Equine Hanna Somatics

What is it? I term it ‘mindfulness for horses’!

It’s a ‘method’ that uses slow movement, designed to ‘retrain’ the individual to recognise a relaxed muscle state as the ‘norm’. So it’s a ‘method’ that has ‘therapeutic’ effects, including:

– Pain relief from tight muscles.

– Increased flexibility and suppleness.

– Sessions are fully led by your horse, with all movements being minimally guided.

– Each movement needs to be done voluntarily by the horse, to avoid any ‘reflex’ response, which comes from a different part of the brain (the Amygdala).

– To ensure the session remains focused on engaging the Voluntary Motor Cortex, there is no eating, pressure, stroking or stretching when doing the movements. However, after each movement is completed, horses are encouraged verbally . They can also be walked around during the session, as these both help assimilate the learning.

All these factors can cause certain postural, movement and behaviour patterns to develop. Muscle contractions become unconscious and automatic, causing Motor Sensory Amnesia to develop. This is not something that can be formally detected by assessment or testing. However, because it is a learnt response, it can be changed/unlearnt. Physical/postural appearance gives an indication of the stage of Motor Sensory Amnesia, classified as Green, Red and Trauma Reflexes:

– Green Light Reflex – This is the ‘flight’ or action response, and shows in the back muscles, a high neck, and a ‘camped out’ stance.

– Red Light Reflex – This is the ‘protective’ response and shows in the stomach muscles, a low neck, and a ‘camped in’ stance.