Kinetic Bodywork
Rebalancing Groundwork FOR Postural Re-education

Think of it as "Yoga for Horses"

Kinetic bodywork – bodywork in motion – is a series of gentle in-hand techniques that help your horse move freely and comfortably at any gait, choosing elastic self-carriage over soundness-destroying imbalance. This groundwork has become an essential element of Desert Horse's training and rehabilitation programs because it is simple enough for any horse and handler to learn, yet incredibly effective at initiating positive changes in a relatively short time.

For most horses and handlers, these exercises are completely new, requiring both to act and react entirely outside their normal experience. That means both postural and behavior habits don't necessarily get triggered, so there is room for learning to happen at a deep level. The inspiration for this groundwork is Connected Groundwork, developed by clinician Peggy Cummings based on her studies of TTEAM and her experiences with various styles of body re-education, including Feldenkrais Method and Alexander Technique.

Even after 15 years of learning and practice, instructor and rehabber Stacey Kollman is still learning from her equine and human clients and exploring new levels of subtlety. This work can bring old, stiff horses back into comfortable work, help young, sound horses focus and progress better in their training, form a non-threatening basis for starting green horses and help lame horses achieve soundness. And anyone can learn to do these exercises in just a few lessons.

Here are just a few reasons to learn kinetic bodywork:

		Eliminate bracing habits that lock horses onto the forehand and prevent energy from coming through from the hindquarters. This moves horses out of the head high/hollow back posture that many display under saddle, on the longe line and even working at liberty.
		Engage the muscles used for self-carriage and use them in work that includes changes of impulsion and stride length, bend and direction.
		Increase strength and range of motion of muscle groups that help the horse work over his hind end. This has application for every equestrian discipline from trail riding to roping to dressage.
		Target work to your horse's specific problem areas, flexing at the poll, releasing the shoulder and withers, lifting the back, bending at the ribcage and neck and engaging the hindquarters evenly on both sides.
		Develop your feel for subtle changes of balance, freedom, swing and impulsion and learn how to help the horse regain his natural grace and power.

Learn more about kinetic rebalancing exercises
that form the basis for teaching a horse to longe in correct balance and posture in the article
Teach Your Horse to Longe From the Ground Up – Part 1

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