“There are so many options for equine therapies,” said Ryleigh Hauer, and she provides a few options through her business, Good Vibes Equine Services, in Raton, Colorado.
Hauer always wanted a career with horses, but was not sure what that meant. She launched her career by studying Equine Science at Laramie County Community College (LCCC) in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
In March 2020, she had a realization: “I really wanted to help horses, without being a vet,” said Hauer.
Pulsed Electro Magnetic Field Therapy
Ryleigh continued her education by becoming certified for Pulsed Electro Magnetic Field Therapy (PEMF). She did a hands-on workshop with an osteopath from Texas. PEMF basically exercises the cells, using pulsed electromagnetic therapy. As the cells exercise, they expel toxins and waste products, and take in fresh nutrients and water. This type of therapy is particularly helpful in healing bone injuries. It also works well for soft tissue wounds, edema, muscle spasms, and provides pain relief.
Hauer also uses the Electo-Equiscope®, and says it is her favorite therapy. This is a new technology in this region; Equiscope® microcurrent therapy uses tiny electrical currents to treat pain, inflammation, and chronic illnesses. It relies on correcting electromagnetic signals to stimulate the body’s natural healing response on a cellular level. Equiscope® can be used to supplement traditional veterinary procedures, leading to a faster recovery.
Ryleigh is a certified holistic equine nutritionist as well. When Covid hit in 2020, Hauer was able to find an online nutrition program based in Minnesota. She designs feeding plans for clients, and when her own horse was injured, Hauer formulated an anti-inflammatory, soft tissue rehab supplement called GV Rehab Blend. Everything Hauer recommends and feeds is organic and non-GMO. She feels this really does make a difference in horses’ bodies.
Besides being organic, Hauer makes sure feeds contain chelated minerals, which the body absorbs the best, leading to less waste ensuring full benefit of their nutrition.
“This is my number one deciding factor when choosing a feed. Of course, every horse is different, and we formulate custom plans to each of their needs,” said Hauer.
When she isn’t working with clients, Hauer spends time working on her own breeding program. She also has her Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) card and enjoys competing.
“Bringing these therapy modalities and proper nutrition has really changed my horses’ drive, and they’ve taken me places I didn’t think I would go!” said Hauer.
To learn more about Ryleigh’s business visit https://www.goodvibesequineservices.com
Equine Body Work
Kaycee Monnens, in Hulett, Wyoming, agrees that there are many options for helping your horse feel his best. Monnens began her journey with equine bodywork as a 14-year-old. She attended a school with Randy Hapney in South Dakota and later did an informal internship with Bill Hackett, “a legend in the industry.”
Monnens has been doing bodywork for over a decade under her business, Outta Line Equine. “I never remain complacent,” said Monnens. She continues to research, read books, and ask questions. Monnens is currently pursuing a national certification through the International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork from the School of Applied Integrative Therapy.
Equine bodywork is tension relief, and each bodyworker has their own techniques. Monnens begins by watching the horse move, viewing videos if applicable, and talking to the owners about what changes they have noticed. Then, she uses her hands to feel for problem areas.
“After that, I get to work using massage, stretching, and pressure to relieve deep-rooted problems,” said Monnens. This is done with the goal of helping the horse move better and regain strength, and also aids in injury prevention.
Equine Body Work isn’t her only title – Monnens has a degree in Secondary English Education. However, she too, was caught up in the Covid crisis when she was doing her student teaching in 2020. It was then she decided to turn her part time bodywork side gig into a full-time career.
Monnens has a background in rodeo and ranching. She has a few good mares that she uses for breakaway and team roping, but they are also used on the family ranch and neighboring ranches during spring and fall work. Monnens also has “a couple of broodmares, which means that I also have a couple of babies running around!”
Because of her background in rodeo and ranching, Monnens typically works on horses that are used for such.
“The little things count in the rodeo arena,” said Monnens, “so it is amazing to watch clients shave seconds off their times after doing bodywork.”
Working cowboys and cowgirls rely on their horses to do their job, and Monnens says she loves helping those horses achieve the best quality of life.
You can follow her on her Facebook page, Outta Line Equine Bodywork or visit her website.
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