The Power of Assessment: How to Read the Whole Horse Before You Begin

In this thoughtful and experience-driven session, Rachel Schubauer of Sacred Circle Equine shares her approach to full-body assessment as the foundation for any meaningful bodywork session. Before reaching for a modality, Rachel teaches the importance of slowing down, observing, and allowing the horse to guide the process.

With her calm, intuitive style, she explains how assessment isn’t just about identifying issues—it’s about building communication and trust. From posture and symmetry to subtle signs of tension or pain, this session offers a powerful reminder that connection starts before the work begins.

Whether you're a bodyworker, rehab practitioner, or simply want to better understand what your horse is telling you, this class provides practical insight and presence-based tools you can use every day.

What you’ll learn:

• What to observe before starting any hands-on session

• How posture, balance, and compensation show up in the body

• How to use assessment as a communication tool

• When to pause, adjust, or shift modalities

• The connection between observation and trust

This session invites you to tune in, listen deeper, and build more thoughtful, responsive sessions from the very start.