As a Master of the Usui tradition of Reiki and an Equine Communicator with many years experience, I use a combination of skills to help horses with injury, illness or behavioural problems. Based near Gatwick, I practise in the areas of Surrey, Sussex and Kent.
What is Reiki?
Reiki, a form
of energy healing, works by channelling universal energy through the healer
into the chakras - energy centres where the body's meridian lines meet. It
works on all levels and can help with physical, mental, spiritual and emotional
problems. The Japanese words Rei Ki literally mean 'Universal Life Force
Energy'.
Most horses will develop blocked chakra's at some stage in their lives through the pressure of the lifestyle we provide for them, or through specific trauma. Treatments clear these blockages by balancing the energy and supporting the body's ability to heal itself. For example, a persistent injury like a tendon may appear much improved after one or more sessions. In addition, Reiki cleanses toxins out of the body, promotes well being and can even improve confidence - ideal for performance or competition horses. Most importantly - Reiki treats the cause of the problem not just the symptom.
Nina Simkins
Reiki Master and Equine Communicator
How does a
treatment with me work? Initially I will consult with you about your horse's problem and gain some history about you both. Then, when we have decided that Reiki treatment is suitable for your horse, I will arrange a treatment time to fit in with his routine. For example, when the yard is quiet and your horse is not expecting feed or turnout.
To commence the session I will introduce myself to the horse and quietly lay my hands on his back. I will work through the chakra's, any specific area I find needs attention, or any area previously discussed. I am directed by what I find, for example, "hotspots" or energy changes that indicate specific problems. I am often 'given' indications of the problem directly by the horse and this is where I will use my communication skills.
Each session takes between thirty minutes to an hour depending on how receptive the horse is. Younger horses usually take less treatment and first sessions are often shorter than those that follow as the energy becomes more balanced and the horse more receptive.After a treatment I will discuss my findings and recommendations with you. Not all horses need more than one session. Reiki goes where it is needed and each horse's individual requirements vary.
Responses during and after
treatment
You will notice a variety of responses as your horse
receives the energy. He may start blinking, licking and chewing, belly rumbling
and resting his hind legs. Normally horses show stronger responses on following
sessions as they have learnt it is enjoyable and relaxing. Then you may notice
them dropping their heads, closing their eyes and drooping lower lip.
Following the session each horse will react individually to their treatment. Some behave as if they have received a tonic and are quite lively, some are very affectionate, others, on the night following treatment, will not eat up preferring to sleep!
It is not unusual to see no specific reaction following the first treatment, and sometimes there is a delayed reaction following subsequent treatments.
Recommendation following
treatment
On the day of treatment I request that you do not
ride your horse following the session.
Important information
I work
strictly in line with the Veterinary Surgery Act of 1966. This requires all
animals to have been examined by a vet prior to treatment or, in an extreme
emergency, with a vet en route. I hold Therapist Public Liability Insurance and
will require you to sign a treatment consent form prior to the first session.
I have been a horse owner and competed at unaffiliated level for nearly twenty years. Several years ago it became apparent to me that, using the philosophy "horses do everything for a reason and have a reason for everything", by tuning in to my mare I was getting better results with her and our relationship improved 100%.
I decided to take the Reiki path and found my equine communication skills developed along the way.
I have had success with horses suffering:-
Sometimes owners have asked for treatments as a simple tonic, or if their horse seems a little off colour and they cannot pinpoint the animal's problem.
I regularly treat people, including Multiple Sclerosis sufferers to boost their immune systems, for a specific problem, injury, ache or pain.
When some clients have discovered the relaxing Reiki experience they request a treatment solely for a good night's sleep!
Personal Development
I am
undertaking a Diploma in Spiritual Healing.
It is my intention to continue training in equine
and human therapies in the future. 
Equine visits are charged at £30.00 per treatment.
Human visits are charged at £25.00 per treatment.
Small animals are £20.00 per treatment.
A small travel charge will be made for distances over 15 miles.
This list is only a guide to fees for my services and not inflexible. If you have a genuine interest in helping your horse or animal and would like my help but cannot afford full treatment prices, please contact me anyway to discuss your individual situation
Nina first worked on my horse when she was on box rest for six months after a serious injury. She worked methodically and carefully through her routine, and highlighted the fact that Mel had plenty of blocked areas which needed releasing. She also mentioned that emotionally my horse seemed ‘numb’ to her. What Nina didn’t know was that over the previous few months Mel and I had been through quite a traumatic time at a previous yard and that I was considering whether I should sell her to someone who was more capable of managing her.
Nina suggested we leave her to recover from her injury, then have another session. This we did, when she was in light work, and being turned out for short periods. This session wasn’t too dramatic – Nina felt she was recovering well and that most areas had shown some healthy change. Emotionally, my horse was far more open, which I felt reflected the way we had bonded during her period of box rest. Our last session was a couple of months later, which showed some dramatic changes. We were getting on much better, with a healthy respect for each other, which was reflected in the flow of energy through all areas. Nina also told me that the injury site was indicating that more recovery was possible, which was fantastic news.Overall, I have been delighted with the sensitive way Nina has handled my horse, who is not the easiest of characters, and I would have no hesitation in recommending her services.
Debbie from Surrey
"When a horse in our yard had a severe bout of colic, Nina treated the horse with Reiki while we waited for the vet to arrive. It slowed his breathing down and helped him to relax enough to stop him from trying to roll.
"On a separate occasion, Nina treated a mare which
would not be easily caught. After one session she was meeting us at the gate
and we had no further problems catching her."
Nadine from Surrey
"I was quite curious about Reiki and thought I'd ask
Nina to give my mare a session to see what happened. She was also quite heavy
on one rein so wondered if anything would come up. During the session, Nina
picked up areas of old energy in places where she usually needs physio
treatment. Nina also kept getting sent pictures of my mare's teeth! When I got
the dentist to check her, he found that she had a tooth which had split and
needed to be removed. Since this, my mare has had a much more balanced feel in
her mouth and is working much more consistently. On a separate occasion I asked
Nina to check her as she didn't feel quite as free as usual. Nina found some
new energy around her tendons which have previously caused problems. By
receiving this warning, I was able to work the horse lightly to let the injury
settle down and prevent a lameness and large vet bill!"
Emilie from Surrey
"I called Nina in to look at my mare, who was taking
a long time to work 'thru' properly and seemed reluctant to work in an outline.
I had previously had the horse's back, teeth, feet and saddle checked regularly
but still she seemed reluctant and not completely happy in her work. When
carrying out her Reiki session Nina found that there was an energy block in the
horse's sacral chakra which she was able to clear and showed a change in the
energy there. Also Nina found that there was frustration showing in the solar
plexus and heart chakra's and that the mare showed a need to be heard in the
throat chakra showing Nina a show jump! As I do not 'jump' I found someone to
do this for me and the mare seems to be more forward going and alert to the
aids. Thank you Nina."
Gill from
Kent
Nina first met my seven-year-old gelding Khan about 2
years ago. We kept our horses at the same yard.
Khan was a very
troubled and depressed horse at the time. He had had a very harsh start in
life. He had been found with a pony in a field as a three-year-old, half
starved and totally wild. Needless to say he could be very untrusting of
strangers. It didn’t help that he was in the middle of several months of
ongoing trip to the vets which involved nerve blocks, x-rays and scans to
investigate why he was having intermittent lameness and back problems. It
turned out that Khan, then aged just five, was diagnosed with having navicular
in both his front feet, and abnormal suspensory ligaments in both his hind
legs. The vet said that it was a condition he was born with, To cut a very long
story short, Khan had to have three months' total box rest and a further three
months of being walked out in hand for five minutes in the morning and evening
(great fun for a five year old), and have remedial shoes (£175 a set
every five weeks) ... And still there would be no guarantee that he would come
sound at the end of it.
His well-being was suffering and Khan was
becoming more and more depressed (as was I) and I was seriously wondering if I
was doing the right thing by him, and by me, as the cost of his shoes was
killing me financially, and it was breaking my heart seeing him so depressed. I
was seriously having thoughts of having him put to sleep.
Over a cuppa
in the t room one day Nina told me about Reiki and I thought that I would give
it a try on Khan - after all the vets had practically given up on him telling
me that he would never be able to do anything other than in hand, and very
light hacking maybe once a fortnight for 30 minutes just in walk. So I had
nothing to lose.
When Nina first treated Khan she took time to get to
know him before treating him and was very patient with him, as Khan was, let's
just say, less than obliging towards her as he was quite worried as to what
Nina was going to do to him. Needless to say most of his centres were blocked,
including his heart.
It took a few treatments for Khan to realise that
Nina was trying to help him, but once he did he really started to benefit from
them. Nina also advised me that whenever I was doing things with him - be it
grooming, mucking out, walking him out - I had to be 100% positive around him,
and not to interact with him if I was at all feeling down or negative as he is
a sensitive chap and the bond that he and I share is so strong that he was
trying to take on my troubles as well as his own.
Its now two years on
and Khan, now aged seven, is doing great. He now is barefoot and I currently
hack him two to three times a week (walk, trot and a steady canter) on rides
that are about one hour long. Khan loves every moment of them. He still sees
Nina once every couple of months as I feel that this helps his well-being. He
looks forward to it and he knows that Auntie Nina, as I affectionately call
her, is helping him.
I truly believe that Nina has saved Khan's life
and has given him back the quality of life he deserves. So I guess all that is
left for me to say is THANK YOU Nina for giving me my beautiful horse back.
Joy from Surrey
"I have found the Reiki healing provided by Nina to
be extremely beneficial particularly as I suffer with Multiple Sclerosis. I
find this keeps me balanced and therefore I am able to function well from one
month to the next. Very worth while!"
Fran from
Surrey
"A couple of years ago I separated from my husband of
24 years. It was a difficult time for me. Apart from the obvious upsets, I was
suffering from sleeplessness and various aches and pains, particularly in my
knees which Nina said was related to all the stress I was suffering. The first
time Nina treated me with Reiki I became very emotional. I experienced some
strange feelings and at the end of it I felt very tired and drained but felt
that a weight had been lifted. I slept heavily that night and the next day my
knees and head ached but by the end of the day I felt much better. I had a few
more session with Nina and felt better each time. My knees have been fine ever
since and occasionally when I feel a little stressed or upset Nina comes to my
aid with Reiki and I feel wonderful. Reiki has helped me to relax, got rid of
my aches and pains and I am a much happier, stronger person for it. I would
recommend it to anyone, whether for health or emotional problems - the results
are amazing."
Maria from Surrey
PRESTWOOD FARM
Equine Sales, Schooling and Livery IFIELD PARK
Animal and Country Centre
LUCIS COLLEGE
Alternative Therapy Courses
in partnership with Guildford College of Further EducationEQUINE PRACTITIONERS
UK Professional Equine Therapists' Register
CONTACT
Nina Simkins
01293 824790 ......................... 
me