Equine Touch is a non-diagnostic, non-invasive energy and connective soft tissue discipline which works at a complete holistic level. It addresses the equine as a whole through an organized series of gentle, vibrational moves. These moves are performed over specific points in predetermined patterns which are interspersed with waiting periods to allow the equine to recognize and process their effects.

These procedures, when performed with Accuracy, Integrity, and Intent (A.I.I.), have the effect of inducing deep relaxation, releasing hypertonic and traumatized muscles, encouraging muscle tone recovery from injury and atrophy, reducing the pain spiral, and assisting in detoxification and lymphatic drainage. The horse, through this gentle work, is trained to rebalance not only physically but emotionally. Energy blocks are released, unwanted structures appear to dissolve, and the flow of Ki is stimulated through the meridians, allowing the equine to attain and maintain the ideal state of homeostasis in which its own innate healing power is able to work to its maximum potential.

The Equine Touch is not designed or intended in any way, in whole or in part, to be a substitute for orthodox allopathic veterinary practice. It is not a therapy as such but a holistic gift to the equine which is as complementary to allopathic address as it is to chiropractic, homeopathy, and herbal medicine as well as the horses own healing system.

The History Of The Equine Touch

The Equine Touch was pioneered in 1997 in Scotland by Jock Ruddock. Originally, Jock addressed equine problems by transposing his Vibromuscular Harmonization Technique procedures from humans to horses using his own unique aikido based moves. After being joined in his teaching by his wife, Ivana, a veterinary surgeon, they studied and researched the particular mechanics, energy patterns, and emotional armor of the equine in greater depth.

In 1998 he was invited to work on the Czech Republic steeplechase champion Cipisek, and as a result of the success of this address, he was invited to Prague to teach a course in his system of equine bodywork to vets from throughout Europe. The course, which was held in conjunction with the Czech Veterinary University, was so well received that he was immediately asked to return and present an advanced course.

With the success of these courses, and on the advice of the vets they had instructed, Jock and Ivana formulated ET courses for horse lovers and began teaching occasional courses in Hawaii, the UK, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. The response was astounding, and within two years word of mouth alone saw their courses and Equine Touch in such demand that they were compelled to start a 4-day Level 3/Practitioner's course and initiate a program to train instructors who could help carry the load and meet the demand.

The modality, and its good reputation, have continued to grow unabated. In 2001 The Equine Touch Foundation, Inc. was formed in the USA, and Jock and Ivana were granted a visa to work and teach here. One of the vets who attended a US class, Dr. Luann Groves of San Marcos, Texas, invited Jock and Ivana to use her facility as the US headquarters for the Foundation. With the establishment of a UK headquarters at Lyn Palmer's Homeway Farm, the appointment of the first UK instructors in 2003, and US instructors in 2004, The Equine Touch Foundation is fulfilling its mission - to improve the quality of life for horses by educating humans in the discipline of the Equine Touch - through both courses and the hard work of practitioners worldwide.

About Jock and Ivana Ruddock

Jock Ruddock
Jock (John) Ruddock is a former Scotland Yard and New Zealand Police Officer who spent 28 years as an international professional wrestler and part time body worker. Upon retiring from the wrestling ring he turned to the world of complementary health, qualifying as a clinical hypnotherapist.

During his globe-trotting years as a wrestler, Jock earned himself a reputation as a "bone-setter". The unwritten law of the wrestling world being "if you hurt me, fix me", Jock learned practical chiropractic and osteopathic manipulations from his fellow mat-men in New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, and Japan. He also formally trained in Aikido, Dynamic Ki, Bowen, Hypertone-X, and Kinesiology.

His first steps into the world of hands-on teaching came as an unarmed combat instructor for police. Later, he drew on his experience as a performer to teach unemployed street kids in Auckland, New Zealand the art of cabaret and stagecraft. He also taught private pupils, among whom was international recording star Natalie Imbruglia. In 1981 he was presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth for his services to entertainment.

In 1996 Jock began to research, develop, and choreograph a complete new human modality based upon the principles of bodywork he had learned during his years in the ring and studying martial arts. He discovered that by vibrating the muscles in a certain sequence and at vital points on the body using an Aikido-style move, the entire body would slip into a state of medical chaos, confusion, and relaxation. The syndrome is something similar to an entire orchestra tuning up prior to a concert. Out of this cellular and holistic confusion, order emerges and within the body homeostasis is attained. After considerable study, he fine tuned his new approach and decided to name it The Vibromuscular Harmonization Technique (VHT).

In 1997 he adapted the VHT move to horses, and from that simple beginning at a stable in Aberdeen, Scotland, the Equine Touch has grown to the point where it is being performed with success on horses of all kinds, from log-pullers to Olympic athletes, around the world.

Ivana Ruddock
MVDr. Ivana Ruddock is a qualified veterinary surgeon from the Czech Republic and a member of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA). She graduated Veterinary University with honors in equine and small animal sciences. A consummate researcher, she is also a former university lecturer in animal anatomy who possesses a wealth of training, knowledge, and experience in orthodox veterinary medicine.

Ivana first studied the Equine Touch in 1999 with Jock. After their marriage in 2000 she partnered with him in the research, development, and teaching of this unique discipline worldwide. Under her guidance they have elevated The Equine Touch to a standard such that it became the first recognized complementary equine healing modality by the ICM and BCMA in the UK.

As a result of international success in applying Equine Touch moves to other animals, Ivana researched and developed a variation of ET for dogs, called The Canine Touch, which she now teaches to dog lovers and owners in a 2-day course.

Her teaching technique has been described as "enthusiastically brilliant." Drawing on her unique and substantial knowledge of allopathic medicine, energy work, and many other practical healing techniques, she leaves no answerable question unanswered. Her comprehensive understanding of the horse as well as the elements of influence which have an effect on equine health and well-being has impressed not only her students but veterinarians and equine professionals in many fields all over the world.

Her wholehearted commitment to improving the standard of life for the horse has earned her respect not only as a practitioner and instructor but as a guide to all horse lovers wishing to provide a better quality of life for their horses.

Ivana's teaching style is a completely complementary contrast to Jock's, making them, as Debranne Pattilo, president of Equinology stated, "The most unique teaching team in the equine world."