Parelli Program, the first months

Why Parelli?

First of all it happens that my horse has already been through the Parelli program and that's how I met my instructor. As she knew the horse, she offered me an introductory class. But what made me choose to continue with Parelli and not another natural horsemanship school is that it talks to me. I like how the program is designed, there is steps or levels, there is goals. It's clear. I don't have a problem with the business appearance of it, of the very expensive material and all. I think it's like how you choose your yoga teacher or Yoga "style". It's personal, it's a connection.

On Thursday October the 24th 2013 I had my first Parelli training class and first Parelli experience. We did it in the backyard. I loved it right away. It was like finding what I was always looking for to BE with horses: a relation based on trust and respect. My instructor, Tricia, introduced me to the basics and the first games. I feel blessed that the horse I have has already some training and I am really able to learn from her. Very fast I realized that actually she is my teacher. The class went well. Without an hesitation I asked Tricia if she would like to give me another class and she said yes:) She gave me a DVD that would help to review what we did and to get familiar with the vocabulary and the program.

November has been a discovery month. I watched the DVD a couple of time, did some short practices from what I could remember. I felt very clumsy sometime and Finale was very patient with me. I checked the website also and by mid November I was sure it was what I wanted to do. I wanted to go through the program, getting lessons, learning, practicing Parelli. So for my birthday I ordered the educational kit and schedule my next lesson.

The second class was on November 23rd. I was so excited about it! This time we went to the arena which was way better in terms of focus. Now that I knew a little better what I was doing, Tricia showed me the games in more details. I was able to see how a deeper relationship could take place.

December is when it really started. There is no more doubts or questions about Parelli (if there ever was!). First step was about building a relation with Finale. I spent a lot of time with her, grooming, taking care, just being there for her and with her. The goal was to be committed to us, to have this special bond and to let her know that she is very special to me.

A few pointer for December:

• I received my kit with ropes, carrot stick, DVDs.
• I tried to practice in the arena 3 times a week and slowly got use to the games, the equipment, the communication.
• I realized that I have to slow down when I practice with Finale and take time to integrate.
• I have to be aware of my posture, my energy. I may not know what I do but Finale sees everything:)
• I started to have some fun in the arena. It's a new way to work with the horse or should I say play with the horse. 
• I also started to have a glimpse of a beautiful and sweet connection with Finale.
• It's very important to be consistent. I need to stick to my schedule. It reminds me the path of Yoga: Practice, discipline, commitment, detachment.

I started to practice the circling game. It went pretty well for a few sessions but I had to step back as I lost the backing up in the process. When Tricia came for my third class on December 21st it was broken and we spent the class to review the basics. After one month of progress I had to go back to the very basic and I discovered that actually it is totally fine with me. 

I spent the end of the month practicing the backward motion with the Porcupine, Driving and Yoyo game. Slowly getting it back.

The practice teaches me a lot at a personal level and I realize that the training is going to ask me to work on myself too before even asking something to my horse!

Change of weather

Two days ago a cold front was about the hit the island of Maui. On that morning, it was a beautiful sunny day with wind. Anybody who knows Maui also knows that wind is very common here. It could have been like any other day but there was something different and the horses could sense it.

Maybe the direction of the wind, the temperature, the atmospheric pressure... the horses were very nervous, especially when a lead mare was removed from her herd (for special feeding and care).
As I observed the weather I could find the Vata qualities of it: windy, dry, cool. And I could also see how a Vata imbalance was showing in the horses through nervousness and anxiety. They were agitated, irritated and impatient.
Being aware of the Vata situation, I let every horses with their buddies, gave them food and didn't bother them. I cancelled my class.

Clouds heading for East side of island.

Later that day the clouds came in and it started to rain. Almost a relief as everything was slowly coming back to peace.
I am always amazed when witnessing the extreme sensitivity of horses, at so many levels. It was a great opportunity for me to tune with them and acknowledge our connection to Nature, to respect the moment and to act accordingly to it.

Brahmi Oil - Part 2: Study Cases

This post follows Brahmi Oil - Part 1: Presentation

Study Case #1: I used Brahmi oil on a mare that was showing a high Pitta condition (anger, irritation). She loved it at first sight (and smell). It helped her to relax toward a peaceful state.

Study Case #2: I used Brahmi oil on a daily basis on a horse with a wound on back and belly from fly bites. After one week of treatment the skin was clean and soft and we could see the beginning of hair growth. After two weeks of daily treatment it was fully recovered with no more traces of wound.

Study Case #3: I gave Brahmi oil to an owner whose horse had a fresh scar from deep cut. It required 14 stitches.

After the wound closed she started to apply the oil daily on the scar for several weeks. Today (a few months later) there is no trace of the scar. The hair grew back, the skin is soft. Of course a really good care of the wound during the healing was an important part of a clean recovery.

Adding a few drops of citronella and lavender essential oil in the Brahmi oil will also act as a repellent during the healing period.

Natural Horsemanship, a beginning.

What could be the place of Natural Horsemanship in Equine Ayurveda? I don't have the answer yet but what I know is that I've been introduced to the Parelli program and I felt in love with it. It's obvious for me that there is no equine health without a healthy relationship with the horse. Horses are sensitive creature and how we are with them or around them impact how they feel.

So I decided to go further on the path of Natural Horsemanship and become a Parelli student along with my horse that for now looks more like the Parelli instructor. I will share my experience through this blog as a part of "The Path". Hope you won't see it as a digression. And who knows maybe I will come to an Ayurvedic Horsemanship method some day :) Ayurveda is a way of life, we should never forget.

Brahmi Oil - Part 1: Presentation

Brahmi oil is an ayurvedic therapeutic herbal oil. It is a blend of Brahmi herbs in a base of sesame oil (can also be coconut oil). It is a Pitta soothing oil. It calms and clears the mind. It enhances a peaceful feeling.

Indication:
Brahmi oil is used to treat conditions as mental imbalances and problems, emotional disturbance, nervous exacerbation, insomnia but it is also beneficial  for treating skin and hair.

Benefits:
The oil has for effect to:

• relieve from tension and anxiety
• soothe the brain providing a calm state of mind
• promote alertness and awareness
• help to relax physically and mentally
• promote healthy hair (nourish, strengthen and condition)
• heal damaged skin tissue and soothe irritated skin
• promote cellular regeneration.

Application and direction:

• Massaging the pole of the horse with a few drops of oil will calm a horse and show effects on the mind.
• Massaging the navel area, using circular motion around it for about 5 minutes (nabhi marma point) with Brahmi oil will be good for Pitta caused heat and stress in belly.
• Applying oil on scar and closed wound (bites and fly bites, fresh scars, scratches, saddle sores, ...) will help the skin to heal and hair to grow back.

Update and News #1

I think the time has come to do an update on my work and project as Ayurveda and Equine Health Care is reaching a new level. I've been offered a position of ranch manager this summer at Ohana Ranch of Maui. I now have thirty two horses of all ages and sizes under my care.

The owner and I are sharing the same vision of a holistic ranch which represents a great opportunity to bring Ayurveda at every level of horse management and care. This includes not only the bodywork but nutrition, lifestyle (work, training, routines), exercises, body care, to name a few. Ayurveda has so much to offer!

I've started to introduce some of my herbs formula and oils at the ranch but there is two domains of study and application I would like to focus on. They are:

• the hormonal cycles in mares
• the appropriate nutrition and feeding routines.

Very exciting!

So as I deepen my work in Ayurveda for horses, I decided to create a Facebook page that goes with this blog where I will share anything around the subject. Follow the link to check and like!!!! https://www.facebook.com/EquineAyurveda

I also decided to turn this blog into a website (at least the address for now). The official address is now: www.equineayurveda.com.

Please visit the FB page and like it!

Colic and Marma Therapy

Colic is a term used to describe abdominal pain. Although it can relate to any of the organ in the abdomen, the most common forms of colic are gastrointestinal in nature. Equine Colic represents a medical emergency and it requires the immediate attention of a veterinarian.

Now that being said, complementary therapies can be perform:

• while waiting for the veterinarian to make the horse as comfortable as possible
• after the veterinarian's visit to support the recovery
• as a preventive treatment.

Marma therapy is a specialty of Ayurveda. Marma points are special point of energy throughout the entire body. They are much like acupuncture points of Traditional Chinese medicine. Marma Therapy consists of treating the marma point with massage, direct pressure, touch, essential oils or herbal paste. It addresses the prana or life force in the body.

Marma Therapy is a great complementary treatment when it comes to colic. Working the marma points relative to digestion will:

• help with abdominal discomfort
• relieve pain
• relax the muscle system
• promote bowel movement by assisting the elimination process
• support the digestive organs
• strengthen the mind
• help increase circulation
• build immune system
• assist digestion.

If a horse has a tendency to colic or if it presents a risk of colic, a marma treatment may be perform as a preventive therapy.

** This post was written after I saw a horse who just had an episode of colic in the morning. The vet had already come but I've been asked by the owner to see the horse to support the recovery. I used the marma point to help digestion and belly movement. After a few point (solar plexus, top of head, navel, SI joints, legs) the mare started to release gases and soon enough I could hear bowel noise. One hour and a half later she had bowel movement and her manure looked good. **

Equine Sport Massage Therapy and Ayurveda

Sport Massage is defined as a specialty within the discipline of massage therapy. It may be known in the western practice of massage, but it is interesting to notice that it is also true in Ayurveda.

As a reminder, sport massage was developed for the sport athletes. It emphasizes prevention and healing of injuries to the muscle and tendons. It includes three types of routine: pre-event, post-event and maintenance therapy.

The benefits are several - and it will be subject of a more detailed post - but it mostly increases the performance of the horse, it helps in the elimination of the toxins, it speeds up the recovery time and it prevents from injuries. At a mental level sport massages improve the focus of the horse and help with the event related stress.

Now, although both systems share the same approach and benefits of the practice of sport massage there is a difference in the procedure. Traditional Sport Massage Therapy focuses on the muscles pertinent to particular physical activities. On the other side Ayurvedic Sport Massage Therapy emphasizes the joints and spends longer period on the joints.

In the context of equine massage I have to agree that an extra attention on the joints is not to be neglected as they are under a lot of pressure. Having a practice that addresses both the muscles and the joints is ideal. It has the advantage of approaching the musculoskeletal system in its totality.

Mahanarayan Oil

Mahanarayan oil is an ayurvedic therapeutic herbal oil. The one I am using is a blend of thirty three herbs (all safe for horses) in a base of sesame oil.
It has the qualities of nourishing, strengthening and rejuvenating. Even if the smell of the oil carries also those qualities it is not an aroma oil.

Mahanarayan oil is used to treat conditions as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, cervical or lumbar spondylitis, frozen joints, backache, strains and sprains, musculoskeletal inflammation disorders.

The oil has for effect to:

• strengthen nerves, muscles and ligaments
• soothe sore muscle and aching joints
• relieve muscle and joints stiffness
• reduce inflammation
• enhance blood circulation
• balance the Vata dosha.

In case of arthritis it will act directly on the joint pain and stiffness, the restricted movement and the distortion. The oil will slowly help to restore a normal joint function.

Use of herbal oil with horses

Ayurvedic massages are known to use lots of oil. Unfortunately it is difficult to apply it with horses as it means a very large amount of oil to cover the full body. But it doesn't mean we cannot use some!

I've started to use therapeutic herbal oil in my practice of equine massage. Whenever I feel there is a need because of an injury, a trauma, a condition or just by intuition I will use oil on specific area. Some cases where I used it are:

• sacroiliac joint recovery from injury
• flexor avulsion fracture
• arthritic leg joints (hock and fetlock)
• neck muscle stiffness and pain
• hip trauma (muscle and joint)

I use organic ayurvedic oil, a blend of herbs in a base oil and every time the horses just loved it. I always have them smell it and explain what I will do and ask for permission. As for now they always showed a lot of interest in it; actively smelling the aroma with ears upright, eyes bright. Sometimes they even came to the bottle that I carry in my tool belt, showing it to me.

Whenever I can I warm up the oil and apply it warm on the area to treat. I then use circular stroke alternated with friction to help the absorption process. The oil mixture is absorbed into the bloodstream and takes effect from there.

As I said they are therapeutic oil with healing properties. One that use the most is the Mahanarayan oil but I will write a full post about it (there).