THE HORSE GAZETTE
coming full circle
By Ingrid Edisen
About five years ago, the same points as acupuncture, but this “Patti-plus-owner” routine.
Patti Brown Standen knew she a practitioner uses one’s fingers or The amount and fre-
wanted to make a career change implements such as stones to apply quency of sessions necessary de-
and help horses. She did what pressure on the tissue. She also pends on the individual, Patti
seemed logical: she researched initially learned about myofascial explained. If the condition is
it--just as she had to research the release massage from Ruth Mitchel profound or a long-standing one,
market in her job as a stockbroker. Galladay who had studied under she recommends two sessions rela-
She could tell that her horse (an 18- John Barnes. John Barnes who is tively close together (say, four days
year-old OTT Thoroughbred) was known for human myofascial work, apart). Then a third session might
approaching the “golden years” started on horses. Patti also credits come soon thereafter, perhaps ten
and would need days later. If an owner
assistance and has a horse in work,
support if he was then once a month
going to enjoy a works thereafter.
more comfortable An animal
life. After seeking can be ridden soon
out training from a after a session but it
variety of sources, really is best to let a
she finally retired 24-hour period go by
after 23 years from so the animal’s body
her stockbroker job can process all the new
and hung out her information derived
shingle for “Feel- from her bodywork.
ingFineEquine.” And each horse reacts
Her specialty is in its own way to her
equine bodywork work. Some of them
where she meshes stay very stoic about
several modalities in her Central James Masterson (originator of things, even going to great pains to
Visit our website for
Texas practice. The Masterson Method) as another hide their faces when they have an
The route to all this was mentor who showed her that utiliz- endorphin release or begin to relax
a list of Quality Roan
a circuitous one as no one in her ing multiple modalities could be and yawn or lick and chew (all good
immediate family had an interest seamless and most beneficial to the signs to any body worker). She
Foundation bred
in horses. Yet, she’d been bitten client-horse. Masterson is also the recalled one client, who she could
horses for sale.
by the horse bug. It turned out body worker of choice for the U. S. tell was in a lot of pain. In fact,
one of her grandmothers had been World Cup Endurance Team. she described the horse as being
an excellent horseperson but that Other disciplines that “angry.” He had been through a lot
relative died when Patti was very she weaves into her work include of trainers and owners and actually
young. By happenstance, another an old form of Eastern massage fought the bodywork. His current
grandparent, passed away when called “tui-na” which concerns and concerned owner had to act as
she was twelve and she inherited itself with meridians. She also “body guard” and referee while
an unbroke two-year-old horse that undertook learning about equine Patti calmly (and non-aggressively)
proceeded to throw her off multiple nutrition from Dr. Eleanor Kellon worked on him. After an hour and
times but she kept getting back on. who proposes an equine diet closely forty-five minutes into the session,
She and the horse grew up together matches what horses were evolved the horse finally relaxed and Patti
but then he passed away from a col- to digest. was amazed to see him drop his
ic episode while she was in college. Since it is easiest for head to the floor and totally “let
Eventually she earned her degree in Patti to work on a horse at the go” and even allow his body to
pharmacology and worked in that horse’s home barn, she travels to sway a little bit as he breathed.
field before moving into the world her clients. If an owner is willing Patti noted that often
of high finance. Now, coming full to do some homework and “in it is by the second or third session
circle she has also reactivated her between” session work on their that she sees the most profound
pharmacology license and works as animal; the work has a greater reactions from her clients. Here is
a relief pharmacist. success rate. “The more owner where she might observe the horse
Working as she does participation, the better,” Patti says. suddenly arch up much like a cat,
in pharmacology (Western medi- “The horse will progress more. As rising almost as if on tippy toes and
cine) and complimenting it by it is with any physical therapy, if the doing a whole body stretch of the
studying Chinese medicine and owner can continue on with that topline. Or the animal might lift
various holistic modalities (East- path and support it, the outcome a hind leg and extend it out fully
ern medicine) gives her a unique will be better.” If the owner wants in a stretch. Prior to that, in the
stance and understanding of the to learn and is willing to take on initial session, she watches for
healing arts. She is quick to ex- some simple but effective tasks, she more subtle signs such as increased
plain that her work does not substi- shows them one or two additional blinking or a widening of the eye or
tute for a veterinarian’s care. Her things they may want to do with a change in the breathing pattern as
goal is to help horses move more their animal to help their animal. indicators she is onto a particular
freely and be more comfortable. Most of the time she shows the area of tension.
S h e f i r s t s t u d i e d owner some stretches. To contact Patti for rates
acupressure at the Tallgrass In- A mare with locked up and more information, visit her
stitute in Colorado. There she stifles that could barely walk out of website at www.feelingfineequine.
learned acupressure, which uses her stall certainly benefited from com.
What an AWESOME Palomino Quarter Horse!
• Structural Balance and Conformation
• Perfect Palomino Coloring
• Good-natured Disposition
• Bloodlines to Produce Champions
• Nominated for AQHA Incentive Fund
Paint, Palomino, & Quarter Horses
Charles and Mary Ann Schumann • Stonewall, Texas
(830) 644-2426 or (830) 644-2190
E-mail: schu438@ctesc.net
Website: www.CircleSRanchStables.com
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