Yawning and tension release in horses
Raise your hand if you can say you’ve ever seen a horse yawn. That’s right…a down right actual yawn! It’s quite rewarding. Read on to find out why.
Recently, I began another course in my ever growing desire to learn more ways to communicate with my horses, and facilitate their healing. I began a new body work program that is a form of massage and biorhythm movements. At least, this is how I describe what it is I do.
Horses go through many stages of learning. Just like people though they can get stuck mentally, emotionally, and physically. This stuck energy needs to be released so they can be free to accept new information.
Horses can, and often do, carry trauma within their bodies. This trauma can manifest itself as nippy, grumpy, bracing, and a general discomfort in movement.
If you have ever experienced a horse yawning count yourself blessed. Yawning is a release of tension for the most part. Their fight or flight nature doesn’t usually afford them the opportunity to relax, let alone enough to yawn. Yawning is my main indicator that they have truly released tension.
In the following videos and picture I have given examples of what you might experience when releasing tension. Either through body work, or communication work with your horses. Some horses will, as you can see in the picture with Katie Kat, will laying down and nap. What a compliment to know your horse trusts you so much to just let go of all the baggage!
In this video clip Petie has been relaxing for a bit after some light body work. Here he takes a few small yawns to release the tension that was released from the movements.
In this clip Petie finishes up with the most massive yawn ever. Several in a row in fact. I prefer more to less, as this let me know they are really releasing. We counted a total of 7-8 yawns, and he did this 5-6 times that session.
Here we have Katie Kat after the first part of her body work session for the day. We were only 5 minutes in to the work, and she gave this huge yawn.
In this picture you can see Katie Kat taking things even further by just deciding to laying down a take a nap. Even while others are in the same area with her.
So, to finalize my thoughts on yawning…I count myself blessed to have witnessed it not once, but several times. Knowing that my horses are moving past their tension, and into a new world of acceptance is very rewarding for me. Patience and a whole lot of love is what I prepared to give. They in turn give me more than I could ever describe.
For those of you who are interested in the body work I am currently doing please seek out the following link to “The Masterson Method” mastersonmethod.com They have online resources, streaming, and live events for certification as well. I highly recommend the Beyond Massage book, wall chart, and DVD/streaming. You can also find the book/kindle versions on amazon here (P.S.-these are not compensated, or paid for ads. I posts these out of respect for those who have helped me find a better way.)
PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PRACTICE THIS METHOD ON YOUR HORSE WITHOUT PROPER INSTRUCTION. The online streaming version is the simplest, and has the best basic information you should need help your horse. Better yet sign up of a live event in your area to become a certified practitioner. You can also find relevant information on his you tube channel as well. https://www.youtube.com/user/mastersonmethod
Special thanks to Jim Masterson for his dedication, and time to helping those of us who wish to connect deeper with our horse out of love and compassion for one of God’s amazing creatures.
Enjoy the journey! May God Bless your path.-Annie 🙂