Equine Bowen: A Gentle Approach to Healing and Performance

What is Equine Bowen?

Equine Bowen is a non-invasive, gentle form of bodywork designed to support the natural healing processes in horses. It uses precise, rolling movements over muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia (connective tissue) to stimulate the body’s self-repair mechanisms. Developed from human Bowen Therapy, this technique works holistically, treating the entire horse to restore balance and well-being.

How Does It Work?

Bowen stimulates the horse’s body to “reset” and heal itself. By applying light pressure to specific areas of the body, it sends signals to the nervous system, encouraging the release of tension, improving circulation, and promoting overall relaxation. Unlike deep tissue massage, Bowen uses minimal force, making it well-tolerated by horses of all temperaments, including sensitive or reactive ones.

During a session:

Your horse will experience gentle, targeted moves in specific sequences.
There are intentional pauses between the moves to allow the body time to process and respond.
The process aims to activate the body’s natural healing responses, often requiring just a few sessions for noticeable improvement.

What Can Equine Bowen Help With?

Equine Bowen can benefit a wide variety of conditions, including:

Muscular and joint stiffness
Lameness or gait irregularities
Back, neck, or shoulder pain
Recovery from injury or surgery
Digestive issues (e.g., colic prevention)
Performance enhancement and injury prevention
Behavioral issues related to pain or discomfort

What to Expect During a Session

Length: Sessions typically last between 45 minutes to an hour.
Comfort: The horse may show signs of relaxation, such as yawning, licking, or even dozing off during the session.
Environment: It’s ideal to have a calm, quiet setting where your horse can feel at ease. Please allow your horse to fully process during the session without corrections or interactions. It is not uncommon for horses to display behaviors such as chewing, pawing, or nuzzling.
Session Frequency: Most horses will benefit from 3-4 sessions, spaced out over 6-8 weeks. However, for ongoing wellness or chronic conditions, maintenance sessions may be recommended.

After the Session

After a Bowen session, your horse may need time to rest and process the treatment. It’s important to:

Allow your horse 48-72 hours of light activity. Avoid grooming, exercise and handling during this period if at all possible. It may take up to 7 days for your horse to completely process a session.
Observe how your horse behaves and moves in the days following the session. Positive changes may continue to develop over time.
Stay hydrated: ensure your horse has plenty of access to water, as the bodywork can help release toxins from the body.

Why Choose Bowen for Your Horse?

Equine Bowen offers a natural, non-invasive way to support your horse’s health, performance, and recovery. It can be an effective complement to traditional veterinary care, or used as a proactive approach to maintain well-being. Whether your horse is an athlete, a companion, or in rehabilitation, Bowen is a safe and gentle way to help them feel and move better.

Kinesiology Taping

Kinesiology tape is an excellent complement to Bowen therapy, helping to support muscles, joints, and circulation. Applied strategically, it can enhance mobility, reduce inflammation, and prolong the effects of bodywork. Taping can assist in pain relief, support postural correction, and aid in injury recovery—all while allowing full range of motion. When combined with Bowen, it reinforces the body’s healing response for longer-lasting results.

PEMF Treatments

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy is a powerful tool for cellular regeneration, circulation improvement, and pain relief. The OMI PEMF system delivers gentle electromagnetic pulses that penetrate deep into the tissues, helping to reduce inflammation, speed up recovery, and optimize performance. It can be used for injury rehabilitation, joint support, muscle relaxation, and overall wellness. When combined with Bowen and kinesiology taping, PEMF enhances the body’s ability to heal faster and perform better.

Pricing

Fargo/Moorhead Area $60/horse. $10 discount for multiple horses

Outside of F/M Area: $60/horse if 3 or more horses. $75/horse for less than 3 horses. Extra mileage charges after 50 miles.

K-Tape: $20/area

PEMF: $40 for 20 minute session

Credentials:
– Level 2 Certified Bowen Practitioner (American Bowen Academy)
– Certified K-Tape Practitioner (Equi-Tape)
Fully insured

Equine Bodywork