Why Debono Moves are a Game Changer for Connection with Horses

If I had to choose one thing that has most transformed the way I connect with horses, it would be Debono Moves.

These gentle, mindful movements are rooted in the Feldenkrais Method, which helps both people let go of unnecessary tension and rediscover freedom in their movement. When practiced with horses they do much more than release tight muscles— they invite horse and human into a calmer, more connected state together.

Unlike some modalities that focus on “fixing” what’s wrong, Debono Moves highlight what’s right. They emphasize safety, relaxation, and curiosity rather than force or correction. When practiced with horses, this creates a ripple effect: the horse feels calmer, more fluid, and more aware of their own body, while the human experiences that same softening through the process of co-regulation.

The Benefits of Debono Moves for Horses (and Humans)

Debono Moves can help to:

• Release bracing and tension

• Restore fluidity and range of motion

• Improve balance and coordination

• Increase body awareness and proprioception

• Calm the nervous system

I first noticed the impact when I used them with horses who carried trauma in their bodies. Their posture, breathing, and expression softened, almost as if they had been given permission to let go. I also noticed that I softened right along with them.

Science tells us that practices like this can release oxytocin — the “love hormone” — in both horse and human. This hormone plays a role in bonding, stress relief, and overall well-being. In other words, the connection we feel during Debono Moves isn’t just imagined; it’s supported by our biology.

For me, every session becomes more than bodywork. It’s a way of saying: You are safe with me. Let’s move together in a way that feels good to both of us. That simple shift changes everything about the partnership.