Introduction to Equine Craniosacral Therapy has drastically changed my approach to my manual therapy work with horses. If you’re wondering what exactly craniosacral therapy is, you aren’t alone - a few short years ago, I had the same question.
This FAQ will help you to understand what this modality is, how it helps horses, and how to know if your horse would benefit from craniosacral therapy.
What is craniosacral therapy, and what are the benefits?
Craniosacral therapy was born of osteopathy, therefore the two share many similarities and principles. Osteopaths and craniosacral therapists share the ability to affect all systems of the body through the understanding of and working with the inherent rhythms within the body, specifically the craniosacral system. Both osteopaths and craniosacral therapists seek to address the root cause of dysfunction rather than chase symptoms, and share the approach of acting as a fulcrum for the body to heal itself. An example of this would be asking the question of why a muscle is tight or fascia is restricted, and addressing the underlying cause, beyond simply treating the muscle or fascia itself.
The focus of the craniosacral therapist is primarily on the craniosacral system - the bones of the cranium and the pelvis, the spinal column, the attaching membranes, the cerebrospinal fluid, and the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems (the brain, the spinal cord, and the peripheral nerves). Craniosacral therapy addresses chronic neck pain, back pain and other musculoskeletal dysfunctions, chronic issues from head and neck traumas (in horses this is usually pull-backs, overuse of training aids, and being ridden in poor posture), nerve compressions, stress, anxiety, and digestive upset through the vagus nerve pathway, and helps the body to maintain homeostasis by restoring adequate flow of vital fluids such as blood, lymph, and cerebrospinal fluid.
How do I know if my horse would benefit from craniosacral therapy?
I have been laying my hands on horses as a certified equine therapist since 2015, and I have yet to meet a horse that would not benefit from craniosacral work. This is why my manual therapy approach has changed for the better since I was introduced to this modality. I find it to be especially helpful for horses with chronic issues who appear “stuck” in their deep patterns of compensation. Craniosacral therapy beautifully complements other therapeutic modalities such as massage, chiropractic, physiotherapy, and more - by accessing and unwinding these patterns deep within the nervous system, it opens the door for other modalities to become even more effective and enjoyable for the horse.
If your horse has ever suffered a head or neck trauma, craniosacral therapy will be massively beneficial for relieving pain and restoring function. Any horse person has witnessed how often horses hit their heads, and unfortunately it is very common for horses to suffer from pull-back injuries while tied at some point in their life - often more than once. This damages the surprisingly delicate structures of the area, especially in the upper neck attachments. If your horse suffers an acute trauma or injury, it’s important to always have a veterinary examination first. Your next step should be to contact a qualified craniosacral therapist for complementary care.
Horses with chronic pain and tension stemming from overuse of training aids or riding in an incorrect posture (particularly hyperflexed horses with excessive neck and jaw tension) benefit greatly from craniosacral therapy, restoring comfort and function in movement and resulting in a much happier horse under saddle. Horses suffering from nerve compressions and lacking full range of motion will be unable to learn how to use their bodies in pain-free, functional ways. Craniosacral therapists are not limited to working with the cranium - the chain of connections continue along the entire axial skeleton and into the pelvis. Working with the sacrum and other structures of the pelvis has a profound effect on the rest of the system, especially for horses who are unwilling to have their head touched.
I meet a lot of horses in my work who are reactive to palpation of their head, ears, and poll. This may be common, but it is not normal, and is a sure sign of pain and tension. Craniosacral therapy by nature is a very light, gentle method of working with horses’ bodies. Many horses become quite trusting of this compassionate touch and allow craniosacral therapists to work with even the most tender areas of the head. However, many horses - especially those who have been experiencing chronic pain - are not immediately consenting to work directly on the cranium. Thankfully craniosacral therapists have the ability to work instead on other areas of the body where the horse is consenting to touch, utilizing the aforementioned connections throughout the craniosacral system. For example, working with the spine and pelvis can relieve tension and pain in the poll, allowing the horse to then consent to touch in areas that were previously too tender.
How do you use craniosacral therapy in your sessions, and is there an added fee?
Craniosacral therapy has blended seamlessly into my manual therapy work, allowing me to work with horses through that lens while still applying methods and techniques that I have learned previously. Craniosacral is an integral part of all of my equine therapy sessions, therefore it is included in the session fee and not a separate cost.
A really interesting aspect of craniosacral therapy is the assessment and reassessment of facial asymmetries pre- and post-session. Here is a small gallery of some of my favourite visual changes that I’ve recorded throughout my studies. Keep in mind all of the crucial and intricate fascial and membranous connections between the cranial bones and the rest of the body, and how these asymmetries can exert unwanted forces on other structures.
What do I need to do to prepare my horse for craniosacral therapy?
As with any bodywork session, you want to set your horse up for success by eliminating unnecessary stress. Your horse should not be hungry and expecting a meal, so if your horse is not fed free-choice, please make sure that they have received adequate time to eat before their session. Exercise earlier in the day is fine, but the horse needs to be fully cooled out and allowed time to eat and rest before the equine therapist arrives. A quiet area needs to be provided, and sheltered from the elements (sun, wind and rain). A stall or paddock is preferred, or held by a handler in the barn aisle or cross-tie area. Tying up the horse or using cross-ties does not allow necessary movement of the horse’s body and head throughout the session.
Please handle your horse with understanding and compassion. Intentional therapeutic touch is very different from touch to scratch or groom a horse, and if your horse has areas that feel tender, it is their right to say no to that touch. As the handler, your goal should be to keep the therapist safe, but not at the expense of the horse’s consent to the work. Therefore, if your horse seems uncomfortable or stressed, pointing this out to the therapist is part of your duty as the handler. The therapist will be watching closely for this as well. Never punish the horse for expressing a need during a bodywork session! If they need to move, we allow them to do so, even if they aren’t moving in a way that we would prefer. This is an imperative piece of effective bodywork.
What are the considerations and contraindications for craniosacral therapy?
Acute injuries and illnesses always need to be addressed by your veterinarian.
Craniosacral therapy is very gentle and subtle, but can pack a big punch to the nervous system, so please allow your horse at least 24 hours off from riding to process the work. It is not unusual to witness your horse doing new behaviours after a session while their system regulates. However, if you are concerned about anything that they are doing, reach out to your therapist.
This is also the reason why we strive as craniosacral therapists not to do too much, too fast. Every horse is an individual so what is “too much” for some horses may not be for others. This can take some experimentation, and being conservative is always the better choice. We need to peel back the layers of the onion one by one, so to speak - not chop the onion in half!
How did you learn this modality?
This is an important question to ask anyone who is working with your horse - what are your qualifications?
I’ve been working as a certified equine therapist since 2015, and in 2020 I became aware of two equine therapists in my local area offering craniosacral workshops for certified bodyworkers. I participated in the first workshop and it was a huge success, with most of the participants eager to do another to build on our skills. These therapists later developed a 2nd level workshop which I attended in 2022, and now in 2023 are offering all three levels as a full certification program. I’m currently enrolled in this certification program and passed my written and practical examinations in August 2023. I am now in the midst of completing my case studies.
2024 Update - I am now a fully certified Equine Craniosacral Therapist!
If you’re an equine therapist looking to delve into the world of craniosacral for horses, I highly recommend checking out the program over at EQ Therapeutics.
I hope this brings a greater understanding of craniosacral therapy and its benefits to you as a horse owner. Please reach out if you have any questions, or wish to book your horse for a session!