EQ803SA Foundation in Equine Acupressure

Course Instructor
Diana Thompson

Acupressure techniques are simple to learn, but using them effectively requires a good understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This eight-day class (four days on, one day off, three days on) will provide you with a solid foundation in the theory and application of this three thousand year old massage method. Learn the meridian pathways with lots of hands on time to REALLY be able to find these unique acupressure points and apply the techniques!

This course is designed to be taken alone as an excellent foundation course or in preparation for continuing study into the EQ 800 Progressive Acupressure Series (please see note below).

Diana Thompson, certified massage therapist, who teaches acupressure, massage and Bach Flower Therapy for horses and dogs internationally, leads this class. You will find Diana enthusiastic, energetic, gentle and extremely knowledgeable. Diana was founder of the Whole Horse Journal - Guide to Natural Horse Care and Training. During The Journal’s first three years, Diana served as Editor-In-Chief, guiding the publication to eight national media awards and international readership. You’ll recognize her name behind numerous articles on massage and alternative training appearing in Horse and Rider Magazine, the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) Endurance News, The Anvil Magazine and Ride! Magazine. Currently, she is featured with her monthly column in Southern CA’s Riding Publication Magazine.

The acupressure course manual is over 500 pages long, detailing over 100 equine acupressure points and includes approximately 50 pages of charts and photos detailing the point locations. You won’t find another like it on the shelves right now!

Please be advised:
In order to continue to the EQ 800 Progressive Series with Dr. Ridgway, you must have a good understanding of equine anatomy and horse handling skills. You must have completed this course through Equinology or her sister companies only or are a licensed human acupuncturist. These are progressive courses. Licensed human acupuncturists are welcomed into the series but will also need to understand equine anatomy, terminology and have very good horse handling skills.

Course Outline:

• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
• Using TCM for horses
• How to identify the physical and behavioral indications of the TCM in horses
• Assessment and application protocol using TCM
• Understanding the meridian system
• The functions of the twelve organ systems of Classical Chinese Medicine
• Location of the twelve energetic pathways (called meridians) on the horse
• Location, indications and uses of important acupressure points
• Understanding how to use acupressure, lifestyle management and different training approaches to work with imbalances and bring greater health and vitality to the horse
• Working with behavioral issues related to imbalances
• How to combine the techniques in a series of acupressure points to do a full acupressure session
• How to blend the acupressure techniques into any other bodywork techniques and routines
• Understanding chi energy in horses and in your own body
• How to use chi for healing including: how to feel it in your own body, how to use it to access energetic imbalances in horses and how to use it to heal horses with acupressure
• Safe applications of acupressure techniques for the therapist and the client

Prerequisite:
This class is suitable for those just beginning their studies. However, horse handling skills and a thorough understanding of equine safety a must!

Required Text for Course:
Acupressure Point Chart for Horses by Diana Thompson available at www.dianathompson.com.

Suggested Reading for Further Interest:
Acupressure for Common Ailments by Jarney and Tindall
Veterinary Acupuncture: Ancient Art to Modern Medicine by Allen Schoen
The Foundations of Chinese Medicine: A Comprehensive Text for Acupuncturists and Herbalists by Giovanni Maciocia The Body Electric by Becker and Seldon
Four Paws, Five Directions, A Guide to Chinese Medicine for Cats and Dogs by Cheryl Swartz, DVM
Acupressure’s Potent Points, A Guide to Self-care for Common Ailments by Michael Reed Gach
Equine Acupressure, A Working Manual by Nancy Zidonis, Amy Snow, Marie Soderberg, 4th edition

This course is required for the Specialized Equine Body Worker® Acupressure Series (SEBWac). In addition you must be a qualified Equine Body Worker® graduate for this certification.

For the certification outline, please click here:
http://www.equinology.com/info/certification.asp