Is Your Horse Relaxed or De-stressing?

In this episode, we dive into the subtle world of equine behaviour, exploring whether your horse is genuinely at ease or subtly working to calm itself amid lingering stress. As prey animals, horses are naturally primed for survival, often exhibiting self-soothing actions when they’re still in a heightened state of arousal. We break down the key differences between these de-stressing signals (rooted in the fight-or-flight response) and true relaxation, helping you better interpret your horse’s cues during training, bodywork sessions, new environments, or everyday interactions.Discover practical insights into body language and contextual clues that reveal your horse’s inner state, from tension-releasing behaviors like licking or yawning to signs of deep contentment such as a lowered head or cocked leg.Whether you’re a rider, trainer, or horse owner, this discussion equips you with tools to foster a safer, more harmonious bond, ensuring your horse isn’t just coping but truly thriving in a stress-free zone.LINKS RELATED TO THIS EPISODE:Grab your FREE assessment guide for your horse’s backJoin the FREE “Stick With It” private podcast series here and learn 3 ways to use kinesiology tape that nobody ever told you about!Equine Reaction Ponts Skill Accelerator Course Connect with us:Instagram - @starlineequinebodywork Pinterest - https://pin.it/7kvSCptWebsite - starlinebodywork.comDISCLAIMER:The ideas expressed in this podcast are opinions only, and are not substitutes for proper veterinary care, veterinary medicine and other forms of bodywork. The opinions are not intended to be prescriptive or diagnostic in nature.