Graphics by Tracy McGarry

Where a Light Touch makes all the Difference...

The Mystery of Asymmetry

Revealed-The Torso...

H.E.A.R.T. (Hands-On Energetic Alignment and Release Technique)

Lil' Bear is a miniaturehorsewho works hard in Equi-librium's driving program. In the first photo (left) His eyes and right side of his face appearto be drawn upward. In the second photo his face is much more symmetrical after using alignment techniques taught in the HEART Workshop.

(Look for X-Rays in the near future)

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Sam also works hard at Equi-librium carrying some of our heaviest riders. In the photo on the left again notice the asymmetry and dull look about him. After the HEART Alignment he like "Lil' Bear" shows clear improvement in his face, especially in his eyes where he looks much more "alive".

In the following photos our intent is to look at form as it relates to function. Our goal is to achieve even weight bearing on all limbs and symmetry of movement through the torso by observing a nodding head, swinging back and even belly swing. The walk should look "sinuous from front to back"

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>>>>>>>>>>>>Before>>>>>>>>>>>>>After>>>>>>>>

Click on Before and After Links to view the walk

Left Photo before alignment: Lil' Bear's left hock, fetlock and hoof alignment appear very stiff as the stifle is rotated inwards straightening the leg. In the video at the walk he avoids going straight, his hind end stance is wide and he does not have a sinuous appearance from head to tail.

Right Photo after alignment: Bear's hocks are much more symmetrical in their appearance and now his gait will reflect that symmetry. By having the stifle, hocks and fetlocks aligned now when he walks as his belly swings the stifles can clear the belly. In the first video his hind legs appear to be stiff in the hocks and WIDE behind. After his alignment we taped again and his overall movement is greatly improved. His head nod back and belly swing are more noticably sinuous.(Bear still needs work his left hind to free it up even more-).....

These video's were taken by me. This was my first attempt at obtaining a video record of our work.

Look for improvements in our next set of video's...

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>>>>>>>>>Before>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>After>>>>>>>>

Left Photo: Sam's Hocks and lower legs are showing asymmetry. Like Bear Sam's left hock, fetlock and hoof alignment appear very stiff as the stifle is rotated inwards straightening the leg, note he is also standing straight (front legs behind hind legs).

Right Photo: Sam's hocks are much more symmetrical in their appearance and now his gait will reflect that symmetry. By having the stifle, hocks and fetlocks aligned now when he walks as his belly swings the stifles can clear the belly. Like Bear he shows his one-sidedness by standing crooked now that his joints are aligned. It is my suspician that the horse is "hiding" his one-sided tightness in his torso and his "one-sidedness" is being reflected in the asymmetry of his hind end and also in his movement.

All horse (and Beings) are onesided to some degree. The "short or stiff" side of the horse often has a contracted Latissimus Dorsi (LD)Muscle and tight fascia tissue. The LD muscle attaches and runs from the last 3 cervical or neck vertabrae to the illeum or wing of the pelvis (the bone you feel at the top of the flank) and also attaches to the Spine at the croup. A horse pulls its body straight at the expense of the weaker muscles at either end. In these cases the facial bones and the hind limbs.

We can assist the horse overcome their onesided-ness By gently stretching the rib cage on the tight side of the horse. Take the tail in one hand and the Halter in the other. GENTLY "in slow motion" the slower the better pull the two ends together bending the rib cage away from you (observe the horse behind the shoulder and the flank and watch as the two will come closer together). Count to 15 and slowly release. ALWAYS stretch both sides of the horse. REMEMBER the older the horse be careful not to overstretch as they tend to be more stiff.

Many Thanks to Equi-librium Equine-Assisted Services for their permission to use the above Photos and Video...

Hand Positions for Alignment using HEART or QT Techniques

The Hind Legs

Working on the Hip and then Stifle for Hind End Alignment

Then down to the Hock and then Fetlock

Aligning the Front Legs

Again I go down to the fetlock and then to the P-1 Joint