Our Unique Approach & Philosophy

It is only on a foundation of sound philosophy and theory that massage can evolve to an art. Without the those two things there is no guiding vision - nothing you're striving to create and no sense of how to create it. Working to a purpose makes the difference between just doing something and therapy; doing precisely the right thing to change how the horse carries himself. Prairie Winds is the only place where you learn how to assess self-carriage so that you see and understand what's missing, what's interfering, what's needed and form a guiding vision to work toward.

In one-of-a-kind, innovative movement and biomechanics studies you examine closely what constitutes the horses intrinsic design with a native intelligence, natural rhythms, basic ideas of symmetry and grace of horses at walk, trot and canter. By understanding what is natural and correct in the form and function of horses you are able to see and hear when those gaits lose their rhythm and balance through various pathologies.

In order to know what's needed to release horses into joyful, energetic, rhythmic waves of movement you must have the ability to see, feel, listen, and hear with great precision where energy gets "restricted". Emphasis is placed upon the qualities of the movements - fluidity, poise, power, agility of motion and equanimity are prized along with internal strength to cultivate vitality and presence. Once you know what is needed, you work to help a horse achieve and sustain graceful self-carriage, an integrated, agile, and vital body.

The Five Principles of Natural Movement ©

Relaxation: Relax is not the same as collapse. Relax has a quality of mental and physical clarity as it is a result of learning to let go of resistance and bracing that disorganizes and confuses the body. There is no limit to how much one can relax as it is a dynamic, in the moment practice for both horse and rider.

Poise: Complete harmony within the body appears when all traces of bracing are gone. Then the body is held by the delicate, dynamic balance of muscles, bones and spirit. At rest the body is calm and ready for anything. In motion it is fluid, powerful and vital.

Coordination and Timing: To perform with power, grace and balance all movement must emanate from a single point so that the entire body moves as a whole with no breaks in continuity, hollows or projections. An aligned and unified body/mind/spirit is free to express itself fully.

Separate: Learning to discern in delicate increments; up from down, left from right, front to back, is a central idea of separate. This is the kinesthetic sense of knowing where your body is in time and space. Body/mind awareness is the key to all subtle movements. Examples of this principle in action are clear upward and downward transitions, agility in lateral movements and a horse that moves with their hindquarters engaged.

Soft Listening Hands: When the body/mind relaxes there is no bracing or resistance to cloud perception and intention. Clarity of mutual communication and responsiveness is then possible. We no longer need to brace by holding on to something.

The Principles of Movement form the basis for transforming mere techniques into art. The model we follow is Listen, Connect, Follow and Influence©. Listening begins with approaching the work quietly so we are able to sense and interpret small signals the horse gives. Then we connect by sensing the horse listening back to us. Following begins as we allow our hands to be led by the horse. As we explore patterns of clenching or bracing we influence healing by waiting for the horse to make the changes. This process can be characterized as a feel following a feel. Since the horses make the changes themselves results are more enduring and complete. Skillful timing and sensitivity enables you to release a horse's bracing, tension and compensating patterns as you supple, relax and encourage the horse to seek what's right for them.

To approach massage in this way you must work with a horse's awareness. The horse must be intently focused on where we're encouraging them to adjust their alignment. From the moment a horse notices you, getting and holding their attention is the basis for everything that follows. Everything horses do is meaningful to them. While you may never know exactly what's intended by their actions, it's a never ending and fascinating study to sort out how to adjust you're presentation so horses know you notice. In Reading The Horse class work you practice noticing everything a horse does and letting them know that you are trying to understand them and help them to understand you. Regardless of whether you're approaching to halter them, asking them to lead up freely, or release a knotted muscle the important thing is not whether they do it, the important thing is to notice the slightest change and respond to the quality of whatever they do. Working this way you earn a horse's trust and willingness - the first step towards the horse allowing you to help them.

Equine Massage knowledge is only theoretical until it has been tried and proven on a wide range of horses. Every Prairie Winds course gives students experience with a wide variety of horses in real working herds of horses. Prairie Winds offers an unparalleled opportunity to study movement, performance, pathologies and the efficacy of The Art of Equine Massage.