Equine and Small Animal Veterinary Specialty Practice

Patience is Divine Time. — Beatrice Paniagua, a friend

• Ask the Doc. "To question is to GROW!"
  Question & Answer of the month
• Animals as Teachers - A whole new meaning to teacher's pet
• Vaccinations Revisited
• Guest article: A Night's Tale
• Neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor
• Calendar of Events

Ask the Doc. "To question is to GROW!"

Click here to send an email with your question to Dr. Seelye.

Question: "I know you said that I should do the bodywork with bare hands, but I just can't keep my hands warm in the cold weather."

Answer: Always trust in your knowingness and yourself. Use common sense and trust that they will benefit from your intent whether you wear gloves or bare hands. Remember, there are no "wrongs", just a whole lot of different "rights". Why we like to use bare hands is for better 'feel’ and transfer of healing and energy. Have someone wear gloves, and then bare hands, while rubbing your back; see what difference you feel. You do want your hands warm so you transmit warm energy, not cold. Rubbing your hands together briskly can be effective. That said I wore thin gloves on some of the very cold days this year with my own horses. With my gloves off, I could not keep my hands warm but for a few seconds, even with brisk rubbing. So, with the choices being A) they got some bodywork with gloved hands, B) no bodywork, or C) I froze my hands, I chose the former. Your horse would want you to respect your own needs also!

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Animals as Teachers – A whole new meaning to teacher’s pet.

I attended a Rider’s Seat Clinic this past weekend, presented by noted body worker Tom Nagel. The focus of the clinic was on posture, breath and awareness, and included discussions on the concept of space and time beings. I decided I am a recovered space person. Our culture is built around time, and my life was about as time centered as one could live. I was always on time and if someone wasn’t, then they got my judgment of being irresponsible and undependable. It took me having one and a half legs in the grave to change! I realize part of that change was becoming a space being. Now I see it’s simply a different and much healthier way of living life. This change neither came easily, nor overnight. I held onto those old habits voraciously! My clients know I work in "ish" time these days. It has changed my quality of life and my physical health.

Our animal companions are great teachers of how to live as a space being. They don't wear watches, although they will be quick to tell you it's past their dinner time! They are listening to an internal physiological clock (or one of habit which we have taught them). They will also show us that habit is boring. I find horses that live by strict routine are mostly bored and don't have that love of life. When the routine becomes no routine then they start looking at you with genuine interest! When we interact with our horses they have no concept of time, they simple are always in perfect time! When we have our agenda and it must happen in 45 minutes or less, preferably less so we can get on with our next agenda item, oftentimes things don't go so well. Have you ever noticed that when you spend time with your horse without any agenda or time constraints there is a difference in the relationship? How would your life be different if you became more of a space human than a time human? This goes hand-in-hand with becoming more of a human "being" instead of a human "doing". Let your wonderful animal teacher lead the way in understanding this concept, and enlightenment (which is simple knowledge) will flow! You be the pet.

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Vaccinations Revisited

This is a time of year that vaccinations are often 'routinely' given to horses. When I ask people what they vaccinate their horses for and why, they invariably say "My vet said to". I encourage you to be informed; ask in depth questions.

• Why does my horse really need this vaccine and do they really need it this often?

• If I only need a tetanus booster every 10 years, why does my horse need it every year?
• What is the risk of exposure?
• How many horses in this state, region, county have had this disease in the last 25 years?

If the answer comes back none, then is it worth the side effects to vaccinate? Be selective what you put in their bodies. Be proactive in making the health decisions that will affect your horse. Don’t let someone else make those decisions for you; only you know what is best for your horse. Be open to a change this year and ask yourself:

• Does my horse really need these?
• What am I giving and what is the benefit and risks?

Consider titer testing instead. This requires blood taken and sent to a lab. It tells you if the immune system will respond to a disease if the horse is exposed. I have yet to have a horse that didn’t have positive titers against the vaccinated diseases, even years after its last vaccination.

I don’t vaccinate my horses. I maintain their immune systems in optimum health so that if exposure to a virus or bacteria occurs then their immune system (which is what it was made for) takes care of it. For a more in depth discussion of the individual vaccinations and the risk and benefits, revisit my Newsletter 4 (05/08) under Newsletter Archives on the Newsflash page of my website: www.quantumvet.com.

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A Night’s Tale

Chris Alderman

I got Night in trouble. The front pasture had just been stripped of its linear side-by-side narrow sacrifice pastures, having switched the horses to another such area to rest the pasture, allowing growth for future grazing. The wide open space was alluring. I turned Night and his barn mate out together so they could romp around. Night took advantage immediately – running; head high, head down, galloping wide turn berths along the fence line, skyrocketing into the air vertically free from gravity, kicking up his heels rodeo bronco style, repeatedly jumping a wide muddy area without hesitation, striking out in the air fighting at some phantom stallion. I stood in the middle of the pasture, dog close and safely at my side, in pure awe and joy in watching such free form extended movement and boundless happiness he was experiencing; it was magnificent! It wasn’t always that way.

Before I moved to the Seattle area, I had linked up with Dr. Seelye. That was a fortunate occurrence, as having utilized alternative veterinary practices on my animals for a number of years I was keen to continue in that manner. So, once I settled in, Dr. Seelye and I got to work on uncompromising Night to facilitate his healing and wellbeing process. That was 1 ½ years ago, and what a journey it has been.

Night’s weak back was a major issue; it had been for a number of years and I thought it would just always be that way. Dr. Seelye fed me the knowledge and instruction as to how to strengthen Night’s top line, for which various techniques were added when appropriate for further development and strength.

Years as a race horse and jumper compromised Night’s knees, a condition that I thought would make him a pasture ornament soon, hoping that I could keep him comfortable for a bit longer, but not now. Along with the top line work, Dr. Seelye concurrently started me out on stretching, limbering and light body and joint massaging on Night. We introduced acupuncture into his treatment plan and herbs into his feed to use occasionally, both of which I had success with for Night in the past and are definitely an adjunct to the process as a whole.

After the initial intense 3-months of work, Dr. Seelye reduced her visits, allowing me to continue the aftercare to supplement until her visits for more in depth treatments on Night. I believe that by Dr. Seelye giving her clients the knowledge to maintain their horse’s healing process on their own between her visits, with the aftercare instructions, is a huge component in the horse’s healing process; you and your horse are a team. I remember not too long ago waiting between professional treatments for advancing my horse’s health and now realize how helpless that felt.

One of the oddest satisfying benefits of the new program for Night was getting him so relaxed that he would drop his penis. I used to time his sheath cleaning sessions with vet or dental visits so he could get adequately drugged to accomplish the task. Now, I just do some light body massaging, work in a few pelvic tilts, and voúla!; he’s one relaxed guy. I regularly clean his sheath now – no drugs!

A year afterwards, I was riding in one of Dr. Seelye’s clinics, where under her instruction I found a balance that allowed Night to move forward without collection in a freedom I had never experienced, or even dared to go without "human control". This was huge for me, to allow, and trust. Since that time, I have continued to work on that freedom and trust with Night, which has been growing to heights I never thought possible. My journey with Night has diversified to include occasional lessoning with Centered Riding instructor Nancy Kittleson, whose instruction I hope to avail of more frequently in the near future. Who knew what a psoas was?

I don't know if I can tell you what I have learned in these past 1 ½ years about my journey with Night, but I can tell you what I feel.

I feel Night’s back rising up under my seat when I engage my psoas; as well as when that connection is lost.

I feel the acceptance Night has for me to get on him and move forward instead of moving away from a painful back; I get the message.

I felt the appreciation from Night when I switched to a bitless bridle and got 'out of his mouth'; the tug-of-war was over.

I feel honored when Night gives me the respect of his attention when we play ground games; as well as when he's had enough and it’s time to go on to something else, or even finish with that.

I feel energized to keep on learning; to help with the healing and wellbeing.

I feel thankful for the opportunity to heal myself, through Night; our companion animals can so often be mirrors of ourselves.

I feel enabled that I am an integral part of Night's well being; empowered with knowledge.

I feel grateful that I can assist Night to age gracefully; as well as, hopefully, myself.

I feel the joy.

I took the blame for Night – it wasn't his fault – after all, I'm the one that turned him loose. Alas, we're no longer allowed to let our horses free to tear up the incubating pastures, but understandably so. We'll limit romp time to the arena, at least for now.

 

Dr. Seelye openly welcomes and encourages clients to submit their amazing story to be shared in her Newsflash! Email: healingheartvet@aol.com

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Neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor

Neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor had an opportunity few brain scientists would wish for: One morning, she realized she was having a massive stroke. As it happened—as she felt her brain functions slip away one by one, speech, movement, understanding—she studied and remembered every moment. This is a powerful story about how our brains define us and connect us to the world and to one another.

"How it feels to have a stroke."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU&feature=email

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Calendar of Events

MARCH 2009

MAR 28th-29th – Conrad Schumacher Symposium; Woodinville, WA

Horse enthusiasts from novice to professional will benefit from these condensed, rigorous, proven presentations. Mr. Schumacher is a teacher of extraordinary insight and ability who has coached Olympic medalists, World and European Champions, and medal-winning Young Rider teams in the U.S. and Europe. His students have won more than 40 international medals.

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APRIL 2009

APR 5th-8th – Quantum Wellness tour; Whidbey Island / Northern WA

The way the hair is shedding on the horses I have worked on lately, spring must be headed our way! I am planning my next Wellness trip to northern WA, and Whidbey for March and April so you can plan ahead if you would like to schedule an appointment. Be sure and give me dates and times that are best for you. Spring is a great time to get a "tune-up" before the change of seasons, to balance and prevent Dis-Ease! (Please schedule by April 1st.)

WATCH THIS SPACE! Quantum ground work clinics are in the works for April in Lynden, WA and Whidbey Island, WA; dates and locations to be announced.

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MAY 2009

MAY 7th – Dr. Gerd Heuschmann seminar; Ridgefield, WA

MAY 8th-10th – Dr. Gerd Heuschmann clinic; Ridgefield, WA

First time in the Northwest! Dr. Gerd Heuschmann seminar & clinic - MAY 7th seminar; Ridgefield, WA - MAY 8th-10th clinic; Ridgefield, WA Visit http://www.highhopesdressage.com/ for more details. Dr. Heuschmann’s seminar and/or clinic are strongly recommended to gain an understanding of correct development of horse "conformation". Following is a link to a Dr. Gerd Heuschmann clinic review held in Utah, April 2008 (pdf file): http://www.utahdressagesociety.net/

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JUNE 2009

JUN 6th-7th – 2-day clinic; Snohomish, WA

Dr. Suzan Seelye and Nancy Kittleson, certified Centered Riding instructor, are again joining together to present another dynamic 2-day clinic at FromtheMother Farm, Snohomish, WA.

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JULY 2009

AUGUST 2009

AUG 15th & 16th – 2-day clinic; Snohomish, WA

Dr. Suzan Seelye and Nancy Kittleson, certified Centered Riding instructor, are again joining together to present another dynamic 2-day clinic at FromtheMother Farm, Snohomish, WA.

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LIFE IS JUST PLAIN BETTER WITH ANIMALS!