13/06/2026
My favorite horses to work on are horses that have anxiety issues.
The nervous system and body of the horse are so closely intertwined. Being the prey animals that they are, they are wired to react when they perceive a threat without really stopping to think.
They jump away as soon as they hear something in the brush, their body immediately springing into flight.
So when they feel discomfort in their body, it’s bound to influence how they feel and react to pressure. Whether the pressure be under saddle or on the ground.
A horse that is sore in the back might present as flighty or sensitive. A horse that is sore in the jaw or the poll might push through the bit, searching for release.
I have the opportunity to focus the horse’s attention onto areas of discomfort, and I sit in it with them. I watch them closely and let them guide me through at their own pace.
I don’t push harder than I need to, I don’t force. I cultivate a quiet conversation. I help connect the mind and body to bring the horse back into the present moment.
I whole heartedly believe that massage isn’t just the manual manipulation of tissue, it is the gateway back to awareness.
