Equine Positional Release (EPR) is a manual therapy based on the principles of non-force and movement away from pain to achieve joint stabilisation, soft tissue repair and postural re-education. EPR is used with the horse and rider.
Where does Equine Positional Release come from?
EPR is adapted from Ortho-Bionomy:an innovative approach to positional release techniques incorporating the mechanism of self-correction, the body’s natural ability to heal. EPR combines the principles found in Homoeopathy (like cures like; less is more) and non-violent horse handling with manual positional release techniques to achieve structural alignment and soundness.
How does EPR work?
EPR uses movement and body position to stimulate a natural reflex found in muscles and joints.This reflexive ability is part of the nervous system and is called proprioception. It is initiated by touch, movement and positioning of the body. When the body is moved into a comfortable position away from pain or discomfort, the natural response is for the body to relax and re-balance. This in turn helps:
Muscles relax and return to their normal tone;
Joints to return to alignment;
Blood circulation and nerve supply to improve;
Pain and tension to reduce;
Recovery from performance, injury and illness improve.
What can EPR help?
EPR works with the whole body, the horse as a whole. Range of motion, flexibility, strength and endurance all improve once the body can move more freely. Comfortable, pain free movement under saddle or in training will improve attitude and behaviour.
EPR can be used to prevent injuries and to aid in the treatment of injuries including muscle, joint, neck, shoulder, back and leg problems; hoof problems and rehabilitation; problems with movement and gait patterns and reduced performance. Working holistically with the horse and rider improves attitude, understanding, behaviour and performance, along with the horse-rider partnership.
Postural Re-education for Horse and Rider
What is postural re-education?
Working with the nervous system specifically the system of proprioception (concerned with position, balance and movement), allows identification of postural and movement patterns. Positional release exercises based on movement towards comfort, enables the horse and rider to rebalance their posture individually and in relation to each other, creating greater biomechanical balance and harmony between horse and rider.
What happens during an EPR session? An initial consultation involves some discussion with the horse and rider/trainer about the current situation including history and veterinary or complementary treatments. This is followed by an assessment of the horse which includes:
Observing posture, movement patterns and gait at the walk, trot and/or canter.
Palpating specific areas to determine pain or tension and easy, comfortable contact.
Range of motion exercises involving muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments.
The assessment is followed by specific positional release exercises exaggerating the horse's posture and movements with a focus on pain free, comfortable positioning. Front leg exercises may be used to affect the shoulder, neck, ribs and legs. Hind leg exercises are used to affect the back, abdomen, rump and hind leg. The exercises influence the nervous system to help re-organise the horse's balance and alignment. The horse is walked following the session to allow for integration.
“EPR provides a longer-acting release for horses.
EPR uses relaxation and positioning to affect
the
nervous system of the horse. This allows for mobility and looseness, affecting
muscle
memory and benefiting mental focus. Once the horse
feels the position they
look for it on their own and re-create a pain-free,
supple state.”
Krista Snyder,
FEI Dressage Trainer, Tallahassee FL