12/02/2026
Bodywork at liberty ❤️
Wendy was not in the mood to be caught today. I spent a good amount of time subtly approaching and retreating, then when she seemed curious I sat on the ground until she came over to check me out. Then let her mosey off again before reasking the question.
When she was happy to relax next to me, I noticed a tiny brace through her neck and jaw each time I suggested haltering her.
This is where different methods and intentions of bodywork diverge. Once upon a time, I would have been outcome-driven, caught her anyway, and proceeded with the session. With many horses, depending on what I've been called out for, I still would.
Instead, I threw the halter on the ground, and left it all up to her.
Because as tempting as it can be to cut corners and force results, my primary aim these days is always to help improve the horse's relationship with their body, their nervous system, and touch.
Only once you have their trust - not through braced necks and gritted teeth, but real comfortable trust - does the body feel safe to really unwind.
At this point I need to point out:
- Wendy is a beautiful, kind old mare who I have been seeing for many years
- It's a cool snap but the environment was peaceful and sleepy today
- I was working solo, which tends to be when I'm more comfortable conversing and experimenting
- The owner values agency and regulation with her horses.
It was so interesting to work with Wendy this way, and made me realise the micro-interventions I would have made with the halter.
She directed me to work on either side of her thoracic first, then hindquarters, and consistently asked me to switch sides (without leaving) each time I reached a certain point on the left side of her neck. Because she knew she had agency and I respected her suggestions, we ended up working through this tricky area together.
Sometimes she moved her feet, but she never left. If I stopped, she stopped. She worked so beautifully with me throughout the entire duration of the session.
I would love to experiment more with bodywork at liberty with my older, more experienced clients. It was such a lovely way to spend the morning with a very special horse ❤️
