What is it? The Raindrop Therapy and Treatment is a non-invasive modality that is an excellent adjunct to other treatments used to help correct defects in the spine, minimize back pain, and strengthen your horse’s immune system. This is a Therapy I also provide to Humans as a Licensed Massage Therapist. I highly recommend that you receive a Raindrop Massage so that you can experience what your horse does! Not only will your horse benefit from this therapy, but so will you as the owner, as well as the other horses in the herd with the aromatherapy benefits. The goal of this therapy is to bring the whole body into balance with a main focus on the spine. The spine of the horse compensates and often the horse has habitual stances because of it. Many horses who could not stand square prior to this therapy can comfortably afterward and even during. What will happen? A first time session with me I suggesting planning or blocking off two hours. While we may not use all of this time, it gives freedom for us to go over the intake form, meet your horse, perform the session which in whole will last an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes with me working on their body. Some horses may tell us that they are done sooner, some need a little more time, and I listen to the horse. I go over stretches and homework suggestions and programs for each owner to do with their horse in between bodywork with me. Consecutive sessions will take about an hour and a half in total at the most. During the Raindrop Therapy, I will apply nine therapeutic essential oils at specific points of the body. They are near the poll, heel bulbs, hind legs, spine and sacrum. These areas stimulate the spleen, liver and kidney meridians to help encourage the removal of toxins and inflammatory residues. Before these oils are dropped on the spine, a mixing oil or diluting oil is applied generously over the spine to help diminish the heat of the hot oils of Thyme and Oregano, and to help the oils travel down the hair shaft and into the skin. Mixing oils can be jojoba, grape seed, olive, almond, wheat germ, or coconut oil, or a combination thereof. I like to use almond oil. Along with the oil application I will do an acupressure technique known as Vita Flex Therapy. This is done by a specific hand movement and applied to the insides of the legs from the knees or hocks down to the coronet bands. Once the Vita Flex techniques have been done, a hot moist towel is rolled onto the horse’s back. A dry towel is placed over that to hold the heat in and absorb excess moisture for about 10 minutes. During this time, I will often do soft tissue work with Myofascial or CranioSacral techniques as I see fit, or simply breathe with the horse and encourage further relaxation. Benefits Many of the essential oils used are immune boosting as they are antiviral and antibacterial in regards to their herbal and plant benefits. They are also anti inflammatory and antispasmodic. They are relaxing to the mind, body and emotions. They soothe sore muscles …and they smell AMAZING! Toxicity signs… Can include areas of raised hair where some of the oils have been dropped, that look like hives. It is thought that viruses, fungi and bacteria can cause spine misalignments and even scoliosis as toxins are stored along the spine. (read Dr. Heather Mack’s article and personal testimony at the bottom of this page) These raised areas if they come up, may persist for 2-3 days so it is important that we do not do a raindrop right before the horse needs to be ridden in a show or event. Thyme and Oregano oils have a high phenol content, which can cause skin irritation or reactions. I see this mostly in horses with underlying toxicity in their systems After the session… The horse can go to a small indoor pen or large stall for room to roll and self adjust the body. It is important that the horse’s back be kept out of direct sunlight for at least eight hours after the treatment, as some of the oils can cause hypersensitivity with sunlight as they are photosensitive. The horse needs to remain out of direct sunlight for at LEAST 8 hours following treatment. I personally suggest up to 24 hours. Depending on the time of treatment, keeping in overnight is sufficient. If the horse is not able to be out of sunlight, I recommend a UV fly sheet or turnout blanket be kept on the horse for this time frame. My favorite UV fly sheet I use with my own horses is easily found on amazon HERE Within a week of a Raindrop Session is a great time to have your horse adjusted by the chiropractor, if this is a regular part of your regimen. However, many horses are loose and relaxed enough following bodywork that they do well with their self adjustements of stretching and rolling without the help of manual manipulations. How often or when should my horse get a Raindrop Session? At least quarterly! (but no longer than every 3 months) Boosting the immune system with season changes is always helpful, more often is wonderful. My own horses receive a monthly Raindrop as do client horses. If the body needs extra support through a specific issue they can receive them more often.  Be certain to consult with your veterinarian or your horse health advocate before you decide to do a Raindrop treatment on a very sick horse. Whole body balance The jaw and teeth as well as the hooves of the horse need to be balanced in order to see long term body benefits and change in posture from the Raindrop Therapy. The gut health of the horse plays a very large role in this also. I can help you in all these areas or direct you to what/who can. Oils & Benefits Valor Nicknamed “Chiropractor in a Bottle” Helps balances the physical & electrical fields within the body Helps Self-alignment and balance Helps builds courage, confidence and self esteem Thyme As a dietary supplement, it is one of the strongest antioxidants known. Anti-viral Helps supports immune, respiratory, digestive and nervous systems Helps overcome fatigue and physical weakness after illness Oregano Helps bring electrical alignment with in the body. Anti-viral Helps supports immune and respiratory systems Helps supports metabolic balance Cypress Restores feelings of security and stability Helps circulation Helps to supports the nerves and intestines Helps strengthens blood capillaries Anti-infectious, Anti-microbial & anti-bacterial Basil Inhaling basil can refresh the mind and restores mental alertness. Helps with gastro-intestinal Helps stimulates the gut Helps relax the muscles Anti-spasmodic Anti-inflammatory Decongestant Pepper mint One of the oldest and most highly regarded herbs for soothing digestion. Amplifies other oils Helps to elevate and opens sensory system Helps regenerate nerves Helps reduce fevers Helps reduce pain Marjoram A calming oil, it has a warming effect on both mind and body Soothes and tones muscles Supports respiratory system May increase longevity Helps relax and calms sore muscles Winter Green Beneficial in massage for soothing head tension and relaxing muscles after exercise Helps relax sore muscles Antispasmodic Anti- inflammatory Anti-rheumatic Anti-septic Analgesic Vasodilator Aroma Siez Comfort for fatigued muscles Helps relax sore muscles and tones Helps the body to re-align Relieves head tension Article by Dr. Heather Mack