COURSE CONTENT Theory:

• Biomechanics: evidence-based concepts of mechanoreception, nociception and joint mobilization/range of motion (ROM) in function/dysfunction of the equine spinal column
• Neuromotor control: evidence-based concepts of motor control in dynamic functional stability
• Evidence-based concepts of muscle activation and proprioceptive facilitation: rehabilitation versus conditioning/training

Practicals:

• Joint mobilization and ROM techniques for the spinal column (cervical and cervicothoracic region, thoracic and thoracolumbar region, lumbopelvic region, sacral/coccygeal region)
• Static/dynamic motion assessment with an emphasis on the development of muscular symmetry and/or asymmetry.
• Clinical reasoning based on findings from static and dynamic evaluations
• Muscular facilitation techniques/methods for proprioceptive activation
• Core strength activation/facilitation techniques

PREREQUISITES: Participants must belong to one of the professions listed below. Individuals not included in this list must first be approved by the Course Sponsors after a review of their credentials and academic qualifications. Participants must hold a recognized qualification in the field of equine health care. They must understand functional anatomy with regard to the musculoskeletal system and be able to palpate and identify surface anatomy. Participants must have confident horse handling skills, understand equine behavior and be comfortable working around different equine personalities and dispositions. Participants must have worked professionally and full-time with horses for at least 1 year (2 years for techs and assistants with proof of previous equine soft tissue techniques). ELIGIBILITY FOR COURSE ATTENDANCE: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine: Proof of degree must be provided upon registration. In addition, all other prerequisites must be met. Licensed Physical Therapist: Proof of degree must be provided upon registration. Two (2) letters of recommendation from equine veterinarians are required to support registration for this course. In addition, all other prerequisites must be met. Doctor of Chiropractic: Proof of degree must be provided upon registration. Two (2) letters of recommendation from equine veterinarians are required to support registration for this course. In addition, all other prerequisites must be met. Doctor of Osteopathy: Proof of degree must be provided upon registration. Two (2) letters of recommendation from equine veterinarians are required to support registration for this course. In addition, all other prerequisites must be met. Equinology Equine Body Worker graduates: To register for the EQ108LP Advanced Equine Body Work Techniques Level Two Course, students must have attended the Equinology EQ103 Advanced Equine Body Work Techniques Level One course and must have successfully completed the course externship. In addition, all other prerequisites must be met. Equine sports massage program graduates: Proof of certification from a 300+hour recognized equine sports massage course (no online certification courses). The program must be based on classroom participation, and case studies and formal testing after the onsite course. In addition, students must have attended the Equinology EQ103 Advanced Equine Body Work Techniques Level One course or a comparable course in hours and content and must have successfully completed the course externship. Participants must have at least two years of experience after the completion of the certification program. Two (2) letters of recommendation from equine veterinarians are required to support registration for this course. In addition, all other prerequisites must be met. Participants must verify state or national veterinary regulations to confirm whether the techniques taught in this course can be carried out by non-veterinarians. Veterinary Technicians and Physical Therapy Assistants: To register for the EQ108 Advanced Equine Body Work Techniques Level Two Course, students must have attended the Equinology EQ103 Advanced Equine Body Work Techniques Level One course and must have successfully completed the course externship. Two (2) letters of recommendation from equine veterinarians are required to support registration for this course. In addition, all other prerequisites must be met. Participants must have at least two years of experience and practice after completing their certification, in a professional setting with an equine veterinarian. One letter of recommendation is required from the employing veterinarian or employing licensed physical therapist. This letter must include a statement describing the participant’s duties as an equine veterinary technician or PT assistant. The second letter of recommendation from an equine veterinarian is required to support registration for this course. In addition, all other prerequisites must be met. Participants must verify state or national veterinary regulations to confirm whether the techniques taught in this course can be carried out by non-veterinarians. Veterinary Medicine students in their final year of study: To register for the EQ108 Advanced Equine Body Work Techniques Level Two Course, students must have attended the Equinology EQ103 Advanced Equine Body Work Techniques Level One course and must have successfully completed the course externship. Two (2) letters of recommendation from veterinarians, professors or university faculty are required to support registration for this course. In addition, all other prerequisites must be met. Please note: If you are taking the course for personalize interest, you can sign up for the tuition fee without the externship. We cannot add it in later.

Text and Materials Required: Review the Anatomy and Physiology in text used in previous courses: Anatomy of Equine Bodywork: The Equinology Approach: by Debranne Pattillo. If you do not have this text, please contact us and we will send you a print out of this chapter: Free Advanced EQ108LP Workbook: Free Course Handouts: Free Externship Grading and Certificate: Free to those who sign up for the externship

Nicole attained the ITEC human massage qualification in 1997, the Equinology Equine Body Worker ® certification in 1998 and the Equinology Master Equine Body Worker ® certification in 1999 and has since taken most of the courses in the Equinology Extension certification series. She also completed the post-graduate and Master of Science degree programmes in Animal Manipulation from the McTimoney College of Chiropractic and University of Wales in the United Kingdom. She earned her PhD in 2013 from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University. Her main interest lies in the effect of complementary therapies on equine performance, and the subject for her doctoral research was investigation into equine neck pain from the perspectives of pathology, neuromotor control and equine behaviour associated with spinal dysfunction. Nicole is the president of Equinenergy Ltd. (www.equinenergy.com) and Caninenergy Ltd. (www.caninenergy.com) in the United Kingdom. From 2003 to 2009 she was based in São Paulo, Brazil where she worked in direct liaison with various veterinary clinics, focusing on sports therapy for performance horses from novice to Olympic level. She travelled to national competition centres and private clients throughout Brazil and in other South American countries. In addition, she carried out infrared thermographic imaging (thermography) in conjunction with equine veterinarians to aid their diagnostic procedures. She also uses thermography to assess hoof balance, saddle fit and changes in thermal patterns following sports therapy sessions. Nicole regularly lectures at various universities and for professional associations. She travels within the USA and to Europe and Brazil on a regular basis, to teach some of the modules of the Equinology course curriculum and to work on her established clientele of horses and dogs. She is currently based in Petaluma, California. In addition to clinical consultations, she is the Course Development Liaison Manager for Equinology, Inc., in charge of national and international expansion of the Equinology course curriculum. In her spare time she produces her own horses for dressage and showjumping competitions, and she holds Brazilian state and national amateur championship titles.

Coming soon!