Equine Hanna Somatics

Supporting Lightness from the Inside Out With EHS

Chronic tension isn’t just muscular — it’s neurological. When contraction is repeated over time, the brain begins to hold it as normal and forgets how to fully release. Somatic work gently re-educates the nervous system, allowing the horse to let go of habitual bracing and move with greater balance and lightness.
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From Tension to Freedom

What Is Equine Hanna Somatics?

Equine Hanna Somatics is a brain-based method of neuromuscular re-education originally developed by Thomas Hanna for humans and later adapted for horses. 

It works at the level of the nervous system to release chronic muscular tension, restore coordination, and improve functional movement. Repeated contraction over time — from asymmetry, compensation, injury, equipment, or normal training demands — becomes “normal” to the brain. Hanna called this motor-sensory amnesia, when the nervous system forgets how to fully release muscles.

Through slow, intentional movements called pandiculations, the horse’s brain relearns how to soften, balance, and coordinate movement. The result is functional freedom, a more supple topline, and a stride that can lengthen naturally.

Pandiculations are not just a somatic tool — they are deeply aligned with classical dressage principles. Movements like the jaw flexion reflect the same idea: teaching the horse to consciously release habitual tension and coordinate the body from the inside out. 

Proper rotation of the jaw under the atlas wing is essential, as restrictions here can create twisting through the entire spine, limiting balance, straightness, and responsiveness. By combining pandiculations with classical exercises, horses learn to move with true softness, clarity, and lightness from poll to hindquarters.

I am currently trained as a Level 1 EHS Educator.



This Work Can Also Support Riders

Develop freedom in your seat and precision in your aids

By exploring similar somatic principles themselves, riders can develop better posture, timing, balance, and body awareness, reducing habitual tension and improving communication with their horse. When horse and rider are neurologically aligned, training becomes more precise, subtle, and effortless. Integrated with classical principles, Equine Hanna Somatics prepares both horse and rider to move with genuine lightness, clarity, and harmony.
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Results I’ve Seen in the Horses I Work With

Gentle, brain-led work that improves balance, coordination, and responsiveness

  • Lengthened topline and rising withers

  • Enhanced strength and pushing power

  • Nervous horses relax

  • Willingness to offer movements that were previously difficult

  • Greater squaring and symmetry

  • Improved gaits

  • Better overall posture and straighter joints

For Horses and Riders of All Levels

From subtle stiffness to performance refinement, this work supports lasting balance and ease.

All horses carry habitual tension patterns, so even if your horse isn’t injured, stiff, or reactive, they can gain from somatic work. Horses recovering from injury or long-term compensation, those with recurring topline restriction, sensitive or reactive horses, performance horses needing a postural reset, or any horse showing signs of asymmetry or stiffness can benefit. Riders seeking to support balance, coordination, and longevity in their horses also find it transformative. This work complements veterinary care and classical training, enhancing functional movement and nervous system regulation.



Ready to Explore EHS With Your Horse?

Improve longevity, performance, posture, and partnership

Sessions are quiet, unhurried, and tailored to your horse’s natural patterns, and can be conducted in person or virtually. Riders also learn the basic movements to maintain their horse between sessions. Most horses visibly relax — yawning, stretching, and softening — with noticeable improvements in topline, stride, and engagement that deepen over time.
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What Riders Are Saying:

In their own words

Jolene is comfortable in her body

Rene S. Trainer and Rider

Thanks to Celie's work with my mare, she is so much calmer and straighter. She's so much more comfortable in her body and her withers have come up and lightened her forehand.