No matter what the type of animal, situation or location, Reiki is most well known for its relaxation properties but from years of experience, we know that it can do much more.
Reiki has recently been offered to a number of horses, ponies and donkeys at Hope Pastures. It a joy to practice this compassionate therapy and the added pleasure of receiving great feedback makes it especially worthwhile.
This therapy is often added as a support to other care or veterinary treatments and the cases below are no exception. The Hope Pastures staff, volunteers, vets, other care providers and new owners all do a wonderful job but it’s lovely to know that Reiki is also contributing to the improvement in the physical, emotional and mental well-being of these beautiful souls. Animals only take Reiki should they wish to do so, and we certainly feel the energy flow when it is offered.
Due to COVID-19, Reiki has been sent distantly by Friends Of Baxter Animal Care’s distant healing group in recent months and Hope Pastures’ senior Welfare Co-ordinator welcomed the opportunity for Reiki to be sent to seven equines in their care suffering from stress, fear, medical conditions or recovering from surgery. For various reasons, Covid related and otherwise it was a few weeks before we managed to discuss the feedback and we were delighted to receive the updates below.
Coco was suffering from recurring hoof abscess, requiring him to be stabled and a minor operation for Sarcoids
UPDATE: “No more abscesses 
. Coco is much better”.
Fly was very nervous and scared of being confined in small spaces
UPDATE: “Fly is absolutely fine now and happily going into a stable every day, he is a much calmer pony in all ways!”
Logan had left his Hope Pastures family for a new home and was described as ‘stressed out’, shaking his lips repetitively (a stereotypical behaviour).
UPDATE: “Logan is much less stressed and happier now. He’s in a field with other horses”.
Piper had been rescued recently rehomed from Hope Pastures. Having been through a lot of change this final move was suspected to add more short-term stress although in his best long-term interest.
UPDATE: “After initial Reiki, Piper was settling in but challenged a field mate, especially over hay, and received a kick that required Vet treatment, antibiotics and painkillers. Following further Reiki, he is now much better, he has settled in his home and he fits in the herd better too”.
Hercules arrived at Hope Pastures bursting with excitement. Acting this way all the time would be too much for other horses to cope with. Consequently, he was struggling to find a new home
UPDATE: “Hercules is more settled but he is just back from the hospital after an operation on his legs and needs to spend 3 weeks in his stable which will be hard for him as he is such an active pony. More Reiki would be lovely to help his rehabilitation”.
Freddie an ageing Shetland pony was struggling with his weight, stiff in his hindquarters and on medication for Cushing’s disease.
UPDATE: “Please can you continue to send Reiki to Freddie”.
With these positive updates came a request from Hope Pastures:
“Instead of those that are now better, we would love Reiki to be sent to 4 more ponies and horses with issues ranging from food aggression, fear of being restrained, malnourishment & lethargy and adaptation after being abandoned by prior owners. I’ll send you the details. I’m even thinking about learning Reiki myself”
For more information about Hope Pastures see https://www.hopepastures.org
By Friends Of Baxter Animal Care Distant Reiki Group