THE world of horses couldn't be further away from professional wrestling.

However, Jock Ruddock, a former Australian professional wrestler, came to the world of horses in 1997 via the practice of Equine Touch.

ET was originally taught only to veterinarians in Europe as a gentle form of bodywork which they could use in conjunction with allopathic medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture and chiropractic.

This is where Jock met his wife Ivana, a vet and former lecturer in anatomy at the Czech Veterinary University in Brno who was looking for another way to help animals in pain.

Since then they have travelled the world teaching ET to horse owners.

The Ruddocks can be seen at this month's Equitana Asia Pacific at the Melbourne Showgrounds on November 20-23.

Other international presenters from Canada, US, Germany and New Zealand running education sessions daily include: Pat and Linda Parelli, Olympic dressage rider Andreas Helgstrand, Olympic eventers Clayton and Lucinda Fredericks, Maureen Rogers, Loesje Jacob, Uwe Spenlen, Jim Masterson, Robyn Hood, Joanna Robson, Marta Williams, Stephen Duren and Dirk Stroda.

For a full list of educators go to Equitana Asia Pacific.