Bodywork and the nervous system

Image credit: The Horse Herbalist

Bodywork to Support Your Horse's Inner Stability

Many physical and behavioral issues in horses are rooted in nervous system imbalance. My equine bodywork sessions focus on restoring calm and regulation in the body - so that your horse can feel safe,  move more freely, and return to their natural state of connection and vitality

What is the Nervous System and Why it Matters:

The nervous system is your horse’s internal communication highway. It controls everything from breathing and digestion to posture, movement, and emotional responses.

When the nervous system is balanced, your horse can respond to stress, recover properly, and stay connected to their environment. But when the system is overwhelmed - by trauma, pain, confinement, or chronic stress - it becomes challenging for the body to regulate itself. This can show up in subtle or obvious ways:

•     bracing or stiffness

• shutdown or withdrawn behaviour

• anxiety or defensiveness

• behavioral challenges

• physical symptoms such as metabolic or respiratory challenges  

What happens when the nervous system is out of balance?

Any accident, trauma, exposure to toxins, or long-term stress can cause an imbalance in the nervous system. This includes high-stress environments, social isolation, poor nutrition, or lack of freedom to move. In response to threat, the body activates the sympathetic nervous system - the fight-or-flight mode. Breathing and heart rate increase, and blood is shunted to the limbs to prepare for escape. If fleeing isn’t possible (which is often the case for domestic horses), the body may shift into a freeze or collapse response.

In nature, wild horses are often able to complete this cycle by moving and shaking off the residual energy. Domestic horses, however, can get stuck in a loop of hyper-arousal and immobilization. This can lead to:

• Chronic tension

• Shutdown or numbness

• Lack of engagement

• Anxiety and disassociation

• Musculoskeletal issues or organ dysfunction

Because horses are prey animals, they don’t always outwardly display signs of stress. Many appear calm but have actually disconnected internally as a way to cope.

How Bodywork Supports the Parasympathetic Nervous System

Gentle, trauma-informed bodywork helps your horse to access the parasympathetic nervous system - the system responsible for rest, digestion, and social connection. One key pathway is through the vagus nerve, which links the brain to the heart, lungs, and digestive organs. When this system is activated, the body can soften, breathe more deeply, release tension, and return to a regulated state.

My bodywork sessions aim to unwind long-held patterns, restore physical ease, and invite a return to curiosity and engagement.

Benefits of Nervous System-Informed Bodywork:

You may notice:

Softer muscle tone and improved posture

Improved breathing and digestion

Better focus and responsiveness

Reconnection to curiosity and play

A calmer, more connected horse

A Safe, Attuned Approach

Every session is tailored to your horse’s unique nervous system and history. I follow their cues and work with consent, using techniques that aim to bring them back to their center. This allows the body to shift out of bracing and into a state of regulation.

Is your Horse Holding on to Tension?

If your horse feels stuck in patterns of tension, disconnection, or defensiveness, bodywork may be the missing piece. Nervous system-informed sessions can support their return to balance - so they can feel safe, connected, and comfortable in their own body again.

 Contact me here to ask any questions you may have or to book a session.