Reiki Study Case: Moxy

Moxy is a rescue horse that I saw for Reiki in California. I didn't have a lot information about her except that she was around nine years old, probably abused and very sensitive to touch, especially around the hind quarters. She would kick when being touched. It appeared clearly that I wouldn't do any hands-on to start! The owner also told me that she was a high energy kind of horse. I was able to confirm that the first time I brought her to the arena. She wouldn't let herself be lead and wanted to go straight to the arena. I did some ground work techniques to bring her back with me to finally being able to move forward without having her leading. Again the owner told me it was "normal" she was always doing that. Once in the arena, as soon as I carefully removed her halter she went into a very energetic canter. I understood a little more the high energy profile that was given to me before.

I decided to give her Reiki treatment in the arena, having her free to move around. I did distant Reiki for thirty minutes every day for four days then every other day for a few more days and once a week for another month. She was very curious and came to me pretty fast. First it was more to check and then she staid for long period of time. She was showing signs of relaxations; licking of the lips, soft chewing, relaxed ears.
Reiki works with symbols and one day I had the intuition to chant them in a very soft way. She was very sensitive to it and I felt that we reached another level of trust and connection. She came closer and slowly put her nose against the palm of my hands with her eyes half closed. She was very calm and relaxed.

After a week Moxy was already a different horse. Her behavior totally changed and she was no more the very high energy horse that I just met. She was very calm from the moment I was greeting her. I never had to remind her that I was leading the walk. She never went into a canter when removing the halter. She was patient and trustful.

I always respected Moxy's limits and pace. There is day when she clearly showed me she wasn't interesting in receiving anything and I listened to that and let her alone. Sometimes she let me have my hands on her head and nose and sometimes she would just turn her back to me to show her hind quarters. I was able to touch the shoulder but not further than that. I knew it would have take time for her to bring her hind leg into my hands. And unfortunately I had to stop the visits. Sometimes the wounds are so deep that it's a long journey for a full recovery. But she did so much progress in just a month. I know she was at a better place already.

Reiki Introduction

What is Reiki

Reiki is a complete energy healing system. It uses a frequency of the universal life energy towards healing. It's gentle, painless, stress-free and non-invasive. The recipient always has the choice to take what he or she needs. It also treats the whole being. The practitioner can either do a hands-on treatment (hands are applied on different area of the body) or distant treatment.

Reiki and Ayurveda

Although Reiki originates from Japan with Dr Usui it has its place in Ayurveda as it is close to pranic healing or ayurvedic energy work. It uses the Qi or Prana, the Life Force in the same way but Reiki is more of a particular frequency of energy compared to pranic healing being more raw.

Energy work is a part of any ayurvedic treatment and Reiki is just a form of it.

Reiki with horses

Horses are highly sensitive to energy. Reiki becomes a great tool when it comes to behavior issues, illnesses or emotional distress. It can be used alone or as a complementary treatment. Either way horses will benefit a lot.

Reiki works well on anxiety, fear, nervousness, stress or agitated horse. It is also used in case of illnesses or injury as a support in the healing process. Reiki will help to restore a balance.

The treatment can be given with the hands touching the horse's body or hands above the area to treat or even from distance (example: a horse in a pasture). The approach being to respect where the horse is, it is better to let the horse determine how the treatment will go. It's not unusual to start a session from distance and see the horse coming slowly closer, sniff the hands of the practitioner to finally place a part of his body against them.

The most important things are to stay open, to respect the animal and to have no expectation or agenda