Equine Hanna Somatics — Training the Nervous System with Alissa Mayer

In this episode of Equidemia Insights – Pferdetraining neu denken, Celina Skogan from Equidemia speaks with Alissa Mayer BSc (Equine), EHSE-C, director of the Equine Hanna Somatics® Professional Training & Certification Program, about how Hanna Somatics principles can be applied to horses — why chronic tension isn’t just a mechanical issue, how the nervous system learns and unlearns movement, and what this means for prehab, rehab and training.

This conversation bridges neuroscience, motor learning, pain science and equine performance, offering a fresh perspective on posture, comfort and movement quality — and reframing persistent muscle tension as a neurophysiological learning pattern that can be retrained, not just worked on.

You will gain a clear understanding of what Equine Hanna Somatics actually addresses, how sensory-motor amnesia can develop in horses through stress and learned patterns and why voluntary pandiculation plays a central role in restoring movement awareness. The episode highlights where this approach can be genuinely effective, where its limits lie and how it can be integrated thoughtfully alongside veterinary care and training. It also offers insight into how nervous-system-based learning may shape the future of sustainable performance and equine welfare.

In a nutshell

Is chronic tension just a mechanical issue?
No. Persistent muscle tension can be understood as a neurophysiological learning pattern that can be retrained, not just worked on.

What role does pandiculation play?
Voluntary pandiculation plays a central role in restoring movement awareness.

More about Alissa Mayer and Equine Hanna Somatics
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alissamayersomatics/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alissa.g.mayer
About her: https://vetcompendium.org/alissa-mayer
Website: https://equinehannasomatics.org/
Try her ebook on 35 free pages: https://equinehannasomatics.org/quick-start

Keep listening: Lisa Ashton – What is the horse experiencing?: https://equidemiainsights.podigee.io/128-lisa-ashton-what-is-the-horse-experiencing

Free Compass Call
Rethinking horse training together – including a status analysis: https://equidemia.tucalendi.com/lessons/celina

Further resources
Horse compass, events and everything about Equidemia: https://equidemia.com
All episodes: https://equidemia.com/podcast
Equidemia webinars, online courses and more: https://shop.equidemia.com/s/Equidemia
Waiting list for our Masterclass: https://equidemia.com/en/masterclass-english/
My book about academic groundwork: https://amzn.to/3OqwfqS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/equidemia.celina.skogan/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/equidemia

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