Neill Saunders ... a rather interesting individual. His work is unique. I admit that at first I was a little apprehensive.
Some people call him the 'body whisperer'. I can see why.
Neill's first visit in March was interesting and I did notice a change in 'Mr F's movements, especially his back, which was one of my concerns with 'Mr F'. Although Neill spent over an hour working on 'Mr F', the last bit of doubt in my mind had yet to be removed. I couldn't deny that there were positive changes in 'Mr F' and so I decided to let him come again to do some further work.
This time I asked him to specifically check out the girthing area. 'Mr F' has always been extremely tender when being girthed up. This has improved with the bareback pad but is still a bother to him. Also grooming in that area would irritate him quite a bit.
Neill spent a long time investigating and 'feeling' the area where I said the problem was. 'Mr F' reacted very strongly to what Neill was doing and I had to go in between or else Neill would have been bitten once or twice. Then, after some considerable time, Neill stopped and told me that 'Mr F's lungs appear to have been compromised, some long time ago. He said that this may have been either through a fall or through over girthing - 'Mr F' bein an ex-racehorse, this could be very likely.
There are several parts of the lung and Neill felt that it wasn't moving freely and the area around it was very tense. Neill continued working on this area in his own almost invisible manner. Suddenly, 'Mr F' did a big sigh and looked very releaved. Neill and I both decided to leave that area for now so 'Mr F' can get used to the changes and that we would get back to it the next time.
Appart from further work on his back, Neill also worked on 'Mr F's hind legs. The thighs to be more specific - flank/stiffle area. He discovered that there was a small muscle that was very tense which was causing 'Mr F' to stand a little crooked which I had noticed too many times. 'Mr F' was very reactive here too and attempted to kick Neill a couple of times. But I had a few gentle words and Neill persevered. And again, suddenly there was relief on 'Mr F's face, shuffeled around a little and now stood completely square and relaxed.
This was enough changes to the body for one session. 'Mr F' needed some time now to get used to the changes and so we planned on further treatement in about 2-3 months time.
I did take 'Mr F' for a short ride (30mins at most) the day after but he very uncomfortable and continued 'blowing'. He did this for nearly 3 days. I began to be a little concerned as I didn't know what it could be. It couldn't have been the hay as he gets his hay soaked well to remove any dust. I decided not to ride 'Mr F' for a bit and instead walk and trott him up in the fields on the lead rope.
He was also quite sore in his hinds for a few days. I was assuming that this was because he had to get used to the changes in his body.
Then, 4 days after Neill had been, I noticed 'Mr F' suddenly being able to move with his hinds much quicker than normal. He was able to turn around ever so quickly to get into position for his food bowl which I deliberately placed so he had to turn. No longer were his moves of a rather robotic quality!
And when I took him on a ride I noticed that he had stopped blowing his nose and that his breathing had become free and effortless (where as before there was a little wheezing every now and then). And this I could clearly feel underneath me when I rode him up in the field!
He also was less sensitive when girthing up. Of course: the lungs are exactly where the girth goes!! It all suddenly fell into place and made sense. I had no idea until I met Neill.
After this 2nd visit any doubts I may have had were removed as I can clearly see the effect it had on 'Mr F'. And it wasn't just wishful thinking. 'Mr F' was sure much happier with his lot.
'Mr F' knows the way to the 'kitchen' ...
Earlier this morning:
'Mr F' is allowed to roam around freely when no-one else is in the yard. He loves it and it makes him part of what is going on. We know each other well enough and he won't go far anyway. While I went indoors to get a cup of tea he made his way up the yard.
Me: 'Hey, you are not going to sneak up there again to steal the food, are you!?'
'Mr F' looking turning his head and looking at me as if tho say: 'Who, me? Never! I wasn't going to go up these steps and steal the food that you prepared up there around the corner ... I'd never do that ...'
(Yes you DO ... and last time it took me some time to get you back down those steps because the other way out was blocked at the time.)
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