How To Time Jin Shin Jyutsu Treatment Sessions for Horses
Though there’s no specific time when it’s the “right” time to work with a horse, the horse will let you know through their body language if they’re accepting of the Jin Shin Jyutsu touch or not. They’ll also let you know where they want touch, what is and isn’t acceptable and for how long. All you need to do is connect, watch, and respond.
The Best Times Of Day For Sessions
If I was going to think about timing, I do prefer to work with any animal when I don’t interfere with their regular schedule. A horse knows when their hay and grain are coming and they’d generally much rather eat than do just about anything else.
I don’t mind working with a horse that’s eating a bit of hay here and there. Usually, when the energy gets moving, they stop grazing and start responding to the relaxation of the treatment. It works regardless.
Avoiding Treats During Sessions
I never offer treats to any horse I work with either before or after therapy sessions. Yes, it’s fun to bring carrots and peppermints to horses. They enjoy them. I don’t want to connect in their mind my visit or my hands with food of any kind as a treat or reward.
The reward is the treatment that we share. I want my hands to be associated with the experience of deep relaxation, less pain, less stress, and the opportunity to connect with a human that expects nothing of them in return.
Beginning Treatment Sessions
I do expect proper behavior – no kicking or biting. If a horse is a little wily in this way, I begin by working with them off the body, or with the owner holding them. I prefer not to use cross ties as this prevents the horse from fully relaxing or stretching in response to treatment.
Sometimes behavior is in response to the treatment. Kicking back may be a way of releasing energy. Ears pinned and nipping means I’ve not paid attention to the message that I’m touching a place that is either sensitive, or they’re not ready to receive touch. I take a moment. I listen to the message and back off for a minute or two to give them time to reset.
This is why I prefer to work in silence with the horse, rather than talk to the groom or owner while I work. I want to feel connected to the horse and receptive to the information they are giving about their needs.
Number Of Sessions Per Day
We never work on a human or horse more than once in any eight-hour period. It takes time for a treatment to set in. Treatments are generally sixty minutes in total length.
As with any field of study, there are exceptions to every rule. One of those exceptions is any being who is seriously ill or injured. They may benefit from more frequent treatment of shorter duration, but still not above the one hour total in an eight hour period. There are a couple of exceptions for humans or animals with spinal cord injuries, but that’s for a different post.
Case Study: Jumper Horse in Ohio
I recently treated a jumper in Ohio for a tendon problem that had not improved in three months of specialized treatment in Florida. Due to my schedule and the location, I was only able to treat him weekly. Because of this, I’d drive up early in the morning and treat him once, then again in the early evening before I left to return to Lexington.
After the first visit of two treatments, he began to walk more balanced on all four legs and seemed happier to the handlers. He improved with each visit and loved being treated twice each time I came.
On the fourth visit, the late-day treatment was short. He indicated through his body language that he’d progressed in his harmonizing to a point that he no longer needed it.
For the next three weeks, I treated him once each visit, which was perfect for him. He was always happy to see me, showed me with his body signals and responses what he needed, and continued to improve.
As of this writing, there have been no follow-up scans since I began working with him, but I expect that when they’re ordered, they’ll show healing improvement to the tendon. His handlers say he’s more lively, happier with more time outdoors, and generally feeling more like himself.
How many treatments does my horse need?
The number of treatments that a horse “needs” really depends on the project and the horse. Some of my clients use Jin Shin Jyutsu energy therapy as a regular part of their horse’s wellness routine, similar to their use of a chiropractor or massage therapist. When my client does use these modalities along with mine, I suggest that they have me come before massage or chiro.
Simply put, when the energy is balanced and moving in harmony, the work bodywork practitioners do will more productive. They will be able to accomplish more with their treatment.
With all of the modalities, I feel that the horse benefits more when it can respond to each treatment before receiving another. The eight-hour time frame applies here, but often it’s the next day or a couple of days after between professionals.
Illness and Injury
When any animal, including horses, are ill, injured, or had surgery, I like to treat them daily if possible. Traumas can be an energetic shock to the system, really creating the need to bring the energy back into balance.
An accident or the cut of a surgeon’s knife can disrupt the energy; even when it's being done for the benefit of the animal. Treating the horse as soon as possible helps the energy come back into its pathways and healing time is shortened.
I’ve seen this again and again with both my human and animal clients. I also like to treat before surgery if possible.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, there are lots of different ways to look at the timing of Jin Shin Jyutsu light touch energy treatments. I look at factors such as the horse’s routines, the specific issue going on with the horse, and whether the issue is current trauma or a long-standing issue.
The bottom line though is if a practitioner is attentive, they will be able to intuit through their connection to the animal what is best for them.
Talk with Jennifer
Jennifer is passionate about providing positive outcomes to her friends in the equine industry through Jin Shin Jyutsu treatment options. Send her a message, and she’ll get back to you shortly.