The Equine Collaborative

Your horse's back is a mirror of their body. Acute strain or injury is not the only thing that causes pain and tension. Basic, general work also requires that we maintain their backs and bodies properly.

Most horses carry tension in their bodies because carrying a rider is hard work. Without regular bodywork, things tighten up.

The horses that transform most are the ones whose owners understand their anatomy, and that's what I teach.

You can learn more with my free masterclass; link in bio!

equinewellness

I see it all the time.

A horse that tosses their head, opens their mouth, fights the noseband, and fights the reins.

Unfortunately, in so many programs, the first instinct is to tighten the noseband, force contact, or further correction.

But here's what I've learned after years of doing equine bodywork: the behavior is almost always the symptom.

When a horse is holding tension in the muscles around their jaw and poll, as well as near the TMJ, they will consistently fight even the lightest pressure from your hands. The tension in the body is the real cause. Some possible causes of this tension in the body can be:
dental issues, setting back, poorly fitted tack, and unsound training techniques.

The good news?
Once you know what to look for, you can start to address it, and the changes you'll see in your horse are incredible to see.

I just posted a carousel breaking down the 5 most common signs of tension in horses; go check it out on my profile.

If you want to learn how to actually address these things yourself, I also have courses and clinics available. Link in bio!

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