Collaborative Bodywork and Movement Sessions
Collaboration between professionals of different backgrounds is essential for best supporting the horse. The foundation of my work as a trainer is listening for the horse’s physical and mental needs, and creating space for the mind and body to move in the healthiest ways possible. Bodywork is another angle to approach the fulfillment of these needs and help horses improve their posture and biomechanics from a holistic perspective.
With this teamwork in mind, I am now offering collaborative bodywork and movement sessions with Shannon Runke, LMT.
We love to work together on horses of all backgrounds and capabilities. Bring on the complex postural cases. The aging horses. Show us the performance horses looking to take their movement to the next level. And everything in between. Our skill sets compliment each other such that horses can improve beyond what either one of us might achieve in isolation, and all the people involved learn along the way.
Shannon Runke LMT
With over twenty years experience as a Reiki and Chakra healer for people, pets, and horses, Shannon expanded her wellness practice to include massage therapy after graduating from Louisville School of Massage in 2011. She then went on to become the Director of Student Clinic at the school, as well as a Massage I and Massage II instructor. Shannon also led a Professional Development class in Comparative Anatomy, an introduction to the similarities and differences of biomechanics in bipeds and quadrupeds, for several semesters.
As of 2018, Shannon is a Certified Magna Wave PEMF Practitioner and incorporate the therapy into her Swedish, trigger point, and muscle energy technique sessions. LZR Ultrabright LLLT (low level laser therapy, or LED/red light/cold laser therapy) became part of her wellness practice in 2020.
Continuing her education, Shannon has studied and now incorporates Myofascial and Kinetic Line work, as well as Structural Integration techniques, into her modalities.
Posture
A horse’s posture tells you so much about the way they are using their bodies in motion and at rest. Muscular development, tension in the fascia, and body asymmetry are all components of the whole horse that Shannon and I observe when working on horses together.
We look at how the horse chooses to stand, and the horses posture in various movements to better understand them, and then work together to release tension and create space for optimal biomechanics.
Movement
We observe how each individual horse moves in various gaits, lateral movements, and environments. For example, I may notice a horse has abnormal motion through the fetlock when walking up a hill, and Shannon can help trace the connections through the body and then work on sources of restriction to enable the horse to move better, and then we determine what types of exercises can help that horse. I may refine the haunches-in or rein back to target different aspects of the stifle so the fetlock doesn’t endure so much strain. Then, of course I teach the guardian of the horse how they can participate in guiding the horse towards healthier movement.
Bodywork
After we are satisfied with observing and working on a horse’s movement, Shannon completes the session with more concentrated bodywork, including therapeutic tools such as Magnawave, LZR Ultrabright LLLT, balance pads, as applicable for each unique case.
Pricing
These sessions are invoiced separately by practitioners
Postural Training
(Annemieke Buis)
Private: $65 plus travel
Bodywork and Magnawave
(Shannon Runke)
$75 plus any applicable travel fee.
Travel Fee
Contact us to get a quote to travel to you
Travel fees may be split amongst all clients receiving lessons or training at the same farm in a single visit.