Equine Bodywork by Laura

Taking five for a mid-session siesta 😴💤

Notice where he’s chosen to put his feet❓

We often focus on how a horse moves, but we can also learn a lot by looking at how they choose to stand.

👉A horse’s posture is their default way of organizing their body when nobody is asking them to perform, carry a rider, or work through an exercise. In many ways, posture gives us a glimpse into how comfortable the body feels at rest.

➡️In the before photos, he looks more compressed through his body. His feet are tucked underneath him, his neck appears shorter, and the angle at his poll is more closed.

✅In the after photos, he has chosen a noticeably different posture. His stance is more open because he is more stacked over his joints. His neck appears longer, and there is more freedom through the poll and upper neck. Instead of looking compressed, he’s taking up more space through his entire frame.

✨What I find interesting is how often posture changes when a horse no longer feels the need to brace or protect certain areas of the body. When more freedom becomes available through the joints and soft tissues, the horse often reorganizes itself naturally.

Movement starts with posture. Before a horse ever takes a step, their body is already telling a story. 🐎

(These photos were all taken today — at the beginning and at the end of his first session)

What differences do you notice? 📸

Did you know that the look in a horse’s eye can tell a much bigger story? 👀⬇️

✨Research shows that a horse’s facial expression can be an indicator of pain and discomfort in the body. This is visible in the eyes, ears, nostrils, and facial muscles.

🐴That’s why regardless of what area I’m working on, I try to keep the face in my peripheral vision whenever possible. I’ll also routinely check in with a horse by reaching a hand towards their nose. You’ll see me do this several times during a session and there is a purpose behind it.

✋Offering my hand isn’t me seeking their affection—although it does help build a foundation of trust and rapport—it also gives me valuable insight into a horse’s nervous system state. Their response tells me whether they’re present and engaged, processing the work, or beginning to mentally check out.

🪰That’s also why I prefer not to work on horses wearing a fly mask whenever possible. Their facial expression communicates valuable information, and helps guide the work.

The eyes offer a glimpse into what the horse is experiencing beneath the surface, adding context to everything the body is communicating. 🤍

😌 Look at that sweet face. I love when owners capture moments like this. ❤️

Seeing a horse settle into a session and truly relax never gets old.