Creating Space and Flow in the Spine: A Guide to Working with Your Horse

Hello everyone, today we are going to focus on creating space and flow in the spine of our horses. We can start at the head and work our way back or start at the back and work our way forward. We can also start in the middle and see where we go from there. The goal is to help our horses feel more comfortable and mobile in their movements.

For our exercise today, I want you to place your hand on your horse’s withers and feel for any resistance or tension in their spine. Pay attention to where it feels stuck or stiff and where it feels open and flowing. In doing so, we can gain a better understanding of our horse’s physical state and address any areas of concern.

To increase flow and mobility, we can visualize a fluid ocean wave movement going back and forth in the spine. You can also use imagery that resonates with you and your horse. Sometimes, I see whales moving back and forth, which works well for me.

Remember to keep your hands nice and grounded and bring awareness to the back of your hand instead of the palm, allowing for more spaciousness and flow. If you feel any resistance, try to stay with that spot and work on increasing the flow and mobility in that area.

As you work on the spine, you may notice changes in other areas of the horse’s body, such as their shoulders becoming more even or a certain area feeling more spacious. Keep checking in with your horse and your own breath, and allow for the exercise to be personal to you and your horse.

Let’s begin by placing our hand on the withers and feeling for any areas of resistance or tension, then let’s proceed with the exercise. Great job!