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The motor and sensory systems are two sides of the same coin.

There is always sensory information coming in and motor output going out.

The sensory system informs the motor system. The motor system creates new sensory information. That new sensory information then influences future motor output. The process is continuous.

We can enter the loop from either side. Sometimes we begin with sensory input and allow that to influence motor output. Other times we focus on motor activity and allow the resulting sensory information to update the system.

The techniques used in Equine Hanna Somatics sit at different points along this spectrum.

𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐛𝐲: 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭

Means Whereby is primarily a sensory intervention.

In this technique, we move the horse's body for them.

The horse is not responsible for generating the movement. Instead, the movement itself creates sensory information.

That sensory information helps the horse become aware of a body part or a relationship within the body that may have fallen outside of conscious awareness.

In a very practical sense, Means Whereby can help the horse understand what we are asking so they'll eventually be able to actively participate.

The movement becomes information.

𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐌𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐫

Kinetic Mirroring sits closer to the middle of the spectrum because it is simultaneously a sensory and motor event.

With Kinetic Mirroring, we bring the origin and insertion of a muscle closer together.

This creates mechanical tension through the tendon, stimulating sensory receptors called Golgi tendon organs.

The Golgi tendon organs send sensory information to the spinal cord.

That sensory signal then passes through an interneuron and synapses back onto the lower motor neurons (alpha and gamma) controlling that same muscle.

The result is inhibitory motor output that temporarily lengthens the muscle.

In other words, we use a hands-on technique to create a sensory event that immediately influences motor output.

The sensory side and motor side are working together in real time.

𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭

Voluntary pandiculation sits furthest toward the motor side of the spectrum.

Unlike Means Whereby or Kinetic Mirroring, the horse is now generating the movement themselves.

This is where the horse actively contracts the muscle and then slowly releases it.

The goal is the complete cycle of contraction and controlled release.

During a pandiculation, the voluntary motor cortex sends excitatory signals to create the contraction and inhibitory signals to allow the gradual release.

That slow return to neutral in the eccentric phase is arguably the most important part of the process.

The nervous system has an opportunity to compare what it intended to do with what actually happened throughout the movement.

This is where feedback movement becomes so valuable.

Rather than relying on an old motor program, the horse is actively updating the information available to the nervous system.

This helps normalize resting muscle tone and restore the system toward homeostasis.

𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐩

These techniques provide multiple ways to interact with the motor-sensory system.

Depending on the horse, their current level of awareness, and the amount of participation they can offer in that moment, one avenue may be more useful than another.

The most lasting changes occur when the horse is able to actively participate in the process.