Natural Movement and Balance

03/22/2026

I’m going to be a little blunt today—

A horse yawning during your session does not mean you “released” anything.

I don’t know when this became the standard, but somewhere along the way we decided:

Horse yawns = good bodywork.

And now it’s everywhere.

Videos. Reels. Marketing.
People pointing to a yawn like it’s proof something meaningful happened.

It’s not.

Yawning is a neurologically driven behavior, regulated by the brain—not the muscle, not the fascia, not the joint (Baenninger, 1997; Walusinski, 2006).

Yes, you might see a shift in state—a nervous system shift from sympathetic (fight or flight) to parasympathetic (rest and digest). So yes, the horse might drop into a more parasympathetic moment.

But let’s not confuse that with actual change.

Because a horse can yawn and still:
• move the same
• compensate the same
• load the same
• feel exactly the same on palpation

So what, exactly, did we “release”?

Horses also yawn with fatigue, transitions, anticipation, arousal, and discomfort. It’s not a clean or specific signal—and it’s definitely not a measurement tool (Fureix et al., 2011).

And this is where I’m going to push a little—

Using a yawn as proof your work was effective isn’t clinical reasoning.

That’s not assessment—that’s filling in the gaps with what you want to believe happened.

We’ve leaned into it because it’s visible.
Because clients recognize it.
Because it feels like something happened.

But visible does not equal meaningful—even if it feels good to witness and seems more “tangible.”

And don’t get me wrong—nervous system shifts matter. They shouldn’t be dismissed.

But they also shouldn’t be used as standalone proof of tissue change.

If you actually want to know if your work did something, you have to look deeper:
• tissue quality
• range of motion
• posture and load
• movement
• and what that horse looks like 24–72
hours later

If a horse yawns—fine. Note it.

But building your entire interpretation around it?

That’s storytelling.

Back it up by feeling real changes—and then seeing how the horse holds those changes over time.

In a nutshell, not everything that looks like a release… is one.

I’ll follow this up with what I actually consider a “release” and how to recognize it in a way that holds up clinically.

What are you using to actually measure change in your sessions—beyond visible reactions?

References

Baenninger, R. (1997). On yawning and its functions.
Walusinski, O. (2006). Yawning and arousal mechanisms.
Fureix, C., et al. (2011). Animal model of depression in horses.
Schleip, R., et al. (2012). Fascia: The Tensional Network of the Human Body.

03/11/2026

Amy Skinner nailed it when speaking on the neutral hip and how your hands should hold the reins.

01/15/2026

Love this tid bit on when to increase your horses hay needs.

🌬️❄️ Cold air is heading our way this weekend! Make sure your horses are ready and have:

🏡 Shelter from the wind
🌾 Extra forage for energy
🐴 Blankets if needed

For more info, visit: z.umn.edu/winterhorsecare

12/26/2025

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Enjoy this time with your family and friends.

12/13/2025

Equine Disease Alert Minnesota Board of Animal Health sent this bulletin at 12/12/2025 01:40 PM CST Equine Disease Alert A Washington County horse tested positive for Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) this week. The 12-year-old warmblood mare was first examined by a veterinarian on Tuesday, December 9 and....

12/09/2025

Here’s a great, concise breakdown of winter exercise from Dr. DeBoer, who pulled together research and practical insight to remind us how important it is to be mindful when working horses in cold weather. From the impact of freezing air on respiratory health, to immune suppression, to how stiff muscles and joints respond in low temps, she explains why thoughtful warm-ups and temperature-aware training decisions matter. A super helpful post for anyone conditioning horses through winter! ❄️🐴

❄️ 𝐇𝐨𝐭 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 ❄️

Unfortunately, I come from a long line of Minnesotans which means I am deeply rooted in the arctic tundra of the upper Midwest. And up here, our winter is about as long as our sunmer so we need to rely on some cold weather conditioning to optimize our competition season.

And while there really isn’t enough research to set strict, evidence-based rules about what counts as ‘safe’ winter riding weather, it is important to consider due to potential health implications of exercising our horses in the cold. So I pulled together some research from published studies on how cold weather can impact horse health and I turned that information into the general guidelines I personally follow to guide my winter riding decisions. Since a lot of people are navigating the same questions this time of year, I figured I’d share them here!

🫁 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡
A study evaluating cold weather exercise in horses (Davis et al., 2005) used eight healthy adult horses in a cross-over design and had them exercise at either 77°F (warm; 25°C) or 23°F (cold; -5°C). The exercise performed in this test included 5 minutes walking, 5 minutes trotting, and 5 minutes cantering three times each week. This study found that breathing cold, dry air during moderate–high intensity exercise caused measurable airway irritation and can produce bronchoconstriction and inflammatory changes in otherwise healthy horses. Additionally, repeated exposure is believed to contribute toward chronic airway conditions such as equine asthma.

🛡️ 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
The previous study (Davis et al., 2005) also demonstrated a likely mechanism for immune suppression following strenuous exercise in a cold environment. Further research (Davis et al., 2007) evaluating horses exercising at similar temperatures supported this research and found an altered immunological response for at least 48 hours following exercise in cold weather. Both of these studies found that exercising in the cold amplified the expression of cytokines that suppress cell-mediated immunity. The concept of immune suppression following strenuous exercise is not new and could predispose these athletes to viral infections of the respiratory tract.

💪 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐬 & 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐬
Cold weather can also impact the muscles and joints of the horse. While the work has yet to be done in horses, research in other animals and humans has shown that when muscles and nerves get cold, they don’t fire as quickly or efficiently (Racinais et al., 2017). Horses may also tighten around their joints or ‘brace’ with opposing muscle groups as a natural way to protect cold tissues. This is why a slow, progressive warm-up is so important in winter. Getting the horse’s body temperature up helps their muscles move more freely, improves coordination, and reduces the risk of strains or awkward, compensatory movement - especially during more technical maneuvers or intense work.

This is supported by a study (Dixon et al. ,2010) which found that humans who immersed their legs in cold water (54°F/12°C) for 45 minutes had decreased power on a vertical jump. However, this decline in performance could be negated by a 15-minute dynamic warm-up. These findings stress the importance of an intentional and lengthy warm-up prior to cold winter exercise.

✅ 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡
These are just a few examples of how cold weather can impact our horses, but they are important to consider when determining how to safely but effectively condition them this winter.

🔥 Warm-up is key. Walk at least 15–20 minutes before trotting or cantering.

🌡️ Monitor the temperature. Reduce intensity as temperatures drop to minimize immune and respiratory stress or risk of injury.

🐴 Observe your horse. Watch for coughing, stiffness, or changes in performance.

I hope this information helps to guide your equine exercise practices this winter! Stay warm out there!

Cheers,
Dr. DeBoer

Davis MS, Malayer JR, Vandeventer L, Royer CM, McKenzie EC, Williamson KK. Cold weather exercise and airway cytokine expression. Journal of Applied Physiology. 2005 Jun;98(6):2132-6.

Davis MS, Williams CC, Meinkoth JH, Malayer JR, Royer CM, Williamson KK, McKenzie EC. Influx of neutrophils and persistence of cytokine expression in airways of horses after performing exercise while breathing cold air. American journal of veterinary research. 2007 Feb 1;68(2):185-9.

Racinais S, Cocking S, Périard JD. Sports and environmental temperature: from warming-up to heating-up. Temperature. 2017 Jul 3;4(3):227-57.

Dixon PG, Kraemer WJ, Volek JS, Howard RL, Gomez AL, Comstock BA, Dunn-Lewis C, Fragala MS, Hooper DR, Häkkinen K, Maresh CM. The impact of cold-water immersion on power production in the vertical jump and the benefits of a dynamic exercise warm-up. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. 2010 Dec 1;24(12):3313-7.

11/27/2025

This Thanksgiving, Natural Movement and Balance is deeply thankful for the horses who inspire me and the owners who trust me with their care. Every session is a reminder of the incredible partnership between horse and human, and the joy that comes from helping equine athletes move with ease, comfort, and balance.

As we celebrate this season of gratitude, let’s honor the horses who carry us forward—teaching us patience, strength, and connection.

🍁 Wishing you and your herd a holiday filled with peace, comfort, and joy.
🦄 Here’s to healthy horses and happy hearts this Thanksgiving!

11/10/2025

So… What Does “Lift Your Energy” Actually Mean?🤔

“Lift your energy!” they say, usually with the same tone people use when telling you to “manifest abundance” or “just relax.” It sounds profound, but it’s about as clear as “be more sparkly” - which, if you’ve ever tried, you’ll know is not a measurable unit of anything.

But alright, let’s break it down. I’ve spent two decades standing at the front of lecture theatres full of university students, delivering thrilling topics like health economics, drug laws, and the mathematics of drug dissolution. Let me tell you - if you don’t lift your energy, you die. Not literally, but spiritually. You evaporate. You become that droning background noise between lunch and freedom. And university students are ruthless.🫣

So you learn to command attention. You walk out there like you’ve got something worth saying, even if you secretly find the topic as exciting as wet cardboard. You fill the room, not with noise, but with presence. You have to light yourself on fire (metaphorically, of course) so people sit up and think, “Huh, she’s alive and important.”

Now, with horses, it’s exactly the same. “Lift your energy” means stop disappearing. Stop moving like you’re apologising for existing. Horses don’t follow half-hearted energy. They either take over, ignore you, or find your presence vaguely irritating - like an annoying fly.😬

Here’s the catch: lots of people have never had to be seen. They’ve spent decades trying to be small, safe, and unnoticeable. So when they’re told to “lift their energy,” they either freeze like deer in headlights or swing too far and turn into slightly terrifying drill sergeants.

One of my clients nailed it. After I’d tried explaining the idea a few different ways, she looked at me and said, “Shelley, honestly, what you’re describing sounds like trying to hold in a fart.”🤭 And she’s right - that’s what it feels like for a lot of people. They clench, brace, and strain to do something. But that kind of energy doesn’t lift. It implodes. Horses feel that and think, “No thanks, weird human.”🤨

Real lifted energy is presence without panic. It’s standing tall, breathing, and letting yourself exist loudly enough that the horse goes, “Oh, hello, you matter.”

So no, you don’t have to sparkle like a disco ball. But if you’re vanishing into the background while your horse looks for someone more interesting, it’s time to glow a little brighter. You’re not tensing and retaining farts😕. You’re just showing up like you mean it.💪🙌

This is Collectable Advice Entry 76 of my challenge and series on words and terms in the horse world. Please hit SHARE or SAVE but please do not copy and paste (but just enough to miss this particular line) as that is uncool. ❤

PS. I dedicate this post to my friend Kas 😆

11/02/2025

Here are some key things to blanketing in the winter. A proper fit is essential for your horse.

As winter approaches, it's time to revisit the topic of blanketing. Although blanketing tends to be a personal decision, blanketing a horse is necessary to reduce the effects of cold or inclement weather especially when:

🏡 Shelter access is not available during turnout periods and the temperatures or wind chill drop below 5°F. Be mindful of shelter size and herd dynamics.
🌧 There is a chance the horse will become wet from rain, ice, and/or freezing rain. Becoming wet is usually not a problem with snow.
✂️ The horse has had its natural coat clipped.
⏰ The horse is very young or very old.
🏝 The horse isn’t acclimated to the cold.
🐴 The horse has a body condition score of three or less.

If blanketing a horse, make sure the blanket fits properly. Poorly fitted blankets can cause sores and rub marks. Remove the blanket daily, inspect it for damage, and reposition it. Make sure the blanket stays dry and never put a blanket on a wet horse.

10/07/2025

Amy wisely puts into words how to look at the difference between lameness, compensation, stiffness, and pain. She has powerful observation with this post.

Lameness vs compensation or stiffness - pain vs avoidance of new patterns?

Firstly before reading on, I am not a vet. I do not have a vet’s education and you should in no way replace veterinary investigation and support or advice with any thing i say.

But - a lot of times when people find their horse has some hitch in their get along, something has happened to their horse’s gait or normal responses to riding have changed, they fear pain and back off.

While we can never definitively say a horse is not in pain, there is a difference between pain and stiffness, uncertainty, or fear of changing a pattern.

And- even if there WAS pain and it is now treated, those patterns can still exist - leaving with us with a pain response and (assuming) no pain.

Quite often I help people and their horses through these spots, revealing a magically sound horse who was limping, balking, sucking back or unsteady in their gait just a few minutes or days ago-
It’s not magic, it’s mobility and movement patterns.

If the horse is actually lame - say a bone fracture - it will worsen with movement.

If the horse is STIFF or reserved in movement patterns, it should improve pretty soon with GOOD movement, not just moving around.

Where things get tricky is people often say the horse takes 15-20 mins to warm up and move out of it, and often these are sloppy or incorrect warm up patterns. We need to address range of motion, joint flexion, alignment, breathing, and of course most importantly help the horse feel safe in being in these.

To tie it together with a personal example: I found my knees and joints to be very sore and painful suddenly. I started a mobility training program and really disliked the first week of the work - but I was reminded if I feel stiff that is not the same as pain. I worked through it preserving correct range of motion over depth of squat or intensity and so on - two weeks later I already feel “sound” again.

Joints need to work through their correct range of motion, and when a horse hurts, they often protect themselves, often to their own detriment.

Don’t panic. Ride in rhythm - see what you get on the other end and re evaluate

09/25/2025

I did a little experiment a while ago -

I didn’t tell anyone at this barn I was riding at anything about me. They didn’t know I was a teacher or trainer or anything I do- and so minding my own business riding my horses, I was plagued with advice. A few women at the barn gave me advice while I rode, told me what trainer to follow and what perceived mistakes I was making - how to fix it, what methods they like, gear to use and supplements to solve my problems.

They were not being mean. However annoying unsolicited advice is, most people’s intentions are probably half helpfulness, half proving themselves to others out of insecurity. Comment sections on videos are full of people like this - you need to follow so and so, take that nose band off, put this thing on, this horse probably has such and such physical ailment —

This experience made me think of my students - trying their best to learn, clinging desperately to new information and patterns they don’t quite have a grasp on yet or understand, and being bombarded by conflicting advice: the barn busy bodies, the internet, sales pitches in your inbox. It’s got to be completely overwhelming! It’s no wonder people’s anxieties are higher and leadership is far lower-
How is one supposed to know which way to go?

It’s important to be open to advice - but consider the source.

Are they trying to help you, or prove themsleves?
Are they trying to help you, or make you afraid of something?
Are they trying to help you, or sell to you? (Obviously all pros have to sell but is it a sale or your long term betterment as well on the table?)

You have to stay sharp out there. Trust what is working and stick to it - sometimes you don’t know if it’ll work til you stick to it for a while. But look at the evidence around you -
Are the horses in the program you’re using getting sounder over time? Or are you just seeing curated snippets decorated in slow motion with music ? Who is it marketed for?

If they can get you afraid or emotional, they can sway you.
Think about it. Stay sharp. Trust yourself and trust the process.

It’s a messy, confusing and chaotic world out there - but if you find someone you trust, hang on to them with both hands.

09/21/2025

Great information on reflex belly lifts. This is the reason I do not recommend them.

Unachievable expectation that your professional puts on you and your horse, yet they dont follow their own rules

So often i come across posts and I just feel yeah it all sounds nice yet in reality can that be achieved are they asking the impossible and the one that is doing the rounds is asking for a belly lift and declaring this is where your horses back should be when riding like 🤔

Its an impossibility and especially when the following pics are the same dysfunction which prevents the horses lifting its back is still there but the horse has no choice because we are activating the reflex points (often long spiels about consent and choice follow, erm yep no consent no choice when you are activating a reflex piont the brain isnt even involved at the initial stages ).

I never do a belly lift to achieve a lift i do it to look for dysfunction and if you are only focused on the lift then you may just miss the reason why the horse struggled in the first breath.

We do know how horses breathe right?? I mean breathwork is a hot topic everywhere yet the simple function of the breath is interrupted if we keep things up,
Up and out, down and inward is the rythum of breath if we only keep the horse at the up stage then well we are not only impeding them physically but mentally aswell, and we wonder why some horses hate it.

Do you know how a lift looks, bellies blowing out, lumbars roached, hind ends tucked under are, flanks sunk in is not a success its an issue that hasn't been addressed and will never be addressed by sticking a hoof pick in their sensitive areas. We cannot just lift away pain!!

What are reflex points ?? They are there to keep the horse safe, if activated they have no control over the reaction but the brain will receive a signal and if the irritant i.e our poky fingers do not stop the brain will initiate a further conscious reaction like a kick up or a bite, so what has the horse learned ??? Do you think the body will process and use the information in a positive way.

The lift even if perfect may be achieved but add negative forces such as a saddle and rider then how can the the horse then be in the same place that it was without the added pressure, was your saddle fitted to a lifted back ?? Does your saddle now fit if like in real life horse nor human walks around in a constant state of over active core, normal is not buff.

Vertical lift is a whole body action not a poke in the girth area and blinkering eyes just to the thoracic area, it comes from everywhere working together but a back like a cat stretch yoga pose is not an 24/7 action its a task which is doomed to fail.