What if the key to a more confident and social animal isn't more training, but helping them feel more at home in their own body?

In this episode, Mary shares three case studies from her decades of hands-on work: a shutdown horse, a semi-feral cat with mysterious hind leg trouble, and an anxious young rescue dog.

In each case, the shift came not from targeting the behavior directly, but from working with the animal's physical experience. By releasing unnecessary tension, supporting freer movement, and helping the nervous system find a new baseline of ease.

Drawing on the insight from Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais that physical and emotional states are intertwined, Mary explains why this matters: you cannot simply will an animal into confidence or sociability. But when the body finds ease, emotional states often follow. Not because they were forced, but because the animal now has a different physical experience from which to meet the world.

This episode is for anyone wondering why kindness alone sometimes isn't enough, and what else might be possible.

Resources:

Grab your FREE video training to help your dog. 🐕 https://www.marydebono.com/lovedog 💥

💥Learn how the Feldenkrais MethodⓇ can help improve your seat, position, and balance on your horse! Free rider videos masterclass: https://www.marydebono.com/rider 💥

Get Mary’s bestselling, award-winning book, “Grow Young with Your Dog,” for a super low price at: https://tinyurl.com/growyoungwithyourdog. Demonstration videos are included at no extra cost. ⬅️⬅️⬅️

All information is for general educational purposes ONLY and doesn't constitute medical or veterinary advice or professional training advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider if you, your horse, or your dog are unwell or injured. Always use extreme caution when interacting with horses and dogs.

About the Host:

Mary Debono is a pioneer in animal and human wellness, blending her expertise as an international clinician, best-selling author, and certified Feldenkrais Method® practitioner. With over three decades of experience, Mary developed Debono Moves, a groundbreaking approach that enhances the performance, well-being, and partnership of animals and their humans.

Mary's innovative approach draws from the Feldenkrais Method®, tailored specifically for horse and dog enthusiasts. Her methods have helped animals and humans:

• Improve athletic ability and performance
• Enhance confidence and reduce anxiety
• Reduce physical limitations and discomfort
• Deepen the human-animal bond

Mary's flagship online programs, "Move with Your Horse" and "Easier Movement, Happier Dogs," provide animal enthusiasts with an innovative approach that combines the concepts of Feldenkrais® with her signature hands-on work for horses and dogs (Debono Moves). Through this transformative approach, both people and their animal companions discover greater harmony, ease, and connection.

Before you ever place a hand on your horse or dog, an exchange is already happening. Your animal is noticing how you breathe, how you move, and where you direct your attention. Their nervous systems are constantly gathering information, and one of the strongest sources is you.

In this episode, we explore why the quality of interaction often matters more than the action itself. Two people can perform seemingly identical hands-on work and get completely different responses because of how they're being in that moment.

We'll discuss common patterns like holding your breath, moving in rushed ways, or concentrating so intensely that you create urgency that your animal picks up on. The good news? Small shifts (relaxing your lower back, softening your hands, releasing your shoulders) can immediately transform how your animal responds. You'll also learn about compassionate curiosity: approaching your animal with genuine interest rather than goal-driven intensity.

To release tension for better connection with your animal and improved well-being for yourself, check out the resources listed below.

Resources:

💥Learn how the Feldenkrais MethodⓇ can help improve your seat, position, and balance on your horse! Free rider videos masterclass: https://www.marydebono.com/rider 💥

Free FeldenkraisⓇ videos suitable for both equestrians and dog lovers. (No opt-in required.) https://freeclasses0723.movewithyourhorse.com

Effortless, Balanced Sitting Series: Whether you're a rider seeking a balanced, secure seat on your horse, someone who spends long hours at a desk, or simply want to move through life with more ease, this innovative FeldenkraisⓇ program will help you discover a more comfortable, balanced way of sitting.

Grab your FREE video training to help your dog. 🐕 https://www.marydebono.com/lovedog 💥

Get Mary’s bestselling, award-winning book, “Grow Young with Your Dog,” for a super low price at: https://tinyurl.com/growyoungwithyourdog. Demonstration videos are included at no extra cost. ⬅️⬅️⬅️

All information is for general educational purposes ONLY and doesn't constitute medical or veterinary advice or professional training advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider if you, your horse, or your dog are unwell or injured. Always use extreme caution when interacting with horses and dogs.

About the Host:

Mary Debono is a pioneer in animal and human wellness, blending her expertise as an international clinician, best-selling author, and certified Feldenkrais Method® practitioner. With over three decades of experience, Mary developed Debono Moves, a groundbreaking approach that enhances the performance, well-being, and partnership of animals and their humans.

Mary's innovative approach draws from the Feldenkrais Method®, tailored specifically for horse and dog enthusiasts. Her methods have helped animals and humans:

• Improve athletic ability and performance
• Enhance confidence and reduce anxiety
• Reduce physical limitations and discomfort
• Deepen the human-animal bond

Mary's flagship online programs, "Move with Your Horse" and "Easier Movement, Happier Dogs," provide animal enthusiasts with an innovative approach that combines the concepts of Feldenkrais® with her signature hands-on work for horses and dogs (Debono Moves). Through this transformative approach, both people and their animal companions discover greater harmony, ease, and

We often expect improvement to happen step by step, like climbing stairs. You work with your horse or dog, and you think progress should be steady and visible. But that's not how the nervous system actually learns.

In this episode, Mary explains why real learning often looks like long plateaus followed by sudden breakthroughs. You might explore a Feldenkrais movement lesson multiple times before something finally clicks.

Or you might work hands-on with your animal, and the real improvement shows up days later when your dog suddenly jumps on the couch again, or your horse easily rounds her back and engages her hind end.

This happens because your nervous system continues processing information behind the scenes. The learning doesn't stop when the session ends. Neural connections strengthen during deep sleep. Integration can happen while you're doing other things. The nervous system is constantly adapting, constantly learning from the information you've given it.

Mary shares why what feels like failure can be an essential part of the process. When you approach learning with curiosity instead of force, you work with your nervous system's natural design rather than against it.

Whether you're working on your own movement through Feldenkrais or helping your horse or dog through hands-on Debono Moves, this episode will help you recognize and appreciate the non-linear nature of real, lasting change.

Resources:

Grab your FREE video training to help your dog. 🐕 https://www.marydebono.com/lovedog 💥

💥Learn how the Feldenkrais MethodⓇ can help improve your seat, position, and balance on your horse! Free rider videos masterclass: https://www.marydebono.com/rider 💥

Free FeldenkraisⓇ videos suitable for both equestrians and dog lovers. (No opt-in required.) https://freeclasses0723.movewithyourhorse.com

Get Mary’s bestselling, award-winning book, “Grow Young with Your Dog,” for a super low price at: https://tinyurl.com/growyoungwithyourdog. Demonstration videos are included at no extra cost. ⬅️⬅️⬅️

All information is for general educational purposes ONLY and doesn't constitute medical or veterinary advice or professional training advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider if you, your horse, or your dog are unwell or injured. Always use extreme caution when interacting with horses and dogs.

About the Host:

Mary Debono is a pioneer in animal and human wellness, blending her expertise as an international clinician, best-selling author, and certified Feldenkrais Method® practitioner. With over three decades of experience, Mary developed Debono Moves, a groundbreaking approach that enhances the performance, well-being, and partnership of animals and their humans.

Mary's innovative approach draws from the Feldenkrais Method®, tailored specifically for horse and dog enthusiasts. Her methods have helped animals and humans:

• Improve athletic ability and performance
• Enhance confidence and reduce anxiety
• Reduce physical limitations and discomfort
• Deepen the human-animal bond

Mary's flagship online programs, "Move with Your Horse" and "Easier Movement, Happier Dogs," provide animal enthusiasts with an innovative approach that combines the concepts of Feldenkrais® with her signature hands-on work for horses and dogs (Debono Moves). Through this transformative approach, both people and their animal companions discover greater harmony, ease, and connection.

#Feldenkrais #Debono Moves #ho