​

​
Equine ​Energy
and
​Bodywork Specialist

Human
​Consciousness Based
​ Learning and Healing
​
Heather Rusk CEBP
Contact:
​phone or text at +1-705-441-6763
Or, email hlrusk@icloud.com



​Certified SURE FOOT® Practitioner

Testimonials

Hi Heather.......the breathing technique really worked a treat. I was calm as I loaded Woody and even though the was fearful, he loaded first go!!!! ...floated well..and when he was calm I was able to unload him..all great..and lovely horse reunion ensued.. The hardest part was backing my float....forgot to breath..concentrating on not jackknifing..Many thanks for your help this morning..was really a massive change from the last time we tried (and failed) to get Woody on my float..xx

and a follow up the next week.....
Hi Heather..gee I have been feeling so much more relaxed since the breathing assisted me to do something very difficult.

​L.ee H. Australia
"I can’t say enough about how amazing this process is. My Grand Prix horse had Bad COPD for about 3 years. I tried every conventional treatment for my horse including; cough suppressants; Dexamethasone; Clenbuterol; natural supplements and nebulizer treatment and NOTHING worked.  Heather Rusk who is an Equi-bow Practitioner in my area came and did several sessions on Mardi Gras, that targeted the lung area specifically. 
Now Mardi Gras cough is completely under control. He is ridable and happy. He never loses his breath or has a coughing fit. He does not need to be on any pharmaceutical’s and his health has drastically improved. It is amazing. 
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I would highly recommend Equine-Bow if you are having issues of any kind with your horse or just for general maintenance of sport horses."

Joyce C, Canada ​

Equi-Bow Canada Inc. brings together Bowen, Cranio Sacral and Feldenkrais based body work techniques as well as tack fitting, balanced hoof protocols and anatomy, to provide an innovative and effective equine body work system. Equi-Bow techniques are non-medical and promote self-healing.  This is a gentle, non-invasive, hands-on complementary equine modality. This holistic, hands-on technique for horses addresses structural, physiological, performance, emotional and behavioural issues.  

I work with a full spectrum of horses from very extreme need rescue cases, and high level performance horses such as Professional Eventers and Grand Prix Dressage.  Although, the symptoms are usually quite different, the humans all want the same thing…. well being for their horse.  Equi-Bow is a soft tissue release that works with the nervous system to create a body reset and development of new neuropathways, which supports optimal function.  Even after one session, there are often noticeable, tangible results.
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We ask a lot of our horses whether it is how they are kept in our current horse-keeping system of stalls, paddock or pasture with a space that is very limited relative to how horses move when they are not contained.  Or, whether they are competing to a very high level, our horses rarely have the freedom of movement they are designed to have, or need to have to function optimally.  When you add tack, which is rigid and weighty, and even the best riders sometimes lose their balance requiring the horse to compensate physically for weight that is relatively significant.  Equi-Bow can provide a gentle but profound reset to many of these issues bringing comfort and wellbeing to your horse.

Cranio Sacral type moves
  • Helps restore normal cranial mobility;
  • Releases abnormal myofascial restrictions and tensions in the body;
  • Releases abnormal restrictions in the skeletal system;
  • Eases restrictions of nerves;
Bowen type moves 
  • Acts upon the fascia and nervous system
  • Address the root cause of musculoskeletal and neurological pain as well as other ailments.
Feldenkrais type moves
  • Gentle, mindful movement to bring new body awareness and possibility for change

A session consists of an assessment, and then a series of “moves” to very lightly manipulate the soft tissue with the intent to activate a release in that tissue.  Body movement and function is complex in horses and often the root of hind end issues can be in the head and neck, and front end issues can be rooted in the hind end.  Equi-Bow gently unwinds the soft tissue to support greater ease of movement in the muscle and tendons, which in turn helps the skeletal system move more smoothly.  It allows horses to function more optimally both physically and emotionally.   Chronic tension and pain is quite common in horses.  Anything we do to help ease that, helps us to create better, safer, more satisfying relationships with our horses.

Sessions include a full case history, and assessment with the body work.  Ideally the horse is off work for the day including no grooming after the session.  Each session is approximately an hour depending on many factors related to how the horse is integrating the changes.  In hand walking and light "step over" exercises are good to help integrate the reset the session begins to create.  Each horse is different each day.  The session is based on the horse that "shows up" that particular day.  They show me what they need.  Often, the first session lays the foundation for further work, but there can still be profound changes after just one session depending on many factors.  

Sessions are $70

I am located in the Southern Georgian Bay region, Town of Blue Mountains,  Ontario.  A travel surcharge for travel over 40km one way, is charged at $.58/km.   Contact me for arrangements on longer distances. 

​Please be prepared to give your horse the rest of the day off, except in exceptional situations.  Movement over (stepping over) logs, poles, cavaletti etc. is an excellent support exercise post session to get the best reset out of the work.  This can be incorporated into daily life by placing small poles etc across gate entrances etc so the "step over" becomes a part of natural, daily movement.