tissue work; calling for and patterning in the correct biomechanics whilst working through the exact tissues that are trying to pull the movement off track.  It explores habitual patterns of both mind and body that are responsible for placing that individual being in an incorrect biomechanical place and Fiona can help the horse or individual recognise this and help correct it.

Fiona has worked with Paralympics and Olympic archery; attending the 2004 Athens Paralympics as principal bodyworker and coach Fiona has also worked with the Scottish Triathon and Scottish Institute of Sport, Paralympics Dressage team , Riverdance and the Oxford rowing team (2006 to present).  Fiona works with anyone from Granny who is having difficulty getting her socks on, to riders with post operative rehabilitation, through to Olympic level athletes looking for perfection in their sport.  Fiona also works with pet ponies to top equine athletes and offers a uniquely integrated approach whereby she can work on both rider and horse to achieve better partnership and performance.

Fiona is also a skilled Degreed Applied Equine Podiatrist (DAEP) and travels throughout the UK working on horses and humans.

Fenland Lodge hosts Structural and Movement Integration clinics every 6 to 8 weeks or so with clinic dates posted on Holistic Equine’s website www.holisticequine.co.uk.  Human treatment room as well as stabling and a manege is available for use FOC and Fiona may also be able to visit you or your horse at your own yard or home.  Prices are £90 (prices correct as of January 2012).

For more information please read the following information provided and written by Fiona:

What should I expect during a session and how should I prepare for it?

On arrival I will take case history, observe the horse and how it responds to the owner and/or carer and their environment etc.  On the day please make sure there is a sheltered area available.  The horse should be presented dry and clean (dust is fine but all mud should be removed, including the feet and legs!). Wet hair is very, very difficult to work on.  Please have your tack and lunging equipment on-hand as well as any schooling aids you may use. Come prepared to ride if you have a ridden issue with your horse.

Expect that I may need to see any tack or equipment that you use with your horse.  Clues for how you or your horse have become the way they are may be far reaching.  The horse will be observed and palpated statically before walking up to watch how the horse moves. Often a smooth piece of tarmac, concrete or school surface will suffice.  Uneven, slippy, stoney, hilly ground alone is less useful as it is unrepresentative of how the horse moves unhindered, but may be useful if this is partly representative of the problem your horse has.  If there are very specific things your horse has difficulty in, then it will be helpful to see these things “in action” as they happen –whether ridden or on the lunge.  You may be required to hold the horse throughout the session and you will be asked to walk/trot up the horse.

Your horse’s reaction will dictate the depth and speed of the work as it is done during the session. Nothing will be done without his or her compliance.  The tissue work movements will be slow and vary from very subtle to very deep.  They will often also involve some movement from the horse.

A lot of this work is about releasing stuck fascia and helping the horse to let go of or feel safe to confidently use an area of his body that he may have been holding or guarding and establish a new way of moving.  It is my job to change the tissue lengths and create a place in which he feels safe to do so.  Unlike certain chiropractic or energy work therapies, the work done during the session cannot become ‘undone’ as a result of exuberance.

After the session, it is best to allow the horse to move freely and explore his or her new body, with controlled turnout if your horse is expected to be exuberant. For most horses, normal turnout is fine.  His or her body will move and feel differently. It should feel improved, easier, free-er and better in line. It cannot be “undone” by exuberance.  However, you will need to be respectful about how much you ask from him while his body, joints and muscles are working a new way and balance. Things that have not worked for a while will need respect to build up optimum fitness.

How does Structural and movement Integration differ from other types of bodywork?

It is an extremely resilient modality and cannot get “knocked out” by other modalities.  It can very much facilitate other modalities such as chiropractic and enable adjustments to stay, or help the feet stay in balance. The whole way of working is holistic.  The causes may be relationship, fear, pain, stuck tissue, previous injury, restrictions from equipment (rug, tack, hay net position, feeding equipment etc). In fact, -anything!  My job is “fault find” the things that are negatively influencing the way that your horse is; To undo the areas in the horse that are holding him in a less than ideal position and preventing best movement; to help him trust and let go into using areas of his body that were previously held or stuck; to help you understand the things that you can do to positively influence how your horse is -and just as importantly the things that are negatively influencing him that would “take him back”.  My aim is to put awareness in YOUR hands and help you to help your horse.  This type of tissue work is many times more efficient than stretching or conditioning or training to change movement. Where a movement is difficult, there is always a reason in the body why it is easier to offer what is happening than what you would prefer.  Undoing the restrictions that are pulling a movement off track can produce big changes in short amounts of time.

Does it “stay”?

It is an extremely resilient modality and cannot get “knocked out” by other modalities or what you or your horse does. However, if it is a repeated behaviour or use of a stable set up, training routine or piece of equipment that is causing you or your horse to repeat a way of moving in a particular way that is harming him then over time, then those things will need to change in order for him to maintain the improvement.

Connections between Body and Feet:

Often imbalances in the body come from imbalances, discomfort or lack of structure in the feet. Conversely imbalances in the body can cause imbalances and uneven wear in the feet.  As both a qualified body worker and qualified Degreed Applied Equine Podiatrist (DAEP) it is my job to explore this interrelationship and examine both components for clues.  Being aware and able to work on both parts of this jigsaw puzzle and balance the feet to the body and vice versa allows me to achieve results that are just not possible when working only one of the components.

Beccy is available to provide continued support for the feet between any bodywork visits.

Contact Beccy Smith on telephone numbers 01430 449233 / 07766 772245

Email: beccy@holisticequine.co.uk or go to www.holisticquine.co.uk

How much will it cost?

Sessions cost £80 plus travel at cost.  Although I come from Birmingham, when I come to work in the Hull area the travel is usually split between up to 6 people (usually £10 per person) so usually clinics organised in and around HU15 1RE (Fenland lodge) work out at £90/session.  I am happy to travel to smaller groups of people or individuals if you are unable to wait until the next scheduled visit to the area.  Expect the first session to last approximately 4 hours and around 3-4 hours for subsequent visits.  Each case is individual: Leaving the body in a balanced, integrated place is paramount.  There may sometimes be a need to spend more time working on you or your horse to “complete that chapter” so if there are any time constraints you will need to make me aware of this at the point of booking.  I will do my utmost to make sure you have a time slot that works in with your commitments.  Sessions must be paid for on the day with cheque or cash (please have the correct amount ready if you are paying cash). Credit is not available.

How do I book?

In Hull and the surrounding area, contact Beccy to make an appointment.

Beccy Smith 01430 449233 / 07766 772245.  Email:         beccy@holisticequine.co.uk

Please contact me directly to discuss your individual case and for how I can help: Fiona Varian: 077 9645 7715.  Email:    fiona.varian@virgin.net

Beccy will then contact you for more information and to arrange a date and time for the next time I will be visiting the area.

You will be asked to seek veterinary permission to work on your horse and in certain circumstances I will make direct contact with your vet.  Please note: please seek permission prior to the appointment as unnecessary delays may result in cancellation with a 50% charge.  I will need a full postal address of where the horse is kept and your personal address.  Try and select a day and time which is a relatively quiet period on the yard.  For instance, feeding times and busy riding times can cause the horse to become unsettled and can interfere with the work done.  Please let me know your horse’s competition schedule or commitments as this is relevant to selecting an appropriate day for the appointment.