08/01/2025
That high head carriage? It might not be just how your horse moves. It could be a sign your horse’s core needs support.
A weak core is something I see a lot in the horses I work with. And honestly, it matters more than most people realize.
Let’s think about it in human terms. When your core isn’t doing its job, other parts of your body step in to help. Your upper back starts to ache, your posture shifts without you noticing, and movement just doesn’t feel quite right.
Horses are no different.
When their core is weak, you might see:
• A high head carriage that never quite settles
• Tension through the poll or lower back
• A hollowed-out frame that struggles to lift or push from behind
These are all ways the body tries to cope—but over time, that compensation creates even more tension and makes everyday movement harder than it needs to be.
❓ Why is this so common?
Most horses today work on flat, even ground—smooth arenas, dry lots, cleared pastures. Especially here in Illinois, we don’t have much variety in terrain.
But wild horses? They’re constantly moving—up and down hills, over rocks and uneven ground, weaving through trees and brush. That kind of natural movement builds core strength just by living.
Our domesticated horses don’t often get that. So we have to be more intentional.
💡 So what is the core, exactly?
When we talk about the core, we mean the deep muscles that stabilize the spine and pelvis—the ones that keep everything balanced and working together.
Some of the key muscles are:
• The abdominal sling (like a supportive hammock under the belly)
• The obliques (side-body stability and strength)
• The multifidus (tiny muscles along the spine that control fine adjustments)
• The iliopsoas group (deep hip and pelvic stabilizers like the psoas and iliacus)
When these muscles are active and strong, you see better posture, smoother transitions, and movement that feels more fluid and connected.
👐 Where does bodywork fit in?
Let’s be clear—bodywork doesn’t build strength. That part comes from movement and conditioning over time.
But bodywork does support the process:
• It helps release tension and holding patterns that develop from compensation
• It improves proprioception—your horse’s ability to feel and use their body
• It creates more space for balanced, comfortable movement
When your horse isn’t bracing or locked up, they’re in a much better place to start building true strength.
✨ So what can you do? Start simple.
One of my favorite tools for core engagement? Ground poles.
Used with intention, they help:
• Activate postural muscles
• Encourage lift through the back
• Improve balance and coordination
• Build strength gently, without force or pressure
If you want to learn more about why the core matters and how ground poles can help, I always recommend Gillian Higgins at Horses Inside Out. Her article "The Importance of Good Core Stability in Your Horse" is one of my go-to resources:
👉 Read the article - https://www.horsesinsideout.com/post/the-importance-of-good-core-stability-in-your-horse
If your horse has felt a little tight lately—or just not moving as freely as usual—their core might be part of the story.
And I’d love to help support them.
Through bodywork, we can help your horse feel better in their body—so they can move more comfortably, from the inside out.
📍 Serving Barrington, IL + 75-mile radius
💆♀️ Massage | Myofascial Release | Intuitive Energy Work
The core muscles of the horse play a vital role in a horse's balance and posture.
