Equine Body Balance

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Equine Body Balance

Equine Body Balance Equine Body Balance offers Ortho-Bionomy and Equine Ortho-Bionomy treatments. Less is more.

Ortho-Bionomy is a non-force bodywork modality derived from osteopathy, developed by Dr. Arthur Lincoln Pauls, Canadian Osteopath. Ortho-Bionomy is a non-force manual and energetic bodywork therapy that aims to improve health in all body systems with effective manipulation of spine, fascia and musculature. �

Treatments are generally 50 minutes to one hour long; in the case of people they will take place at my office (directions below) and for equines, generally at the horse's barn. What defines Ortho-Bionomy is its principles:
Preferred Posture - The body is encouraged to go in the direction it is already heading. Towards ease, and away from pain - the body seeks out its most comfortable position, Ortho-Bionomy should never be painful. Client/Practitioner relationship - Ortho-Bionomy is done with a client, not to them or on them. Timing - It is important to listen for the timing, of how long to be in a particular place or position, learn what the body wants. Body's ability to respond - The body will release and self-correct when it is ready, and only then, and this may take place over time, after the session, perhaps days later. Re-education - this is associated with many modalities but in the case of Ortho-Bionomy, re-education allows the person to integrate change as new proprioceptive information and more functional patterns emerge. New self-awareness and conscious patterns also emerge as a result. The body can only absorb so much information at a time, so often the most effective method is to do less rather than more, allowing the body to process the work in the days following the session. Conditions that respond well to Ortho-Bionomy include acute and chronic injuries, systemic issues, lymphatic, circulatory, soft tissue, fascial, structural and organic. This is a healing modality that requires extensive training to learn. Being able to work on people or animals who are in acute injury phases and speed recovery, is one of Ortho-Bionomy's amazing qualities.

12/12/2025

For those starting out, they can enroll any time in the introductory course Equine Body Balance “Bodywork for Equines" Online - Ortho-Bionomy®—healing for horse and human with Susan Smith which you complete within 90 days at your own pace, and can contact the instructor during this time. This course includes quizzes that I correct after each chapter is completed.

The zoom courses that are available right now to enroll in, which we did this past year, are as follows:

Equine Forelimb Stay Apparatus, Fascia and Lameness Study Group | December 11, 2025 | 4-7 p.m. Mountain Time - Ortho-Bionomy®—healing for horse and human with Susan Smith (this one will be for more advanced students).

Inside the Equine Pelvis and Sacrum | 5 Classes | September 18-October 14, 2025 | Tuesdays 11 a.m. - 2:15 p.m. Mountain Time | Zoom Online - Ortho-Bionomy®—healing for horse and human with Susan Smith (students should take Bodywork for Equines first)

Equine Reciprocal Joints and Hind Limb Stay Apparatus Online Study Group – Stifle and Hock | Thursday, July 31, 2025 | 4-7 p.m. Mountain Time - Ortho-Bionomy®—healing for horse and human with Susan Smith (students should take Bodywork for Equines first)

For all courses, students can contact me, whether the class is live or not, during the course time period.

The following 3-part course runs February 3-17th, 2026, Tuesdays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. MST Equine WinterWork - Exercises and Bodywork for Mind, Body and Soul II | 3-Part Course | Zoom Online | Tuesdays, February 3-17th, 2026 | 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Mountain Time - Ortho-Bionomy®—healing for horse and human with Susan Smith Suitable for everyone, including non-bodyworkers, although some bodywork is part of the curriculum.

See the featured listings on this page to enroll or contact me, info@susansmithsantafe.com

Have a warm and wonderful holiday season!
Susan

12/06/2025

If you enjoyed our Reciprocal Joints and Hind Limb Stay Apparatus Study Group this year, or are simply interested in furthering your knowledge of the forelimb, this one is for you. Also included are some new Shoulder Point techniques without leg lifts. Coming up this Thursday afternoon, December 11th, 4-7 p.m. MST! Materials will be sent out on Monday or Tuesday!

This study group provides a close look at the forelimb stay apparatus and how to work with it in Ortho-Bionomy, also bringing in the relationship of some forelimb fascia meridian lines. The stay apparatus is important to keep in mind when assessing lameness of the forelimb and how to treat it.

11/30/2025

Enrollment open for the first online course of 2026!

Do you have a horse? Want to incorporate a few exercises into your bodywork? Do you have a good horse who listens? Listening is where we begin.

10/27/2025

Build trust with horses whether doing bodywork, fitting a saddle or riding. Trust develops to fit the relationship.

09/05/2025

I enjoy taking horses for walks and seeing what they self-select in terms of plants. My mare Red began by choosing very scruffy weeds, then picking out anything growing near dead timber. I have introduced to her the beautiful gramma grass growing everywhere this summer, and so she has added that to her palate, but it's best if growing near timber! My gelding Sabio loves the gramma grass. Both love the cochilla plants that have grown so high near fences. Those have high sugars as the summer turns to fall, so I need to intervene and limit grazing on those.

In the past, I had horses who loved thistles, and who would eat the tops of yuccas. Both of these plants have medicinal value, so I figured they were self-healing. The mare who loved yuccas had frequent colics, and the yucca helped her. The one who loved thistles was very healthy.

I've also found that after a hospital visit, or colic, horses will gravitate toward eating dirt. My vet corroborated this and said this is very common. They are attempting to balance their digestive systems.

Some horses are highly susceptible to allergies to plants, so self-selection isn't for everyone. For those, I have had to learn the plants that set off allergies and limit their grazing time.

Address

Santa Fe, NM
87505

Telephone

+15055012478

Website

http://www.susansmithsantafe.com/

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Equine Body Balance offers Ortho-Bionomy and Equine Ortho-Bionomy treatments. Ortho-Bionomy is a non-force bodywork modality derived from osteopathy, developed by Dr. Arthur Lincoln Pauls, Canadian Osteopath. Treatments are generally 50 minutes to one hour long; in the case of people they will take place at my office and for equines, generally at the horse's barn. What defines Ortho-Bionomy is its principles: Preferred Posture - The body is encouraged to go in the direction it is already heading. Towards ease, and away from pain - the body seeks out its most comfortable position, Ortho-Bionomy should never be painful. Client/Practitioner relationship - Ortho-Bionomy is done with a client, not to them or on them. Timing - It is important to listen for the timing, of how long to be in a particular place or position, learn what the body wants. Body's ability to respond - The body will release and self-correct when it is ready, and only then, and this may take place over time, after the session, perhaps days later. Re-education - this is associated with many modalities but in the case of Ortho-Bionomy, re-education allows the person to integrate change as new proprioceptive information and more functional patterns emerge. New self-awareness and conscious patterns also emerge as a result. Less is more. The body can only absorb so much information at a time, so often the most effective method is to do less rather than more, allowing the body to process the work in the days following the session. Conditions that respond well to Ortho-Bionomy include acute and chronic injuries, systemic issues, lymphatic, circulatory, soft tissue, fascial, structural and organic. This is a healing modality that requires extensive training to learn. Being able to work on people or animals who are in acute injury phases and speed recovery, is one of Ortho-Bionomy's amazing qualities.