When one piece of equipment affects the entire body

“So how is your horse today? How is the princess/prince?”

Most of my clients will hear me ask this question at the start of a session. I like to check in and hear what information I can glean from those who care for the horse on a day-to-day basis. It’s important to me because such insight can have a great impact on how I interpret what I feel while working during a session.

Changes in behavior especially can signal that things are not quite ok and that something is amiss way before we start seeing physical or lameness issues.

Case in point, a lovely mare with a heart of gold and truly loved by her owner. When I asked the above question, the answer was:: “She is doing great! She is even getting a bit sassy now that spring is here!”

All words I, as a part of her care team, love to hear. But things aren’t always as they seem. Sassy can mean a great many things. And sometimes we aren’t even aware the horse is trying to say things are hurting.

In this case, I found some significant tension in the cranial bones, the TMJ, the jaw, the hyoid, the poll, the upper cervical vertebrae, all resulting in tension through the rest of the body. The mare also presented with a disconnected state through her lumbar region and right behind her withers and girth area. Her back was tight and tense, her joints in her hind end showed very little range of motion and her muscles in both hindlegs were very tight.

As I kept peeling the layers and working my way into her body, I could feel a distinct tension in the area where we would find the noseband on her bridle, and also throughout her entire head and poll.

So I asked the owner: Do you use a flash? And the answer was yes. As I described what I was feeling, the owner suddenly remembered that her mare, usually quiet and very accommodating, had started tossing her head. And the conversation led to her stating that a previous trainer had taught her to use a tight flash to prevent her horse from opening her mouth. And while she is no longer with this particular trainer, the mindset was still there to keep her horse from expressing herself.

Now, there is not one horse owner out there who hasn’t followed someone else’s advice and later regretted it. Myself included. In this case, the owner thought SHE was doing something wrong and it caused the head tossing. Once I explained to her how a tight noseband or flash can cause tension and restriction, and showed her how it impacted the rest of the body, it all became clear. And the flash came off immediately.

In this case, the equipment caused discomfort, which the horse was bracing against, causing resistance and tension through her entire body. Her neck twisted, her jaw clenched, her whole front end became braced, the ribcage could no longer swing freely, and her hindlegs had no room to move forward causing restriction and tension there. There was no way for this mare to get away, her only out was to express her discomfort when it became too much. Hence she started tossing her head.

As we peeled the layers, her mare started relaxing more and more, the twist through her neck and withers became less prominent and her neck lengthened. Her back came up, her shoulders relaxed, she stood square, her hips relaxed, so did her hamstrings, her ribcage opened and she was able to breathe more deeply. And at the end of the session, her ribcage was swinging softly and evenly.

As the riding season ramps up again with our warmer temps, consider what your horse may be telling you. While I am a firm believer in safety, our horse’s typically communicate in a very subtle way with us first before engaging in dangerous behaviors. Sometimes a small change can make a big difference.

If you would like to discuss your horse’s situation with me, please give me a call.

In the meantime, enjoy your rides!

The Power of Surrender

As this month of January is ticking along, relentless in its progression of minutes, hours, days, I decided to take some time to reflect on 2020. Many of us struggled, were frustrated and sometimes felt so helpless. Me included. There were several weeks where I wasn’t allowed into any barns to provide the care for my clients. There were several weeks I was not even allowed to see my own horse. So many things have changed, so many are still uncertain.  

I spoke with a friend today and realized we, as a society, are grieving. Yes, grieving. I think we all realize at this point that nothing will go back to what it was. But would we really want it to? Even before Covid, if we had to really dig deep, were we happy? Content? Excited? Elated? Satisfied with how life was happening? So what are we really grieving? What are we missing?

I would say it’s the relative security of knowing what is expected of us, what our options are, how life is supposed to happen. The very fabric of our culture and society has been ripped away from under us. And we are all somewhat teeter-tottering, trying to find stability in a very unstable world. We are trying to redefine our societal structures, our relationships, friendships, daily routines and interactions, and also our priorities.  

One of the first things I learned last year is the practice of surrender. When I was first informed that I was not allowed to see my horse, I was more than unhappy. Anger, frustration, resentment, helplessness. All of those emotions were very much present and accounted for. They also took up residence in my body. When we feel these emotions, they have a very real effect on our physical form and out mental aspect. Our horses are very much the same. Their bodies express the mental and emotional state they are in at all times. 

I could have spent several weeks immersed in anger, resentment and negativity. I chose to surrender. Surrender to the fact that I was not in control over the final decision. Surrender to the fact I had to entrust the care of my horse to someone else. I can tell you, it wasn’t smooth sailing by any means. Any practice, be it starting a new health regime, an exercise routine, a meditation practice, the goal to ride or train your horse a certain number of days, to study equitation or decide to working with a trainer – all require a commitment. But most importantly, they require a willingness to do things imperfectly. To realize that some days we will feel like we are going backwards, or we are failing. To accept the fact that some days we will not meet our goal or commitment. To surrender to life not being a straight line from point A to point B. To realize we are imperfect.

With that being said, you are probably wondering why I chose to write my first piece of 2021 about this topic. What does this really have to do with horses? Or bodywork?

Healing the body and mind requires us to let go of our linear thinking. It asks us to surrender to what the body tells us it needs and to let go of assumptions. Healing is anything BUT linear. It happens in a myriad of patterns – sometimes circling back, sometimes reaching a plateau, requiring us to reassess. But most importantly, it requires us to listen, to get quiet. The body keeps a score of all that happens. Be it physically, mentally or emotionally. Just think of your horse as a depository of all that has happened. Good, bad, indifferent. My late mentor, Dr Sue Brown DC, likened it to an orchestra with many instruments. Any experience had was like adding another instrument which had to be integrated into the whole. If it wasn’t tuned properly, if it wasn’t integrated, it would create a discord. And the tuning of some instruments take more time than others. The integration of some experiences may also require us to assist and then get out of the way so the body can utilize its own healing mechanism to complete the integration process. And that requires us to surrender to a level of uncertainty that can get uncomfortable.

For me personally, I have found some ways to help with this. One of the tools I use regularly is meditation and breathing techniques. Box breathing has been especially helpful to me. I can do it anywhere, anytime and it doesn’t require a lot of time or special equipment. It helps me get centered and grounded before I interact with horses and clients. I can also use it in between horses, especially when I have several sessions in a row. I have even been known to use it while waiting in line to get into a grocery store when my patience is a bit thin! It allows me to enter a more relaxed state of mind, increase my focus and attention, slow and deepen my breathing, and come back to center.  

You can search it pretty easily - just type Box Breathing into any search engine and you will find a myriad of websites popping up. It is even used in the military and in Seal Training.

In the meantime, be well and I wish you happy and content horses.

Daniela

Conscious Partnering

A couple days ago I came across the below quote in one of the newsletters I subscribe to (The Shift Network if you must know).

“What if every relationship in your life was built on authenticity, conscious communication, and collaboration? – Nick Polizzi”

The headline was “Conscious Partnering” and without even reading the email, I knew I had to write on this. Because partnering is at the very core of my work with any animal I encounter.

It also reminded me of my own journey as a horse woman, the layers of unconscious behavior I had to shed personally to be effective in my work. My own horses were my greatest teachers for sure. So were my cats (if you want a lesson in being a perpetual student of life, adopt a cat!).

Working with horses can be extremely humbling. I remember just the other week starting to work with a new horse and the owner telling me a bit about him in addition to the information provided on the intake form. He is an older gelding and had some injuries and a recent bout of illness. I typically ask clients to complete the intake form prior to a session so I can review the information, see if there are any contra-indications to bodywork, some underlying things that may not be readily apparent, the energetic components to the animal’s personality as well as the owners, and then I clear everything out of my head again. The reason for the “forgetting everything part” is: I do not want to go into the session with any pre-conceived notions or ideas that would influence how I “read” the animal.

But in this case, the timing didn’t quite work out that way, so I had all these facts and thoughts buzzing around in my head. And being human, I fell right into the trap of “I know what this is and what I need to do”.

I spoke to my client on what I would like to accomplish and focus on and gave her my reasons. I should have known better. Horses are such tattle tales on our human foibles!

Her horse clearly had different ideas and very specific needs. Within a few minutes, I threw out my “plan” and went back to listening to him, really listening consciously. To partner with him and not just follow my own agenda. Getting out of my way was a big component of my training, I do apparently need occasional reminders that it is an integral part of my work. 

Allowing the horse a voice allows me to go deeper than I ever thought possible with the lightest of touches and a deep connecting presence. My job is to support, facilitate and assist the horse in letting go of that which does not serve. This requires listening to what he has to say. Listening enables me to see and feel past the obvious (he is tight here, he is short-strided there, he is cranky). Consciously listening and responding accordingly, I am able to show him the possibility of a different way of BEING. Physically, mentally, emotionally. And a connection is made built on trust.

In this case, I worked mostly on this horse’s head/poll and upper cervicals. And yet, the owner noticed a difference in his entire body. HE knew what was needed.

Research has shown time and again that we cannot separate the physical body from the mental and emotional component. If everything is energy, how could we even think there is a separation? While the study of the mind/body connection has mostly focused on the human species, I see parallels in our animal companions and even the wild ones all the time.

I have had the privilege of working with some animals plagued by illness, injuries, past abuse and neglect. And while the physical scars heal rather quickly, the emotional and mental ones can take some time. Survival mechanisms are set in place and can continue for a long time. Primal instincts, hard-wired behavior. How do we get past them if we impose our will upon the animal and assume we know what they need without listening?

Conscious communication allows both participants to have a voice, the ability to express themselves truthfully. This can be very disconcerting for us as humans because we are so used to being “in charge”. I know I am guilty of this myself. And I am by no means advising you to ignore dangerous behavior in your horse. Safety must always be a top priority. But I want to offer this for contemplation: Before our horses “act up, misbehave, don’t listen, ignore us” or do all the other wonderful things we say about them, what subtle signs did WE miss? Where can we become more conscious in our interaction not just with each other but with all life? Where can we let go of a story we are expected to live simply because our society expects us to? Where can WE as a human species reach higher, dive deeper, become more aware, more connected? How can we learn from our horses to be more in the moment, quiet, still, aware?

I will leave you with a quote from one of my favorite and most inspirational teachers – John F Barnes:

“Love is what interconnects us all. In every one of us, there is a very special, deep, silent, powerful space. This is what I refer to as our essence. As we release the unresolved pain and fear, and shed the obsolete belief systems that are thrust upon us, we can truly reach our full potential.”

And so can our horses.

Have a great weekend!

Working WITH your horse, not ON him

Working with horses has been quite the educational journey. I remember clearly my search for the training program I wanted. I got DVDs from certain schools, looked at their promotional materials, checked out websites, read testimonials. I have to say, I went a little nuts because I wanted to make sure the program was a fit not only from the point of WHAT they were teaching but also how they viewed the horse and how the material was being taught in person. Being a life-long learner, finding a connection with my instructor was absolutely vital for me. Yes, learning anatomy is important. Yes, having a solid understanding of the actual techniques can’t be stressed enough. After all, I didn’t want to be just a weekend warrior but become a professional.

I wanted to learn from someone who saw the horse as more than a collection of body parts. And while a lot of massage schools do honor the horse as an individual, I felt something critical was missing. The horse’s voice.

So I kept looking and finally found Jim Masterson and the Masterson Method of Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork.

What intrigued me most was how he incorporated reading the horse’s subtle responses as a way to discover where the horse held tension and restriction in his body. And by following those responses, it would allow me as a practitioner to use the right level of touch, inform me on how long to hold it, or even which modality to choose.

By actively involving the horse in the process, we can achieve a level of relaxation and cooperation that allows the release of tension and restriction deep within the body’s structure and also the nervous system. We work with the entire being - body, mind and emotion. In essence, we stay underneath the horse’s “radar” which could trigger the fight/flight/freeze response.

A horse can brace in many different ways. Some are so subtle, we sometimes fail to recognize them. A good example would be a horse holding his breath. He is internally bracing even though he may stand still.

Another example would be a horse standing perfectly still but his eyes are hard, his muzzle and lips are tight. It’s important to recognize those small signs and back off. Not just the pressure, but sometimes I even need to change the area I am working on. Or the modality I am using.

I have worked with horses who are very expressive and leave no doubt as to how they are feeling. And I have also worked with horses who are so stoic, I was starting to question myself until I stepped away and suddenly he started yawning and yawning and yawning!

Jim is a great storyteller (another plus for me!). One of the stories he told us was of a horse who simply would not show any signs of release whatsoever. Even Jim started to question himself! So he stepped back and suddenly the horse walked over to the side of his stall where a blanket hung. He stuck his head underneath and starting yawning repeatedly! Of course we all had a good laugh. It was good to hear it happens to even the most talented and experienced professionals!

Honoring the horse’s response goes against so much of the training advice. But consider that this is the horse’s way of communicating. And to establish trust, I have to allow your horse to have a voice in how, when and where I work. And for how long.

I have had several horses in my practice who could not tolerate any kind of touch. So I use energy work to help. If you have never seen it, it really is an amazing healing modality. And yes, I could go into quantum theory to explain, but I will leave that for another time.

I have also had horses who pushed hard into my hands, so hard I had to brace my own body against a wall. All the while, the horse looks blissed out and relaxed.

Some are really affectionate, nuzzling me, wanting to be close, others are quite clear on needing breaks and not to come back too early!

Some live for the big demonstrative showy release like yawning, eye rolling, snorting and sneezing. arching or shaking the neck. Others are more subtle, like sighing, taking deeper breaths, shifting weight, gurgling in the digestive tract and passing gas (yes, that’s also a release).

But no matter how a horse expresses himself, having him participate has taught me how much more I can accomplish when I listen and listen closely.

And that’s why I work WITH your horse, not ON him. It’s a conversation your horse gets to participate in.

Having a conversation that matters to your horse and you.

Have a great rest of the week!

We are all energy

I recently started reading a book by the amazing Dr. Joe Dispenza - “Breaking The Habit Of Being You - How to lose your mind and create a new one”. I find quantum theory and brain science, specifically neuro-plasticity, endlessy fascinating. BUT, you might be asking yourself - what does THAT have to do with Equine Bodywork? Why would she even write about this? How would this make a difference for me and my horse?

Quantum physics and quantum mechanics influence and govern our lives 24/7. And it applies to horses as well. How does the mind influence the body?

I can hear you groan now. I promise, I won’t bore you with science today! Just a couple fun things to contemplate.

I will quote Dr Joe Dispenza from his book because I simply can’t improve on this:

“The physical body is organized patterns of energy and information, which is unified with everything in the quantum field.”

— Dr Joe Dispenza

Basically we are energy. Our horses are energy. And our thoughts and feelings influence this field of energy. Did you know that we are 99.99999% space?

When scientists looked closely at sub-atomic particles, that’s what they found. We are pretty much space. And so are our horses.

It’s a bit mind-blowing when I think about it. I don’t know about you, but when I am with my horse and I put my hands on him, he feels pretty solid to me! So realizing that my mind perceives one thing but it can be something else makes me wonder what else I need to take a fresh look at.

When I first started out working with horses, it was all about how to address their physical being. Reality is we can see, touch, feel, smell and hear. And yet, from the very beginning, frankly since I was a child, I could feel the underlying current. The unseen vibration. The heart connection. I could feel my way into the body in ways I could not verbalize or even explain. And I saw the connection to the horse’s particular way of being.

Time and time again I see horses with particular patterns of tension that are expressed with certain types of behavior or performance. Not only are those patterns expressed physically, but also mentally and emotionally. Before stress, tension or dis-ease shows up in our horse, changes have already effected the energy field.

Understanding this connection, how changes within the field influence the body, brain activity and even how the brain is wired, can give us a whole new and deeper grasp on how we can help our horses feel better, perform better and be happier BEFORE their physical health is impacted.

We all want our horses to be happy. To look forward to us showing up versus hiding in the back of their stall or running to the other end of the pasture. We all want to give our horses the best life possible.

True health and well-being is never just about the physical portion of ourselves and our horses but an integrated way of being that encompasses the mental and emotional aspects as well.

And addressing all aspects during the bodywork session by working WITH the horse, not ON the horse, can have a profound healing effect on your equine partner.

Call for a consultation today.

Are you listening?

I recently read a LinkedIn article about this very same topic and its main point was that most people don’t listen to understand but they listen to reply.

And it made me think how many times we fall into this trap with our horses, me included. And yet, can we learn to change that?

My journey into bringing greater awareness to listening started a while back, although not because of horses. I noticed how I was interrupting people when they spoke. I was so intent on making my point, I had little awareness of how my behavior effected and changed the conversation. Luckily, I have great friends who are more than forgiving!

Growing up in a large family with regular gatherings, you simply had to speak up to be heard. You couldn’t wait until there was a pause in the conversation because it never came. By the time someone took a breath, five other people were already filling the nano-second of silence. My family is loud, boisterous and fun. So you learned to speak up. To discuss, to agree to disagree, to keep the conversation flowing. Always having family around can be a blessing and a challenge!

I had developed this habit of simply saying what I needed to when I felt I needed to. Fast forward quite a few years, and the realization hit me that this habit was preventing me from allowing other people to say what THEY needed to say. Becoming aware of the urge to jump in before the other party was finished was a start. It allowed me the opportunity to pause before replying. And boy, was that an eye-opener. My conversations became richer, more nuanced, more authentic. The other person felt heard, less judged, and became more open to sharing the deeper stuff. The things we typically don’t put on the table unless we trust the other person. This awareness of being still and receptive came in really handy when I started working with horses. Learning to listen with greater awareness allowed me to be more receptive and attuned to the often missed subtleties of communication.

We so often miss them – the clues and hints our horses give us. A flick of an ear, the breath being shallow. The hardening of the eye, or even a softening of the muzzle. It all means something. A little or a lot, it has meaning. Especially to our horses. By the time we encounter behavior or performance problems or even lameness, our horses have been compensating and communicating a lot. We may have just missed the subtle signs because we are so busy talking and telling them what to do.

A good example would be when I work on releasing tension in the poll, the horse may be quiet and seem like he is accepting the touch EXCEPT his eyes have gone hard. His breath has stopped. His muzzle became tense. And suddenly he flings his head hard. By being aware of the little things, I can work on softening my approach, retreat to an area that is more acceptable at that moment, or simply reassure the horse that I am only there to help. It establishes trust and I can build on it. Over time the horse will accept my touch in areas he simply didn’t want touched before. It’s like a delicate dance between allowing the horse to say what he needs to and still stay in the conversation when he simply says: Not Happening.

This is especially true when working with animals who have been in pain and discomfort for some time. They have learned and mastered coping mechanisms we can’t even fathom. Tuning out an aching joint, shifting body weight, recruiting tissue and body parts originally not designed for that job. Horses are masters at compensation. And it’s precisely because of this that we must became more aware of what they are saying in their quiet ways.

I remember having a conversation with a dressage rider who kept saying her mare was spooking to get out of work. The very idea of “work” is not something a horse can relate to – it is an abstract concept. Their brains just don’t work that way.

Her horse had a lot of tension in her body. Her behavior was reflecting her discomfort. She was in flight-mode most of the time, overwhelmed by the demands being made on her body and mind. She didn’t spook to get out of work, she was in survival mode, showing behaviors appropriate for her species. I listened to her mare. I allowed her to show me where she needed the work. As we slowly unwound her body from years of stored tension and restriction, as more and more relaxation was, her behavior changed. She became calmer all around. Less reactive, more willing and able to respond to her rider. Her confidence improved.

All because I was willing to listen to what was underneath her behavior.

We all get busy and want to get things done, I certainly do. We have goals and dreams, and sometimes we just want what we want. But horses aren’t bicycles or machines.They have a mind of their own, feel things deeply and remember them even longer. Listening to them can bring us to a closer partnership, a greater understanding and a kinder world for them.

Because our lives are so fast paced, demanding our attention every minute of every day, it would serve all of us well to take a step back and bring some silence back into our lives and our relationships. Maybe turning off the radio on your way to the barn, or spending a couple extra minutes grooming before we saddle up. Really staying present when we are with our horses.

John Kabat-Zinn said something that really hit home for me: When you are in the shower, are you really in the shower? Or are you in the car with the kids hurrying them to school? Or at work finishing the proposal? Or in a meeting?

And when you are with your horse, are you really WITH your horse? Something to think about.

Daniela

Setting Intentions - Staying Focused

As I sit here on my beautiful deck with a lush garden behind me, watching a young Robin fledgling hopping through the flower beds and his Mom bringing him food, I realize how blessed I am. My mock orange is in bloom and the sweet scent is all around me. I have a nice shady spot to write and a cup of good hot coffee, courtesy of my family in Germany. The breeze is just right and when I am finished writing this, I will head out to an organic farmers market to shop for our weekly veggies, supporting not only a local business owner but also the environment. It’s a beautiful summer day. I was once asked how I choose my topics. I don’t have a formula for it. I typically write about something I want to share, something I contemplate, something I learned. But most importantly: I set an intention to write and ask for inspiration.

As I sat contemplating the topic today, my mind couldn’t focus. So I decided to pull a card from one of my decks. And I pulled the Cheetah – with the message: Set your intention and stay focused to achieve your goals!

Losing our cat Gerry recently, I have to admit I spent the last several weeks in a funk. My motivation lagged, my focus gone, the only saving grace was my work with horses. It grounded me, helped me center myself again. And I realized, the one difference between those times and the rest of my life was – I set an intention.

Gerry’s passing made me realize how much I had relied on meeting his needs to center and ground my home life. When he ate, when he wanted the windows open, when he needed snuggle time. Because my INTENTION to make his life the best I could was the driving force behind it all. It guided all my actions and way of being. It anchored me into the here and now because that’s where he lived. He didn’t think about missed opportunities or an unkind comment he heard the day before. He didn’t contemplate what food he would eat tomorrow or if the sun would finally come out. He simply looked for what he needed right then and there in that moment. Living life fully every moment.

Setting an intention is how I start every session – with every horse, with every client. The over-arching principle is always my question to the horse: How can I help you today? What do I need to know? Where do you want me to work? My intention is always: I am here to assist you. Tell me what you need.

I sometimes say it out loud, I may whisper it into an ear, I may just be a silent request – but the horse always answers. Sometimes unsure, sometimes loud and clear, sometimes I will even get the “I don’t need help, I am fine”. But I always get an answer and it always informs my approach to that horse during that session on that day. And the intention is what brings focus to the work, the techniques I use, how much pressure, where to put my hands, for how long. No session is ever the same. I don’t have a routine. Even when I work on a horse regularly, the one constant is my question to the horse and my intention to help.

But when we bring an intention like “what do I need to know today?” to our every interaction with them, we can start peeling back to layers of difference in communication between our two. We can see past “bad behavior”, a “sour attitude” or “he just doesn’t want to work”. We can start seeing it as their way of giving us feedback and we can then tailor a response to their very immediate needs. Setting an intention can help us keep our focus since our lives are full of distraction. It can help quieten our mind so we can listen with our whole being, not just what we hear or see. We can develop our sixth sense so to speak because we become open to a much more subtle level of communication and interaction.

And this in turn allows the horse to trust us on a much deeper level and can build a strong foundation of a beautiful partnership and having a conversation that matters.

Living in the Moment

You may have wondered, or not, why I have been a bit more quiet lately. I wasn't writing much, to be honest. Our kitty Gerry had some health issues and well, life threw us a curve ball. We thought we were taking him into the vet for an abscessed tooth. But the diagnosis came back as squamous cell carcinoma - cancer to sum it up. In his jaw, and advanced. 

I am typically a "glass half-full, let's get it done" type of woman. But to be totally honest, the diagnosis upset me and my husband terribly. I did some research, but after two hours decided I learned all I needed and shut it down. I thought to myself he hadn't read the books on his prognosis, so neither would I. Incidentally I had just gotten the docu-series "The Truth About Pet Cancer". So instead I looked at our options. 

Gerry made it through the surgery fine and was so happy to be home. We are supporting him the best we can. Yes there are treatment protocols like chemo and radiation, even surgery which entails cutting away a third of his jaw. But we considered none of them. Invasive, painful, and he would suffer. We both wanted to give him quality of life that didn't include any of that. A personal decision for sure, and one my vet supported.

It took us a little while to find what foods he wanted, eating with a tender mouth is challenging. We found CBD oil (hemp oil) as an oral supplement but he finally had enough of us trying to give it to him. We found some supplements to really support his immune system even more than we already did. And now we are using a CBD ointment we can put on him topically, and so far he is tolerating it without too much fuss. And yes, I also use essential oils, which he chose. In his case, Plai for pain relief and anti-inflammatory as well as Frankincense (anti-cancer). Both of them we utilize via the inhalation method. We also use Red Light Therapy.

But the one thing I am learning every day - take life as it is. Enjoy the small moments and don't think about what's coming. Because when you do (and I inevitably do even as I type this), you miss the precious moment that is right in front of you.

Like the one this morning, when I sat next to him by the open patio door. Enjoying a soft breeze. As my fingers sank into his soft fur and I stroked the top of his head, he closed his eyes, enjoying the bliss of the moment. I have to be honest, my heart squeezed tight, so tight I thought I couldn't breathe. I was already projecting into the future. To the next Christmas where he wouldn't dive into the pile of tissue paper. Or the first morning where he wouldn't greet us demanding his breakfast. So I made a conscious effort of coming back to THIS moment. The one where he was peaceful and content and right here with me. He hadn't gone anywhere, I had. 

We so often miss the most important things because we are busy imagining into the future or reliving the past. And even though I get these little "life lessons" about being present and aware every time I work with horses, Gerry is teaching it to me and my husband on a whole new level. I have to say, the lesson sucks. I would have preferred a more gentle one. But this is what life has to offer. And so I have to live it. More importantly, I CHOOSE to live it. Right here, this moment. Finding a way beyond the pain, sorrow, heartache and sadness. 

He has more good days than bad right now, and so we are allowing him to make the decision on when it is time to let go. In the mean time I will make the most valiant attempt of staying right here. Smiling at his funny sleeping positions. Being thrilled that he is active and enjoying laying in the sun. Appreciating his soft purr and content gaze sitting next to us. He has always been an individual with a hunger for life. Sensitive to our mood, noises, energy in general. He has never been shy about letting us know what's up. It isn't any different now. When I felt a deep sorrow the other day and cried my heart out, he actually moved away and gave me a very annoyed look. "I am right here, Mom!" No guessing was needed on what he was telling me.

As I sat next to him earlier this morning, stroking him softly and watching a Robin determined to pick up another piece of material for his nest, I realized that life is full of - well - Life. I see the evidence all around me even as I once again loose myself in sadness. And yet, life marches on. As a continuous cycle of life, death and life yet again. Always changing, always present - coaxing us to be aware of this very moment. Life can be loud, and it can be quiet. It can be total full-on chaos or a stillness that makes your heart simply stop because of its breathtaking beauty. It can be ugly and it can be beautiful. And it is all these things and more. But it always is right here, nowhere else.

So when you go see your horse today, or tomorrow, or even next week, take some time and get quiet, get present. Look him in the eye, feel his soft breath against your face, the feel of his coat underneath your hand. Forget, for even just a moment, about his left lead canter not being perfect, or him giving you trouble mounting, or spooking at seemingly nothing at all. Get present and get connected. Because that's really where the magic is.

Daniela

Red Shoes and Saddles

A couple weeks ago I was a vendor at a local event where several brands of saddles were represented. Attendees could talk to the reps, even bring in their horse and also have their current saddle evaluated. It's always interesting the learn about this really important piece of tack. 

Not only do we have to consider what WE as a rider like and how it fits us, but we also have to consider how it fits the horse, both statically, but even more importantly, under saddle while moving. Fitting saddles is both art and science and the best fitters not only have their check list but are also very in tune with the horse's body language.

And it reminded me of shoe shopping with my Grandma. I know I know, you are probably shaking your head! But bear with me. 

My grandmother loved to take us shoe shopping. Not only did she believe that one should always be dressed well, but she absolutely adored shoes. Especially red ones. I mean RED. Fire engine bright red. So whenever we needed new shoes, she would insist on taking us instead of my Mom. 

I have to be honest, we weren't that excited about her taking us. Not only because her taste was very different than ours (imagine that!), but also because she would just insist on buying us the shoes she thought we should have. And mine typically ended up being red. 

I remember one time where I had my eye on this really pretty pair of black leather shoes, but I went home with red patent leather Mary Jane's. To this day I think my brother got lucky because his shoes at least weren't red! And to boot, the shoes didn't really fit, were quite uncomfortable and I really didn't want them. 

So why did I end up with them? A couple reasons. I simply got tired of asking for what I wanted. I was worn down by my really well-meaning grandma. I wanted to make her happy. I acquiesced to her position of authority (and she had the wallet). I never really wore those shoes much. They were uncomfortable after all. They weren't my style. When I did have to wear them, I got crabby and irritated just thinking about them.

And now I bet you can see where this is going. 

Our horses really are so very generous. I know I rode in a saddle that didn't fit my horse and didn't connect the dots. And it showed in his performance. I couldn't make progress and no supplement or training would have fixed that. Most horses put up with an awful lot from us. Add saddle fit is a big one. 

Whenever I work on horses, I pay attention to patterns that don't seem to resolve and also the feedback I get from my client. Be it performance or behavior issues. Our horses do tell us when their tack doesn't fit. But we must be willing to listen. Some horses are very subtle about it, others let you have it as soon as you go to get the saddle.

But my horse does just fine, I hear some of my clients say. And yet there is a lack of progress in the training, or the horse is irritable or depressed. 

Saddles are so expensive - that's another one I hear. And I get it. Believe me. A good saddle is an investment for sure. And finding the right fit for you and your horse can be a real pain the behind. 

But here is the truth. You can spend money on bodywork, training and supplements all you want. But if the saddle doesn't fit, you may as well put a match to your money. 

Not only that, but riding is a hazardous activity to begin with. And when you take your horse over that jump and suddenly the saddle grabs that left shoulder and you end up coming off and in the ER, with medical bills or veterinary bills mounting, the cost of a new and well-fitting saddle will suddenly look really small compared to that.

Addressing one of the primary pieces of equipment and ensuring a fit that allows the horse to use his body in the most optimal way can really save you money in the long run. When your horse can't move freely, he will have to use his body in a way that puts stress on other body parts such as joints, tendons and ligaments. And down the road, this will translate into a breakdown of your horse's physical well-being and vet bills. It will also hinder his mental and emotional well-being. 

If we want our horses to give us their all, we have to do our very best to make sure we are not causing them discomfort. 

Your bodyworker can be a good source of collecting data and information on what is going on with your horse's body. Talk to your professionals and listen. And most importantly, listen to your horse. He will give you the best feedback - hands down.

Wishing you all a great weekend. 

Daniela

Progress Vs Perfection

Recently I was working with one of my clients who is very hands-on and also wants to learn how to help her lovely mare in-between sessions. And some questions she posed gave me the idea to write this blog.

This particular client had already been using massage and stretching to help her horse. So she was comfortable in learning new techniques and we also amended what she was doing up to now.

Not all bodywork techniques are appropriate at all times. Most horse owners really do want to do right by their equine partners. And there is so much information out there, everybody touting a program for the equine athlete. But let's face it, finding what your horse really needs can sometimes be overwhelming. 

Let's take the idea of stretching. Most of us think that this should be really helpful to our horse. Increasing the range of motion, becoming more supple, preventing injuries. We hear it not only in the equine industry but also in personal fitness programs and certainly at the gym.

But what I see in reality is stretching being done before a ride when the body is "cold", stiff and not in any condition for this type of approach. I see people REALLY stretching, and actually pulling their horse's limbs without listening to the body and the valuable feedback it provides - subtle and not so subtle. Most horses brace against it. More harm than good can result by improperly stretching your horse.

I much prefer an approach where we not only work with the soft tissue in a way so it can lengthen incrementally over time, but that our way of doing it also involves the nervous system. And this may take quite a bit of time and patience because we not only want to lengthen the tissue but also create new patterns of movement and being. We want to create movement and space so energy can flow where it was previously blocked.

“Movement is the Essence of Life.”

— Bernd Heinrich

So what does all of this have to do with progress? As I was showing my client how to help her horse with pelvic and front limb function, I showed her how to work with her mare's body and building on the little movement the mare was capable of at that particular point in time. I also showed her the difference if I went way beyond it and how the body braced and created more tension. By staying under the bracing response, she could see how we made progress, even though it was only tiny.

By building on what the horse can offer easily, we can re-educate the body, specifically the somatic/nervous system response. We basically rewire the body! 

The idea for this blog came from my client asking: So how far should she be able to go? Will she be able to "XYZ" and when? She already had the end point in mind, locking onto the picture in her head of where she wanted her mare to ultimately end up. I know this well, we all do it, me included. We are so vested in the ultimate outcome, it takes a third party to remind us to stay in the moment. Sometimes it's our horse, sometimes it's a person. Staying in the moment, where our horse lives, right here, and paying close attention so we can facilitate the possibility of movement and fluidity without undue stress to the body system. Being clear of our intention to IMPROVE what is right in front of us.

“Too much action with too little intent makes for wasteful exertion of energy and the confusion between movement and progress.”

— Steve Maraboli (Life, The Truth and Being Free)

Horse Yoga with one of my client's horses - see how relaxed the right hindleg is - there is no force being used here to place the foot!

Above you see the range of motion for the right hindleg. Now take a look below and see the difference in the left hind. Quite a bit, right? 

And the same move for the left hindleg. Yes, there is a lot of difference!

Now, I could have easily have moved the left hindfoot more underneath the body. But the horse could not have held the position for long, creating more brace and tension in the body. The placement is data for me, connecting the dots with the other information I gathered with my hands and feel. By placing the foot here and keeping the horse relaxed, the body can now let go within the pelvic structure. Over time, the range of motion in the left hindleg will increase and more closely match what we see in the right hindleg.

“We are all glorified motion sensors. Some things only become visible to us when they undergo change.”

— Vera Nazarian

Reading the subtle clues our horses provide us requires us to stay in the moment. While it is helpful to have goals to strive towards, focusing too much on them can really blind us to what our horses need right now. Progress is rarely linear, just like life. Sometimes we make great strides, other times we seem to stall and plateau. When I hit those seemingly stagnant spots, I try to become still. Really still. Because life is never stagnant. It moves. We sometimes are just too busy to notice and pay attention to the quiet whisperings. The clue to slow down, or to change direction.

Progress sometimes also requires us to back track or detour. We may need a different perspective or even view point. Choosing to experience them without resistance is key. But your horse will thank you for it.

I hope you are enjoying the little signs that spring is coming. Just a couple days ago we had sunshine, rain and snow all within a couple hours. But spring is marching ahead, no matter what we see. Life reminds us continuously to pay attention by becoming still. 

May you listen not only intently but also deeply.

Daniela

Finding Different Ways To Re-discover Balance

Last night I had the opportunity to attend a fun "Equine Evening" gathering at a local feed store (Trellis in St.Charles IL) and we had an amazing turn-out. It really is so great to see how many people really are interested in learning how to take great care of their horses. I remember when I started my own journey and how overwhelming it can be. There is so much information out - it could makes your head spin! 

I was asked to be a presenter and speak on Equine Massage and Bodywork as well as essential oil therapy. The attendees would split into groups for each of the four presenters and after about thirty minutes would rotate to the next presentations. 

Packing so much information into a half hour seemed really daunting, I must admit. I love to speak on equine bodywork. Not only because it's my chosen profession, but because I truly am passionate about sharing with my community on how to keep our horses healthy, happy and content. And bodywork can be an amazing modality in doing just that.

Sharing my passion last night

Thirty minutes really only allows me to share the most basic info because these are very big and important topics with a lot of nuances. I had planned to talk more on equine bodywork. But as people sat down and chatted among each other, I overheard so many of them wanting to hear about essential oils. Thankfully I had come prepared (being a good horsewoman, you got to have options!). And I quickly adjusted my presentation to give more time to this topic.

After a brief introduction I dove right into the topic of fascia and the body's amazing system of inter-connectedness. This is a particular interesting subject for me and I am seeing amazing results with myofascial release work, especially regarding stored trauma and restriction and the effect on the nervous system. There is more and more research being done on Fascia and its unique function in the body. As I personally explore it in more depth, my obsession deepens!

Next up was an introduction to essential oils with an emphasis on combining their use with the Five Element Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine. This approach has enabled me to have a deeper understanding of balance in the body as it pertains to the flow of energy and re-establishing balance and harmony in the body as well as the mind and the emotions. It is also a great way to once again see and understand the inter-connectedness of everything that happens in our body and in our life.

I had been exposed to this concept by Nayana Morag. I briefly explained the Five Elements of Wood/Fire/Earth/Metal/Water and described how it may show up in someone's horse and his personality and outlook on life. And I also gave some examples of some oils that were particularly useful for the element primary to your horse. While each of us and our horses have all five elements present at all times, we typically have one (or two) primary ones that seem to stand out. In the future, I will expand a bit on this but there simply isn't enough time today to dig into it.

I have found that by determining a horse's primary element, I can then fine-tune and tailor my selection of essential oils and be much more focused in my approach. By connecting a horse's primary element to the issue we are trying to address, we gain a deeper understanding of their underlying patterns, behaviors, needs, wants, weaknesses and strengths. 

One of the beauties I met in Tucson

I also spoke about safety and the need for caution when using essential oils. I stressed how important it is to always dilute them. No matter what any company tells you about the purity and quality of their oils, dilution is a must because these substances are incredibly concentrated and can greatly harm your horse, pet family and yourself. Dilution is not about the brand of the essential oil but rather about the chemical constituents of the oil itself. There is much harmful and dangerous information out there. Essential oils do not mix with water. You should use one teaspoon of carrier oil to 1 drop of essential oil - at the minimum! Any company that tells you otherwise, find a different one. Education on this is very dear to my heart because we all want what's best for our animals and even one of them getting hurt is one too many. 

And topical application is not the most efficient way to begin with unless you have specific conditions (e.g. fungal conditions). So if you are worried about putting oil on your horse and it getting messy, inhalation is the easiest, safest and most effective way to use them. Always see if your horse actually wants to inhale the essential oil by offering for them to sniff it. They will be quite clear on their choice. I am not a big fan of prolonged use of these substances in an enclosed area (such as hanging objects in a stall and putting the oils on the object) because animals can't get away if they had enough and can no longer stand it. Just imagine if you had to be in a small room with a person wearing too much perfume and you couldn't leave!

I know many of you have diffusers at home and like to use them. And I am by no means telling you to stop. Just make sure your pets have a way out and don't have it going 24/7.

I do not utilize essential oils with every horse. I typically gravitate towards them to enhance my other modalities, if I encounter specific behavioral issues or am dealing with chronic conditions where I deem it appropriate and helpful. There is no one modality that has all the answers.

If you are interested in how this theory works in a bit more detail, here is a short video. While I could not possibly go into such detail during my presentation, it is a fascinating concept on health and vitality.

A good example would be a wood-type horse who is acting out. Anger is the emotion most associated with the Wood element. I typically see this in horses with an imbalance in the liver. Now this can be due to a toxic load, lack of movement, lack of freedom, not having their need for expression met. Too much food and not enough exercise and ability to perform can seriously tax the Wood element type horse.

Or it could also stem from the element of Water being weak in the system. If the Water element and the associated organ of kidney is weakened, the liver can easily overheat.  By utilizing essential oils to strengthen the water element, we can address the imbalance of energy flow and restore harmony within the body/mind/spirit for the horse.

As you can see, there are many aspects to the use of essential oils. And it may seem quite complicated. My main goal is for you to have fun with them but use them in a safe manner. 

And if you are wondering what element YOU are, just google it and you can take a test. My pre-dominant element is Wood with the second being Water. My gelding is Wood with his second being Fire. And my late mare was Water through and through. My husband is Wood/Earth and my cat is a Water element as well. Knowing these things may not influence every decision I make in life, but I can say that it does help in choosing a course of action when it comes to our health, food choices, supplements and life style. It also allowed me to form a much closer bond with my horses because I understood their needs much better.

Have a great rest of the weekend. Until next week!

Daniela

There Is Power In Softness

It's a beautiful sunny day today here in our Chicago area. Although I must admit, not nearly as warm as Tucson last week! Enjoying those few days in a warm location in February was such a treat. So I thought I'd share some things about the trip, and about one of the principles taught by Mark Rashid.

The trip certainly started out as a bit of a nail biter since a major snowstorm was moving through the Midwest and many flights were cancelled. I had considered moving my flight but my schedule really didn't allow it. I had a brand new client the day prior to my scheduled departure and an appointment with a chiropractor for my own horse. 

My husband got up early to snow blow the driveway that morning (thank you!) and we left for the airport. Traveling can be stressful because you never really quite know what can happen. Over the years, I learned to relax, to surrender to what is instead of driving myself crazy with needing it to be a certain way. It made it all so much easier to soften internally when the news and weather reports kept giving us dire predictions.

It turned out that my flight was delayed by only 45 minutes, the gate was changed only once and the new one was close by. I chose to enjoy a good cup of coffee and a book while waiting. And then we were off. 

A stunning view right outside of the room where we were staying

Upon arrival in Tucson, I was met by staff from the White Stallion Ranch. I must say their customer service is simply phenomenal. If you are ever in Tucson, I would highly recommend a stay at their ranch.

 As we left the city, the stark landscape of desert and cacti came into view. And suddenly the mountains I had glimpsed out of the window of the airplane appeared. Growing up in Germany and having lived in the Midwest, I was reminded once more that beauty comes in many forms.

A fantastic view from one of the lounge chairs I got to enjoy after lunch one day. The "Indian Oven" to the right was used to cook one of the fabulous dinners we indulged in.

After check-in and a quick tour, we got the explore the beautiful ranch and some of us took a ride in the desert. I had decided against it - not taking my riding boots allowed for less luggage. Instead, I explored the ranch on foot, met up with some people and at 5pm, the conference started with the Meet And Greet and dinner. Jim Masterson shared his vision for the weekend and his desire to not only teach but to also focus on continuing education. He had some incredible professionals lined up and we were all looking forward to broaden our horizons and knowledge. After dinner, we enjoyed a bonfire with live music provided by Mark Rashid and a friend. 

The Masterson crew had a full weekend planned for us. Breakfast started at 7:30 in the morning in a communal setting, allowing us to meet more people and chat. Presentations got going early and went all day, even into the evening. 

Mark Rashid was up first on Saturday and it was a fascinating presentation on the inherent state of softness in horses, how to develop this softness within ourselves and the bio-mechanics of movement. 

Horses at the end of the arena where some of the presentations happened. Take a look at this gorgeous setting!

Mark is an internationally acclaimed horseman who has been working with horses from a young age. His approach includes understanding the horse's point of view and using communication instead of force. He is also a student of the Martial Art of Aikido which he now teaches at his local dojo as "The Way of Harmony". 

“Horses live in a place of internal softness.”

— Mark Rashid

When we learn to control, influence and be aware of our internal world, we can meet the horse with an inner softness that the horse can recognize and connect with. This means we have to stop telling ourselves stories. Stories about ourselves, the people around us, our horses and what is happening in our lives. 

• She is crabby because she is a mare
• He is stubborn 
• He is this way because he was abused early in his life
• She is spooking to get out of work

I bet you could add quite a few more to these examples. We humans are so very good at telling ourselves a story because we want to put things into context. But our horses don't distinguish their emotions from their actions. We are the ones assigning value to their behavior based on our own life experiences and our need to make sense out of everything. I was stunned how many times I still caught myself doing just that even after years of study. 

By cultivating a mind like still water, we can finally see things for what they really are. It's like a very still pond, where we can see clear to the bottom, making out and recognizing everything. But the story we create ABOUT what we see is like a pebble we through into this pond, distorting what is.

Our horses always look for physical and emotional comfort. They crave connection. They live there - in this place of connection - because it's part of who they are. They communicate this in very subtle ways - through body language. Where the challenge comes in is that we are sometimes not so good at listening, observing and keeping ourselves in a place of stillness.

What a magnificent sculpture - at night it is beautifully lit and I was tempted to take so many pictures of it!

Mark pointed something out that really got me thinking even more about connection:

• Humans are good at creating openings and directing.
• Horses are good at finding small openings and connecting.

Creating openings could even be us thinking of an interaction we had with someone while we ride. It's unintentional, but it is an opening. And the horse can easily find this opening - created by our wandering mind. 

What Mark pointed out to us was that when we create an opening with softness and direct the horse once he finds it, we can connect with him on a very deep level. The opening has to come from our core - our internal state of being permeating outward. Living this softness is key. Sounds simple, right?

“There is strength in muscle and power in softness.”

— Mark Rashid

The above was really my favorite quote from Mark. I strive to live in this place of softness all the time. And although it sounds simple enough, I must admit it is not always easy.

It was especially fun when he demonstrated it by having several of us trying to prevent him from moving (six of us, I might add) and he just softened internally and moved all of us instead. I could feel his energy shift and suddenly all of our energy aligned with his and we just moved even though we did not intend to. It was a very cool experience!

We see this in our horses all the time. When they are relaxed, soft and supple, their movement looks effortless, elegant, fluid, powerful. But when they exhibit stiffness, pain, fear, anxiety etc, we can see it in their bodies and we can feel the strength in opposition - be it a horse who has difficulty stepping underneath, yielding to the leg, or being soft in the hand or, as an extreme example, as a runaway horse. We can feel the muscular strength, but it is very different from the elegant power they CAN exhibit.

Our typical response is to push harder, to pull harder, to sit harder. To iust WORK HARDER!

• Use more leg!
• Drive more with your seat!
• Kick her forward!

But does this really help you create a more powerful connection and performance in your horse?

I learned the principle of softness really well while going through my studies in the Masterson program. Jim constantly talked about softening. Not just our hand, but also our entire body and our mind. To stay in the moment so we could feel into the horse, pay attention to the littlest expressions of relaxation. It was one of the reasons why I had chosen his program.

It was nice to see and hear it from a different angle when Mark talked about it. 

Class room time with Mark Rashid before we head out to the arena to evaluate the movement in horses

After learning about softness, we headed out to the arena to take a look at horses and their movement. Since the ranch has 180 of them, we had plenty to work with. Two paint horses were chosen and we looked at their movement at the walk, both under saddle and in hand.

All throughout the weekend, we were reminded not to create a story right away. And this can be really challenging for us bodyworkers! All presenters reminded us that when we work with horses, be it the initial evaluation or while we are actively working with them, we are gathering data. We have to consistently remind ourselves to stay un-critical. It is so easy to make up a story and start connecting dots that may or may not be true. We so want to help horses, our desire to find WHY things are the way they are can really get in the way though. 

As we looked at the two horses moving, here are some things we were asked to observe:

• What doesn't look like it should?
• What do I feel in my own body as I watch the horse move? (this applies especially if you are a kinesthetic learner like I am)
• What is not moving?
• What is moving out of synch?
• What does the rider feel?
• Do both sides move equally?
• Is the rider stuck? (you can even evaluate this with the rider just walking next to the horse)

For instance, if the lumbar area of the rider is stiff, it will directly influence the lumbar area in the horse. 

Mark then pointed out that teeth have a huge impact on the overall movement of the horse. Which was a great opening for the afternoon session by Jerry Schmidt, an equine dentist. But I will leave this for next week's blog since this one has already gotten quite long!

When I start writing, I never really know where the story will take me, how it will flow. I am clear about the general direction, but the details really do emerge as the words appear on the page. Bodywork, and working with horses, is very similar. Every session starts out with a general intention but the details are determined by the horse on that day, during that session, with all the influences present at that time. The only thing I have complete control over is what I can bring to the table and most importantly, what I leave at the door. Softness is a key component of my work. And I hope I have given you some food for thought so you can bring your relationship with your horse to a whole new level by checking your own inner state of being before heading out to the barn.

Have a great weekend!

Daniela

Heading Out For Another Adventure

When I first started this journey into horses, I had no idea where it would take me. I really had only one goal - to overcome my fear of these magnificent creatures. Sounded pretty simple, right?

Take some riding lessons, and voila! Of course, looking back on it, and having learned as much as I have, there was no WAY it could be this simple or easy. Horses really are amazing teachers and they ALWAYS teach you what you most want to avoid.

• How to be more present
• How to feel the fear and do it anyway
• How to not make it about me
• How to put my needs aside and focus on my horse's needs
• How to show up even when I would prefer not to
• How to stand up when it's really uncomfortable
• How to get up after getting pushed down
• How to appreciate a summer's breeze 
• How to love a sunny winters day
• How to smile at your horse rolling in the dirt after you just spent an hour giving him a bath
• How to find common ground with people (and horses) of all different backgrounds
• How to learn to live in the moment
• How to not have to control EVERY LITTLE THING
• How to give voice to the voiceless
• How to feel the peace watching a herd of horses grazing in the pasture
• How to JUST BE and experience life with eyes wide open

And living life means taking part in it, experiencing it, making choices to do things you might otherwise not do. Take a class, learn something new, talk to someone you would not otherwise talk to. Appreciate a different perspective. Always learning to see with fresh eyes, cultivating a Beginner's Mind as the Bhuddist tradition calls it.

So this weekend, I am heading to the first Masterson Educational Conference - being held at the beautiful White Stallion Ranch in Tucson, Arizona. There will be 70 of us converging on this gorgeous place. I studied with Jim Masterson and his team several years ago. I had connected with his gentle and intuitive approach to horses and bodywork and found it resonated with me deeply. It will be an immense pleasure to reconnect with so many other practitioners, especially since we all bring our own flair and flavor to the profession. Not only that, but we will also meet some very dedicated professionals who will share their experience and expertise with us:

• Jochen Schleese of Schleese Saddlery - on the finer points of saddle fitting
• Mark Rashid - an incredible horseman - on the evaluation of the horse's movement
• Jerry Schmidt - an equine dentist - who will present on how teeth are impacting the horse's body
• and of course Jim Masterson - on bodywork - because he also never stops learning!

We will also have a bonfire and a friend of Mark Rashid's - Brad Fitch - will join us and Mark for some live music and jamming. Brad is booked all over the US for John Denver tributes, so I am expecting it to be a blast. Plus I get to meet new people and old friends and wear shorts and tank tops in February!

And as I sat down to write this, I suddenly realized. It was Tucson AZ - the Sonoran Desert - where I took my very first horseback ride! I could not believe it!

I was visiting a friend and her parents and she insisted on wanting to take a ride out in the desert. Of course, I was not prepared at all. I had no boots, no jeans. From what I remember, I wore leggins. The shoes remain a mystery at this time. But appropriate they were not, of that I am sure. We showed up at the place where our guide was going to lead us into the desert for two hours. I have to say, I had not just slight trepidations. While I grew up in rural Germany and we had lots of animals, we did not have horses and I was quite intimidated by their size, strength, agility and speed.

To really give you an even better idea, our guide asked what level of riding we had done. I was honest (better that than dead I thought) and said: NONE. He looked at me very politely (as if my answer was a big surprise to him given the outfit I was wearing!) and said: "then I have just the horse for you". And out he brought the tallest horse I could imagine. The stirrup was at about the height of my ear.

He asked if I needed assistance in getting up at which point my fear/annoyance took over and I mentioned that since the stirrup was that high and I did not work for the Cirque de Soleil - yes, his assistance was required - and I added - also appreciated. Once I was up, boy, my heart skipped a couple beats. It was a looooooong way down! Not only that, but I had no idea how to steer this horse......

Off we went, the young gentleman didn't give me much time to think about what I was getting into. He headed straight for the desert and some really big cactus. Of course my horse knew immediately that I had no experience and must have had a great sense of humor because he tried to get as close to every cactus he could find. We finally came to an agreement that I would stop over-reacting and he would stop trying to brush me off on those darn spikes. It was one of the best experiences of my life. The desert was gorgeous. It was the beginning of March, after some serious rains, and a landscape very unfamiliar to me. There were flowers and plants in a variety that I had not expected.

Growing up in Germany could not have prepared me for the immense landscape and stark beauty of the desert. Especially on horseback. There is something very visceral when you are moving with the gentle rhythm of the horse. There is no screen, no filter. You feel the same breeze, the same sunshine as the horse. You get to smell the same things, see the same things, experience the same things and yet, it is still all your own. 

Little did I know that it was those two hours out in the desert that would leave a big mark on my soul. Something I would always go back to and long for. There are those moments in our lives that speak deeply to us. Meeting someone we have an instant connection with. A beautiful sunset over the ocean. The cry of a seagull. Sitting under a tree while the sun caresses your skin. The smell of coffee in the morning. A sip of it sliding down your throat as your hands warm up holding the cup. The giggle of a baby. Your horse nickering as you step into the barn. The hug of a loved one. A beautiful piece of music. Watching fireflies on Midsummer's Eve. Staring into the flames of a fire or a candle. The smell of the earth after a rain. The smell of your horse, the feel of his coat, the look in her eye. 

There is one thing horses have taught and shown me over and over again. Stay present. Live here, right now. This very moment. No matter how busy our lives get, no matter how hectic everything seems to be. Life - and adventure - happens in those quiet moments when we allow ourselves to just be. When we choose to breathe just a little bit slower, a little bit deeper. When we look a little bit closer, but with a softer gaze. When we become present to all there is, we get to experience and live it on a much deeper level. 

In all these years, looking back on my ride in the desert, I have had the great fortune to experience that same bliss. A lot of it with horses, although not always.

Be it seeing a foal born and watching this little being take his first breath. Or be it watching my mare take her last. And all the moments in between. Life is a series of adventures, of experiences, of encounters with others, of noise and laughter, of quiet solitude and serenity. No matter if we are heading out to go someplace or are choosing to stay put, let's be more present, live more fully. 

Like our horses.

Daniela

Intentions for the New Year - finding more STILL POINTS

As I sit here in front of my computer, the start of a new lunar cycle if you are into it, I am reminded once more how life is so very NON-LINEAR. Even though we have a calendar that organizes our life in ever advancing numbers of days, months, years. Even though we count our age at the passing of our birthday each year (and yes, mine is coming up this month if you must know), I am always reminded that life is cyclical. Ever changing, dynamic, building momentum and slowing down without pause. Like the tides. There is a flow to life, ever present and constant and yet never the same. Always moving and transforming from one moment to the next.

Appreciating this flow has not always been easy for me. For many years, I was driven by "to-do lists", things to accomplish and to get done. A calendar as a task master, emails and texts popping up all the time, a need to respond to everyone else's urgent requests. It did teach me many things though. Most importantly to not make time but TAKE time to refill my own well. However, I had gotten into the habit of ignoring the subtle signs. I was typically reminded when my body said NO MORE. Last year I went through six month of adrenal fatigue that was simply surprising although it should not have been. It forced me to take the time it took, to listen to my body simply demanding I slow down. Not just my body but also my mind. I had to become comfortable with tuning into my own rhythm throughout the year. Noting the changes, the ebb and flow of energy throughout the day, the week, the month. It was a fabulous lesson because I also started paying attention to it in the horses. What an amazing and deeply profound experience and one I am deeply grateful for!

Winter for me has always been a time for deep reflection, even when I tried to ignore it.  Whenever I tried to blow past it before, life had a way of slowing me down. Be it the January cold I would get, or simply exhaustion around my birthday. Winter is when nature rests, regroups, waits and gathers strength to burst forth once again when the days once again lengthen. This year, I really took the time to ask myself: What worked in the past, what I could have done better, where I could have gone deeper, where do I need to sit and be and listen?

In my profession, these moments of quiet are called "Still Points". We encounter them when we listen deeply and intuitively to the body - when we slow down, still our own agenda, quieten our own expectations - and allow the body to lead the conversation. I am repeatedly reminded that I am not the healer, the body is. I am really only the assistant in the most amazing process. A facilitator so to speak.

We also find these still points in our lives if we look close enough. It's those rare moments when you sit and become present. I know you are probably thinking "are you kidding? I don't have time to sit and be present!" Kids to feed or to drive to soccer practice, a husband who needs something for his upcoming trip, your mother calling once again about Sunday dinner, and the never-ending deadlines from your job. A traffic jam because people can't seem to figure out a simple stop sign. I can feel tension in my body increasing just thinking about it! I know it all too well. I was there, am there, will be there in all of those moments, just like you. That's why they are called MOMENTS of stillness!

I get it, really get it, finding stillness in all this chaos seems totally incomprehensible, even unrealistic. And yet, it is precisely those minute moments of stillness that allow life to flow. It is the silence between the notes which allows for beautiful music. Otherwise it's just a bunch of noise.

It's making the choice to take that deep breath at the stop sign instead of drumming your fingers on the steering wheel on the way to the barn when you are already running late. It's the choice of dropping into the moment of brushing your horse instead of thinking you only have ten minutes to warm up. It's choosing this quiet moment so you can find your connection - with yourself, your horse, your upcoming lesson. It's dropping into this very moment. With the subtle communication flowing between the two of you. This moment of stillness allows us to feel into our body and our heart, to feel the energy flowing between you instead of hearing the words endlessly bouncing around our minds.

It's where our horses reside. In their body. All the time. 

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A still still point as I am waiting for Chase to let go - I am learning to sink into these moments with deeper appreciation and reverence

As I progress in my own journey, learning from every horse I touch, feeling for the most subtle rhythms or the absence of one, I am learning to connect not just mentally, but also physically, emotionally and even spiritually. 

To sink into those moments when everything gets quiet, to appreciate it, to not try and race past it in my quest to "get this loosened up". To find reverence in the subtlety the body has to offer. There is a sacredness to these moments we so often miss. 

So why is it so important to stay right there, in this space of seemingly nothing? Because that's where the magic really happens. This is where everything I am looking for resides. The potential of well-being, health, vitality, relaxation, vibrancy, enhanced range of motion, increased flexibility, power. It's there, in this seeming void of nothing that we discover and set free that which enhances and brings back to life all that we aim for. For our horses and our own well being. It requires us to quieten our mind and start listening with our heart, our intuition.

“Intuition is seeing with the Soul.”

— Dean Koontz

So my intention for 2018 is to find more still points. To increase my awareness to the subtleties of all life has to offer. To deepen my practice, to look beyond the obvious. To ask "Why", not "What". To look beyond what tradition has been teaching us and to use more than my five senses and tap into the infinite potential offered to us all.

As we start this New Year with so much promise, as we long for a feeling of aliveness and well-being, I am reminded once more of why I chose "Focus" as my word for 2018. I know, it sounds so opposite of what I just wrote about!

I chose "FOCUS" because it asks me to discern where I really want to spend my time, my efforts, my energy. To be aware of what else is available but to also become still and ask myself the important questions: What will bring more joy, more peace, more vitality? How can I serve better, more deeply, in a more meaningful way? 

If there is one thing I learned from 2017, it is this: I cannot offer what I have not cultivated within myself. Healing, deep and profound healing, occurs when we allow everything else to drop away and find the precise point of where the horse needs to BE to re-balance and heal. 

I would love to hear what your intentions are for 2018. Or maybe you have not really thought about it and now feel inclined to do so. In either case, leave me a note or drop me an email. 

Wishing you the very best for this year!

Daniela

Gaining Awareness Through Movement

Now that the cooler months are here, getting out of bed in the morning requires a bit more mental and physical gymnastics from me. Especially if there is dampness in the air!

Now, I am not a morning person to begin with. So being curled up underneath those nice warm covers is really a luxury, one I am more than grateful for! Getting my body ready for a day's work with horses is key for me to keep going, even when the weather gets a bit challenging. 

I have always been interested in taking care of my body without a lot of medications. I like to address the cause of the problem, not just take a pill. And I have applied this philosophy not just to myself, but also all my animals. Let's just say I love being my own guinea pig in exploring different ways of helping our bodies and our horses' bodies to move with more ease, less pain and greater ease and harmony. 

Chase blissfully enjoying himself - he is such a good teacher for living in the moment!

MOVEMENT IS LIFE

In my last newsletter, I talked a bit about Myofascial Release, especially the John F Barnes method. Today, I want to touch on the Feldenkrais Method - a body awareness technique pioneered by Moshe Feldenkrais utilizing movement. EASY movement. 

Most exercise approaches fall under the heading of "NO PAIN, NO GAIN". I should know, I used to be a serious weightlifter until I injured my shoulder. But this isn't always the most effective way - at least in my experience. Over the years, I have learned about and studied many different ways to help the body regain homeostasis without causing further harm. The Feldenkrais method certainly had been in my sights and I had already played with some components of it. With great success, I might add.

It's unique approach of utilizing movement and vision to re-educate the body fascinated me. Particularly because it also involves the central nervous system including our brain.

INTEGRATING BODY AND MIND FOR LASTING RESULTS

Our brain has cortical maps - maps where our body "assigns brain space" to each and every body part allocating resources for its function and movement. We also have these maps for sensory input, but for now, I am going to only talk about the motor maps.

For instance, body parts with a lot of fine motor function, like our hands, will get more space on this "map" than body parts with simpler movement patterns. 

But what happens when a body part gets injured? Like when I fractured my wrist and had to have surgery? Or when our hip hurts and our body protects itself by tightening up, in essence limiting mobility, and we start compensating?

By experiencing less stimulus, our body now starts moving things around on the map. The space originally given to the aching hip is now allocated to other body parts that have to take on additional duties to compensate. Over time, our body "forgets" this body part and its ability to move! We call this motor amnesia. If you had to have physical therapy after surgery, you will most certainly know how real this is! Examples of this are lack of coordination and muscle atrophy. 

You see, pain is not experienced by the body, it is experienced by the brain. So when we perform bodywork, we not only need to release tension and restriction in a particular area, we also need to re-educate the body to re-establish function. And this means we need to involve brain function without causing more brace and resistance in the body or mind. 

By intiating changes within the brain function, we prolong the benefit of the treatment. This is a GAME CHANGER!

By staying within the "comfortable and easy zone", we show movement is possible and the previously forgotten body part shows back up on the cortical/brain map. Of course it's a bit more complicated than this, but this will give you the gist of what happens. 

Back in September, on my Michigan trip, I got to experience Feldenkrais firsthand. Mary Debono, an excellent practitioner and teacher, showed us several very simple techniques to help us regain mobility in our backs, necks, hips and hamstrings. After spending two days sitting on chairs listening to lectures, well, let's just say, we all were more than grateful to stop limping around!

She then demonstrated the same principles on a horse (who by the way was MORE than happy to partner up with her!).

So why is this very gentle approach so effective? Because we are utilizing body parts we ARE aware of to bring back conscious awareness to body parts we forgot we had. And it is no different for our horses. 

A good example would be the sternum float. By mobilizing the sternum we help bring awareness to the shoulder/thoracic sling, pectorals, ribcage, and even the lumbar area.

Light touch, tuning in, connecting - Riser is really paying attention here!

MOTOR AMNESIA HAPPENS TO ALL OF US! 

A good example of us "forgetting" parts of ourselves is when we start a new exercise program or discipline. How often do you hear  people say: I am feeling muscles I didn't even know I had! And this is typically accompanied by the person walking around sore, stiff and looking painful! 

Most of us also spend way too much time on our smart devices (not very smart, I know!) and in front of computers, sitting in our cars, or in front of the TV. We are immobile! There is actually a new term for this - Digital Dementia. Our altered posture due to these habits also effects our brain function similar to a patient with Parkinson's Disease. Crazy, right?

My own personal experience has shown that when we help the horse regain a better posture, we also effect their behavior. So horses who seemed skittish and spooked at everything suddenly become confident and calmer. Again, body and mind - you cannot separate them.

So what if there was a way to regain mobility, awareness, balance - harmonious, elegant, effortless movement - without having to go through the nine circles of hell to get there?

What if you could become a more effective rider and your horse a better, happier athlete?

That's where techniques such as Feldenkrais come in. By addressing the body as a whole, not just a particular part, we can effect the whole a lot more effectively and without causing more strain and stress.

It is about finding new patterns of non-habitual movement to maximize your and your horse's potential and retrain the brain!

Most exercise or physical therapy approaches only look at our body as a physical structure made up of parts. Most of them use specific "exercises" and movements to address specific body parts to increase range of motion and strength. But this doesn't always work. By making the body move (as I experienced myself after my wrist surgery), we are trying to force a system that cannot be forced. We must bring in the component of mind via the central nervous system. And by doing so we cause the brain to recognize a better, more viable option. This allows for longer lasting results - something we all want!

Which, of course, means a happier horse and better performance for you!

As you can see, I am quite excited about all of this new information. As we speak, I am participating in a 8part series on how the body/brain processes trauma, and how we can utilize a whole body/brain (postural neurology) approach to help release trauma and regain our lives. And of course, my focus is then to bring this to our horses.

Sassy, my late mare, could have benefited a lot from this approach. Due to injuries early in her life and two subsequent pregnancies causing dysfunction in her whole being, she had a lot of difficulties with her hindend. To the point where we could no longer trim her hind feet because she simply could not balance herself. And while I may have regret of not knowing as much then as I do now, I have to give her credit for putting me on the path to learn as much as I could to help her. She was an incredible teacher and I miss her every day.

Therefore, my mission is to bring well-being and ease to as many horses as I can. By educating you, their advocate, and by being their advocate myself.

I hope this gets you interested in exploring bodywork for your horse as being more than just addressing physical issues but rather your horse as a whole, integrated being. Call me to schedule a free consultation!

When the therapist gets therapy

I will be the first one to admit, I thought about getting therapy for a while. I spent 18 years behind a computer, sitting at a desk. And even though my daily reality is very different now, my posture was very much effected by my desk jockey career. It is really amazing how posture habits stay with us even when we change the daily circumstances. 

Which brings me back to why I was looking for the most effective technique to re-educate my body.

Yes, re-educate the body. You read that right. I needed to re-learn how to stand, sit and even walk with ease and harmony.

It simply is not just about reducing muscle tension, increasing range of motion or softening fascial adhesions. To achieve the greatest results, we need to involve our nervous system to eliminate habits we developed and open up new possibilities of being and moving through this world. Our horses need the same.

We have some amazing practitioners here in our area, in a multitude of approaches and therapies. It can be downright overwhelming to pick one even when you are in the business!

My husband has a fabulous massage therapist and he raves about her. I also know some incredible chiropractors who do amazing work.

So why did I not go to any of them. It may not seem a very logical reason, but it just didn't seem the right fit. I didn't get excited about going. My gut was telling me - no, that's not it. And I have learned to listen to my gut, and listen closely. It has never steered me wrong. And when I didn't listen, I wished I had 99% of the time.

I finally came across a book called "What's In Your Web". It's about Fascia - the connective tissue that surrounds and connects every single thing in our bodies. I had become fascinated and intrigued by this body system of stability, connection and integrated movement. But this book really opened my eyes to a whole new vision of health and well-being.

The book not only told the story of the author, a physical therapist himself who suffered from tremendous pain, but it also included stories of his own patients and other therapists. What got me so excited about it was the author's journey to becoming a physical therapist and how he found John F. Barnes. John teaches a very unique approach to Myofascial Release which encompasses not just the physical but also the emotional component of trauma experienced by the patient. It is a multi-dimensional, integrative approach to health and well-being.

And that's when I felt it: that tingling, giddy, excited buzz. A knowing that this is what I had been looking for. And not just for myself, but also for my own practice of MFR which I regularly incorporate into my work with horses.

I had already practiced MFR along those lines intuitively, listening to the horses I worked on and watching them let go of emotions and traumas lodged in the tissue. But now I was able to put meaning and purpose behind what I felt.

So I started exploring it within my own body and finally decided to look for a practitioner in my area. I knew without a doubt that I would have an amazing experience.

The day arrived and I was practically giddy with excitement. And I was not disappointed. 

This type of myofascial release treatment requires trust to let go of deeply held traumas, down to the cellular level. It isn't merely about engaging the tissue, layer by layer. It also is about setting up a safe space for both patient and practitioner to experience the release and integrate these traumas.

To go through this first hand, to feel how my body responded to touch (at all different levels), to feel myself shake all over before it could let go. It was an eye opener when I felt how my body was trying to protect me. Sometimes just wanting to brace against the experience and hold on, sometimes almost "locking up". My therapist was amazing in talking and coaching me through every one of those moments, asking me to FEEL it, follow it, experience it and know I was safe.

Let me give you an example. As my therapist addressed my left psoas, I felt a tremendous wave of grief. Now, I FELT it and absolutely KNEW what this feeling was, but I didn't go through the grief as in crying etc. It was an almost surreal, detached feeling, as if I was only "watching it happen". And as the tissue let go, which is a very physical sensation, the emotion also diminished and then let go. And then I felt such relief, I sighed.

Having this first-hand experience now enables me to have a much deeper understanding of what the horses feel when I work with them. It gives new meaning to some of their responses and releases.

But the biggest AHA came after the treatment. My body processed and integrated these changes for a day and a half. Yes, you read that right. A day and a half!

I would feel low-level electrical charges go through my body, similar to "pins and needles". This happened especially when I relaxed. I had to tell myself "feel it, don't brace against it". I would feel my body move suddenly, especially my legs, when the energy discharged. For instance, my foot would suddenly jerk to the left. Or I would feel the urge to move my arm in a particular direction. I also felt a bit "unstable" - like my body needed to figure out where all the parts where again and re-connect along new neural pathways. I learned to move differently, becoming acutely aware of it, and then becoming more habitual with these new patterns. 

And suddenly other body parts had a chance to "speak up". Another layer of restriction I could bring awareness to and work with in between sessions.

The reason I decided to share this experience with you is twofold:

• The body processes these types of treatment approaches for much longer than we think, we must allow time for the horse to integrate before proceeding with our training/riding program to get the greatest benefit
• Creating trust and a safe space for the horse is absolutely vital so he can move past the body's own defense mechanism

Receiving treatment as a therapist has made me so much more aware of the nuances involved in achieving an authentic healing response with long lasting results. 

“You can only take your patients as far as you are willing to go yourself!”

— John F. Barnes

For our horses to truly reach their maximum potential, we must realize that they are more than their physical bodies. Their minds and emotions have a huge impact on their physical well-being. And any type of treatment or therapy needs to address your equine partner as a whole.

“When a myofascial release technique takes the tissue to a significant position three-dimensionally in space, the tissue not only changes and improves, but memories, emotional states, and belief systems rise to the conscious level.”

— John F. Barnes

I hope this inspires you to take a closer look at your interaction with your horse, how your approach can open new avenues of well-being and comfort for your horse. Give me a call if you are interested in discussing your particular situation and see if my approach is the right fit for you and your equine partner.

And let me know what you thought about this post! I'd love to hear from you!

Are you limping? - Compensation in horses and people

I wanted to talk a bit about compensation today because it happens every day to all of us. And it happens to our horses.

The other day I was coming back from the tack room, getting ready to put my horse away. As I walked down the aisle, a friend of mine asked: "Why are you limping?????"

To be honest, I hadn't even noticed. My hips felt a bit tight and achy earlier in the day - too much time sitting at the computer doing research - but I hadn't really registered what my body was "saying" for a while.  

As I turned around to answer my friend, I tuned back into my body. And suddenly the tightness in my hips started "talking to me" again. But to be honest, they had been "talking" all the time. Now I noticed, I felt it, I became aware again. The truth is, we are designed by nature to continue to function even when it is in a compromised way. My friend's comment got me thinking about all the myriad ways we move and don't even notice. 

The first time this was really driven home to me was when I fractured my wrist. I am now the proud owner of some mighty fine Titanium hardware. And while the actual experience was not pleasant, I would not trade it for anything. I was able to fully experience the power of compensation and how the body stabilizes and protects itself. 

But more importantly, over the next several years, I learned first-hand how compensatory patterns can continue to pop up and continue to effect us even if we are not aware of them. 

Just as I was not aware of limping the other day, I sometimes wasn't aware of NOT using my left hand to pick up a heavier bag, or push open a door. It had become a habit to protect my left wrist. And without really thinking about it, my body set to work to do what it was designed to do - FUNCTION. I can tell you that it took a lot of conscious effort on my part to overcome movement patterns that had become ingrained. I had to even convince myself to use my left hand/arm in a bigger way. As you can imagine, our horses just don't have the ability to say: "it hurt back then, but it's healed now. I just need to build up the muscle again and regain strength."

They don't rationalize their way through an injury, strain and tension. 

They simply continue to function in their bodies in a very instinctual way. They keep moving and complying and working with us. Our horses start bracing and adopting movement patterns that can put a tremendous amount of pressure on structures such as organs, blood vessels, nerves, tendons and ligaments. And in turn, the body will lay down additional patterns to continue to function. 

Compensation does not always mean lameness! Yes, that's right. Just because your horse isn't lame doesn't mean he is not compensating for many things!

What are some of the reasons?

• tack fit (tight nosebands, ill-fitting saddles, bridles putting pressure on sensitive areas)
• shoeing (for instance shoes that are too small, or toes too long)
• unbalanced riders 
• arena footing too hard or too deep
• training is asking for too much too soon and does not incorporate enough recovery time
• training started too young before the horse's body is ready to support it
• not enough turn-out
• ulcers
• reproductive health 
• breathing problems such as heaves
• stressful herd dynamics
• pasture accidents
• being unbalanced while being worked on the lunge line 

And what are some of the signs that your horse is compensating?

• shorter strides
• stiffness
• smaller range of motion
• inability to collect
• bucking
• rearing
• head-shyness
• girthiness
• dips and valleys in horse's top line or muscles
• inability to build correct musculature
• over-reacting to stimulus

Since fascia connects everything in the body, a physical strain can effect many things, including the health of the organs or even the function of individual nerves.  

As I mentioned above, just as injuries, discomfort or pain can cause brace and tension, so can stress such as a training program that is asking too much too soon, living conditions such as being stalled most of the day or herd dynamics that cause mental and emotional stress. We also tend to bring our own tension to the barn, and our horses notice and adjust. Take a rider who is frustrated and impatient. His horse will brace against those emotions.

All of these factors can then cause tension patterns in the soft tissue effecting the way a horse moves and uses his body. And when those movement patterns become habitual, like it happened with my wrist, they settle into the body and create a web that continually builds layer upon layer. Fascial restrictions run as deep as the individual cells!

That's why bodywork is a bit like peeling an onion. Some of the patterns can really go deep. The other day I was working on a horse's gluteals, performing some myofascial release work, and suddenly I could feel little "bubbles" coming up underneath my hand. And then his digestive tract started rumbling and it kept going for quite a while. 

As I was facilitating the release of tension and the tissue softened, it started spreading throughout his body, including the fascia which surrounds his digestive tract. The horse sighed loudly and relaxed even more deeply. And then his ribcage started opening and became much softer. 

As you can see, this work can have far reaching benefits throughout the entire body.

Since fascia is a continuous web throughout the entire body, fascial restriction in one area can then start pulling on another area, creating a new restriction.

“Look for the symptom, look elsewhere for the cause.”

— John F Barnes

That's why, no matter how the horse presents, I always address the whole body. Most restrictions and compensatory patterns took years to develop. Re-educating the body does take some time. So please don't expect over-night results although I see some pretty amazing changes in some of my client's horses. 

And of course, you must eliminate, if at all possible, the cause. This means taking a look at his tack, the footing, life style etc. The biggest area we have control over? Your horse's work and training. What adjustments need to be made? Do you need to spend a longer time warming up or incorporating more exercises to help your horse become more supple and flexible? Do you need to change your training routine and not drill the same thing over and over? Do you need to cut down on the number of days you ride and add some in-hand work?

The key to a healthy and happy horse is not about eliminating all restrictions. That would be an unattainable goal because life is life and it just happens. But we CAN work towards your horse feeling his best physically, emotionally and mentally.

As for my own situation. I continually work on keeping my wrist flexible, moving and strong. There are days when the weather causes it to ache and it tightens up and I can feel those patterns starting to develop throughout my entire body. There are days when I don't even remember my titanium hardware. It is a daily, sometimes hourly, dance of adjusting to the NOW the body lives in.

And as I became aware of my limping, I was able to adjust my posture enough to open my body. Even my walking changed in a short period of time. That night I incorporated some myofascial release work with a tennis ball and some stretches into my bedtime routine. 

Bringing awareness to restricted areas is a key step in releasing them and healing the trauma no matter what the cause. Tom Myers calls this kinesthetic awareness. And bodywork can greatly assist you and your horse in this journey.

Respecting the NO, Celebrating the YES

Have you ever walked into the barn, armed with a goal, a plan, a desire, determined to make it all happen? And then your horse says NO, well, more like HELL NO. I can tell you, my mare Sassy was the queen of this. To be honest, in the beginning, I would just continue with my plan and goal and I expected her to be what I needed her to be. I simply was not aware enough of how much she wanted, and more so NEEDED to be heard and acknowledged.

But Sassy taught me well. And so did Chase, my gelding. And every horse since I woke up from my delusion of being right vs being effective. Yes, I said and totally meant “delusion”.

You see, I wanted a partnership, but I expected my partner to just agree to go along. To do want what I wanted, without considering where s/he was/is/needed to go. And there are days when I still need to learn variations of this lesson.

We as humans have the unique ability to think and project into the past and into the future. But we seem to find it difficult to stay in the NOW. And that’s where our horses live. Right HERE, right NOW. We walk into the barn remembering the last time, how good (or horrible) it felt, and we come up with a plan based on what we want and desire for the future. What we rarely account for and pay attention to is the horse we have in front of us right now this very minute.

And yet, that’s really all we got. The present moment is what we have to work with, and only that.

Bandito clearly saying "YES"

I recently had a session with a horse who gets regular bodywork every couple months. The last session went great. He allowed me to work on areas he typically was very reluctant about. So in true fashion, that’s what I had in mind when I showed up. Not focused on the actual moment I was in, but a memory. And he said NO. Actually it really was more like a HELL NO. He did not even want to be touched and there was no convincing him otherwise.

So why would he be so resistant? So adamant about not wanting to be touched? Doesn’t he know I can help him feel better?

When I bring my attention to the horse and his body, I also bring awareness – HIS awareness – to areas he has been protecting. He may have landed hard after a jump, or slipped in the pasture, or played a bit hard with his friends. He may be compensating for something else going on. As a prey species, horses avoid showing when they got injury and weakness. It’s an instinct deeply embedded in their nature. Do not show you are hurt or you may get eaten.

By the time it shows up as a physical issue, they have already put down layers upon layers of compensation until the body is compromised in some way. Bringing awareness to these areas sometimes causes resistance in the horse. Resistance showing up as a “No, stay away” or “I am scared” or even “I can’t do this”. My goal is to always stay below this response, but there are horses who are very sensitive by nature and are quick to respond. For them, it’s a black and white issue.

I HAVE TO RESPECT THIS IF I WANT TO BE EFFECTIVE IN MY WORK.

There is no other way. If I forced my way, the horse would only lay down more layers of defense, because the body records and stores all information, not just physical but also mental and emotional experiences. I have to be cognizant and aware of this at all times to help the horse in the most profound way. Their response, no matter what it is, is a vital guidepost telling me what is happening and how to move forward. The NOW informs where to go and how.

So how do I proceed when I choose to respect the NO? How do I get to a YES? How do I get from resistance to acceptance, relaxation and letting go? How do I change pinned ears, swishing tails, hindend swinging towards me, attempts to bite? How do I transform this into acceptance, softness, relaxation, letting go?

If I can’t physically touch him, how do I change this?

Light but intentional and intuitive touch is the cornerstone of my work. Note the soft expression on Riser's face. He is noticing and processing the changes to his entire body.

One of my clients called it the “Jedi Move”. I had never really thought about it, especially since I am not a huge Star Wars fan to begin with (although my husband is!). Give me a wizard instead!

But she was right about the general principle.

I access the horse’s energy field. It sounds a bit like science fiction, and if you ever watch me do this, you will think “but she isn’t really doing anything”. And there are many who think this is hocus pocus or WooWoo, not to be believed or trusted. And yet, energy is the foundation of everything. It is what we are made of, it connects everything. 

Energy is life itself. If you had told me 30 years ago that I would be studying this subject seriously, I would have laughed at you. Back then, I was interested in biology, somewhat interested in chemistry and had a slight curiosity about physics. And only if it didn't involve blackboards with complicated formulas!

And yet, we have now arrived at a point where all three areas are converging. Where scientists are making connections previously unheard of or only theorized. Connections we couldn’t even imagine – at least most of us. Connections that will change the very way we look at things and experience life.

One of my favorite quotes is from Dr. Wayne Dyer:

“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

And here is the one thing I don’t talk about often enough: I work with the horse’s energy field no matter if I touch the horse or not. I start connecting way before I even come close to the horse. We all do it, connect and disconnect, all day long. And yet, we simply are not aware of this amazing skill and gift we all have. I just happened to cultivate it to serve my mission.

So if I work with the field at all times, why does the horse have such a different reaction when I decide to honor his NO and work without physical touch? This work is subtle and yet can reach every part of him in the most gentle, non-invasive way you can imagine.

It is simple but not easy. It takes a great deal of awareness and intention. I do have to become much more tuned in when I don’t have my sense of touch to confirm what I feel energetically. This means I have to ground myself so I can MOVE the energy, not end up with it in my own body. Sometimes my clients watch the session (even one where I use touch) and end up feeling exhausted the day after. That’s because they did not ground and anchor themselves and took on all that I asked the horse to let go. If this ever happens to you, wash your hands and arms (up to your elbows) with cold water. Vigorously. This is a helpful hint whenever you have been with anyone (animals or people) who is overbearing or negative. You can actually take this on and with you when you leave. So wash those arms and hands!

I have several techniques that help, breath work is one of them. I also have to let go of thinking what is going on around me. For the most part. My energy field has to work hard to stay linked to the field of the horse without the sense of touch. As I tune in, and synch my frequency to his, I can feel for where the tension hooks in, I can influence it, I can play with it, I can tease and peel away. And I can do it in as gentle of a way as possible. As I change the frequency and vibration of the horse, mine also has to adjust. It is an ongoing dance – a give and take – a way of guiding the horse back to well-being on a very deep level. Physically, mentally, emotionally. ALL OF HIM.

Riser being deeply relaxed and tuned into his body - note how light my touch is!

How do I know this works? How would YOU know? The deep relaxation in the horse – almost like a trance. And most of the time, several horses around him are “zoned out” as well. They stand still in a way that is unmistakable. Their ears turned softly backwards, paying attention to the changes in their body. Changes in breathing pattern, a soft look, most of the time the eyes will close. Sighing, licking, chewing, yawning, swaying back and forth. My mare would get so relaxed that her legs almost buckled. I had to learn to adjust my field quickly when this happened. The skin starts to look different, previously tense tissue starts softening, hollow areas start filling out, the horse will drop his head. One hindleg will be cocked. And when I disconnect, the horse almost looks like he is waking up from a very deep sleep. Some horses stay in this relaxed state for quite some time. Even the most adamant NO turns into a YES, THIS feels good. It may even take him a few minutes “to find his sea legs”.

So why does the horse respond differently? Because there is nothing to resist. No request or demand, no physical sensation. No “pressure” he can recognize. He feels only his body.

Horses do not care about scientific explanations. They ONLY care that they feel safe enough to relax this deeply so they can let go. And that’s what this work offers to horses, no matter if they start out saying NO or YES.

I could not imagine life without this gift. And we all have it. We can all start using it right now, this very minute. No expensive equipment needed. All you need is a willingness to try it out and the open mind to receive the information that is given to you through sensations.

I invite you to play with it. I invite you to witness it. I invite you to make it yours.

With Love

Daniela