Horses for courses

I was recently introduced to another Reiki Master. She and I both thought we recognised each other but, despite interrogation worthy of the Spanish Inquisition, there didn’t seem to be any common denominator. Perhaps it was just one of those `meeting of minds’ things: recognising each other on a soul level. At one point, over coffee, she asked me which I thought was more effective: Reiki or ThetaHealing.

The simple answer is: it depends on the client and their condition. If someone comes to me with a sports injury or an acute problem such as aggravated arthritis or cancer even, I wouldn’t hesitate to give them Reiki. But if someone comes with a chronic condition such as persistent back pain, difficulty in conceiving, depression, addiction or any other long term health issue, I would probably be more likely to suggest ThetaHealing to try and root out the underlying reason for their condition. Whether or not we like it, our minds and bodies are inextricably linked and our beliefs, thoughts and fears are often reflected in our physical well being. One of the greatest exponents of this theory was the late Louise Hay and I can highly recommend her books if you’re interested in learning more about this.

One thing I do know is, if I’m asked to work with an animal, Reiki is the way to go. I really enjoy working with animals because they don’t come with any preconceived ideas or expectations. Human clients often come with a belief system already in place. Either: this is a load of mumbo-jumbo or this is the cure-all for every ailment under the sun. All animals have to do is lay, sit or stand there while I channel the Reiki energy. And the results are often astounding.

Some years ago, I was asked to go and look at a horse that had stopped jumping and appeared to be in pain in his haunches and down his hind legs. I could tell immediately that he was in distress. He was twitching his tail, his eyes were wide and he was fidgety in his stall. His owner told me that the problems had started a couple of weeks previously. He’d been X-rayed and seen both the vet and physio but neither could find anything amiss. `Wear and tear’ was the diagnosis.

When working with animals of any type I begin by talking to them softly to reassure them. I offer them my hand to sniff so that they get used to my scent and then gently stroke their neck in order to win their trust. Only then do I begin treatment.

With this particular horse, I scanned his entire spine from neck to tail with my hands. I do this on humans too to pick up an areas of heat or cold as an indication of where the injury or condition might be centred. As soon as my hands passed over his withers – the part of a horse just below the neck and above the shoulders – he whinnied and shuddered, then calmed down again as I progressed down his spine. When I reached his haunches, he showed no reaction at all. This suggested to me that the injury was much higher up his spine than had been investigated by the vet.

I treated him around the area of the withers for the entire session and, by the end, he appeared much more at ease. When I left I told his owner to let me know if she thought he needed another treatment but a week later she phoned to say that he was now out in the field and jumping again with no sign of pain or distress. Result! Don’t ask me what was wrong with him – I have no idea. All I do is work with energies. What I do know is that animals can’t fake it. They’re not going to BS me by saying it’s worked if it hasn’t just to save my feelings, neither are they going to tell me it’s a load of rubbish when they’re clearly feeling much better.

I knew someone once who had a sign in her kitchen.

It read: the more people I know, the more I like my cat.

I certainly wouldn’t go that far: I am very much a people person. But, unlike actors who try to avoid working with children and animals, (who hasn’t seen the clip of Lulu the Elephant poo-ing her way around the Blue Peter studio?) as a Reiki practitioner, it’s the spontaneity, unpredictability and innocence that I love about working with animals – and children, of course.