During an equine shiatsu session, the practitioner will use points known as shu points.
These points, located along the Bladder meridian, can be used during the initial assessment at the start of the session, and stimulating them also helps correct energy imbalances.
They therefore serve a dual purpose.
Stimulation of the withers.
On the withers, the points shu are three in number , corresponding to the Lung, Pericardium, and Heart meridians.
And this is precisely the area that horses tend to rub against each other spontaneously, scratching with the tips of their teeth, during allogrooming sessions!
A study conducted in 1993 (1) showed that rubbing this area resulted in a slowing of the heart rate.
And for good reason: stimulating these shu points can also lead to better emotional regulation (emotional shocks affect the Heart meridian) and a reduction in stress, for example.
The curve of the back.
The other shu points are then located along the line of the back down to the croup.
That’s why the Bladder meridian is so important!
Indeed, many factors can disrupt energy flow: an ill-fitting saddle, a significant imbalance in the rider… poor posture in the horse during exercise.
Sometimes, working on the Bladder meridian could be enough for a shiatsu session, given how rich it is (with the shu points, as well as its collateral branch, which helps harmonize Body and Mind). And since it runs from the inner corner of the eye to the outer crown of the hindquarters, it helps harmonize the entire topline!
A soothing massage.
In conclusion, a properly fitted saddle is essential, but you can also regularly stretch the backline (2) to help restore energy flow between work sessions.
And while it goes without saying that grooming among peers, as well as movement and rolling, are indispensable in every way, you can enhance your horse’s well-being by massaging and scratching its withers.
You can do this with your bare hands or using a massage glove—the firmer the pressure, the more he’ll love it!
(1) Summary of the study by Feh and De Mazières, 1993
(2) To get the dates for our massage and shiatsu training sessions and learn the proper techniques, sign up for our newsletter!