If there’s one practice I return to over and over again—both in my own life and in my work with horses—it’s grounding. It’s not fancy, it’s not complicated, and it doesn’t require any special equipment. But it is foundational. Because how we show up matters. Not just in how we handle the lead rope or how we move in the saddle, but in our energy, our intention, and the way we inhabit our bodies.

And the horses? They feel all of it.

What Is Grounding, Really?

At its core, grounding is the act of bringing our awareness into the present moment. It's getting out of the swirl of thoughts in our heads and arriving fully in our bodies—here, now, connected to the earth beneath our feet. It’s something all of us instinctively crave, especially in a world that moves so fast, pulling our attention in a million directions. And horses—masters of presence—sense immediately when we’re disconnected.

Grounding isn’t something you do to your horse. It’s something you do for yourself, with your horse, and because of your horse.

A Grounded Horse Is a Sounder Horse

Grounding isn’t just about creating a calmer interaction—it’s directly tied to physical soundness. When a horse is in a sympathetic state (fight or flight), their movement tends to come from tension and bracing. They might disconnect their front end from their hind end, hollow their back, or slam their feet into the ground. These patterns aren’t just uncomfortable—they’re unsustainable. Over time, they lead to wear, imbalance, and injury.

On the other hand, a grounded horse—a horse who feels safe in their body and in the world—moves differently. They soften through their topline, step under with more ease, and access their proprioception. They begin to feel their bodies instead of fleeing from sensation. That’s when healing begins. That’s when true balance is possible. That’s when training starts to build the horse up instead of breaking them down.

As practitioners and riders, we need to ask: Are we grounding ourselves in a way that allows our horses to ground too? Or are we rushing, tightening, and pushing them out of their bodies even further?

Soundness starts with safety. And safety begins with grounded presence.

Why Grounding Matters in the Horse-Human Relationship

We’ve all had moments when things just feel “off” with a horse. Maybe your horse seems distracted, spooky, or reactive. Maybe they brace against the halter, walk off when you approach, or seem shut down and unengaged. Often, our first impulse is to look at the horse—to fix them.

But what if we turned that lens inward first?

What if, before we asked anything of the horse, we checked in with ourselves?

· How am I breathing?

· Where is my attention?

· Am I present in my body—or am I somewhere else entirely?

These questions aren’t just fluffy mindfulness tricks. They’re deeply practical. Horses are prey animals, hardwired to scan their environment for signals of safety or danger. When we’re ungrounded—rushed, anxious, frustrated, or disconnected—they pick up on it immediately. It can read as “not safe.” And even if we’re not yelling or storming around, our internal chaos is still part of the conversation.

Grounding offers a reset button—for us and for them.

What Grounding Looks Like in Practice

You don’t need an elaborate ritual to ground yourself. Sometimes it’s as simple as stopping, standing still, and breathing.

Here’s a little practice you can try before you even enter your horse’s space:

1. Stand still. Feet hip-width apart, knees soft, shoulders relaxed.

2. Take three deep breaths. In through the nose, out through the mouth. Let your breath drop into your belly.

3. Feel your feet. Imagine roots growing from your feet into the earth. Let yourself settle.

4. Notice your body. Is there tension in your jaw, shoulders, chest, or hands? Soften what you can.

5. Arrive. Let your attention drop from your thoughts into your body. Into this moment.

When you enter your horse’s space from this place—present, soft, grounded—the difference is often immediate. You might see them lower their head, sigh, lick and chew, or turn toward you with curious ears and soft eyes. That’s the language of trust. That’s a “yes” to connection.

**And the beautiful part is: grounding doesn’t just help the horse. It helps *you*.**

Grounding as the Foundation for Training and Performance

We often think of performance in terms of physical ability: strength, flexibility, balance, timing. And yes, all of those things matter. But what we sometimes forget is that none of those qualities can fully come online if the horse—and the human—aren’t regulated in their nervous systems.

A dysregulated nervous system—whether it's anxious, shut down, or over-aroused—can’t access higher-level learning. That’s true for us, and it’s absolutely true for our horses.

Grounding helps to create the conditions where real, lasting training can happen.

For the Horse

When a horse is grounded, they’re more:

· Receptive to learning

· Able to engage their body correctly

· Less likely to brace or resist

· Quicker to recover from stress or confusion

· Willing to try and stay connected

I’ve seen this time and time again. A horse that was rushing, fussy, or reactive suddenly softens—not because we did something specific to change their behavior, but because we shifted. When the human grounds themselves, the horse feels safer, and from that place of safety, they can start to offer movement that is more fluid, balanced, and intentional.

Grounding also supports better proprioception. When the horse is in a sympathetic state (fight or flight), they’re often not truly aware of where their feet are. They might trip more, resist turns, struggle to balance through transitions, or feel like they’re “everywhere.” Grounding helps bring their awareness back into their body, just like it does for us. And that’s where good movement begins.

For the Rider or Handler

When you're grounded, your:

· Aids become clearer and more consistent

· Balance improves, both on the ground and in the saddle

· Timing sharpens

· Emotional regulation improves—you respond rather than react

· Energy becomes more intentional, more focused, and less noisy

In this way, grounding isn't just an emotional tool—it's a technical advantage. It makes you a better trainer, a better rider, a better communicator. You’re able to notice the little things: a breath your horse holds, a slight shift in their weight, a micro-response that you would have missed if you were only focused on the big picture or lost in your head.

The Link Between Stillness and Movement

It might sound ironic, but some of the most beautiful movement I’ve witnessed—true engagement, balance, lightness—began in stillness. Not the stillness of “doing nothing,” but the charged stillness of grounded presence.

When the rider is grounded, the aids land differently. The horse can feel the request without confusion or static. You’re no longer pushing or micromanaging. You’re inviting. And in that invitation, the horse finds freedom to move with you rather than against you.

This is especially important in disciplines where precision and responsiveness matter—whether you’re schooling lateral work, cantering a pattern, navigating a trail course, or simply asking for softness in a transition.

Grounding doesn’t just support the mental connection—it enhances *physical performance.*

Personal Experience: When I Forget to Ground

I’ll be honest—there are days I forget. I show up in a rush, still carrying the noise of the day, trying to squeeze in a session before the light fades. I might think I’m fine. I might tell myself, “Just do the thing. You’ve done this a hundred times.”

And yet… the horse knows.

There was one moment in particular that stands out. I was working with a horse I knew well—gentle, willing, sensitive. But that day, everything felt off. He was tense. Unfocused. He kept moving away from me when I approached. My old reflex kicked in—What’s going on with him? Is something hurting? Why is he acting like this?

Then I stopped. I took a breath. I stepped back, quite literally. And I realized—I hadn’t grounded at all. I’d walked into the session still tangled in stress from an earlier conversation, my head buzzing, my heart racing a little faster than I thought.

So I dropped my eyes, took three deep breaths, and stood still.

The shift was subtle, but powerful. The horse softened. Turned toward me. Took a step closer. I didn’t say a word or move a muscle—but the whole dynamic changed. That moment has stuck with me. It reminded me that I am half the conversation.

Grounding for Riders: Taking It Into the Saddle

Grounding doesn’t stop when we swing a leg over the horse. In fact, it becomes even more important. When we’re in the saddle, our balance, breath, and body awareness are amplified. Every little tension in us can translate to confusion or resistance in the horse.

Before riding, I take a moment to feel my seat bones, lengthen my spine, and breathe deeply into my belly. If I’m holding tension in my shoulders or hands, I’ll shake them out. If I’m holding my breath, I’ll exhale audibly and let my ribs soften.

Sometimes I even pause mid-ride, drop the reins on a loose loop, and just breathe. The horses notice. The rhythm of their walk deepens. They blow out, stretch down, soften their backs. They ground with me.

It’s not about being perfectly calm all the time. It’s about being aware. And when we ride from that place, we create a space where our horses can feel safe to move freely, express themselves, and meet us in partnership—not just obedience.

Grounding and Nervous Systems: A Deeper Layer

One of the reasons grounding is so effective is because it directly supports our nervous systems. When we’re anxious or overwhelmed, our bodies shift into a sympathetic “fight or flight” state. Our breath becomes shallow, our muscles tense, and our awareness narrows.

Grounding practices activate the parasympathetic “rest and digest” system—encouraging relaxation, connection, and regulation.

Horses live in a constant feedback loop with our nervous systems. They co-regulate with us. When we settle, they can settle. When we breathe, they breathe. It’s why some of the most powerful transformations happen not through techniques or tools, but through presence.

You don’t have to be a therapist or a somatic expert to begin practicing this. All it takes is a willingness to feel, to breathe, and to listen.

Start Small: How to Build a Grounding Practice Into Your Horse Time

If this feels new or unfamiliar, start small. Try weaving grounding into your daily horse routine. Here are a few simple entry points:

· Before entering the paddock or stall, pause at the gate and take three breaths.

· While grooming, slow your movements. Feel the brush in your hand. Notice the horse’s breath.

· Before mounting, take a moment to sit in the saddle without asking anything. Breathe. Settle.

· At the end of a session, stand with your horse in stillness. Let the moment land.

You don’t have to change everything all at once. Even a 30-second pause can shift the entire tone of your interaction.

**And the more you practice, the more natural it becomes. Grounding stops being something you do and starts becoming who you *are*—a steady, clear, trustworthy presence your horse can lean into.**

In Closing: Your Presence is a Gift

At the heart of it all, grounding is about presence. And presence is a gift.

It says to your horse: I’m here. I see you. I’m listening.

It says to yourself: I’m safe. I belong. I am present.

It’s not about doing more. It’s about being more—more aware, more connected, more real.

So the next time you’re with your horse, remember: you have the power to shift the whole conversation—not by force or pressure, but by simply coming home to your body, your breath, and this moment.

Your grounded presence is one of the greatest gifts you can offer your horse. And in return, they often offer something equally powerful:

Their trust.

Grounding Yourself for Your Horse