Spotlight On: Tension Release

If you follow enough horse accounts, you might notice horses doing those exaggerated yawns or licking and chewing and someone might have mentioned that it's a sign that they are releasing tension and managing their emotions. Big dramatic yawns can in fact demonstrate that they are letting go of tension and shifting their focus to a more relaxed state. But is this always what the yawn indicates? The short answer is: not always.

Yawns and licking and chewing can be a great sign that your horse is mentally staying present with you. It can be a sign of relaxation and, as a bodywork practitioner, it is one of the signs that I look for as I'm working with your horse. These can indicate that the horse is shifting from a sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) back into a parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest). It would make sense that our horses would exhibit these signs because they are signs that indicate rest (yawning) and digestion (lick and chewing). However, it's important to consider the context when deciding if this is the case. Horses can also yawn and lick/chew as a displacement behavior when they are under stress. If you were longeing your horse and you saw that they started yawning when you stopped pushing, this might very well be the latter case where your horse is utilizing the yawn in an effort to displace their discomfort or frustration. A study led by Aleksandra Górecka-Bruzda, PhD, DSc, of the Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding In Warsaw, Poland observed yawning in two distinct groups of horses: feral Przewalski horses in a preserve and a group of domesticated horses in a semi-natural turnout. The study observed that, in both groups, yawning had social context and that horses used it during stressful or mentally challenging situations.

Circling back to the presence of a yawn when we are working with your horse: we are looking at that as a great sign as long as it's in the right context. If we just met your horse and they seem agitated and unsettled and they begin yawning, that yawn is most likely displacement behavior. If we start moving through the session and your horse drops their head, the eyes begin to soften and the body begins to relax and then we see the yawn? That's what we are looking for. That being said, each horse is unique with respect to their lived experience and personality. Not all horses will give obvious cues that they are engaged in and enjoying their massage session. Some horses are much more subtle. We pay close attention to your horse's behavior as a whole to ensure that we have a balance between working on goals and relieving tension while honoring that we might have to make adjustments to make sure that your horse is comfortable and present in their treatment.

Through our blog, we strive to share our experience and recent findings that help us gain insight into the world as our horse sees it. Whether you're a seasoned equestrian or a novice horse owner, our content is designed to educate, inspire, and connect like-minded individuals who share a passion for horses. Through this blog, our hope is to create engaging and thought provoking discussions on topics related to equine bodywork and more. Together, we can help your horse thrive and reach their fullest potential. Stay tuned for updates, tips, and insights from the world of equine wellness – we can't wait to connect with you!

warmest wishes, Gloria