Equine Iridology
Iridology is the study of the iris of the eye with the view to establishing inherent weaknesses and disorders throughout the rest of the body. Human iridology has been studied since Ancient Egyptian times and were mentioned in writings by Hippocrates. However, the first authorative text was published in 1670 by Philippus Meyens in which he contended that the eye contained valuable information about the rest of the body. Other books and iris maps have been published by Hungarian physician Dr Ignatz von Peczely (1881), Liljequist (1893) with more recent texts by Dr Bernard Jenson and others in the late 20th Century.
There are 2 schools of thought within iridology; one that the iris doesn't change from birth and that it shows inherent weaknesses only, and the second that the iris shows both inherent weaknesses and changes during the lifetime according to health issues experienced. These can be either musculo-skeletal or diseases of the organs.
The idea that the whole body is mapped out in smaller areas that can be used either diagnostically or therapeutically is not limited to iridology. Reflexology, Su Jok and other systems recognised in other cultures have been independently developed and support the overall philosophy that all areas of the body are inter-connected such that it is impossible to influence one area of the body without influencing the whole. One system of acupuncture based on Nogier points of the ear works in such a fashion. Given the overall philosophy underlying these approaches, it is not surprising to hear that modern reductionist medical belief does not yet recognise such systems of diagnosis and treatment.
Equine Iridology is less well known and documented than human iridology. Syd Mercer was probably the first recognised equine iridologist who reputedly helped a number of racehorses win major listed races. Roger has been taught by Ellen Collinson who has similarly helped advise a number of top trainers sort out problem horses on their yards that have subsequently gone on to win big races. Ellen studied as a human iridologist and then spent considerable time studying horse caracasses and correlating what was discovered at post mortem with markings in the iris in order to establish an iris map of the horse that can be used in the live animal.
By looking at the iris detail it is possible to see both behavioural and medical traits. Knowing what to look for and whereabouts in the iris enables the trained iridologist to determine overall constitution, inherent weaknesses, to determine if those weaknesses were inherited from the Dam or Sire and more importantly to see health stresses in organs and limbs before they might become more clinically apparent to conventional blood tests etc.
By detecting problems in their earliest stages it enables steps to be taken to support those organs and limit the liklihood of those weaknesses manifesting as clinical disease. Of course where the progression has already led to clinical issues these can also be detected and treated and it is surprising to some people that not all individuals with clinical manifestations will necessarily show anything abnormal on blood test. However if we consider statistical analysis theory and practices that are used to determine the "normal" range for blood values we see that in a normal bell distribution curve only 2/3 of the population are within one standard deviation of the mean value in any set of statistics. What this means in plain English to those less mathematically minded is that for some individuals it is perfectly possible to have normal levels of enzymes or blood pressure etc for that individual that lie outside the commonly recognised range of "normal" values. Consequently some of those individuals will have pathological states for them with values that lie within the "normal" range. It must therefore be remembered that such tests are only best estimates as to what might be going on and the best indication as to the disease status of an individual is that individual itself and the presenting signs and symptoms. Any information that is truly individual such as iridology only adds to the overall impression of what is going on.
It is with this recognition of individuality that has led Roger to learn Iridology and to use bio-feedback devices and individually tailored remedies within his work wherever possible. | 
