Jodie Sinclair Interview

Name
Jodie Sinclair

Website & Places you can find me online
Websites: www.balancedhorse.net
www.jodiesinclair.com
www.horseconscious.com
www.horsewomen.com
Natural Horse Network
LinkedIn: Jodie Sinclair
Facebook: Jodie Sinclair
FB Fan Pages: Jodie Sinclair Equine Photography & Equine Natural Movement Series

Where I am 
I am currently located in southern Rhode Island, great beaches and acres of land preserves with many opportunities for a variety of trail riding.

Tell us a little about you, what is your background & where do you come from?
I was born and raised in RI and spent the greater part of my childhood doing anything horsey.

In 2nd grade the teacher asked the class what we wanted to be when we grew up. Last one sitting in the class; I wouldn’t leave until I could decide between being a cowgirl or an artist.

Thank goodness for that teacher, she told me I could be a cowgirl by day, and an artist by night. Dilemma solved, I went home and began my journey.

Raised on westerns, and getting pony rides on my Grand Mother’s retired circus horses, I was enchanted by horses for as long as I can remember. My parents realized no matter what they did, my passion was not going away. Even a fall off my Grand Mother’s horse, Colonel Joe, resulting in broken wrist at age 5, did not sway me. Eventually after mucking my riding instructor’s stalls for a few years, I had the good fortune of sharing the rest of my youth with my 1st horse, Sweets.

Sweets became my best friend, my confidant, and my mother. She was an invaluable teacher, teaching me about patience, responsibility and partnership. It was during my years with Sweets I first experienced what incredibly natural and powerful healers horses can be.

You started out photographing horses and moved into bodywork, what prompted that change?
My dreams of becoming an artist quickly dissolved when I discovered I could not draw a proper stick figure. I finally found the means of expression I had been searching for when I was given my 1st Instamatic camera. Photography moved to the front, and I went to Rochester Institute of Technology and majored in photography.

Several years later I opened my own photography studio and had a very successful career as a commercial fashion photographer for about 25 years, working with national companies and magazines. Unfortunately, the more I worked, the less creative expression there was, and eventually, I burned out. Big time! I was extremely unhappy, and found the “fashion” world had lost its appeal.

After a tough year personally I took a break and traveled, knowing it was time for a change, seeking inspiration for what might be “next”. While in AZ I discovered an Arabian horse farm next door to where I was staying, and went over to explore. As I was watching the mares and their foals, a little filly came running up to the gate and gave me the biggest horse kiss I could imagine.

That little girl, Good To Go, touched my heart so deeply, and reconnected me to that love and openness you only feel in the presence of a horse. I realized how much I missed horses, and how I needed them in my life again. When I was with them I felt whole, loved and at peace. That little filly and I played together every day and I am so grateful for the joy she shared with me, and the path she showed me.

I have always had a strong interest in holistic medicine and therapies and have experienced many different modalities myself.

During this trip I booked a session with a very gifted Healing Touch Practitioner I had heard about. During our session she mentioned I could do the same Healing Touch work with animals, and that was it! It clicked. I immediately began to study holistic modalities to use with horses. It was a perfect way to combine my holistic interests and beliefs, with my love of horses. It was time to give back and do something more meaningful. I walked away from my studio and photography and began my studies. I have studied equine acupressure, Bowen Technique for Animals and Integrative Energy Therapy. I am a now certified in Equine Sports Massage Therapy, the Equine Natural Movement Series and Healing Touch for Animals.

Only after working with, and being with horses, for a few years was I able to go back to photography and pick up my camera. I found them to be so inspiring I felt compelled to capture their spirit and their beauty. It goes back to that 2nd grade cowgirl and artist. The circle is complete.

Can you tell us a little about equine structural integration?
I have studied many modalities, and Equine Structural Integration brought everything together for me. It is an extremely gentle and respectful, yet profoundly deep bodywork. The work is done with kindness, compassion and respect in order to promote trust between the horse and the practitioner. Trust is crucial to doing the deeper release work.

Equine Structural Integration, unlike massage, focuses not on muscles, but on the fascia. Fascia is the protective layer of connective tissue that surrounds all the muscles, bones and organs in the body.

Muscles give physical movement, but fascia gives muscles their shape, and the whole body its structure. Massage addresses myofascial tissues, but not the entire fascial planes of the body. Equine Structural Integration, or the Equine Natural Movement Series, aligns and balances the entire body by lengthening, smoothing and releasing the fascia.

It is done in a series of five sessions designed to sequentially unwrap accumulated restrictions, teaching the horse where his holding patterns are. Each session is performed at a pace the individual horse’s temperament and physical condition allow, working progressively deeper on the fascial planes, releasing chronic adhesions.

As chronic adhesions release their hold, the compromises the horse has developed in his body and movement, fade. Freedom of movement emerges as the different layers of tissue glide more effortlessly over one another, helping horses establish a better sense of the ground, their relationship to it and to the gravity that supports them. This has the overall effect of bringing greater power and rhythmic grace to the horse’s gait. The horse is able to access his potential power, energy, and grace.

Are there specific disciplines that respond better to treatment than others? 
I think bodywork is crucial to keep the equine athlete in peak condition. Their bodies undergo tremendous stress; however, the work is about rebalancing the entire body, so all breeds and disciplines can benefit.

I have worked on police horses, barrel racers, back yard pleasure horses, hunter jumpers and dressage horses.

The schooling horse is constantly adapting to balance different riders, so he/she might not have the same opportunity to truly rebalance and benefit from the work as the one owner horse.

What are the main benefits of holistic care for equines?
Never a substitute for traditional medical care, holistic care takes more of a preventative approach to health, and works to enhance the body’s innate healing process. Holistic care approaches health and well being by addressing the root of a problem vs. treating the symptom. The idea is to keep the body running smoothly on a core level before something develops into a condition that will require medications, surgery, etc.

What other types of natural care do you recommend to compliment your bodywork?
Chiropractic is a wonderful compliment as well as sports massage therapy. Good nutrition is always important. I incorporate energy work into all my sessions.

As a prey animal, horses have such an acutely developed energy field that they can respond so naturally to energy work.

Energy work can assist the horse in releasing emotional trauma that might be associated with a physical injury as well as enhancing their overall well-being. Horses have such a well-developed sense of smell I often use essential oils in my work as well.

How do you feel about GM crops making their way into the equine food supply?
I will be honest and say I do not know a lot about them, just that I don’t want to eat them! I also don’t want to put my horse in a pasture that has been fertilized with chemicals and weed killer. I don’t think we definitely know what any long-term effects might be. I worked for years with a holistic vet who felt the basis of all health is good nutrition. She also believed that many manufactured vitamins are devoid of true nutritional value. She did prescribe many supplements and vitamins, but was very particular about the source. I think I know how she would feel about GM crops!

Have any simple tips you can offer horse owners to improve the overall health and happiness of their animal?
Don’t be afraid to just hang out with your horse or let your horse just hang out with you.

As crazy as it sounds, take a walk with your horse, with you on the ground, and develop a connection. So many people are so focused on performance and achievement they seem to forget they are with a living being.

In recent months I have personally discovered that by asking, rather than telling my horse, I have a softer and more willing partner. She actually listens now, as opposed to arguing. It just took some extra time to work on our connection and learn more of her language. The payback is indescribable! Just take a little time to connect and appreciate all your horse does for you. Spend a little time together without working.

Listen to your horse. A buck, a jump refusal, a missed lead may be a training or behavioral issue but don’t rule out a physical limitation that might benefit from closer attention.

I have worked on horses with behavioral issues that release as their physical limitations and restrictions are tended to.

Horses have pretty simple wish lists. Whenever possible, sunshine, fresh air, free movement and at least a little grass now and then will keep them very happy. For those horses that are on limited turn out or in smaller paddocks, a stroll on nice day is a great thing to do. I think horses really enjoy the ability to move freely without the restriction of halters, bridles and saddles. I sometimes turn my horse out in the indoor or outdoor arena, if they are not in use, just to let her move as she wishes, have a good roll or get her bucks out if she needs to. I do realize these things are not possible for every horse and rider and they are just suggestions.

Do you (or did you) have an animal that is the muse behind your work?
My 1st horse Sweets and the little Arabian, Good To Go, are the inspiration behind my work. Now every horse I work with touches me, and each one inspires me to learn more and be better at what I do. My present muse, my own horse Reason, is extremely sensitive and a constant source of learning for me.

Every day I am reminded what natural healers and teachers horses are, and I feel honored when they allow me to work with them.

What kind of effect do you see the Internet having on the equine industry as a whole? 
I think the most positive effect of the internet on any industry is its ability to connect so many people who might not otherwise cross paths. It allows everyone to network, advertise and reach so many people. There are many wonderful discussion groups and networking sites with people sharing knowledge and ideas.

Has it had an effect on your career? 
It’s helped me connect with people and expand my business.

And now a little about your photography, did your love of horses or the camera come first? 
I believe horses came first, with the desire/need to express my vision of the world as a very close second.

What kind of camera do you use?
I’m currently using a Nikon D200. It is my first digital camera. My background is film and the darkroom, so I’m still learning about the digital world. I have used the camera long enough to realize its limitations and plan to upgrade soon. I definitely experience frustration with digital and miss the quality of film, but I certainly don’t miss the darkroom!

What else are you passionate about? 
Hanging out with my new horse Reason. She is a Belgian who was in dire need of a new home, and her owner asked me if I would take her. She is an inspiration and is responsible for me meeting many new people and learning so much.

I am also involved with a wonderful new business, Horses Know The Way Home. Brian Reid and his Shire Brenda Lee demonstrate how horses observe situations, and live in the moment, continually moving forward. Brian holds workshops to coach people on how to apply this “horse sense” to their own life, and move forward.

More to Come

Thanks to Jodie for answering the interview and sharing her work. Be sure to check out her Balanced Horse website to learn more about her work.

Also stay tuned for more interviews with horse artists and photographers.
Are you a horse artist or do you know an equine artist you’d like to see featured? Add your name and website in the comments below or drop me a note to get involved.