Easier Movement, Happier Life – Details, episodes & analysis

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In this episode, Mary Debono builds on the previous discussion about why it’s crucial to work with, rather than against, a horse’s current movement patterns.

Mary explains how supporting a horse’s tendency for spinal extension, for instance, can be the first step in helping the horse discover healthier movement options, like flexion and rounding.

By exaggerating and then gently guiding the horse back to a more neutral position, the nervous system starts to feel safe and open to new possibilities. This method not only benefits the horse’s physical health but also fosters a stronger, more trusting bond between horse and rider.

Mary also touches on how important it is to involve the entire spine, rib cage, and sternum in these movements, emphasizing that healthy movement isn’t just about the back but the whole horse, including the horse's mind. 

This episode serves as a valuable guide for equestrians looking to improve their horse’s movement and deepen their connection through gradual, supportive methods.

Key Takeaways:

• Support Before Change: Supporting a horse’s current movement habits, even if they seem "incorrect," can create a foundation for lasting change.
• Safety and Ease: Ensuring the nervous system feels safe and comfortable is crucial for helping the horse explore new movement possibilities.
• Whole-Body Movement: Healthy movement involves more than just the spine; the rib cage, sternum, and other parts can also participate.
• Shared Awareness: Working together with the horse to explore movement creates a stronger bond and a more responsive nervous system.
• Gradual Progression: Changes in movement should be introduced gradually, respecting the horse’s comfort and existing patterns.

Resources:

💥Learn how the Feldenkrais Method can help improve your seat, position, and balance on your horse! Free rider videos masterclass: https://www.marydebono.com/rider 💥

Email mary@marydebono.com

All information is for general educational purposes ONLY and doesn't constitute medical or veterinary advice.  

Send Mary a text!

 In this episode of "Easier Movement, Happier Horses," Mary Debono delves into the often-overlooked concept of working WITH a horse's current movement patterns, however "incorrect" we may think they are, instead of trying to force a change. 

Mary explains how many equestrians, in their desire to help their horses move better, may inadvertently cause discomfort or resistance by attempting to immediately correct posture issues, such as a dropped back. 

Drawing on her extensive experience, Mary illustrates how gently supporting a horse's existing habits can create a sense of ease and safety, making the nervous system more receptive to learning new, healthier movement options. This approach not only improves the horse's physical well-being but also enhances its mental and emotional state. 

Mary offers a fresh perspective on fostering a deeper connection with your horse by respecting its current state and guiding it toward better movement through gradual, supportive methods. 

We'll continue this discussion in our next podcast episode. Please subscribe so you don't miss an episode!

Key Takeaways

• Forcing a horse to round its back can create discomfort and resistance.
• Supporting a horse's current movement habits can create a sense of ease and safety.
• The nervous system is more receptive to learning new movement patterns when it feels safe.
• This approach improves the horse's physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
• Gradual, supportive methods foster better communication and a deeper connection between horse and rider.

Resources:

💥Learn how the Feldenkrais Method can help improve your seat, position, and balance on your horse! Free rider videos masterclass: https://www.marydebono.com/rider 💥

Email mary@marydebono.com

All information is for general educational purposes ONLY and doesn't constitute medical or veterinary advice.  

Send Mary a text!

Have you ever wondered how to transform a sensitive, easily spooked, or defensive horse into a confident and relaxed partner?

You'll hear about specific cases where observing subtle cues and applying gentle, supportive touch made a significant difference in a horse's emotional and physical well-being.

We'll also explore the art of understanding and communicating with horses through their breathing. Learn the importance of recognizing early signs of agitation and how to respond with Connected Breathing, a mindfulness-based exercise that helps release tension, refine communication, and deepen your connection with your horse.


Want to learn more? Join the Move with Your Horse waitlist! https://www.marydebono.com/joinhorse 🐴

Remember, you and your horse deserve to feel great. Together!

Resources:

Podcast show notes for this episode: https://www.marydebono.com/blog/h79

Free rider masterclass: https://www.marydebono.com/rider

Email mary@marydebono.com

All information is for general educational purposes ONLY and doesn't constitute medical or veterinary advice.  

Send Mary a text!

What if horse training could be more about partnership and mutual respect than following rigid regimes?

On this episode of the Easier Movement, Happier Horses podcast, Mary Debono uncovers the transformative approach of facilitating learning opportunities for your horse. By focusing on what your horse already finds easy and gently expanding on that, you can build a cooperative and enjoyable training experience.

Mary emphasizes the importance of compassionate curiosity, an attitude that fosters creative problem-solving and strengthens the bond between you and your equine partner.

Join us as we explore how to integrate your values into your horse training, whether you're riding, doing groundwork, or engaging in hands-on exercises. Mary shares insights from her Move With Your Horse program, revealing how to gradually and thoughtfully expand your horse's capabilities.

This episode promises to shift your perspective on training, making it a joyful and enriching process for both you and your horse. Tune in and discover how to create a harmonious and responsive partnership by embracing curiosity and patience in your interactions.

Ready to embark on this transformative journey?
Join the Move with Your Horse waitlist! https://www.marydebono.com/joinhorse 🐴

Remember, you and your horse deserve to feel great. Together!

Resources:

Podcast show notes for this episode: https://www.marydebono.com/blog/h78

Free rider masterclass: https://www.marydebono.com/rider

Email mary@marydebono.com

All information is for general educational purposes ONLY and doesn't constitute medical or veterinary advice.  

Send Mary a text!

Can the way you think about your body transform your riding experience? Join me, Mary Debono, on the Easier Movement, Happier Horses podcast as we explore a crucial concept for equestrians: understanding the difference between using body parts in isolation versus independently. This might sound like a subtle shift, but it can lead to a profound improvement in your movement coordination and your harmony with your horse. By gaining better control and awareness of how you move both in and out of the saddle, you can elevate your nonverbal communication with your horse, resulting in a more enjoyable and effective riding journey.

Throughout this episode, I’ll guide you through breaking free from maladaptive movement habits that limit your potential and cause unnecessary fatigue or injury. We'll discuss the importance of learning to use your body parts independently, fostering healthier and more harmonious movements that benefit your overall well-being. Tune in for practical advice and valuable insights aimed at helping you cultivate greater body awareness, enhance your athleticism, and build a more pleasurable and productive connection with your horse. Make mindful adjustments, transform your riding, and discover the joy of moving in harmony with your equine partner.

Ready to embark on this transformative journey?
Join the Move with Your Horse waitlist! https://www.marydebono.com/joinhorse 🐴

Remember, you and your horse deserve to feel great. Together!

Resources:

Podcast show notes for this episode: https://www.marydebono.com/blog/h77

Free rider masterclass: https://www.marydebono.com/rider

Email mary@marydebono.com

All information is for general educational purposes ONLY and doesn't constitute medical or veterinary advice.  

Send Mary a text!

Are there things about yourself or your horse that you'd like to fix?

In this episode, I challenge the notion that you or your horse needs fixing.

Instead, we embrace a holistic approach. Drawing on my 30 years of experience as a Feldenkrais teacher specializing in horses and riders, I explain how our nervous systems develop habits and how, by working in harmony with these natural processes, we can foster better movement options and deeper connections with our horses.

Discover the Move With Your Horse program's core framework, Possibilities in Motion, which uses gentle methods to relieve tension and open up new movement possibilities.

💥For more details on this framework, please grab your free PDF at marydebono.com/framework 💥

Ready to embark on this transformative journey?
Join the Move with Your Horse waitlist! https://www.marydebono.com/joinhorse 🐴

Remember, you and your horse deserve to feel great. Together!

Resources:

Podcast show notes for this episode: https://www.marydebono.com/blog/h76

Free rider masterclass: https://www.marydebono.com/rider

Email mary@marydebono.com

All information is for general educational purposes ONLY and doesn't constitute medical or veterinary advice.  

Send Mary a text!

Beyond better performance, learn how improved movement can boost confidence, reduce anxiety, and create a deeper connection between you and your horse.

Discover ways to make saddling up a positive experience and explore a holistic approach to movement that unlocks a happier you and a happier horse.

Beyond Performance:

• Boost Confidence: Discover how improved suppleness can boost your horse's confidence and sense of well-being. Just like us, restrictions can breed anxiety.
• Feel the Shift: Improved movement isn't just about physical ease; it elevates your emotional state. Learn how positive changes in your body can spark optimism and a sense of possibility.
• Build Trust, Not Tension: Ditch the forceful methods! Mary explains how gentle, Feldenkrais-inspired techniques foster trust and a harmonious relationship with your horse.

A Happier You, a Happier Horse:

• Reduced Stress & Anxiety: Improved movement isn't just about coordination and strength; it's about nervous system regulation. Experience calm and refine your feel at the same time.  
• Deeper Connection: As your movement awareness grows, so does your ability to connect with your horse. Imagine a state of "shared awareness" where both of you are in sync.
• Rediscover Joy: Saddling up shouldn't be a battle! Mary offers solutions that make tacking up a pleasurable experience for your horse, setting the stage for a happier, more harmonious ride.

Movement for More Than Mechanics:

Movement improvement goes beyond improving your dressage score or cantering down that trail. It's about a holistic approach that unlocks a deeper connection, bringing more joy and harmony to your relationship with your horse.

Ready to embark on this transformative journey? Tune in to the full episode and join the waitlist for Mary's Move with Your Horse program. 🐴

Remember, you and your horse deserve to feel great. Together!

Resources:

Podcast show notes for this episode: https://www.marydebono.com/blog/h75

Join the Move with Your Horse waitlist! https://www.marydebono.com/joinhorse 🐴

Free rider masterclass: https://www.marydebono.com/rider

Email mary@marydebono.com

All information is for general educational purposes ONLY and doesn't constitute medical or veterinary advice.  

Send Mary a text!

Key Takeaways

- Pulling on the tail can harm horses with back tightness, triggering a defensive response

- Instead of pulling, support the tail forward to relax the muscles

- Focus on building trust and offering new options to the horse

- Prioritize somatic education and integrated movement over structural manipulation

- Consider the "Move with Your Horse" program for detailed tail support guidance

- Practice safety precautions for you and your horse

- Be mindful, and prioritize the horse's comfort and well-being

- Tail traction exercises, or tail stretches, *may* benefit horses when done with the proper preparation so that the horse cab experience a safe, balanced and coordinated lengthening through the spine  

Resources:

Podcast show notes for this episode: https://www.marydebono.com/blog/h74

Join the Move with Your Horse waitlist! https://www.marydebono.com/joinhorse 🐴

Free rider masterclass: https://www.marydebono.com/rider

Email mary@marydebono.com

All information is for general educational purposes ONLY and doesn't constitute medical or veterinary advice.  

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Send Mary a text!

Injury keeping you out of the saddle? Learn actionable steps to help you stay connected to your horse, facilitate your healing, and improve your horsemanship. Learn about mindful movement, mental training, and creative ground exercises.

Use your recovery time to deepen your connection with your horse and come back to riding even stronger than before!

Use your recovery time to improve in these areas: 

Mindful Movement: explore approaches such as the Feldenkrais Method to improve body awareness and movement, even with limitations. Micro-movements and mental visualization can be powerful tools for healing injuries and enhancing riding skills.

Deepen the Connection with Your Horse: creative ground exercises and positive reinforcement training can strengthen your bond with your horse while riding is on hold.

Self-Awareness: How you move, breathe and direct your attention shapes your interactions with your horse. Take the time to deepen your connection with your horse by being mindful of your movement, breathing and thoughts
 
By exploring these strategies, you can transform your injury layoff into a period of focused learning and deeper connection with your horse. Get ready to return to the saddle a more knowledgeable, centered, and harmonious rider!

Resources:

Podcast show notes for this episode: https://www.marydebono.com/blog/h73

Free rider masterclass: https://www.marydebono.com/rider

Previous episode: Laid Up Horse? Here's How to Make the Most of It

Horse Running to Mounting Block: https://app.searchie.io/watch/mpDoYw9Gq4 

Email mary@marydebono.com

All information is for general educational purposes ONLY and doesn't constitute medical or veterinary advice.  

Send Mary a text!

Horse sidelined with an injury? Don't despair!

Join Mary Debono, your equine expert, as she unveils the silver lining within stall rest. In this episode, you'll discover how to transform recovery time into relationship-building gold.

Master the art of mindful movement: Discover the magic of hand-walking in sync with your horse, fostering a deeper understanding of your horse's movement.

Unlock the power of Connected Breathing, where you and your horse find harmony through observing each other's rhythm.

Challenge those routines: Learn the benefits of leading your horse from the "wrong" side, and keeping your horse's nervous system engaged in a positive way.

Become a master detective of your horse's body language: Sharpen your observation skills to decode your horse's smallest cues and subtle signs of tension.

Discover how by being truly present with your horse during recovery, you can not only strengthen your bond but also elevate your horsemanship skills to a whole new level.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to turn a setback into a breakthrough for you and your horse!

Resources:

Podcast show notes for this episode: https://www.marydebono.com/blog/h72

Free rider masterclass: https://www.marydebono.com/rider

Email mary@marydebono.com

All information is for general educational purposes ONLY and doesn't constitute medical or veterinary advice.