The skin is the largest and most complex organ in a horse’s body: richly supplied with blood and nerves, it sends a multitude of signals to the brain, to which it is directly connected.
In horses, the skin is of paramount importance because it performs multiple functions, and it is not uncommon for horses to develop skin conditions (DERE, sarcoids, warts, photosensitivity, etc.).
1. Skin and protection
The primary function of a horse’s skin is protection: it serves as its barrier to the outside world. It shields the horse from external threats (germs, heat, cold, blows, etc.). In equine shiatsu, the skin is associated with the Metal element.
The coat is also related to Metal.
Indeed, the coat protects the skin, particularly from changes in the climate. It also contributes to the horse’s tactile experience and sensitivity, and protects it both physically and emotionally.
2. Skin and Breathing
In Shiatsu, the skin is also considered part of the respiratory system and facilitates gas exchange between the outside and the inside. It is associated with the Metal element and the Lung meridian (the energetic Lung).
It can also be affected by the emotion of sadness.
Through cutaneous ventilation, it thus assists the lungs in assimilating the energy of the air. Its quality (suppleness, elasticity, etc.) depends largely on the quality of breathing.
When a horse is “tight” in the front, bearing too much weight on its shoulders, it will tend to be out of balance in the Metal element, which can result in skin problems.
3. Skin and physical contact
Thanks to thousands of nerve endings, the skin enables physical and thermal sensations. In horses, skin-to-skin and coat-to-coat contact among peers is essential for emotional and physiological balance (grooming). With its multitude of skin muscles, your horse’s epidermis is extremely sensitive and reacts to the slightest touch.
With the Masterson massage, the practitioner uses minimal contact pressure: it’s fascinating to see that a horse reacts to the lightest touch imaginable—or even without any touch at all—just with a finger or palm a few centimeters from its skin.
In contrast, they can scratch themselves extremely hard, and the nibbling that occurs during grooming among peers is quite forceful—far too much for a human.
Indeed, our equines have skin that is much thicker than ours!
4. Elimination: The skin is an excretory organ
The skin plays a role in your horse’s elimination system: when the kidneys, bladder, lungs, and large intestine are overloaded, it is the skin that eliminates toxins. It is said to be an emunctory organ.
It also regulates body temperature through perspiration.
The coat also plays a role by adapting to changes in the climate.
Skin conditions in horses therefore sometimes indicate an overload in the body. In cases of persistent skin conditions, it is beneficial to rebalance the internal system through herbal medicine, as well as by addressing the digestive system (the Large Intestine Meridian is associated with the skin in Shiatsu). Supporting the intestinal flora is essential to ensure the horse’s physical and emotional balance.
Skin manifestations can also reflect difficulties in managing one’s relationship with the world and may be a manifestation of emotional overload.
5. Emotions Under the Skin
In horses, the Metal element is associated with sadness but also with learned helplessness.
The Large Intestine meridian is linked to repressed emotions and resignation.
Horses that have spent their lives in a stable are most often out of balance with this element. Their individuality and their right to say no have been denied. Metal is nourished by consideration and respect for boundaries.
A Metal imbalance can manifest as an excessive, almost “instinctive” distance between oneself and others. In this case, a skin condition may serve to “push others away.”
Equine shiatsu is therefore all the more effective because it acts
– on the one hand, on the skin through direct contact (Metal and Fire, via the palms of the hands)
– and on the other hand, by helping to restore balance when it is lost or threatened.
6. Boundaries and Individualization
The skin is a protective barrier that defines the horse’s boundaries as an individual. Even a touch motivated by “good intentions” can be very intrusive and perceived as an act of aggression.
Since the coat is also associated with the Metal element, I think it’s worth considering to what extent being clipped might affect a horse, both physically and emotionally. The skin is exposed, and this represents vulnerability, even if it also brings comfort.
Indeed, this affects a protective barrier, and it is all the more impactful because it is imposed on the horse: its boundary is crossed without its consent.
During periods when the horse is clipped, we can prevent any imbalance of the Metal element through regular sessions of equine shiatsu.
Shiatsu: a heart-to-body exchange
While the skin is associated with the Metal element, the practitioner’s hands also interact with the Fire element: there are two chakras connected to the heart in our palms.
Fire, however, controls Metal.
Thus, the simple act of touching the horse helps to balance this element!
Working on the fascia (the membranes surrounding the muscles) also allows for a dramatic emotional release. Indeed, this envelope serves as a storage space for memories.
The skin is also a symbol of contact and helps reestablish contact with humans during an equine shiatsu session. (See the article:Three Surprising Benefits of Equine Shiatsu)
Grooming with Care
When you want to make physical contact with your horse—or any other horse—do so with the utmost respect. A study by ethologist Léa Lansade has shown that grooming is unpleasant for many horses.
This can be explained in part by the fact that, unfortunately, for many riders, it is a mandatory step, even a chore. It is intended to prepare the horse for work, without regard for how the animal perceives it or its sensitivity.
Yet, this is a moment of paramount importance in the relationship with the horse. Especially as a sensitive individual who deserves consideration.
It is essential to be present and attentive to your horse’s reactions when working on its body. This ensures you do not impose unwanted contact on it.
To achieve this, it is important to recognize the signs of discomfort and comfort. Indeed, you can transform this moment into a pleasant experience for the horse and a space for genuine exchange , a source of joy.
Jim Masterson, Massaging Your Horse, Vigot
Grooming that respects the horse's well-being:https://equipedia.ifce.fr/sante-et-bien-etre-animal/bien-etre-et-comportement-animal/relation-homme-cheval/un-pansage-respectueux-du-bien-etre-du-chevalhttps://equipedia.ifce.fr/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-welfare-and-behavior/human-horse-relationship/grooming-that-respects-the-horse's-well-being
Thanks for the feedback! As you so aptly put it, it’s important to do things mindfully, and working with horses is so enjoyable and rewarding for us—not to mention beneficial for their well-being: we have everything to gain from it.
Thank you for this fascinating article! The seasons are more than just seasons, the skin is more than just skin, and grooming is more than just a necessary part of hygiene! Thank you for reminding us that behind every action there is an interaction, and that whatever we do, we must do it mindfully (and even with full awareness!).