If we’ve worked together before, you’ve probably noticed that I sometimes ask you to walk your horse during a session. And almost always at the end of it, too.
This is a core part of how I work. Movement plays a big role in helping your horse integrate the changes we make together, physically, mentally, and emotionally.
I want to share why movement, both post-session and mid-session, is such an important part of the session, and why it can make all the difference in how effective bodywork and osteopathy are for your horse.
Movement helps me see what’s changed, and what still needs work
Bodywork is a two-way conversation between your horse and me. During a session, I’m always reading their body’s responses. As the tissue starts shifting under my hands and I feel it open and rebalance, your horse might start stretching, relaxing their eyes, licking and chewing, or showing those beautiful deep processing moments. All of that is valuable, it tells me we’re on the right track and it tells me that your horse is paying attention to the changes being made.
But the real proof of change? That shows up when they move.
If your horse walks off exactly the same way they came in, even if they looked super relaxed during the session, even if the tissue responded really well, it tells me we might not have quite reached the root of the issue yet. The work may have felt good, but the body hasn’t translated that into a new way of moving yet, so we need to keep digging to find why the movement is still restricted.
If your horse walks off differently, it gives me a chance to see how their body is responding in real time. Are they more fluid through the back? Lighter on the forehand? More balanced overall? That kind of feedback helps me understand which area will need more work, if any, offer you more tailored advice for the days ahead, and support your horse’s long-term progress.
Without that walk, I’d be guessing. With it, I’m getting honest insight straight from your horse.
Your horse needs to feel the difference
It’s one thing for me to make changes in the session, like softening tight spots, improving mobility, releasing restrictions, but if your horse doesn’t notice that something’s different, they’re far less likely to use it.
Walking after the session gives your horse the chance to explore those changes for themselves. It helps their nervous system process the new information, and it gives their brain time to realise: “Oh, that part of my body is moving more easily now.”
That awareness is powerful. The more clearly your horse can feel the change, the more likely they are to trust it. And trust is everything. If your horse doesn’t believe this new movement is safe or comfortable, they’ll likely return to old patterns, even if the body is capable of something better.
Some horses notice the change right away. Others take a few minutes. They might start off walking the same as before, then suddenly unlock a swing through the back or more freedom in the shoulders. You can often see that lightbulb moment: surprise, curiosity, and even joy, as they discover a new way to move.
It’s not just physical. It’s also mental.
After bodywork, it’s not unusual for a horse to look a bit…uncertain. Maybe a little uncoordinated. Like they’re still figuring out where their legs go. That’s not a bad sign. In fact, I often take it as a good one. It means something big has shifted. They’re recalibrating.
Some horses feel wobbly or awkward for a minute or two, then suddenly find a new rhythm. Watching that happen, watching them figure it out, integrate it, and settle into something softer and more confident, is one of the best parts of my job.
I’ve experienced it myself. That feeling after an adjustment where your body feels better, but also a bit strange at first. You need time to get used to the new alignment. Your brain has to catch up with what your body’s doing.
It’s the same for horses. They need time to feel it out, to process the change, and to start building confidence in the new way their body moves.
That’s why walking is so powerful. It gives the body and brain a chance to sync back up.
Walking during the session helps too
Sometimes I’ll ask you to walk your horse midway through a session. It’s not just to stretch their legs, it’s for me, too. It helps me see how things are shifting in the moment. Did something loosen up? Is one side freer than the other now? And most of all, are we moving in the right direction?
These little movement check-ins help me fine-tune what I’m doing and make sure we’re making the most of our time together. They’re not just informative, they’re part of the work.
Letting the horse lead the way
When your horse walks after a session, they’re doing more than stretching out. They’re experimenting. They’re figuring out what’s different and how to use it. That’s something only they can do. My job is to support that process, not rush it, not push them, just hold the space for it to unfold naturally.
That walk at the end isn’t an afterthought. It’s part of the healing. It helps your horse take ownership of their body again, in a new and hopefully more comfortable way.
Take a moment to watch them when you walk. Notice what’s different. Is the stride longer? Is the tail swinging more freely? Are they dropping into a rhythm more quickly? These small shifts can be powerful clues that things are settling into place.
Why movement helps the nervous system adjust
One of the less visible, but super important, parts of post-session movement is what it does for the nervous system. Your horse’s sense of proprioception (their awareness of where their body is in space) and interoception (how things feel from the inside) are constantly being updated. When we release restrictions or shift alignment during a session, their brain might not immediately register the change.
Movement after the session helps send fresh signals back to the brain from the peripheral receptors, allowing it to adjust how it controls muscles and posture.
Without that movement, their system might default back to old patterns of movement simply because those have been in place for longer and are therefore stronger. Even if they’re less efficient.
Stimulating these new pathways help set things in. Yes, that muscle no longer needs to be held in chronic contraction; yes, that limb can carry more and spend more time on the ground during stance phase; yes, those muscles can now engage and support without pain. All confirmations that happen within your horse’s nervous system as you walk them.
How you can support your horse after a session
Every horse is different and so every session and post session advice is different. Most horses will need a day of turn out to process the changes at their own pace, followed by a day or two of light hacking or light schooling depending on what you usually do with your horse and what is available for you to do.
Short in hand walks are also great to keep the body fluid and encourage the brain to accept the changes.
Generally you will need to avoid asking for big efforts or intense training too soon. Give their body and brain time to recalibrate and settle into the new normal. You can think of it like giving a fresh paint job a day or two to dry before touching it. However some horses, usually the stubborn ones, might need work the next day to really understand that, yes, the body has changed. This is something that your bodyworker will advise you on at the end of your session.
If your horse seems a little awkward or unsure at first, that’s okay, it usually means change is happening. Let them take their time and carry on with light work until you can tell they have settled and are confident to do more.
So next time we finish a session and I ask you to walk your horse, know it’s not just to wind things down. It’s to give your horse the time and space to feel what’s changed. To explore it. To own it.
Those first few steps can reveal so much, and being there to witness it with you is one of the best parts of what I do.