What Do Horse Expressions Mean?

Horse Expressions ~ If a horse could talk ~ what do they mean?

Do you think equine sports massage therapy and integrated equine bodywork applications are effective?  If a horse could talk, the answer would be a resounding "Yes!".

All breeds and disciplines respond to bodywork done correctly, with positive performance results.  You may run your hands over your horse daily and find no major response, but something (attitude, demeanor, performance) is not quite right.  This is a non-specific outward expression.  Along with that expression comes the more specific subtle expressions that we specialists look for.  I mention specialists here only to advise you that in the equine bodywork industry, some adhere to only one modality and specialists effectively combine applications, to achieve specific results for performance.  More information about all the  modalities (targeted application styles) of equine bodywork will be available in future articles here.  Back to the topic... pressure applied to an imbalanced muscle or muscle group WILL elicit an immediate response and an expression.  All expressions are a form of communication, your horse is talking to you, telling you something important.  I am an equine sports massage specialist and will address both types of expressions, as they relate to hands-on bodywork, in this article.

Hey lady, that's really sore in there!   A picture truly is worth a thousand words.  This photo (left) was taken about 3/4 of the way through a sports massage therapy session.  The owner and I both determined that this horse was "off".  "Dealer" showed us, through expressions, his sore spots... then this reaction (see bottom photo) to a particular area. The initial discomfort caused a compensation within other muscles which caused adaptive movement to avoid further discomfort.

This horse was totally relaxed (see top photo) until I worked within this area.  Look at his expression closely, his head is up and his neck is arched, one ear is back (to me) his lip is tight and his eye is squinting a bit.  These expressions "tell" me that I need to work a bit slower with some additional techniques to relax, stimulate, and stretch the muscles within this group to promote a positive response.

The initial discomfort caused tension - unreleased tension caused tight and shortened muscles - short muscles cause other muscles, muscle groups, and fascia to adapt to take over a particular movement - this creates the domino effect that affects equine attitude, demeanor and performance. 

The expressions of your horse say a lot, they are automatic responses to a stimulus and it's how they communicate with us.  Think about what stimulus makes you smile or frown or pay attention to something.  An effective equine sports massage therapist, as a specialist, must pay attention to these details.  Below are some good expressions, always accompanied with a soft ear, soft eye and rhythmic breathing.

•  Head down - comfortable with the environment and receptive to the bodywork = I am OK with this
•  Licking and Chewing - feels good, I understand this = I am very comfortable with this
•  The Yawn - release and relaxation = I am able to release all tension and am totally relaxed (I must add here that we are talking about the 'yawn' in this specific circumstance, in other situations this expression may have a whole other meaning)

These expressions below are guidelines to how we approach, how much time and pressure to apply to any one muscle (or group of muscles), and which techniques of equine bodywork will be most beneficial.  All of these subtle expressions will be exhibited in varying degrees.

•  Wrinkling at nostrils, tight lips = resentment = "uncomfortable, that area is a bit tight"
•  Rigid ear flicking backwards = paying attention = "unsure about you touching me there"
•  Pinned ear = don't do that = "if you must work there, ease me into this please"
•  Arched neck = you have really gotten my attention = "it's really sore in there"
•  Hard Squinting Eye = not really liking this = "run if I can, defend if I must"
•  Increased Respiration = nervous response = "changes are processing internally"
•  Pulling away, body or limb = extreme discomfort = "do not touch me there"

The above expressions can be seen when the horse moves and when the horse is receiving an application of integrated equine bodywork.  Our next topic - What is Integrated Equine Bodywork? - is coming soon!

It truly does not matter what people think or say about the necessity for equine sports massage therapy ...  your horse will tell you if it is necessary or effective.  Combining modalities (integrated bodywork) quickly creates balance.  This new structural balance is effective as it improves attitude, demeanor and performance - your horse's non-specific outward expressions.  This article is specifically talking about horse expressions, for more information regarding my applications of equine sports massage and integrated body work therapies (future blog topics), please visit our website.