Session on Friday & EPR1 Class on Saturday

Friday: April 20th, 2012

Chris on Hollywood...  Good Job!

Follow the leader...

Now for a good lope...!

Opening and closing of gates is important business on a ranch.

Well done!

Saturday, April 21st, 2012

Zarna Carter invited one of our veterans to participate in her EPR1 class today while I myself audited and documented.  Equine Positional Release is best described by Zarna Carter herself so with permission I have taken her explaination from her website and posted it below.
Please visit to find out more about Zarna and her work at www.eprortho.com 

What is Equine Positional Release?

Equine Positional Release (EPR) is a manual therapy based on the principles of non-force and movement away from pain to achieve joint stabilisation, soft tissue repair and postural re-education.EPR

How does EPR work? 

EPR uses movement and body position to stimulate a natural reflex found in muscles and joints. This reflexive ability is part of the nervous system and is called proprioception. It is initiated by touch, movement and positioning of the body. When the body is moved into a comfortable position away from pain or discomfort, the natural response is for the body to relax and re-balance.

Below are some photos from the day.  Thank you Zarna for your outstanding instruction!

Before hands on experience Zarna takes her class through the background of EPR and horse anatomy.

Zarna chalks the horses skeletal form so that students can have a clear understanding of their location.

Zarna illustrating the scapula and humerus.

In assessing horses we need to look at how they walk and carry their body.

Feel, while in motion also part of assessing a horses condition.

A quick break and visit with Beau.

Zarna explaining mechanics of the horses hoof.

Rotation of the hoof.

Back inside for more work...

Talking and hands on exercises involving the shoulder...

...and the back of the horse

Amazing Zarna - Thanks again!!!

www.eprortho.com

ABQ VA Hospital Veterans 1st Session of the Season

WELCOME HOME BROTHERS... AND TO THE CROSSED ARROWS RANCH For our"season opener" we were honored to welcome back our brothers from the Albuquerque VA Hospital STAR program. The weather was fantastic and our great Cowboy Up! crew including our "four-legged" instructors were in top form. Following our traditional "Welcome Home" ceremony it was down to business. Meeting the horses and establishing a connection flowed easily in the relaxed atmosphere and the good energy that was abundant. The partnerships with the crew and the horses that developed throughout the day were as good as it gets. After a great session and the horses were untacked, brushed down and turned back into the corral we all gathered around the fire for cowboy coffee and camaraderie. As the van drove out of the driveway and our colors were lowered for the day we were all grateful to have spent the day with our brothers, warriors all!

"Veterans who attended yesterday’s session were very impressed with the Horses for Heroes program. The professionalism and comrade made a positive impact on all. We look forward to working with you in pursuit of positive outcomes for our returning War heroes." V/R John CADC,RAS,RT.