Driving back from a three-day clinic, which started in Leeds, went across to Preston, and finished in Liverpool, I’ve been reflecting over the last three days, as I often do. I can’t shake this thought:
What if I’m missing something?
Let me explain.
The more I research and learn, the more confident I feel when talking to other professionals and assessing horses. However, there’s another side—one that’s not in any textbook or scientific journal. Yet.
I would describe it as an inner knowing that I’m still struggling to put into words when asked questions. I’ll try my best to explain.
When I first became a chiropractor and soft tissue therapist, I was taught techniques with proven results and years of proof behind them. As you qualify, you adapt these techniques to each horse or dog you come across. You also attend webinars, CPD, and acquire additional qualifications.
But sometimes, while treating, I get this feeling to stop, to pause, or step back and observe rather than continue to the next restriction.
When I was newly qualified, I found these moments hard because I felt pressure from the owner to deliver visible results. And don’t get me wrong, I’m still here to give the best I can.
However, this year I’ve noticed a big shift in how I treat.
My treatments are becoming shorter, but I’m spending more time with each owner. This shift comes from trusting my inner guidance, stepping back, and simply observing the horse after each adjustment. Sometimes, the horse doesn’t even need an adjustment.
There’s a subjective grey area around body language and human communication. Humans tend to prefer verbal communication, but our four-legged friends communicate mostly through body language.
Whether working alongside other professionals in horsemanship, liberty work, or simply myself in a stable with the horse, and no one talking, I’m starting to notice a deeper connection—a new language almost.
These past three days really expanded this inner feeling, this idea of a deep connection between myself, the horse, and sometimes even the owner who is also willing to observe.
Yesterday, I met a magnificent mare—17 years old, rescued by a wonderful couple. She reminded me of horses from years ago: broad-chested, solid, standing with a leg in each corner. You know the kind I mean—quite the opposite of today’s breeding standards.
It was my first time assessing her, and when I saw her in the stable, I felt a sense of excitement and curiosity. Some horses just radiate unconditional love and kindness—this was one of those moments.
Hearing her backstory broke my heart. She hadn’t had her teeth done in seven years, and her mouth was ulcerated and lacerated. Her feet were in terrible condition, yet she had still managed to foal healthy offspring.
After assessing her in the stable and on the lunge, I began my treatment. Almost immediately, I felt overwhelmed and guided to start around her. I noticed a change in her behaviour. She lowered her head and moved her jaw from side to side. Here’s where that subjective grey area kicks in: do I stop, or is this her guiding me to release?
In this case, I continued until she stopped moving her jaw. Then I stepped back and focused on her eyes.
You can tell a lot from a horse’s eyes, and the more I observe, the deeper the connection becomes.
I stepped back about 2 meters, leaning against the stable door, and watched her. I observed her eyes, then her muzzle, which was twitching. Suddenly, she let out a deep sigh, almost like a grunt.
Subconsciously, I asked her (without words), "Would you like more, or shall I stop?" She turned to face me, stepped forward, brought her eyes level with mine, and placed her muzzle into my hands.
Was this a yes or a no?
I felt guided to continue, and the entire treatment followed this ebb and flow of silence and observation, with my mind asking, "Shall I stop, or shall I continue?"
I’m curious to see where these treatments will go over the coming years. I’ve definitely noticed a change as my curiosity deepens and my desire to connect with these magnificent animals grows stronger.
Thank you for reading.
Nika x
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