Horses are amazing animals. They are so willing and give us their best. What other animal can you sit on and ask them to move in unnatural ways at high degree of difficulties.
Horses are also great communicators. They tell us very quickly if there is something wrong like a bag rustling in the breeze or a rabbit in the bush. They also tell us when there is discomfort in their body.
Communication associated with discomfort usually is expressed through behaviour changes.
Some of the telltale signs of tension and pain somewhere in their body are:
Pinning ears back
Holding tail to one side
Girthy/ difficult to tack
Head tilt
Bucking
Rearing
Tail swishing
Reluctant to go forward
Toe drag
Lack of hind end engagement
lack of flexion in the neck
Any many more
Remember, these behaviours are not normal! They are usually coming from tension or pain in the body. If we can address the primary issue of pain, the behaviour stops!
Regular bodywork can keep your horse feeling great and allow it to utilise all their 600 + muscles correctly which will make them stronger and more supple. This will enable them to move their bodies easier through these unnatural movements we ask of them.
So whenever your horse is "playing up", they are probably trying to tell you something.
Listen and let them be heard.
A great video I recommend watching is : 24 behaviours of the ridden horse in pain
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