How to Prepare for your horse's sessions:
Guidelines & Policies

Body Work Sessions

Pre-scheduling - Please contact your veterinarian and ask if there would be any problem (contraindication) to your horse if any of these hands-on modalities were applied. This web site contains a letter for your veterinarian that is accessible from the navigation bar entitled ‘Info for DVM’. As well, there is information about the modalities in the Healing Arts & Equine Sciences. Additionally, there are Links to other web sites for more in-depth reading. Most importantly, I’m available to answer any questions by telephone or email.

Scheduling - Telephone the offices and provide your name, contact information, preference as to morning, afternoon or evening appointment, the regular feeding scheduled and the city where your horse is located. Session should not be scheduled sooner that 2 hours after feeding or 1 hour before feeding. Choose a time when the session location is quiet and the session can proceed uninterrupted. So, make certain not to schedule when the gardeners, trash pick-up, and/or construction will coincide.

Rescheduling & Cancellations - Sessions must be cancelled or rescheduled with a minimum 72-hour notice or the session is considered missed and service fees still apply. Client with routine monthly visits, please reschedule or cancel within two weeks of your session.

Location - must be shaded, lit and have level/firm ground, and access to water. When working in a stall, please ensure firm footing and clean. Sessions that require heating pads will require access to electricity within 20 feet or access to a microwave.

Provide these items - water bucket and fresh water, fly spray or wipe with a small hand towel, halter & lead rope, lunge line.

Conduct during the session - Being quiet and calm is very important as I am working to get your equine to relax and communicate with me. I'm always willing to answer your questions. It's best to ask questions prior to and after the session. Please turn off phones and pagers when observing and refrain from talking with others. I enjoy children and family pets and they are welcome in the area when they too are quiet and do not disrupt the session.

Start Time - Appointment timing is important. You can expect me to be prompt or to arrive a few minutes early. I will telephone if I am delayed. Be sure to provide me with the necessary contact information to reach you on the day of your session.

Assessment Sessions

Scheduling - same as the above. Email Van and request a copy of the Pre-Assessment Questionnaire. The questionnaire has instructions as to how to complete it. Bring a copy of the completed questionnaire to the assessment session.

Rescheduling & Cancellations - Sessions must be cancelled or rescheduled with a minimum 72-hour notice or the session is considered missed and service fees still apply. Client with routine monthly visits, please reschedule or cancel within two weeks of your session.

Location - same as the above and have access to both hard and soft footing for at minimum a 20 foot lunge circle and 80 linear feet in a straight line.

Saddle Fit Assessment - have all of your tack laid out or accessible and ready to be evaluated. The tack will be evaluated first, then your equines back, followed by the saddle atop the back, and then you riding. So, have your equine groomed for riding prior to my arrival.

Gait Analysis, Videography and Pre-purchase Assessments - provide access to electricity for Videography and photo imaging. Have your tack ready for evaluation and be ready to ride. Prepare a level and groomed footing area that is 6 feet wide and 80 linear feet length on level ground, clean of any surface disturbances. Have 2 cavaletti pole's available if needed. If your equine has problems jumping, have the course set-up and/or fences that are the problem. Or provide photo's and/or video from remote locations which the problems are experienced. If you do not have video playback ability, provide me with the video in either VHS cassette or Hi8 format. Set aside a parking space within 60 feet of electricity.

Educational Sessions

Tutorials - Follow the guidelines for Body Work Sessions.

Seminars - Call for details.