Holistic Animal Courses
  • Home
  • Courses
    • Massage >
      • Equine Massage Certification
      • Canine Massage Certification
      • Feline Bodywork Certification
      • Canine Massage for Dog Owners
      • Equine Massage for Owners
      • En español
    • Craniosacral >
      • Equine Craniosacral
      • Canine Craniosacral
    • Kinesiology Tape >
      • Equine Kinesiology Taping
      • Canine Kinesiology Taping
    • Body Alignment >
      • Animal Neuro-myofascial Release Technique
    • Animal Reiki
    • Cold Laser/Light Therapy for Animals
    • Animal Nutrition >
      • Holistic Equine Nutrition
      • Holistic Carnivore Nutrition
    • Animal Communication
    • Equine First Aid
    • Business 101
    • Course Bundles >
      • Equine Certifications
      • Canine Certifications
      • Small Animal Certifications
      • Comprehensive Bundles
    • Workshops
  • Practitioners
    • Small Animals >
      • Massage Therapists
      • Craniosacral
      • Body Alignment
      • Kinesiology Taping
      • Nutritionists
    • Equines >
      • Massage Therapists
      • Craniosacral
      • Kinesiology Tape
      • Body Alignment
      • Nutritionists
    • Cold Laser Practitioners
    • Reiki Practitioners
    • Animal Communicators
    • Practitioner of the Month
  • Contact
  • About
    • About our Program
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Privacy Policy
  • Seminar Store
  • Blog
  • Testimonials
  • Links
    • Products/Supplements
Picture

Utilizing Whole Body Vibration Therapy in Your Equine Bodywork Practice

4/26/2017

0 Comments

 
Whole body vibration therapy (WBVT) has been utilized and researched in humans since the late 1800’s. Astronauts have been using vibrating platforms since the 60’s to decrease muscle atrophy and bone density loss in space. This therapy has recently become popular in physical therapy settings to help patients increase bone density without the use of drugs and improve neuro-muscular response in patients with injuries.

I first became familiar with WBVT as a human chiropractic student.  I witnessed first hand the benefits of WBVT and continued to utilize it and recommend it to patients after I graduated and went into a private practice.

Before attending chiropractic school, I earned a couple veterinary degrees (BS Veterinary Science and MS Veterinary Pathobiology), so like other therapies I learned in chiropractic school, I began wondering if WBVT could also be applied to animals. I later found out about EquiVibe and was pleasantly surprised to find out that horses could in fact benefit from this therapy just as much as humans.
Picture
As an equine chiropractor, EquiVibe allows me to provide my client’s horses with an additional modality, allowing me to increase the overall benefit of a bodywork session.  These platforms are portable, which allows the practitioner to easily bring them from barn to barn.
​

As an equine bodywork instructor, I highly recommend that my students incorporate WBVT into their practices. This additional modality can speed up healing and recovery and is especially useful for horses on stall rest.  Since every horse responds differently to various types of treatments, I highly recommend that my students have several modalities available so that they are able to find the best therapies for each particular horse.  WBVT is always one of those modalities in the highly successful equine bodywork practices and I highly recommend incorporating it into yours!

What to purchase one? Use the coupon code angelsanimals for 5% off your EquiVibe!

VISIT EQUIVIBE
Equivibe offers 0% financing with no credit checks or hassle. Contact info@equivibe.com and don't forget to mention your angelsanimals coupon code to get 5% off!
0 Comments

Can you Tell if your Horse is in Pain?

4/26/2017

2 Comments

 
All horses will experience some degree of pain in their lifetime.  While some horses tend to be stoic and work through the pain without giving many indications, other horses are more expressive when any kind of discomfort is present.  Are you able to tell if your horse is in pain?...and if so, what do you do about it?

Pain in a horse can be caused by many different issues.  The most common causes are ill fitting saddles, soreness from use/exercise, unbalanced rider, injury or hoof ailment.
Picture
Common signs that pain is present include:
  • favoring a leg
  • trouble bending to one side
  • difficulty picking up one lead at the canter
  • lack of forward movement
  • pinning ears back when saddled or mounted
  • bucking, rearing or kicking when asked to move forward under saddle
  • acting lethargic
  • being uncharacteristically grumpy
Picture
Now that you have learned how to recognize signs of pain in your horse, you are probably wondering what you can do help decrease pain in your horse.  You should always contact your veterinarian when pain is present to rule out any serious conditions.  If the pain is found to be musculoskeletal in nature, there are many soft tissue techniques available to help alleviate your horse’s pain.  

Kinesiology tape is an athletic tape that was originally developed for humans but has recently become very popular with horses.  This revolutionary tape can naturally decrease a horse’s pain sensation by blocking the pain receptors.  The great thing about this tape is that, unlike other athletic tapes, it does not restrict the horse’s normal range of motion and it also promotes healing!

Equine massage is another great way to reduce any soft tissue pain.  There are numerous massage techniques available for use on horses to treat specific issues.  Horses tend to respond extremely well to massage and other forms of bodywork.

As a horse owner, you can learn how to use these techniques to alleviate your horse’s pain by taking a comprehensive online course.  Angel’s Animals Holistic Courses offer online Equine Kinesiology Taping and Equine Massage Courses.  These courses are easy to follow and take you step by step to teach you how to properly apply the techniques.  They also offer certification courses for professionals or those who would like to pursue a career in the equine therapy industry.
LEARN MORE ABOUT KINESIOLOGY TAPE
LEARN MORE ABOUT MASSAGE
LEARN MORE ABOUT MASSAGE CERTIFICATION
2 Comments

Become Certified in Equine Kinesiology Taping in Becker, MN!

4/21/2017

0 Comments

 
Kinesiology tape is becoming extremely popular with both equine health professionals and equestrians in general.  This revolutionary tape can decrease muscle spasms, decrease pain sensation, increase agility, decrease inflammation and decrease the chance of injury in both horses and riders with out the use of medications! Attend this workshop to gain hands on experience and learn how to utilize this amazing technique!
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR ONLINE COURSE
Picture
Picture

Choose a date that works for you!

Saturday September 9th 9 am - 12 pm
​Saturday October 8th 1 - 5 pm
Saturday November 5th 1 - 5 pm
Sunday December 16th 1 - 5 pm
This course has an online component that must be completed before attending the workshop.  If you have not completed the online course yet, you can register for both the course and workshop together below:
Already took our online course? No problem, register for the workshop alone below:

    Questions?

Submit
0 Comments

Improve Your Horse's Saddle Fit With This Simple Solution!

4/12/2017

0 Comments

 
The majority of horses experience some form of back pain and often times this pain is due to an ill fitting saddle.  Horse back conformation can vary significantly amongst horses making it difficult to find a saddle that fits one particular horse perfectly. Signs that your saddle may be causing your horse pain and impending movement are ears pinned back when saddling or riding, inability to collect properly under saddle, lack of forward motion under saddle, dry spots when you remove your saddle pad (your horse should sweat uniformly under the saddle pad if the saddle and pad fit correctly), development of sores, tender spots and white hairs under the saddle. 
Picture
Picture
Obviously if your saddle does not fit your horse, the best solution is to find a saddle that does and I recommend consulting with a certified saddle fitter to find the best saddle for you horse.  However, if your saddle is a good match for your horse and your horse is still experiencing pain, here is a solution to your problem!

The Shoulder Relief Girth and Cinch

These girths and cinches actually change the position and angle of the billets to prevent the saddle from interfering with the shoulder, which decreases pain and frees up movement.
Shoulder Relief Girth
View Cinches and Girths For Sale

Learn More About the Shoulder Relief Western Cinch

LEARN MORE

Learn More About the Shoulder Relief English Girth

LEARN MORE

My Personal Experience:

"I purchased a horse about 6 months ago who came to me with back issues due to having to work in ill fitting saddles his whole life.  "Rio" has large white spots on either side of his back from the saddle cutting off circulation and impinging the nerves.  I wanted to make sure that I didn't make the situation worse, so I went on the hunt to find a saddle that fits him correctly.  I was able to find a saddle that fits him well, but due to his large shoulders, I was still having trouble getting him to move freely under saddle.  Finally I found the shoulder relief cinch! This cinch allows his large shoulders the room they need to move while under saddle and I am happy to report that he has been pain free ever since! I loved this cinch so much, that I purchased a second one for my other horse.  I wouldn't ride with any other cinch now!" ~ Dr. Angelique Barbara
Picture
Picture
Picture
SHOP NOW
Picture
0 Comments

Why You Should Support Your Dog's Immune System

4/10/2017

2 Comments

 
Autoimmune diseases, cancer, allergies and other ailments are becoming more and more common in dogs. I recently saw a poster in a veterinary office stating that 1 in 4 dogs will develop cancer.  That is an insanely high number! Many of these diseases develop when a dog's immune system is not able to cope with the toxins they are exposed to on a daily basis.  This article will list the most common types of toxins your dog has to deal with and ways to help reduce them.

Causes:

Picture
Picture
Picture
  1. Food - The sad reality is that most dog food contains grains (which are not easily digested by dogs), animal by-products (such as feather, beaks, intestines, bowels and other things not used in human food products), preservatives and synthetic vitamins. All of these ingredients have been shown to cause stomach upset, allergies and sometimes more serious illness (including death). Fortunately, more and more dog owners are becoming savvy to this and as a result more good quality commercial dog foods are becoming available. Things to look for when purchasing a food is to make sure the protein source is one of the first ingredients and that it does not say "meal". For example, "chicken" listed as the protein source should mainly be comprised of chicken meat, whereas "chicken meal" will include or be solely chicken byproducts such as feet, beaks, feathers, etc. Also make sure that there is no wheat, corn or soy in your dog's food.  All of these grains are difficult to digest and get passed to your dog's large intestine for fermentation to break them down.  This leads to gas, stomach upset and inflammation. Many dogs are hypersensitive to grains and develop skin allergies when they are consumed. Also check for added oils in your dog's food. Oils such as canola, soybean and corn oil are inflammatory and should be avoided. 


Picture
2.  Pesticides - Every dog is exposed to pesticides....both in the environment and in the form of a pill, topical liquid or flea collar.  Here in Florida, we get a lot of bugs due to the constant warm weather. Because of this, most homes and offices utilize a pest control service to decrease the amount of unwanted pests in homes and workplaces.  Many properties also get their lawns treated to decrease insects and weeds.  Dogs are low to the ground and constantly sniffing and tend to be more exposed to these pesticides than we are. On top of that, we also give them monthly heart worm preventative and flea and tick treatments (which are necessary for many animal owners here in the Florida due to the large number of mosquitos, fleas and ticks present). These chemicals have a cumulative effect in the dog's system and build up over time which can lead to hypersensitivities. 
Picture
3. Vaccinations - I am not against vaccinations. I believe that they can prevent devastating diseases and are necessary and effective under the right circumstances. I am against over vaccinating though and most dogs get over vaccinated.  I recommend checking your dog's titer (a blood test that tells how many antibodies they have for a certain disease...the more antibodies present, the more protected against that disease they are if they should ever become exposed to it). If your dog has an adequate titer, then a booster vaccination is not warranted.  Overloading an animal's system with unnecessary vaccinations is taxing on their immune system and can lead to autoimmune disorders, hypersensitive and other ailments.
Picture
4.  Water - Most people don't give much thought to the water their dog is drinking, however water can contain many harmful ingredients. Tap water can include chemicals such as fluoride, chlorine, lead, mercury, PCB's and other harmful ingredients.  Well water can be high in bacteria and algae, contain fecal matter, nitrates, radionuclides, industrial chemicals, and mineral salts. I recommend to give your dog either filtered water or bottled natural spring water. 

Solutions:


  1. Feed a grain free diet with high quality protein sources and no added "junk". Raw and grain free is ideal and there are some good quality commercial raw diets on the market now to make it easier for  you (check your local pet store's freezer to see what they have available). If you can not afford to do raw, then a high quality grain free food is your next best option. 
  2. Vaccinate only when necessary and use titer blood tests to determine if your dog needs a vaccination.  Also use common sense when vaccinating. Do not give your dog multiple vaccinations in one day and only vaccinate against diseases that your dog may become exposed to.
  3. Give your dog filtered water to decrease exposure to toxins and other harmful ingredients in tap or well water.
  4. Support your dogs immune system though supplementation! It is impossible to keep your dog away from all toxins, therefore it is necessary to provide them a supplement that can help their bodies optimally process those toxins and allow their immune systems to function normally.  When a dog's immune system is not working enough, they will suffer from diseases and illnesses that their body is not able to fight off.  When their immune system is working too hard, they will develop allergies, autoimmune disorders and hypersensitivities. A high quality immune support supplement can help balance out their immune system.
  5. Support your dogs immune system through bodywork. Massage, chiropractic, acupuncture and other forms of body work have been proven to boost the immune system, along with prevent other types of diseases and discomforts. Consider adding some form of bodywork to your dog's regular health care schedule.

Which Supplement Should You Give Your Dog?

Picture
I recommend NuVet Plus. It is the supplement that I give to my own dogs (French Bulldogs who are prone to allergies) and that I also recommend to clients. This supplement is made from all human grade ingredients and is made in the USA. This supplement also comes with a satisfaction guarantee. If you're not happy with it for any reason, they will refund your money.  
LEARN MORE ABOUT NUVET PLUS
Interested in ordering NuVet Plus for your dog? Use the referral code 90024 when ordering online or over the phone.  1-800-474-7044 or www.nuvet.com
2 Comments

    Author

    Dr. Angelique Barbara is the founder of Angel's Animals LLC, a company that has developed online animal bodywork courses for both owners and professionals.  Dr. Barbara's unique teaching style along with the dynamic layout of the courses allows people of different educational backgrounds from all over the world to benefit from her knowledge.

    Archives

    December 2022
    November 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    July 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    November 2020
    September 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017

    Categories

    All
    Canine Health And Wellness
    Canine Kinesiology Tape
    Equine Kinesiology Tape
    Equine Massage And Bodywork
    Online Animal Bodywork Courses

    RSS Feed

Angel's Animals Copyright 2023
​
  • Home
  • Courses
    • Massage >
      • Equine Massage Certification
      • Canine Massage Certification
      • Feline Bodywork Certification
      • Canine Massage for Dog Owners
      • Equine Massage for Owners
      • En español
    • Craniosacral >
      • Equine Craniosacral
      • Canine Craniosacral
    • Kinesiology Tape >
      • Equine Kinesiology Taping
      • Canine Kinesiology Taping
    • Body Alignment >
      • Animal Neuro-myofascial Release Technique
    • Animal Reiki
    • Cold Laser/Light Therapy for Animals
    • Animal Nutrition >
      • Holistic Equine Nutrition
      • Holistic Carnivore Nutrition
    • Animal Communication
    • Equine First Aid
    • Business 101
    • Course Bundles >
      • Equine Certifications
      • Canine Certifications
      • Small Animal Certifications
      • Comprehensive Bundles
    • Workshops
  • Practitioners
    • Small Animals >
      • Massage Therapists
      • Craniosacral
      • Body Alignment
      • Kinesiology Taping
      • Nutritionists
    • Equines >
      • Massage Therapists
      • Craniosacral
      • Kinesiology Tape
      • Body Alignment
      • Nutritionists
    • Cold Laser Practitioners
    • Reiki Practitioners
    • Animal Communicators
    • Practitioner of the Month
  • Contact
  • About
    • About our Program
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Privacy Policy
  • Seminar Store
  • Blog
  • Testimonials
  • Links
    • Products/Supplements