Workshop for Equine Acupressure and the Five Element Theory Held September 7-8, 2002, Blue Bell, PA
Reviewed by Karen Erickson
Tallgrass Animal Energy Work instructors Nancy Zidonis and Marie Soderberg covered a lot of valuable information, all in a two-day period that I wish could have been four days. We started the session with exercises to put us in touch with our own energy fields, then delved into what acupressure and its theory are all about - Eastern vs. Western philosophy, the meridian system, balancing energy and the introduction to the Five Element Theory. We then did "hands on" in the afternoon under the tutelage of both Nancy and Marie.
In pairs, we teamed up with a specific horse that we would work with during the two days to test our knowledge. We palpated for warm and cool areas and put on red (hot) or blue (cool) stickers on the acupuncture points and then identified the corresponding meridians that related to the points earlier identified. Marie and Nancy confirmed our findings and helped us (if lost) to find the correct points. We then convened to discuss our stories and revelations. It is so amazing to see how horses will communicate if we just take the time to look and listen to all the nuances. I loved this workshop and recommend it highly. It was very well organized. Manderlay Farm in Blue Bell, PA is an accommodating and friendly place.
[For more information about Tallgrass seminars, visit www.animalacupressure.com or e-mail Nancy and Marie at [email protected] or [email protected] ]
Karen Erickson, licensed massage therapist for humans and horses, works on some of the top Grand Prix jumpers in the country. Contact her at [email protected]
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American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association Conference Held September 29-October 1, 2002, Eugene Oregon Reviewed by Mary Ann Simonds
The turnout at AHVMA's annual conference was about average. There seemed to be quite a few new young vets and, true to the current trends, a growing number of women. A recent interview on NPR (National Pubic Radio) on Pets and People indicated that 90 percent of students in vet schools are now women. Women earn about 26 percent less than men in the same position. Generally, the feeling is that women make better vets because they are more nurturing and spend more time with patients. I think this trend will cause more vets to enter the holistic field searching for more alternatives.
Topics at the AHVMA conference this year included The Healing Power of Homeopathy, Introduction to Bach Flowers, Cough and Asthma in Horses, Natural Hoof Care, Effects of Symptom Suppression, Chinese Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture for Treatment of Infertility in Mares, and Veterinary Chiropractic, to name a few.
There was an interesting array of vendors, most geared toward nutrition, via feed companies, herbal supplements and Chinese herbal companies. The FDA and AAFCO crackdown on natural supplements seemed to have the industry banding together.
AHVMA's Carvel Tiekert continues to be interested in networking with organizations like IAATH (International Alliance for Animal Therapy and Healing) and others that can offer their members new insights and education in this continuing growing holistic field.
The proceedings from the conference may still be available. If you are interested, please contact the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association at 410-569-0795 E-mail: [email protected]
Mary Ann Simonds, equine ecologist and natural health consultant, is a regular contributor to the Holistic Horse. She is the originator of Enlightened Horsemanship(tm) and Enchanted Riding(tm). She can be reached at [email protected] aol.com or 1-800-616-0450
[EDITOR's NOTE: Send us your reviews of a recent Holistic Equine Clinic. Please be frank...we want to let our readers know what is and is not working out there.]