What A Horse Can Teach Us About Our Body

I’ve spent a lot of time around horses, both as an owner and as an equine chiropractor. One thing horses have taught me is that they communicate constantly—we just have to learn how to listen.

If you’ve ever spent much time around horses, you know they are incredible communicators.

They may not be able to tell us, “My back is bothering me today,” but they have plenty of ways of letting us know that something isn’t quite right.

Maybe your horse suddenly doesn’t want to pick up a certain lead. Maybe he’s resisting a turn he normally takes easily. Perhaps his stride looks a little different, he’s reluctant to stand square, he pins his ears when you saddle him, or he just seems…well, off.

As horse owners, we learn to notice those little changes.

And we should.

Because horses are incredibly good at compensating.

They will change the way they move to avoid something that doesn’t feel right. They may shift their weight, alter their stride, or use another part of their body to make up for something that isn’t moving or functioning the way it should.

And here's the interesting part:

People do the exact same thing.

We just happen to be much better at ignoring it. 😂

Your body is constantly adapting, too.

Maybe your shoulder starts bothering you, so you unconsciously use your other arm more.

Your hip feels tight, so you change the way you walk.

Your back hurts when you bend over, so you stop bending quite as far.

Your neck gets stiff, so you turn your entire upper body instead of turning your head.

And eventually, you may not even notice that you’re compensating anymore.

You just know that you’re “getting older,” or that you’re “a little stiff,” or that your body “isn’t what it used to be.”

But sometimes those little changes are your body communicating with you.

Your body talks. We just have to learn to listen.

As a chiropractor—and as someone who has spent a lot of time around horses—this is one of the things I find so fascinating.

When I work with an animal, I’m not just looking at the obvious problem. I’m looking at how the whole body is moving and working together.

And people are no different.

Our bodies are connected systems. When one area isn't moving well, another area may have to pick up the slack. Sometimes the pain we feel isn't even coming from the place where the original problem started.

That’s why I encourage my patients not to wait until something hurts really badly before paying attention.

Notice the little things.

Maybe you’re not sleeping quite as well because your neck is uncomfortable.

Maybe getting out of the car feels a little harder than it used to.

Maybe you’ve stopped doing something you enjoy because “it just bothers my back.”

Those changes matter.

Your horse may not be able to tell you exactly what hurts, but if you know your horse, you notice when something changes.

You know your body, too.

So this week, pay attention.

Listen to the little signals before they become big ones.

Your body has been communicating with you all along.

You just have to stop long enough to listen.

— Dr. Lara ❤️