18/02/2026
If your horse tries to bite, shifts around, pins their ears, swishes their tail or even kicks out during a session…
Please don’t tell them off.
I won’t.. and here’s why:
That reaction is information !
It tells me:
• That spot is sore
• The pressure needs adjusting
• They’re feeling vulnerable
Or they’re processing a release
Sometimes it’s discomfort.
Sometimes it’s tension surfacing.
Sometimes it’s a genuine emotional or physical release.
Bodywork isn’t just “nice pats”
It can bring up stored tension, find compensation patterns or areas they’ve been guarding for weeks, even months!
When a horse reacts, they’re not being disrespectful.
They’re communicating.
If we immediately reprimand them, we risk:
– Shutting down honest feedback
– Teaching them to suppress discomfort
– Masking signs that could be clinically relevant
And as a professional, I NEED that feedback.
This is also how horses release..
You’ll often see:
• Licking & chewing
• Yawning
• Shaking
• Deep sighs
• Shifting weight
• A moment of fidgeting before softening
That’s their nervous system recalibrating.
My role is to listen, adjust and work within their comfort - not overpower them into standing still.
If I ever feel a reaction is unsafe or outside my scope, I will pause or refer on.
But during massage?
Your horse has permission to express themselves.
We are here to support them, not silence them🤍
