Lion van den Hoek has been working in the international show jumping sector for 13 years, as a groom, sports masseur, and trainer. Since 2016, he has been working with NES Health Equine, which he now does from his company Equine Dreams. Van den Hoek's mission is to work from a place of calm and give horses the opportunity to develop themselves.

What does the nervous system do?

"The nervous system is a communication network that regulates contact between all parts of the body. Signals are sent from the brain to different parts of the body and vice versa through the nervous system. The system controls the muscles and organs, usually through the spinal cord." When blockages occur in the nervous system, whether due to a fall, injury, or cell poisoning, the transmission of signals may be compromised. This can lead to issues in the musculoskeletal system, as well as in the organs, because the nerve pathways leading to them may no longer function properly.

Ataxia

Nerve blockages in horses are often classified under the term 'ataxia.' However, this is primarily a symptom, not a disease. Damage to the nervous system can result in signals from the brain not reaching their destination or only partially reaching it. This can impact the coordination of the horse's movements. The severity and location of the damage determine the visible effects on the horse. Ataxia is often seen in both hind legs, but even a small nerve blockage can affect only one leg. Sometimes horses may seem a bit weak and unbalanced. If the blockage is in the neck or shoulder, you may only notice something in the front legs. Minor damages are not very noticeable. A horse may perform slightly below par, or not move perfectly. Nerve problems are often not considered in these situations.

Issues

"About 60% of the cases I see involve movement problems," says Van den Hoek. "These can include traumas, hindquarter issues, and horses showing ataxia. Extremely nervous horses also come to me for treatment. When a horse is examined in the regular circuit, the focus is mainly on the legs, sometimes supplemented by an osteopath checking the back. With the scanner, we can look deep into the body and at things like connective tissue in a simple, non-invasive way."

Making a diagnosis

Van den Hoek uses a scanner to measure the nerve pathways. He places the MyHealth scanner on the horse's body, usually on the shoulder or mid-hand. Within half a minute, the device provides a detailed overview of the circulation in the horse's body. Van der Hoek then identifies the main blockages. "The scanner emits sound waves. I use these impulses to locate the issue and to unblock the body. Using the laptop connected to the scanner, I can read what I need to treat the horse completely. Of course, I also consider factors like fatigue, the horse's eye condition, and information from the owner when discussing the scan results."

Treatment

The treatment includes 'traditional' massage techniques, with additional information from the scan and Van den Hoek's years of experience guiding where to start. "I ensure that the body can release tension and restore circulation. Each resonance has been tested by the inventors of this method, and every problem has its own frequency. This allows me to pinpoint the issue and know where to release tension and treat, based on what that nerve needs at the moment. I use the MyHealth scanner for both scanning and solving the problem. PEMF (Pulse Electro-Magnetic Field therapy) works with sound waves. It is also used by NASA for astronauts, for example."

"The results are often incredible," Van den Hoek says excitedly. "Even after working with this method for four years, I am still amazed sometimes. Horses that have been thoroughly examined in the regular circuit sometimes show significant improvement after just two treatments. We can treat virtually all conditions, from lameness to chronic diseases, extremely nervous behavior, or horses lacking energy or appearing depressed. We can really make a difference. Clinics and conventional veterinarians will always be necessary, but I am 100% certain that in the future, systems like PEMF will be used extensively."

A lot of blood contributes to blockages

"We are currently breeding very good sport horses," Van den Hoek continues. "Horses that have a lot of blood, making them very sensitive. These horses are highly susceptible to nerve blockages. I keep asking myself, 'How can we further improve the well-being, enjoyment, and fitness of our horses?' In my opinion, attention to nerve blockages and their influence is crucial."

Organs

Nerve blockages do not just result in lameness or ataxia, but they can cause many more issues. "When a horse has been experiencing mental issues for a while, it affects the organs. By unblocking many organs and improving circulation, the horse's mental well-being also improves. For instance, if I release a liver blockage, it often has an emotional impact on the horse. Life is one system."

Vitamin absorption

The scan results indicate everything, from nerve blockages associated with organs or joints, to vitamin levels and the mental state of a horse. I still find the latter very remarkable. By measuring the blockages, I can see that certain vitamins may not be functioning properly at that time. For example, if there is a blockage in the stomach, the digestive process is slower, leading to potential vitamin deficiencies. If there is a blockage in kidney function, it may be wise to provide natural supplements to support the kidneys. Often, you may look in the wrong place and administer the wrong treatment. This method helps prevent that."

No blame

Van der Hoek emphasizes that the occurrence of nerve blockages in a horse does not necessarily mean poor management. "As an owner, you have not done anything wrong; a nerve blockage can result from a stumble, foaling, or something similar. It is certainly not always someone's fault. However, particularly in the sports sector, when a horse needs to perform at a high level, it is crucial to unblock, otherwise, you may end up with tendon injuries or other conditions."

Enthusiastic

What stands out in the conversation with Van den Hoek is his passion and enthusiasm: "Each new scan is a challenge for me to interpret and treat that horse. Osteopaths and physiotherapists can definitely enhance their work with this system and work more directly, quickly, and deeply."

“While the results are often striking, in chronic cases, we often see good results within two to four weeks, though this is not always the case. It is wonderful to see horses recover well from a severe blockage that seemed hopeless. But if a horse has been pushed beyond its limits for a long time, recovery may take a while," Van den Hoek concludes.

Conclusion: Nerve blockages require attention

Blockages in the nerve pathways can lead to various issues in horses. They affect not only the musculoskeletal system but also digestion, organs, and the overall performance of sport horses. Lion van den Hoek recommends scanning for nerve blockages and uses new technology with sound waves to relieve the blockages. Sports massages can also contribute to the recovery of horses with neurological blockages.

For appointments, contact Lion through his website.