ConTact CARE Margaret Dewes Human / Small & Large Animals

Hey folks!!
Look what's in the local Tauranga city libraries...

Produced and edited by Camille Nelson (Equine ConTact C.A.R.E Director & Practitioner Instructor), Dale Sp*edy's book about ConTact C.A.R.E is a bit of a gem to those of us who have experienced the work.

It goes back to the beginning of how the Flinchlock Release Method formed and the story of one particular horse. Recognising something unique in that moment, Dale goes on to describe the life experiences that created the foundations for this discovery, as he dared to step away from what he knew.

With inspiring stories from other practitioners, as well as following Dale's journey in understanding the nature of this beast, it's makes for a well-worth-a-read.

In rolls the Solstice, glittering moons, and winter tides.

I have had a change of plans over parts of June/July which has opened up space for more bookings.

For more info: https://sites.google.com/view/counterbalance/home

Feel welcome to get in contact if you'd like to book a Flinchlock Release session.

Fantastic Foundation course with Brock over the weekend. A super group who picked up the practice with ease and sensitivity with Brock's clear guidance. Everyone steamed through the work!!

Really great to be a part of, support where needed, and simply watch everyone let their hands tell them where to go :)

Contact C.A.R.E Foundation Course

This human foundation course is run over a two-day period during the weekend of 18/19 May by Foundation instructor Brock Van Leeuwen. I'll be there with my sleeves rolled up, helping and ready to heat the sausage rolls at morning tea.

This is designed to set you up with a foundational understanding of ConTact C.A.R.E and its practical skills of locating and releasing a Flinchlock. You will be equipped with the skills to work with family, sport and work-related injuries.

The course is also designed for health professionals interested in an approach to working with impact injuries which complement their clinical work.

9:00am to 5:00pm both Saturday and Sunday, held at Ohauiti Settlers Hall, Tauranga.

Cost is $345. This includes the two day course, the Foundation course manual and morning and afternoon tea. But please bring a packed lunch. If you have a manual please bring that along.
Get in touch with Brock to join: www.brockvanleeuwen.co.nz

Welcome to the Bothy Clinic :)

Built by my grandfather in his eighties and used as his workshop, until recently when it was revamped to a space for ConTact C.A.R.E sessions.

"What's on my mind?" FB asks.

"Turbo, Luna and Alfie," I reply. "Three individuals who showed up along my winding path recently, barely a week after each other.

Turbo was an incredibly calm and gentle soul with crystal blue eyes. He was positioned within small parameters next to my humble abode in Glenorchy. He took a one step forward in the corner of my eye and it caught my attention. I asked Callum what his story was.
It turned out he was a beauty, in nature, sight and temperament. Although he'd only been at his new home only a short while, everyone had a soft spot for him and his future was promising. One day, he was hobbling across the paddock unable to weight bear on his front right leg. No one knew what had happened. They tended to him for pulled tendons, swelling, infection, ligament damage and without any improvement over a month, it was feared that a bone in his hoof was broken. Although in obvious pain, he always stood calmly and patiently while his limb was wrapped and bandaged.
The vet arrived after a couple of days and xrays showed that it was either a broken bone or a severe infection. Either way, it was too bad to give him the green light.
With permission, I went to see what my hands could tell me. After 10 minutes I walked away scratching my head. An hour or two later, I spotted him lying down so I also down-tooled and went over. The carpal bones on the injured limb were *** ('scuse my french) jammed. I released the pressure and walked away.
Much later that evening, by the light of the stars, I thought I saw him skidaddle across his six yards. He was weight bearing. I asked Callum if he was seeing the same thing. He did, and within a blink of an eye, he was feeding Turbo lashings of garlic for, what was hoped to be, the latter of the vet's verdict.
Sadly, when the sun came up, so too did the hope for a different outcome, as he was back to how he had been. We said our goodbyes, to those crystal blue eyes.
..

On arriving home to the Bay of Plenty, a friend wrote to say Luna was in a bad way and the decision had been made for a few days time. Again, I down-tooled and, with permission, went to see this strong-willed mare that had been there for me during my early equine training days. From far across the paddock it was painfully clear she was but a shadow of her former self. Working slowly and watching her closely, the level of tension she carried eased. Although her breathing was still difficult, she didn't seem to be making the same effort. At the end of the session, she bit me hard just over the p***c bone while her foal suckled for milk. A fire I recognised had returned her eyes. She left the stall where she had been standing untethered, to eat.
She was buried at home with all her family around. Jagger, her son, grazes alongside his paddock-mate uncle, a miniature called Merlin.
..

And lastly, dear Alfie, a rescue cat picked up from Whakatane. I happened to arrive at his home today when he showed up after being missing for five days. He'd lost a lot of condition, it was clear something unpleasant had happened. His fur was bedraggled, his breathing was severely laboured, he was reluctant to move, and wouldn't eat. Although there was no blood and no broken bones, a visit to the vet looked like it would be necessary.
I waited and watched until he'd settled into his favourite spot. As pressure released, he began purring and life began pouring into him in a way I've never witnessed before. It was like his coat became shiny before my very eyes. His breathing eased and he moved easier and easier into my hands until he began grooming himself. Unbelievable. 10 minutes later, something gave him a fright and he jumped the nearest 1.5m fence and disappeared. Alfie the adored scaredy cat was back.

Until writing this post, I haven't known quite what to make of these three musketeers. I have scratched my head a little, and a little more during the process and am grateful to Callum, Pepe from Ewen Equine Management and ConTact CARE and Skye for the helpful conversations. And to Annette, Nicol and 'Tuku' for allowing me the nothing-to-lose opportunities.

It's a humbling work, a real one, and it's constantly egging one on to see and learn in every situation, appreciating each confusion and difficulty as a gem to be unravelled."

With thanks to Turbo, Luna and Alfie

(Unfortunately, I don't have any photos of Turbo to post)

The month of March saw me out with a couple of stella weeks down with the horses, and horse trekking guides of Glenorchy.

The enthusiasm and natural feel for the nature of the horse meant that these guys and gals picked up the foundations of ConTact C.A.R.E beautifully and were able to start working with the herd straight away.

'Twas a deeply inspiring experience to see these individuals work with the horses in their own unique way and to see the horses change before our very eyes. It's true; learning never stops.

A massive thank you to Callum for pulling all the strings, to the guides for being up for something unknown and sharing your knowledge, and to the four-legged creatures who provided us with so much adventure, challenge and companionship.

We'd do it all again next week ;)

Thanks Cathy for the awesome photos, to Ranger and Mario for working seamlessly in front of a camera, and to Fifty Cents and Chopper for the entertaining rides.

Glenorchy - here I come!!

March 18th - Easter
Get in touch if you'd like to book an equine, canine or humanine session ;)

Contact C.A.R.E Foundation Course

This human foundation course is run over a two-day period during the weekend of 10/11 Feb by Foundation instructor Brock Van Leeuwen. I'll be there with my sleeves rolled up, helping and ready to heat the sausage rolls at morning tea.

This is designed to set you up with a foundational understanding of ConTact C.A.R.E and its practical skills of locating and releasing a Flinchlock. You will be equipped with the skills to work with family, sport and work-related injuries.

The course is also designed for health professionals interested in an approach to working with impact injuries which complement their clinical work.
9:00am to 5:00pm both Saturday and Sunday, held at Ohauiti Settlers Hall, Tauranga.
Cost is $345. This includes the two day course, the Foundation course manual and morning and afternoon tea. But please bring a packed lunch. If you have a manual please bring that along.

Get in touch with Brock to join: www.brockvanleeuwen.co.nz

My background of physical theatre and embodiment training in London saw us pawing and licking at the grey lino floor of vast studios, taking on the shape, movement and behaviour of different species. These then eventually became the source of particular characters in the theatre.

During the more recent years of studying and working in Contact C.A.R.E, I have found I've sought to tread where the real wild things grow, often times finding myself deliberately lost in a forest and having to drop on to all fours in order to find my way home.

This has been invaluable in deepening my work as a practitioner.

The state of spontaneous creativity seems to echo through both the arts and this work. And there isn't anything more pleasurable than sharing it. With great thanks to the ones on all fours.

The 4-Footed Mind Workshop..

When we drop down to all fours, hop from rock to rock, or balance on our tiptoes we engage our bodies in a way that awakens certain qualities and states of consciousness that aren't often evoked in our day-to-day lives. The animal within us contains infinite sources of wisdom, play and instinct. We can tap into that source and quench thirst from our own individual underground springs.

This guided workshop is held in a natural setting where river boulders invite - nearly demand - us to let our hair down, speak with rhythmic gestures and turn verbal sp*ech into howls, sniffs and whimpers. The journey is an open door to find our way back to a direct, sensuous experience of the world.

Some level of fitness is beneficial but not obligatory.
Sunday 21st January
Meet 9am until approx. 2pm
$90

Please register your interest by emailing Margaret at [email protected]

There are three places available for those experiencing financial hardship, please email Margaret to request a discount.

You are most welcome.

The Nature of Prey

There, down south I was,
down among the ruffled leaves and birdsong,
there to find a hoof print or two
and walk the way of the goat.

…

Gone bush for some days or some weeks,
gone bush for some time,
gone down on all four’s
to join the born prey.

…

The nature of the animal,
the animal that runs
from human hand and gnashing teeth
and eyes of sharpened blade.

…

Way down south I was,
Low down to sniff the ground,
to follow wisdom of wide-eyes open,
and hide with hooves that take flight.

Before I hit the Southern Road and drop pressure along the way...

The Good Farm and I are collaborating together again to offer introductory sessions of Contact CARE, Flinchlock Release Wednesday 25th. This is a fantastic opportunity to F E E L the difference after pressure has been released from the depths of the bones and out.

It's a painless procedure and can help with aches, inflammation, stress, anxiety, sleeplessness and more. This is designed for people new to Contact CARE, who want to know more about it and whether it can help them or their livestock. I'll talk you through what's happening as I work.

Contact me at [email protected] or PM me and I'll book you in for a half hour slot between 9-11.30am, Friday morning. Koha donation.

*WARNING* HEADING SOUTH
And happy to release pressure along the way...

Please get in touch if the journey between the Bay of Plenty and Tasman District during the first week of November might be useful for you, or your animals. This is a great opportunity to rope in a practitioner as she putters past and feel the difference Flinchlock Release makes.

BEE-BAA BEE-BAA BEE-BAA

The last farm of the eastern Bay of Plenty trip to test for stray voltage took us to a pretty neat walk-through cowshed. The farming couple looked a little strung out after a power cut that morning. The generator blew out as well and the truck for the bobby calves didn't wait 20 minutes for them to catch up from the setbacks. By the time they'd generously shown us around, answered our own questions and dashed into town to pick up gear that was going to be needed for our work to continue, breakfast was well after the noon sun.

The farm was a stunning vista of steep hills and boggy valley floors. The cows looked in good health grazing out in the fields. At the beginning of each season, their cell count was low, as one would expect, but it would continually increase over the season until it became so high they'd have to dry off early. This happened every year.

We found that the electric fence and homestead were finding an easy earthing route through the entire cowshed. The cows were getting an incredible 10V shock as they were being milked (bear in mind that they can feel anything from 0.5V upward) which explained the ever-increasing cell count every milking season.

By earthing the electric fence with one galvanised stake (placed with enough distance in the opposite direction to the cowshed) the voltage running through the shed then became an incredible 0.3V. Peter also connected all the machinery to the pipework so that there was no potential difference within the entire unit (see him working in the photo).

This will undoubtedly have a massive impact on their financial income as well as the health of the herd, not to mention peace of mind for them dedicated farmers.

Job well done :) 🙌

www.strayvoltagetesting.net

While out testing for stray voltage down the eastern Bay of Plenty, I noticed this young heifer lying in the paddock next to the cowshed. She looked in a bad way.

One of the workers went over and tried to force her up in the early afternoon. She eventually did through her hind legs but stayed on her front knees limp and lifeless, head drooped.
On approaching him, I discovered she'd developed an infection in both of her front hooves which he'd spotted the day before and pulled her out to give her antibiotics. Today, they had worsened and were brutally swollen. He was troubled as he had nothing else to offer her and she was heading toward the underground.

When I got a moment I went over to see if I could help by releasing pressure trapped in her skeleton. Working from the pelvis up toward her skull, I discovered she was loaded in her right shoulder blade and cheekbone. She'd been gurgling, belching and blinking at each shift but when that scapula let go, her back end did as well and then I knew we had hit the nail on the head. She began licking her swollen front hoof which was a nice change from being unbothered about the number of flies that had been biting it.

When I stood up to go, she stood too. At least, on to her hind legs. She drank from the bucket I got her and began eating with a vengeance, working out how to crawl from one grass patch to the next on her knees.

I reckon she'll be okay, eh :)

This week, I'm down the east coast with my uncle, Peter Dewes, testing for stray voltage in cowsheds. This is work that my Grandpa set up when he retired from veterinary service in his late 70's. Now Peter has taken it on, developing the work and advancing it further.

Ideally, cows should have less than 0.5V running through their hooves during milking - in other words, a level that's below what they can detect. Every mother needs to be calm as she breastfeeds. At this farm, the herd were getting a 2V shock over 4m as they moved from the holding yards into the parlour. Hence why some of them were difficult to get in.

Not only that but the last three in the row were getting a constant 2V shock during milking due to the concrete at the end of the shed not being reinforced. There's my uncle welding some metal strips for the milkers to stand on. It will earth them while they handle the cow's udders and prevent the electricity from going into the beasts.

Really simple changes make a huge difference for these sensitive animals. I highly recommend getting milking sheds checked out. Stray voltage affects cell count, stress levels and behaviour.

www.strayvoltagetesting.net

We're at it again !! :)

The Good Farm and I are collaborating together to offer introductory sessions of Contact CARE, Flinchlock Release next Friday 1st September. This is a fantastic opportunity to F E E L the difference after pressure has been released from the depths of the bones and out.

It's a painless procedure and can help with aches, inflammation, stress, anxiety, sleeplessness and more. This is designed for people new to Contact CARE, who want to know more about it and whether it can help them or their livestock. I'll talk you through what's happening as I work.

Contact me at [email protected] or PM me and I'll book you in for a half hour slot between 9-11.30am, Friday morning. Koha donation.

Paul Keeber is a pretty awesome horseman based in Whakatane who does barefoot trimming and bodywork. I had the pleasure of hanging out with him this week while he worked with a bunch of his clients.

There's nothing like being alongside a colleague in the field to gain a bigger picture of wellbeing for a horse. His knowledge and approach to these animals is inspiring.

I spent the day out with Abby Lusby yesterday, a barefoot trimmer based in Omokoroa. It was wonderful to watch her work and see how pressure through the body plays out in the shape, consistency and thickness of the hooves.

Any difficulties the horses had with balancing or behaviour, making Abby's job difficult, was instantly reversed with a couple of Flinchlock releases. It was amazing to witness how such a simple act immediately changed the working ability of each horse and with it, our own perceptions of each one.

For example, a mare we brought in to the barn to trim was a bit highly strung and only wanted to stand against the railing, facing the open door where the other horses were. We thought she was nervous about being separated from the herd. Her right hind wasn't easy to hold up and trim and then when Abby guided her away from the railing to access her left side, she'd shift straight back. This happened several times. I offered to run my hands over her and found an old injury in her left hip that had left a significant scarred hole. The owner described finding her injured one day and pulling a chipped bit of bone from the wound. She didn't know how it had happened. The more it released, the more she moved away from the railing until she was calmly facing the opposite direction and was unperturbed by the other horses. Her hind legs had become lighter to lift and there was no issue when Abby trimmed them.

A jolting, pain-in-the-butt and heavy front leg on another horse just needed the elbow released to become easy. Another hind-leg struggle just needed the hock released in order for Abby to work effortlessly with the hoof.

It's days like these that blows one's mind apart as it's realised once again, and perhaps at a deeper level, that these animals don't have honesty as a choice. They simply, are.

Out with a beautiful, quiet herd of jerseys yesterday in the Hauraki Plains. Jo Vickers, an Advanced Practitioner and Bovine Instructor, was leading the day with her wealth of experience and passion of sharing knowledge. There's nothing quite like being in the milkshed with good friends, colleagues and four-legged teachers.

Something that became clear while we whittled away with these big animals is that the sooner they have the pressure dropped from their skeleton as young heifers, the less impact it has in affecting their shape later during production. Any injuries they sustain in their first two years of life, whether it's a difficult birth or an accident in the calf pen, distorts their structure at a cellular level. This makes them far more susceptable to having difficult births, mastitis, or trouble cycling as their bones have grown and mineralised with this distortion. Getting the young ones coming through checked over by a Contact Care practitioner is definitely an awesome way of preventing challenges later on down the line.

Another great Contact CARE practitioner, Keren Donaldson, and I were recently out on the South Kaipara Head treating a herd of twelve horses. Blustery winds ploughed over the farm with a thorough blanket of rain to soak us through each day but as you can see from the photos, we had a great time.

Thanks to Rosemary who runs the Dunes Lake Horse Inspired Learning Centre and to each horse who worked with us to find a new ease in their bodies.

Keren is based up in Warkworth, Auckland and treats both humans and horses. If you're in the area, she's certainly worth a visit. Her website: www.restoreflow.co.nz

This horse and rider were just hanging out in this comfortable position. Notice how they've found an equilibrium where they can both chill.

In Contact C.A.R.E, a practitioner takes a look at the directions and angles that exist when the pair are settled and works to release what holds them in this unbalanced shape.

The outcome almost always includes more ease in movement, communication and less behavioral issues.

Horse & Rider as one beast.

ConTact C.A.R.E acknowledges the unique and powerful form of combining the mind of the human with the body of the horse. Now that owners and their horses have been addressed individually, we're cracking open the places that get stuck only when these two become one. Pretty awesome stuff.

This is totally suited toward fine-tuning for performance riding, riding injuries and any repetitive patterns that occur in either horse or rider that aren't optimal.

Here's a handy article I wrote about Flinchlocks, what they are and how they come to be :)

A week ago this rescue dog had a ConTact C.A.R.E session and we got to meet up to see how he was going. Have to say, he was almost unrecognisable. His coat was glossy, he was supple in his chest and shoulders and fuller in himself. I didn't remember him being so tall!
..
Hi Margaret from Luke.
I want to thank you heaps for my treatment on Friday. It sure has loosened me up both physically and mentally/emotionally. So thank you heaps💖.
Hope you are having a great weekend- mum took me for an hours walk trot beside her bike early this am. It's ok I'm allowed to stop sniff and p*e as much as I like on the way. # # #

Horses, of courses, down in the local divide.

This work is fantastic for issues such as unsoundness, head shaking, sore backs, sensory hypersensitivity, trouble floating, pelvic problems, gear and rider related injuries and concussion.

A dog day of ConTact C.A.R.E treatments in Tauranga BOP