18/12/2025
One of the first responses I train in any horse is immobility.
Itâs an often-overlooked part of training â but it shouldnât be.
Horses are prey animals. They are rarely still by nature. Even while grazing, they shift, scan, and remain ready to move. Sustained immobility occurs only when a horse is sufficiently relaxed.
Training immobility is not submission, and it is not achieved through fear or dominance. A horse that feels threatened will default to normal survival responses â increased tension, vigilance, and flight behaviour.
This work is not about creating a dull or unresponsive horse. Itâs about providing clarity, predictability, and security, and teaching the horse how to remain calm across a range of situations.
The importance of training immobility is often underestimated, but the outcomes are clear. Holly and Beau once bolted on human approach. Now, in an open area, they stand untied, relaxed, and settled while being washed, with hoses moving around them and full-body handling taking place. This is only the second time either horse has been washed since coming into my care in July.
Youâll notice Beau standing with a soft posture, low muscle tone, and no physical restraint. He intermittently orients toward me to investigate while remaining settled. Earlier in his training, his size and behaviour made close interaction unsafe and unpredictable. Here, his behaviour reflects voluntary proximity and behavioural stability â the result of foundation work centred on relaxation, predictability, and emotional safety.
True immobility reflects a horse that can remain emotionally settled. Youâll see it in posture, breathing, and a willingness to remain present without restraint. This foundation underpins safe handling, effective learning, and long-term welfare, and it forms a key part of how I approach behavioural consults â considering the individual horse alongside training structure, handling practices, and owner education.
