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Using Reiki to Treat Horses
Author: Stephen Green March 2003 Source
As with all cross sections of the public, some people are more responsive to complimentary therapies
than others. The same can be said for horse owners. Whereas many horse owners who have owned
horses for years are very indoctrinated to the ‘old school’ methods, there are a proportion who accept
and use complimentary therapies for themselves and their horses. I have been surprised by many
people I have met, whose horses I have treated, and are very knowledgeable about the various
therapies as well as vitamin and mineral supplements.
The most popular therapies for horses seem to be physiotherapy, shiatsu and chiropractic. Reiki healing
seems to be coming more popular as well ‘horse whisperers’. There is also a growth of method training
such as Monty Roberts (of the film ‘Horse whisperer’ fame), Clicker training, Pirelli and other natural
methods looking at the way the horse reacts to its natural surroundings, its herd instinct and reactions to
other horses. Why do people consider alternative therapies? Well, each has there own reason but
reliance on drug therapy and the continual treatment of symptoms, as opposed to causes have been
put forward as some reasons. I also feel that there is a general increased interest in the spiritual side of
life and the importance of energy balancing that these are the main reasons for people to consider the
use of channelling Reiki.
My name is Stephen Green and I have been channelling Reiki to horses for the past 9 months in
Hampshire and West Sussex. I am a Reiki 2 practitioner and was introduced to Reiki just over 16 months
ago. My involvement with horses goes back much longer, having my first ride at the age of 8 on holiday
in Ireland. During the summer last year on long walks through the countryside with the dog I was guided
to try and put the two elements of horses and Reiki together and so my new experiences started. Firstly I
read a couple of books on the subject of healing for horses and then I asked some good friends, who
were aware of my Reiki background, and have three horses, if I could come to the stables and try it out
on their charges. I was quite self-conscious but, as the horses were quite docile and very happy horses,
they helped me by being very accepting. In all three cases the horses became very relaxed and showed
signs of taking in the energy which made my confidence grow and I then started advertising my services
and have had some very good results.
The process for channelling Reiki to horses is not dissimilar to that with humans. To start with it is
important that the horse is relaxed and comfortable as possible. Avoid feeding times, times as which
other horses are being put out to grass or are being brought in from grazing. Too much activity in the
yard will not allow the horse to relax as they are generally pretty nosy and want to know what’s going on
outside. If you are not too familiar with horses you can be guided by the owner as to the best times and
location to treat the horses. The basic hand positions are based around the chakra points and the
meridian lines. As with humans, you should always ask the horses permission to channel the energy to
them, most will accept but in severe cases of traumatised or stressed horses they may not want to
accept and you can end up facing a brick wall. In most cases the horses I have treated were either loose
in their stable or on a head collar and lead rope held by the owner. The sessions on average would last
around 45 minutes but you will be guided by the horses as and when they feel they have had enough by
them becoming restless and perhaps agitated.
The main hand positions are based around the Chakras. Starting at the top - the Crown chakra is on the
poll (between the ears). The brow (or third eye) chakra just above the eyes on the front of the face. The
throat chakra is just behind the jaw at the top of the neck. The heart chakra (there are several views on
this) I tend to use the point just behind the withers on the spine and between the top of the front legs on
the chest. (the bump at the bottom of the neck which would be just infront of the saddle. The solar
plexus chakra is at the point where the rear of the saddle would go. The sacral chakra is at the top of
the hips. The root chakra at the base of the tail at the top where it joins the rump. With practice you will
sense the change in temperature/energy at these points. As with humans, these should be used as a
basic guide and you should place your hands wherever you are drawn to.
I would normally start a Reiki treatment by trying to communicate with the horse and to ask for
acceptance. In many cases I will receive some communication back just as a voice, feeling or thought
which comes to me. I usually start by placing one hand on the side of the neck just in front of the
shoulder (which has been described as the brachial major chakra by Margrit Coats) and the other hand
on the chest at the top and in between the front legs. I will then go where I am drawn using the chakra
points as a guide line but will place my hands where I feel it is needed, such as on the chest wall, down
the legs, under the belly, along the neck etc.
After some practice you may find that you would experience the pain or discomfort that the horse is also
feeling. One noticeable example of this was in a stable with a New Forest pony suffering from Sweat itch,
breathing problems and depression. Both the owner and I suddenly got a headache at the same point at
the same time, which was emanating from the Pony. I am pleased to say that after four treatments the
pony is much happier, her breathing problems have improved and the sweat itch is better than it has
been for years.
The horses tend to react in a similar way when being treated, if they are accepting the Reiki. The eyes
become droopy and the head begins to relax and drop. The stomach reacts with gurgling sounds and
often the horse will break wind or produce droppings. In some cases the horse will almost fall asleep and
the bottom lip will drop and quiver. In some cases where the horse tends to fight the relaxation I have
found it best to let the horse decide to come back to you rather than end up following it around the
stable. In difficult cases where the horse is not comfortable or does not want to be touched you can start
by beaming energy from either outside the stable or from one side, as the horse relaxes you can
approach slowly so that you can get closer and put ‘ hands on’ if you wish to do so.
At the end of a session I tend to brush the aura from head to rear and down the legs and then thank the
horse for allowing the session to take place.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following is an example of notes made during an initial and follow up treatment with the name
changed:
Daniel is a 16 hand 19-year-old thoroughbred and has been with the present owner for 13 years. He
has always had problems that the owner felt stemmed from his previous history. His history has been
traced back and it involved being hacked around a potato field during one period of his life and having 5
owners in one two week period. The owner was also told that she would not want to hear what had
happened to him at one point in the past as it was horrific. The immediate previous owner had him for
only one month.
During his first year here had a nervous breakdown and knocked out the owner twice by panicking. He
was also stabled with his brother for 9 years but his brother died and Daniel was very upset about that.
He has also had a stroke, which resulted in his facial muscles on the left side drooping, but now these
seem OK.
He will now only go out within a certain range as he feels that if he goes further he thinks he’s going to
leave and he doesn’t want to. He is also very nervous and does not like strangers, particularly men. He
had a stifle problem, has physiotherapy once a month. Had a ‘Horse whisperer’ to him twice and the
owner was very impressed with the information which came from her as she was spot on with his past
history, including how he was sorry he had bucked her off and described the circumstances exactly.
First Visit
On my first visit, he came to the front of his stable and nuzzled me whilst the owner and I were talking,
she commented that this was most unusual as he normally runs to the back of his box. As I had been
told about a lot of his problems I suggested that I would try and relax the horse and then concentrate on
the head and neck area once he had accepted me. I started with the initial positions (chest and withers)
and moved along the left side of the horse and along the spine. When on the left side of the horse, I
developed strong pains on the left side of my neck where it meets the scull. I mentioned this and said I
think I was picking up this pain from the horse and the owner confirmed that he does have pain at that
point from an old hunting injury. Sometimes when he gets stressed the muscles become severely
knotted at this point. When I moved to the right side of the horse the pains went.
I moved my hands up the neck and channelled Reiki to the affected area. I also used all three symbols
including the emotional/distance to work on the past problems. I felt that I also had some communication
with him and said he has to be stronger and to build his confidence. Daniel became very relaxed with his
stomach gurgling, passing wind, yawned and sighed. Only a couple of times did he move away from me
when I was working on the head but, overall, it felt very good. When I was working on the top part of the
neck I physically felt a minor panic attack come on with my breathing rate increase and tension in the
chest. I stayed at that point and worked through it, as I felt his was a symptom from Daniel. I asked the
owner if he is panicky and she said undoubtedly he was.
I felt that there were a lot of emotions locked inside him and pain at top of neck which together with his
previous stroke have made him depressed although he is very much loved. He was hanging onto bad
memories that we needed to bring out for him to deal with. After the session was finished I suggested
that the owner should try and take him a little farther than his normal ride over the following few days
and to note any changes.
I received a phone call a few days later to let me know that Daniel had been much calmer than before
my visit and he had just performed exceptionally well in the riding school at a lesson. He had coped with
his usual work much better and had impressed his teacher.
Second Visit
The atmosphere was quite different this visit as there was lots of noise with kids in the yard, which was a
distraction. However Daniel came out to see me and was quite affectionate. The owner and I went into
the box and Daniel was loose. I asked him to accept the energy and allow me to put my hands on him.
Again I started with the chest and withers position. He was fine for a couple of minutes chewing on his
haynet, but then after this time he decided he didn’t want to carry on and moved away from me towards
the back of the box. I could see that half of him wanted it and half seemed to be asking questions. I was
about to walk towards him but I heard my guide say ‘no let him come to you’ so I held my hands out
sideways in ‘acceptance’ and said 'good boy'. He swayed a couple of times and then he looked at me
and walked back towards me. I reverted to the first position and then moved along to the chakra
positions along the spine.
He carried on eating from the haynet but I could see that his mouthfuls were getting less and less. A
couple of times he started to move away again but felt that this was due to the commotion in the yard
and being cautious about relaxing with things going on outside.
I picked up on tension in the area as if it was 'locked' from the base of scull up and over the poll and
down past the left eye to cheekbone. The neck area was still tense and heat was generated at the old
hunting injury spot. This made me think that although the neck was the main spot it was possible that
eye and cheekbone could have been damaged at the same time and there was damage still present. I
also felt that his off hind muscles were strained and, in discussion later, found that his stifle had been
out of kilter for 6 years until a homeopath found out that it was out and put it back in, whereupon the
horse became much better immediately.
Other things I picked up on were pains on shoulders and right leg. As there was some noise still going
on outside and Daniel was fighting the relaxation, the owner stood in front of stable door and this
produced a good effect, Daniel seemed to feel safer and relaxed really well, with his head drooping, lips
quivering and stomach gurgling. I moved up his neck behind the poll and crown and third eye chakras. I
called in all three symbols again. I felt the tension and pain across the scull lessen, except for a feeling
around left eye as if the muscle was solid like when you have a black eye and its getting better but the
muscles stay firm. This made me wondered about his sight but it looks Ok. However the Vet is coming
out later in the week for a jab so I suggested the owner should ask him to have a look.
We finished the session and rugged him up and he just stood there half-asleep as if didn’t want to come
back to reality. But once we moved out of the stall he came around and looked very calm.
End of notes:
Since then I have seen Daniel once more, just after he moved stables, and he is now very relaxed and a
completely different horse with his attitude and confidence having increased greatly. I get regular
updates on his progress from the owner who is now again competing in novice dressage events. We are
carrying out an experiment with him having taken part in one dressage event already and then having a
Reiki session the day prior to his next event to see if there is a difference in his performance.
I have found that, in most cases, horses are wonderful patients and readily accept the Reiki energy with
positive results. I have had two difficult cases where I have felt that I did not achieve results. One with a
traumatised horse who had been attacked twice by dogs and was constantly on his guard so would not
accept the relaxation. The other where I felt that the horse was near to the end of his life and, although
he did relax, I felt a little depressed that there was nothing really I could do other than make his end a
little calmer. However, since writing the first draft of this I have received correspondence to say that both
horses are now improving.
Some other cases include:
Sweat itch, breathing and depression – 4 x 1 hour sessions have improved the breathing problems so
the pony is now back in work, the sweat itch was greatly improved and the pony was looking and feeling
much brighter.
Severe lacerations to rear legs and depression. The Vet had advised the owner that the horse would be
out of work for approximately 12 months. After 5 x 1 hour sessions the wounds had almost healed with
very little scarring and the horse was sound when walking and just slightly lame in trot. At this point the
horse was put out to grass over the winter months with the intention of bringing her back into work just 5
months after the accident.
Losses of confidence and general behavioural problems in that the horse would barge people out of the
way and be difficult to handle. At the beginning of the first session the horse tried to leave the stable.
After the 1st 1 hour session the horse was visibly relaxed and drank a bucket of water. At the beginning
of the 2nd session I treated another horse and the first one tried to get out of the field to come into the
stable! After two sessions he was much more confident and happy in himself. At this point the owner felt
that the Reiki had been successful and, as yet, I have not had to go back to see either horses again.
Author: Stephen Green March 2003 Source
As with all cross sections of the public, some people are more responsive to complimentary therapies
than others. The same can be said for horse owners. Whereas many horse owners who have owned
horses for years are very indoctrinated to the ‘old school’ methods, there are a proportion who accept
and use complimentary therapies for themselves and their horses. I have been surprised by many
people I have met, whose horses I have treated, and are very knowledgeable about the various
therapies as well as vitamin and mineral supplements.
The most popular therapies for horses seem to be physiotherapy, shiatsu and chiropractic. Reiki healing
seems to be coming more popular as well ‘horse whisperers’. There is also a growth of method training
such as Monty Roberts (of the film ‘Horse whisperer’ fame), Clicker training, Pirelli and other natural
methods looking at the way the horse reacts to its natural surroundings, its herd instinct and reactions to
other horses. Why do people consider alternative therapies? Well, each has there own reason but
reliance on drug therapy and the continual treatment of symptoms, as opposed to causes have been
put forward as some reasons. I also feel that there is a general increased interest in the spiritual side of
life and the importance of energy balancing that these are the main reasons for people to consider the
use of channelling Reiki.
My name is Stephen Green and I have been channelling Reiki to horses for the past 9 months in
Hampshire and West Sussex. I am a Reiki 2 practitioner and was introduced to Reiki just over 16 months
ago. My involvement with horses goes back much longer, having my first ride at the age of 8 on holiday
in Ireland. During the summer last year on long walks through the countryside with the dog I was guided
to try and put the two elements of horses and Reiki together and so my new experiences started. Firstly I
read a couple of books on the subject of healing for horses and then I asked some good friends, who
were aware of my Reiki background, and have three horses, if I could come to the stables and try it out
on their charges. I was quite self-conscious but, as the horses were quite docile and very happy horses,
they helped me by being very accepting. In all three cases the horses became very relaxed and showed
signs of taking in the energy which made my confidence grow and I then started advertising my services
and have had some very good results.
The process for channelling Reiki to horses is not dissimilar to that with humans. To start with it is
important that the horse is relaxed and comfortable as possible. Avoid feeding times, times as which
other horses are being put out to grass or are being brought in from grazing. Too much activity in the
yard will not allow the horse to relax as they are generally pretty nosy and want to know what’s going on
outside. If you are not too familiar with horses you can be guided by the owner as to the best times and
location to treat the horses. The basic hand positions are based around the chakra points and the
meridian lines. As with humans, you should always ask the horses permission to channel the energy to
them, most will accept but in severe cases of traumatised or stressed horses they may not want to
accept and you can end up facing a brick wall. In most cases the horses I have treated were either loose
in their stable or on a head collar and lead rope held by the owner. The sessions on average would last
around 45 minutes but you will be guided by the horses as and when they feel they have had enough by
them becoming restless and perhaps agitated.
The main hand positions are based around the Chakras. Starting at the top - the Crown chakra is on the
poll (between the ears). The brow (or third eye) chakra just above the eyes on the front of the face. The
throat chakra is just behind the jaw at the top of the neck. The heart chakra (there are several views on
this) I tend to use the point just behind the withers on the spine and between the top of the front legs on
the chest. (the bump at the bottom of the neck which would be just infront of the saddle. The solar
plexus chakra is at the point where the rear of the saddle would go. The sacral chakra is at the top of
the hips. The root chakra at the base of the tail at the top where it joins the rump. With practice you will
sense the change in temperature/energy at these points. As with humans, these should be used as a
basic guide and you should place your hands wherever you are drawn to.
I would normally start a Reiki treatment by trying to communicate with the horse and to ask for
acceptance. In many cases I will receive some communication back just as a voice, feeling or thought
which comes to me. I usually start by placing one hand on the side of the neck just in front of the
shoulder (which has been described as the brachial major chakra by Margrit Coats) and the other hand
on the chest at the top and in between the front legs. I will then go where I am drawn using the chakra
points as a guide line but will place my hands where I feel it is needed, such as on the chest wall, down
the legs, under the belly, along the neck etc.
After some practice you may find that you would experience the pain or discomfort that the horse is also
feeling. One noticeable example of this was in a stable with a New Forest pony suffering from Sweat itch,
breathing problems and depression. Both the owner and I suddenly got a headache at the same point at
the same time, which was emanating from the Pony. I am pleased to say that after four treatments the
pony is much happier, her breathing problems have improved and the sweat itch is better than it has
been for years.
The horses tend to react in a similar way when being treated, if they are accepting the Reiki. The eyes
become droopy and the head begins to relax and drop. The stomach reacts with gurgling sounds and
often the horse will break wind or produce droppings. In some cases the horse will almost fall asleep and
the bottom lip will drop and quiver. In some cases where the horse tends to fight the relaxation I have
found it best to let the horse decide to come back to you rather than end up following it around the
stable. In difficult cases where the horse is not comfortable or does not want to be touched you can start
by beaming energy from either outside the stable or from one side, as the horse relaxes you can
approach slowly so that you can get closer and put ‘ hands on’ if you wish to do so.
At the end of a session I tend to brush the aura from head to rear and down the legs and then thank the
horse for allowing the session to take place.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following is an example of notes made during an initial and follow up treatment with the name
changed:
Daniel is a 16 hand 19-year-old thoroughbred and has been with the present owner for 13 years. He
has always had problems that the owner felt stemmed from his previous history. His history has been
traced back and it involved being hacked around a potato field during one period of his life and having 5
owners in one two week period. The owner was also told that she would not want to hear what had
happened to him at one point in the past as it was horrific. The immediate previous owner had him for
only one month.
During his first year here had a nervous breakdown and knocked out the owner twice by panicking. He
was also stabled with his brother for 9 years but his brother died and Daniel was very upset about that.
He has also had a stroke, which resulted in his facial muscles on the left side drooping, but now these
seem OK.
He will now only go out within a certain range as he feels that if he goes further he thinks he’s going to
leave and he doesn’t want to. He is also very nervous and does not like strangers, particularly men. He
had a stifle problem, has physiotherapy once a month. Had a ‘Horse whisperer’ to him twice and the
owner was very impressed with the information which came from her as she was spot on with his past
history, including how he was sorry he had bucked her off and described the circumstances exactly.
First Visit
On my first visit, he came to the front of his stable and nuzzled me whilst the owner and I were talking,
she commented that this was most unusual as he normally runs to the back of his box. As I had been
told about a lot of his problems I suggested that I would try and relax the horse and then concentrate on
the head and neck area once he had accepted me. I started with the initial positions (chest and withers)
and moved along the left side of the horse and along the spine. When on the left side of the horse, I
developed strong pains on the left side of my neck where it meets the scull. I mentioned this and said I
think I was picking up this pain from the horse and the owner confirmed that he does have pain at that
point from an old hunting injury. Sometimes when he gets stressed the muscles become severely
knotted at this point. When I moved to the right side of the horse the pains went.
I moved my hands up the neck and channelled Reiki to the affected area. I also used all three symbols
including the emotional/distance to work on the past problems. I felt that I also had some communication
with him and said he has to be stronger and to build his confidence. Daniel became very relaxed with his
stomach gurgling, passing wind, yawned and sighed. Only a couple of times did he move away from me
when I was working on the head but, overall, it felt very good. When I was working on the top part of the
neck I physically felt a minor panic attack come on with my breathing rate increase and tension in the
chest. I stayed at that point and worked through it, as I felt his was a symptom from Daniel. I asked the
owner if he is panicky and she said undoubtedly he was.
I felt that there were a lot of emotions locked inside him and pain at top of neck which together with his
previous stroke have made him depressed although he is very much loved. He was hanging onto bad
memories that we needed to bring out for him to deal with. After the session was finished I suggested
that the owner should try and take him a little farther than his normal ride over the following few days
and to note any changes.
I received a phone call a few days later to let me know that Daniel had been much calmer than before
my visit and he had just performed exceptionally well in the riding school at a lesson. He had coped with
his usual work much better and had impressed his teacher.
Second Visit
The atmosphere was quite different this visit as there was lots of noise with kids in the yard, which was a
distraction. However Daniel came out to see me and was quite affectionate. The owner and I went into
the box and Daniel was loose. I asked him to accept the energy and allow me to put my hands on him.
Again I started with the chest and withers position. He was fine for a couple of minutes chewing on his
haynet, but then after this time he decided he didn’t want to carry on and moved away from me towards
the back of the box. I could see that half of him wanted it and half seemed to be asking questions. I was
about to walk towards him but I heard my guide say ‘no let him come to you’ so I held my hands out
sideways in ‘acceptance’ and said 'good boy'. He swayed a couple of times and then he looked at me
and walked back towards me. I reverted to the first position and then moved along to the chakra
positions along the spine.
He carried on eating from the haynet but I could see that his mouthfuls were getting less and less. A
couple of times he started to move away again but felt that this was due to the commotion in the yard
and being cautious about relaxing with things going on outside.
I picked up on tension in the area as if it was 'locked' from the base of scull up and over the poll and
down past the left eye to cheekbone. The neck area was still tense and heat was generated at the old
hunting injury spot. This made me think that although the neck was the main spot it was possible that
eye and cheekbone could have been damaged at the same time and there was damage still present. I
also felt that his off hind muscles were strained and, in discussion later, found that his stifle had been
out of kilter for 6 years until a homeopath found out that it was out and put it back in, whereupon the
horse became much better immediately.
Other things I picked up on were pains on shoulders and right leg. As there was some noise still going
on outside and Daniel was fighting the relaxation, the owner stood in front of stable door and this
produced a good effect, Daniel seemed to feel safer and relaxed really well, with his head drooping, lips
quivering and stomach gurgling. I moved up his neck behind the poll and crown and third eye chakras. I
called in all three symbols again. I felt the tension and pain across the scull lessen, except for a feeling
around left eye as if the muscle was solid like when you have a black eye and its getting better but the
muscles stay firm. This made me wondered about his sight but it looks Ok. However the Vet is coming
out later in the week for a jab so I suggested the owner should ask him to have a look.
We finished the session and rugged him up and he just stood there half-asleep as if didn’t want to come
back to reality. But once we moved out of the stall he came around and looked very calm.
End of notes:
Since then I have seen Daniel once more, just after he moved stables, and he is now very relaxed and a
completely different horse with his attitude and confidence having increased greatly. I get regular
updates on his progress from the owner who is now again competing in novice dressage events. We are
carrying out an experiment with him having taken part in one dressage event already and then having a
Reiki session the day prior to his next event to see if there is a difference in his performance.
I have found that, in most cases, horses are wonderful patients and readily accept the Reiki energy with
positive results. I have had two difficult cases where I have felt that I did not achieve results. One with a
traumatised horse who had been attacked twice by dogs and was constantly on his guard so would not
accept the relaxation. The other where I felt that the horse was near to the end of his life and, although
he did relax, I felt a little depressed that there was nothing really I could do other than make his end a
little calmer. However, since writing the first draft of this I have received correspondence to say that both
horses are now improving.
Some other cases include:
Sweat itch, breathing and depression – 4 x 1 hour sessions have improved the breathing problems so
the pony is now back in work, the sweat itch was greatly improved and the pony was looking and feeling
much brighter.
Severe lacerations to rear legs and depression. The Vet had advised the owner that the horse would be
out of work for approximately 12 months. After 5 x 1 hour sessions the wounds had almost healed with
very little scarring and the horse was sound when walking and just slightly lame in trot. At this point the
horse was put out to grass over the winter months with the intention of bringing her back into work just 5
months after the accident.
Losses of confidence and general behavioural problems in that the horse would barge people out of the
way and be difficult to handle. At the beginning of the first session the horse tried to leave the stable.
After the 1st 1 hour session the horse was visibly relaxed and drank a bucket of water. At the beginning
of the 2nd session I treated another horse and the first one tried to get out of the field to come into the
stable! After two sessions he was much more confident and happy in himself. At this point the owner felt
that the Reiki had been successful and, as yet, I have not had to go back to see either horses again.
Seeds for Change Wellness
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Using Reiki to Treat Horses
Seeds for Change Wellness.....Silverdale, PA....267-377-0088...Contact Us
Local Office Serving Bucks & Montgomery Counties
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Local Office Serving Bucks & Montgomery Counties
Visit our Blogs:
Seeds for Change & Just a List...