Flow Riders Equestrian - Music Clinics

23/10/2026

Listening to your horse is a huge aspect of musical flow rides.

Listening to the horse- needs vs desires?

Some thing I’ve been contemplating a lot in my own training is what does listening to the horse look like and how can we listen to them in a way that provides the best outcome?

Horses don’t speak English, but they do communicate and as good stewards of the horse, we need to listen to their communications and decipher their meaning. Their in lies the tricky part as we are all interpreting their communication in ways that are filtered through our own bias, our own desires, and often our own emotional comfort.

Really we can describe their expressions or behavior anyway that we want and we are very prone to human frailty.

Something I also consider often is that my kids can speak English and verbalize their desires, but then we have to distinguish between desires and needs. If I listen to my kids desires, for example, we would never sleep, stay up all night, watching cartoons, only eat candy. So me listening to their desires would not put us in a better situation and would in fact make them less healthy. I would not be doing my job as their guide in life.

When my horses are having trouble in their training and start to show resistance, I need to factor in the difference difference between their desires and their needs. Do I need to present different skills, back off, slow down, or go through and forward? Many times our own discomfort at making the horse uncomfortable creates poor welfare for the horse, often more serious than muddling through.  the world is now littered with folks who are afraid of making their horses uncomfortable, creating horses that are unskilled, unprepared for life, and dealing with anxiety as a way of being- which is extremely unfair to them.

So listening to the horse needs to include nuance : we have to get past personal desires of comfort to make ourselves feel good at the expense of the horse, even if we word it cleverly to sound ethical -

We need to determine the difference between wants (I want to graze) and needs (I need better guidance because I’m anxious) which are often not communicated directly. And we have to sort all this out with longevity and wellbeing in mind. What would make this horse happy now, vs what would make this horse calm and safe for a lifetime?

22/10/2026

The Energy Connection Between Horse and Human: Science and Sensation

The“energy” you feel from a horse when you’re working closely or riding isn’t just poetic language — it’s a very real combination of biological, psychological, and sensory phenomena. Here’s a breakdown of what’s going on:

1. Body Heat & Heart Rate Synchrony

Horses are warm-blooded and have a large body mass. Standing near them exposes you to a lot of radiant heat, which your nervous system interprets as comforting and grounding.

Research also shows that when humans and horses are in close contact, their heart rates and even heart-rate variability can synchronize. This entrainment can make you feel calmer, more “in tune,” and subtly energized at the same time. Studies at the HeartMath Institute and at universities in Europe have shown that when a person touches or stands near a horse, their heart rates and heart-rate variability can become synchronized within minutes.

HRV reflects the balance of the autonomic nervous system. Synchrony usually correlates with calmness and a sense of connection.

This phenomenon has also been documented between humans, but the effect seems stronger with large animals like horses.

2. Electromagnetic Fields & Subtle Sensations

Every heart generates an electromagnetic field. Because a horse’s heart is about four times the size of a human’s, its field is stronger and can be detected several feet away. While the field is weak in terms of measurable force, our nervous systems are very sensitive. Many people describe feeling more grounded, peaceful, or alert when near a horse — a likely mix of the electromagnetic field and your own body’s mirror responses.

Every heart generates a small electromagnetic field detectable with instruments like magnetocardiograms. Because a horse’s heart is about four times bigger than a human’s, its field extends farther — estimated up to several feet.

3. Mirror Neurons & Emotional Contagion

Horses are highly attuned prey animals. They pick up on micro-expressions, tension, breathing, and subtle movements. When you approach a horse, your nervous system unconsciously mirrors its state. A relaxed horse can calm you; an anxious horse can make you tense. This bidirectional feedback is part of what people describe as “energy exchange.”

You can also influence your horse by extending your positive, calm energy to merge with your horse’s.

4. Thermal and Sensory Input

Horses give off substantial body heat (around 101°F/38°C core temperature). Being near that much warm mass can affect your peripheral nervous system, blood flow, and comfort levels.
Touching or grooming a horse activates mechanoreceptors in your hands, releasing oxytocin and reducing cortisol.

5. Rhythm & Movement (especially when riding)

Riding places you in direct, rhythmic contact with a living being. The horse’s stride creates a 3-dimensional movement under you, which gently mobilizes your pelvis and spine. This motion is similar to human walking patterns, which is why therapeutic riding can stimulate balance, proprioception, and even emotional regulation. The regular rhythm is naturally soothing to the autonomic nervous system.

6. Presence & Mindfulness

Horses live in the present. They don’t ruminate or plan ahead the way humans do. Being with them can “pull” you into the present moment, lowering stress hormones and making you feel more centered. Because they’re so sensitive, they also respond instantly to your emotional shifts, giving immediate feedback that deepens your self-awareness.

7. Bioenergetic or “Chi” Interpretation

In many bodywork and equine-assisted modalities, practitioners describe this as an exchange of “chi” or life-force energy. While this isn’t measurable in the same way as heat or electromagnetic fields, it’s a powerful framework for understanding the felt sense of connection.

8. Psychoneuroimmunology

Positive, emotionally regulating interactions with animals (including horses) can improve immune markers, lower blood pressure, and increase serotonin and dopamine levels.

Putting it together

When you’re close to a horse, you’re experiencing:

Heat + electromagnetic fields (literal physical energy) Nervous system co-regulation (heart rate, breathing) Rhythmic input (especially riding) Heightened presence and attunement

This unique combination can feel like a warm, powerful, yet calming “energy” that many people find transformative.

https://koperequine.com/how-horses-store-energy-in-their-muscles/

22/10/2026

As the seasons change, your horse’s routine might need to change too. 🐴

With colder weather and shorter days on the way, you may be thinking about moving your horse from living out to being stabled or changing how much time they spend indoors.

Whatever changes you’re making, gradual transitions can help your horse adjust, reduce stress and even help prevent health conditions such as colic.

If your horse is coming in for winter:

👉 Introduce stabling gradually, starting with short periods and building up over time.

👉 Make their stable environment comfortable, with good ventilation, low-dust bedding and forage available.

👉 Keep them in contact with their friends where possible, such as through social stabling or positioning stables so horses can at least see their friends.

👉 Keep turnout as consistent as possible and make time indoors more interesting with opportunities for movement and foraging.

Every horse is different, so pay attention to how your horse responds and give them time to adjust to any changes in their routine.

Find more advice on preparing your horse for winter here 🔗 https://bit.ly/4y8xZJL

22/10/2026

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