The Equine Touch course work begins with the Level 1 and 2 courses. Each of these is a 3 day course designed for horse owners who wish to work on their own horses or for vets or qualified equine therapists to wish to incorporate the modality within their own practice. Please note that the laws relating to any form of equine address vary widely from country to country, state to state and even county to county. It is the responsibility of each and every student to make themselves aware of any legal requirements or restrictions which could relate to them when using this form of awareness training on a horse. In no way does the Equine Touch Foundation encourage or advise participants of the Level 1 or 2 courses to offer their services to horse owners, solicit a fee for services, or to break any law.


The Level 1 Course
This three day introductory course focuses on teaching students how to care for their own horses. The novice students are introduced to the Equine Touch by practicing the basic procedures on their fellow students prior to being instructed in performing them on the equine. This important facet of the work supplies the student with direct knowledge of how the technique works at the human level, and also allows the novice to address the imbalance of the rider which may be affecting the equine. By the end of the course the student has the ability to address not only the equine but the rider as well. Safety for horse and student is stressed throughout the course and each student is supplied with a user-friendly manual which contains diagrams, photographs, and instructions on how to perform all foundation procedures. Upon completion, a certificate is issued.
An instructional DVD is also available to participants at a cost of $29.99

The Level 2 Course
This 3 day course will refresh and fine tune the students on all that they have learned on the Level 1 Course, and introduce several additional procedures designed to address areas of concern. The student is also introduced to basic gentle stretching procedures in conjunction with the Equine Touch. Each student is supplied with a supplement to be added to the basic course manual, which includes all the new advanced body balancing and holistic palpation procedures. Upon completion, a certificate is issued.
An instructional DVD is also available to participants at a cost of $29.99

The Level 3 Course
This 4 day course continues to build upon the techniques and principles of Level 1 and 2. New moves are introduced and explored, and students are advised on how to approach the technique in a more professional manner. Students are also provided with instruction and comprehensive information on other relevant principles relating to a holistic approach to the equine. Hooves, teeth, saddles, tack, riders, and nutrition all have their integrated part to play and are all touched upon in this course. The Equine Touch passive and active mobilization and limb elongation techniques are also covered. Upon completion, a certificate is issued.

The student who successfully completes this course and wishes to earn their Practitioner's Diploma may, at the discretion of the Equine Touch Foundation, be invited for assessment. The student must present 24 case studies documenting their experiences with horses who have been addressed with ET over a period of time, sit a written exam on the Equine Touch as taught by The Equine Touch Foundation, and undergo a thorough practical assessment of their skills. Students who complete the assessment and are deemed to have met the required standards are presented with an Equine Touch Practitioner Diploma.

PLEASE NOTE: An Equine Touch Practitioner Diploma is not a license to practice. It is the responsibility of the Practitioner to familiarize him- or herself with the laws governing this field of work in his or her particular locality, state or province, and country. The Equine Touch is not a substitute for orthodox medical treatment. By definition, it is not a "therapy" as such, and must not be used to "treat" any specific named disease or injury. Equine Touch Practitioners may not call themselves "equine therapists" unless qualified to do so in some legally recognized and accepted modality. Equine Touch Practitioners are required to continue their education by attending a yearly ET Level 4 course if they wish to retain their diploma.

The Level 4 Course: Equine Touch & Beyond
This exciting and inspiring 3 day course introduces the Level 3 student and Practitioner to a whole new experience within the discipline of The Equine Touch. Jock takes participating students into the professional world of an Equine Touch Bodyworker, personally fine-tuning each student's skills and introducing many new and innovative procedures designed, developed, and choreographed by Jock as well as other experienced bodyworkers worldwide. Students are also taught a new palpation and assessment technique accompanied by a professional observation form. This technique is part of an all-new integrated Equine Touch consultation procedure designed to enhance the professional presentation of the Practitioner's work.

The Canine Touch
The Canine Touch was developed by MVDr. Ivana Ruddock as a natural outgrowth of the human and equine bodywork principles of her husband, Jock Ruddock. The moves and procedures, while appearing similar in some ways to those set out in the Equine Touch™, differ to a recognizable degree in practice due to the unique characteristics of the dog as a predator rather than a prey animal like the horse. Designed for the dog lover, this 2 day course focuses on teaching the students to care for their own dogs. Students are instructed in both the general body balancing and "area of concern" procedures, and are also advised with regard to consideration of the emotional aspect of the canine, as this can vary from breed to breed and is an important factor in addressing the animal.

PLEASE NOTE: The Canine Touch is not a substitute for orthodox medical treatment. By definition, it is not a "therapy" as such, and must not be used to "treat" any specific named disease or injury.