NATURAL MOTION THERAPEUTICS

In 2007, a new horse chapter began with a rescued Mustang, named Hopi.  Hopi and I met when she was brought to the Mustang rescue center, in Florida, where I was a volunteer.  I never imagined I would learn so much about horse health care!

With the various hurdles in front of Hopi, due to severe malnutrition and lack of care, I was reluctant to adopt her.  I faced training a wild Mustang, on my own, from the ground up.  Hopi had not had much handling and required gentling up, as well as extra attention to her nutrition and grooming.  But something suggested she was worth the effort.

We were moving right along, getting to know and appreciate each other, when on Christmas Day that same year Hopi jumped a fence too big for her to clear.  It was a devastating accident!  It took X-Rays to confirm she had fractured her pelvis, and four months of healing time.  This would mean another unfortunate confinement for Hopi.  She had already endured a year of confinement, in a small paddock with two other mares, as a cruel part of her neglect when she was first domesticated.  It was an inescapable requirement this time however, to let her heal and move forward with a long rehabilitation.  There was also no way of knowing the final outcome.  Would she ever be rideable?

I know there were some who thought our best option was to put her down.  Others said she’d make a nice pasture pony.  I felt however, it was very important to bring her back as far as we possibly could.  If the time ever came when I couldn’t continue with Hopi, it seemed imperative that I ensure her the best opportunity for a new home.  Getting Hopi under saddle appeared crucial. 

As Hopi and I finished the four months of healing time, we slowly moved into her rehabilitation.  Our next hurdle came in the form of a locking stifle.  We had seen this issue before, at the beginning of Hopi’s first rehabilitation from malnutrition and atrophy.  **Atrophy can be of more detriment to a horse's condition, than humans sometimes realize***  It had been diagnosed as muscular dematurization, from being confined to a paddock as a baby, and walking around in muck, with no way for Hopi’s muscles, and joints, to grow and strengthen.  Following her latest injury, the circumstances were more challenging, as we had to take it very slowly, without overdoing it, while building strength again, and increasing the synovial fluid to her joints to help with the stifle.

Our biggest break in Hopi’s progress came when I discovered what Massage Therapy would do for her.  During Hopi’s first treatment, the stifle was quickly unlocked.  This was a great relief because it had been locked to the point where she was dragging her back right leg around because it would not bend and move properly!  What’s more is that we started to see muscle definition, after a couple of treatments, which we had done nothing to achieve, while Hopi had been on paddock rest for such a long time.  Hopi’s comeback, from that point, was incredible!

While Hopi will never be able to do some of the things I had hoped, today she is a vibrant, playful, six-year-old!  She is under saddle and tests me, every chance she gets, being the dominant-minded Mustang Mare that she is.  And, I must add, Hopi moves just as beautifully as she did before her accident.

The struggles Hopi and I endured together provided me a great deal of knowledge concerning the benefits of Equine Sports Massage Therapy.  The increase of nutrients to the joints and muscles increases muscle conditioning and range of motion.  The release of toxins supports the immune system by removing from the body what the various systems cannot use for energy and productivity.

My health care experiences with Hopi motivated me to obtain my Equissage certification in Equine and Canine Massage Therapy, in 2008.  Horses and dogs I have been able to treat on a frequent/periodic basis have benefited greatly!  Massage Therapy, when included as a collective part of a health care regimen, produces very visible results.

I enjoy the ability to offer this natural health care practice to horses and dogs, other than my own.  I look forward to helping educate other owners about how much Massage Therapy can do for the conditioning and overall health of any horse or dog!

MISSION STATEMENT:  TO HELP IMPROVE THE  HEALTH OF HORSES AND DOGS, AND INCREASE THE ENJOYMENT OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HUMANS AND ANIMALS 

NATURAL MOTION THERAPEUTICS is a business name that was formed over a period of time, after careful consideration.

My services were originally offered under two business names,

HOPI LUVS MASSAGE

&

BEST DOG THERAPEUTICS

HOPI LUVS MASSAGE is a name that was inspired by watching the playful evidence of the benefits of Massage Therapy, with Hopi galloping and bucking through the pasture, leading the other mares like the Mustang she was born to be; this was even after her pelvic fracture which threatened to change the course of her young life.

BEST DOG THERAPEUTICS was realized one day when it dawned on me that I most always approach a dog telling them, "you're the best dog!", because I think that every dog deserves to be appreciated in this way.

During the past three years, I have had the opportunity to help dogs, as well as horses, recover from injuries, improve range of motion and muscle conditioning, or simply relieve tension following over-exertion at play or during stressful events. 

Through every Massage Therapy treatment I have gained a more complete understanding of the end result I strive for in providing this care of.......... restoring muscles to natural motion.  

This was the inspiration for:

 NATURAL MOTION THERAPEUTICS

For any movement actions to be performed, muscles must flex and relax.  This is what muscles do in their natural motion.  Many different physical, environmental, and situational stressors can interfere with the natural motion of muscles because tension prevents the relaxation of muscles, following flexion. The primary objectives, with every horse or dog, are to free up movement in the muscles, increase synovial fluid to the joints, increase range of motion, and release toxins in the muscular and other body systems.  Collectively, this improves the function of all body systems and overall appearance.

>>The care I offer to every animal is the same that I offer to my own animals.  Animals cannot tell us, with words, when they are in pain or discomfort but often do in mannerisms.  Every Massage Therapy treatment is conducted in a way that is respectful and conducive to acclimating the animal to the treatment, because some animals may have a history of improper handling.  Respect for the animal effectively reduces any level of discomfort or, fear.  

Equine Sports and Canine Massage Therapy is a service I enjoy providing as I have experienced with my own animals how much it can improve their health and how much they really do appreciate it!<<