Easier Movement, Happier Horses Mary Debono

Maybe you’re learning a new form of bodywork and you can’t wait to use it to help your horse. But your horse says, “No thanks!”

In this episode, you'll hear about the strategies I use to help horses relax, enjoy and benefit from hands-on work.  


In this episode, I discuss:
- The importance of understanding your horse's past experiences
- The power of connected breathing and relaxation techniques
- How to work with a horse through their skeleton for a non-threatening touch
- Strategies to provide immediate relief and build trust
- The concept of shared awareness and its benefits in your relationship

Resources:

Podcast show notes for THIS episode: https://www.marydebono.com/blog/h70

Video of Rib Rocking: https://app.searchie.io/watch/jVDGwM0EDW

Video of Back Muscle Lifts: https://app.searchie.io/watch/AYDapoPw2Q

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.  

How can this feel easier? It's one of my favorite questions.

But for many of us, we're so used to trying hard, to struggling, that we forget that things could feel easier for us and our horses.

This episode discusses the common "addiction" to struggling with horses and its negative impact on the horse-human relationship.

Key Takeaways
- Importance of movement, breathing, and attention in shaping interactions with horses


- Habitual worrying and struggling can create stress and strain in the brain


- Personal experience of overcoming worry and stress with the help of a Feldenkrais practitioner


- Tips for getting off the struggle train: connect with oneself, notice physical sensations without judgment, train the brain to focus on what is going well


- Changing the brain's focus to what feels good and what the horse does easily promotes a positive and solution-oriented mindset


- Being present, embracing compassionate curiosity, and expanding possibilities


- Developing sensory acuity and intuition for unconscious insights on improving horse interactions

Resources:

Podcast show notes for THIS episode: https://www.marydebono.com/blog/h69

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.  

Rocking your horse can have positive effects on a horse's muscles, nervous system, and overall movement. Rocking should be done with lightness, effortlessness, and pleasure for both horse and rider. Being well-organized and coordinated is important for effective communication with the horse.
 
Key Takeaways from this episode:


- Dressage rider realizes that her horse isn't "stubborn" and "lazy" after all. 


- Learns to rock her horse from different parts of its body to initiate movement


- Develops real feel for her horse and recognizes its innate desire to move


- Discovers horse needs connection and congruency, not laziness or stubbornness

- Rocking can have positive effects on horse's muscles, nervous system, and overall movement


- Rocking should be done with lightness, effortlessness, and pleasure for both horse and rider


- Being well-organized and coordinated is important for effective communication with the horse


- Rocking should be done slowly and small to notice subtle differences and allow for nervous system improvements


- Creating a learning environment where the horse chooses better options is crucial, rather than forcing or manipulating


Resources:

CLICK HERE FOR A SNEAK PEEK VIDEO of how I introduce Rocking with a horse,  which can lead to more comfortable, balanced, and athletic movement for the horse.

And if that piques your interest, please check out the details for the Move with Your Horse online program. We'd love to have you join us!

Podcast show notes for THIS episode: https://www.marydebono.com/blog/h68

Free rider masterclass: https://www.marydebono.com/rider
Have a question? Email mary@marydebono.com.

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

Did you know that your horse’s sternum plays a key role in helping your horse round the back easily?


The sternum and ribs are often overlooked, yet they play a key role in ensuring horses have freer, healthier and more comfortable movement.


In this episode, Mary Debono discusses the role of the rib cage in reducing stress and wear and tear on the horse’s back, neck and limbs.


When horses are reminded how their rib cage can participate and support their movement, it can lead to freer, healthier backs, necks and legs. And more elegant, harmonious movement.


And the same is true for you too!


We take a deep dive into this in our Move with Your Horse online program and I’m excited to announce that enrollment is open for a limited time!


CLICK HERE FOR A SNEAK PEEK VIDEO of how I introduce working with the horse's sternum which can lead to more comfortable, balanced, and athletic movement for the horse.

And if that piques your interest, please check out the details for the Move with Your Horse online program. We'd love to have you join us!


Learn how to improve your horse's movement and comfort by addressing rib cage restrictions. Gentle, hands-on movements can help by retraining the brain and inviting new movement possibilities for your horse. 


We want you AND your horse to feel better and move with greater ease.  That's why the Move with Your Horse program includes both Feldenkrais Method Ⓡ for humans and Debono Moves for horses, and includes pre-recorded videos AND live coaching. Our coaching and support is unmatched. Because you and your horse deserve to feel great. Together.  

Podcast show notes for THIS episode: https://www.marydebono.com/blog/h67


Have a question? Email mary@marydebono.com.

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

💥 Sign up to be among the first to know when we open the doors to our online group coaching program, Move with Your Horse! https://www.marydebono.com/joinhorse

In this episode, Mary Debono delves into the common challenge of girthy horses who dislike being tacked up and shares her mission to transform it into a positive experience for you and your horse:
Transforming Tacking Up: Mary aims to not only help horses tolerate being tacked up but to genuinely enjoy the process. Yes, this is possible!Positive Reinforcement Using Food vs. Positive Reinforcement from Tacking Up: While acknowledging the effectiveness of food-based positive reinforcement, Mary emphasizes the importance of physically preparing the horse's sternum and rib cage area to enhance their comfort and movement possibilities and to make tacking up itself a pleasurable experience. Tuning into Body Language: Mary stresses the significance of observing the horse's reactions and body language during the tacking up process, allowing them to feel differently and empowering them with a choice.Improving Quality of Life: Mary discusses the profound impact of our interactions with horses on their quality of life, advocating for a clear and loving connection.Move with Your Horse Program: Mary introduces her online program utilizing the Feldenkrais MethodⓇ and Debono Moves to enhance movement, balance, and flexibility for both horse and rider. Listeners are encouraged to join the waitlist for more information and perks. Join the waitlist here. 🐴 Our Move with Your Horse program offers Feldenkrais lessons and live coaching so that you AND your horse can move and feel better than ever!

💥 Sign up to be among the first to know when we open the doors to our online group coaching program, Move with Your Horse! 🐴 https://www.marydebono.com/joinhorse 💥

Podcast show notes for THIS episode: https://www.marydebono.com/blog/h66

Tacking Up blog post mentioned in the episode

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.  

💥 Sign up to be among the first to know when we open the doors to our online group coaching program, Move with Your Horse! https://www.marydebono.com/joinhorse

Wish your hips were more flexible or comfortable? Learn why the Feldenkrais MethodⓇ is different from stretching and strengthening programs. To improve your hips, explore this holistic, whole-body approach to movement, so you AND your horse can experience more comfort, elegance, athleticism and harmony.

Key Takeaways from the Podcast Episode:

1. Hips are a Common Issue: Many people, across different ages and riding disciplines, struggle with tight, stiff, or uncomfortable hips. This is often a significant obstacle in riding comfortably and effectively.


2. The Feldenkrais MethodⓇ:  Mary Debono discusses her personal experience with severe hip problems and how she found relief through the Feldenkrais Method. This method focuses on holistic approaches to movement and can offer relief from hip pain and stiffness.


3. Unique Approach to Hip Improvement: Unlike other methods that may focus solely on stretching or strengthening the hip muscles, the Feldenkrais Method takes into account individual history, injuries, and unique structural differences. It aims to help individuals organize their movements more efficiently to relieve stress around the hips.

4. Connection Between Human and Horse: Debono emphasizes the importance of integrating movement improvement for both humans and horses. Techniques like the Ischium Wave not only benefit the human but also help horses by transmitting ease and relaxation through their musculature.

5. Whole Body Functional Approach: Instead of isolated exercises, the Feldenkrais Method encourages a holistic understanding of movement, emphasizing efficient coordination throughout the entire body. This approach fosters regenerative movement patterns, reducing wear and tear on joints and muscles.

6. Biological Optimism: The method instills hope by encouraging curiosity about aches and pains, exploring ways to reduce effort and heal, and promoting coordinated movement to prevent compensation after injuries heal.

7. Benefits of Joining the Move With Your Horse group: Debono invites listeners to join her program (opening our doors soon!), which offers live coaching, professionally pre-recorded videos, other supporting materials (pdfs, etc.), and a unique blend of human and horse movement improvement techniques.

8. Encouragement to Explore Holistic Approaches: Listeners are encouraged to explore holistic, global approaches to addressing their own or their horse's movement issues, with the understanding that both human and horse deserve to feel great together.

🐴 Our Move with Your Horse program offers Feldenkrais lessons and live coaching so that you AND your horse can move and feel better than ever!

💥 Sign up to be among the first to know when we open the doors to our online group coaching program, Move with Your Horse! 🐴 https://www.marydebono.com/joinhorse 💥

Podcast show notes for THIS episode: https://www.marydebono.com/blog/h65

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.