Following my time at University, I started working at Horseworld in Bristol, an equine welfare charity that rescues and rehabilitates horses and other animals. It was one of the most rewarding jobs I have ever had, as we dealt with animals that had experienced the most traumatic events, and worked with them to gain their trust and build their confidence.

It was during my time at Horseworld that I was introduced to both McTimoney Corley Spinal Therapy and the Equine Touch.

The International Equine Touch Association (IETA) hold some of their courses at Horseworld, and so I could see the amazing results this technique was having on the horses there; not only helping their physical problems, but also having a profound effect on their emotional state - something that a lot of the horses in our care desperately needed due to the circumstances they had been rescued from. I was instantly hooked and started training towards becoming a practitioner in this discipline.

Around the same time I met a lady who was training with The Oxford College of Equine Physical Therapy (OCEPT), in McTimoney Corley Animal Spinal Therapy. I watched her working on some of the horses at the centre, and thought how well this technique would compliment the Equine Touch, and so I decided to apply to OCEPT and study this therapy.

I qualified from The Oxford College of Equine Physical Therapy as a Practitioner of McTimoney Corley Animal Spinal Therapy in September 2006.

I qualified with IETA as an Equine Touch Practitioner in March 2007.

Once I was working, I kept getting requests by horse riders to treat them as well, and I realised that if I was balancing out a horse and then putting an unbalanced rider straight back on them, it wasn't going to help the problem much! I decided that I would train in VHT (Vibromuscular Harmonization Technique), which is the human form of the Equine Touch. I chose this technique as having seen the results it has on horses, I wanted to be able to share it with people too. There are really not many VHT practitioners around, and certainly none in Cornwall at present, and I feel that people are missing out by not knowing about this amazing technique.

I qualifed with IETA as a VHT Practitioner in July 2008.

I am now able to give horse and rider treatments which is extremely beneficial to both parties.

FURTHER TRAINING!

I find the area of complementary therapy extremely exciting, and as such I am always looking to expand my knowledge and learn new skills. For those of you who know me, you probably know not to get me on to this topic, as I can talk all day about it! The Equine Touch and VHT in particular, still amaze me with what they can do, and sometimes the only time I can explain the effects is that there must be little bit of magic involved! If you do not know much about these techniques I really would encourage you to look at the official websites, which can be found on my links page.

I am now studying Reflexology and Indian Head Massage so that I can add these into my human treatments at a later date. They will compliment the VHT greatly, and I look forward to being able to share these new skills with my clients.......in fact I may be looking for case studies soon, so watch this space!!!

I am also soon to be working towards my practitioner status in Canine Touch. This is the doggy version of Equine Touch, and though the principles are the same, the actual delivery of the move is slightly different, due to the differences in anatomy and physiology between the two animals. Once I have gained this diploma I will be able to add that to the animal spinal manipulation to give dogs the same comprehensive and holistic treatment that I currently give horses.