08/06/2026
When a horse lowers their neck almost to the ground after an Equine Hanna Somatics® movement and simply stays there, I get REALLY excited. As many of you probably have witnessed me pointing it out. Especially if it happens multiple times.
An elongated neck also shows an elongation of back and shoulder muscles, as well as the elongation of the stabilizing muscles of the spine. A horse resting in this position is a horse noticing changes that can lead to changes in their resting muscle tone, and therefore their posture.
Since my dissection class, I have a new lens on possible internal changes that could be happening like the positive impact this has on the diaphragm which then results in positive changes to many orangans.
Through this lens, I really see the value of breath changes and head position. We are not JUST seeing relaxation, so much more is happening!!