Mary Debono has created a concept what she calls the Debono Moves. The Debono Moves is Movement (Re)Education and is influenced by the Feldenkrais method. Mary is a Feldenkrais practitioner (for humans) and has also been working on dogs and horses (and other animals) with her Debono Moves for more than 30 years.

It is an approach where through gentle movement suggestions we remind the horse that movement can feel easy and pleasurable. Through time, horses (and the same with us) have created habitual movements that might not be desirable and can create tension/pain in the body. These habitual movements could have happened through injuries, environment, or training. With the Debono Moves we can “wake up” dormant movement patterns and sensations that have been hidden by habitual compensations. We reminding the horse that there are other possibilities, what will help them to move with more ease, be more flexible and balanced and help them with their overall well-being. It is a kinesthetic conversation where we reawaken the horse’s connection with their true potential and strengthen their bond with us.

We ask questions with our hands and do not attempt to force movement to occur. It is like a listening touch, discover what is easy for the horse and build on that. Ask, support, and suggest rather than correct and control. We are not strength training the muscles but we are training the brain. 

Movement alone does not bring improvements; it is the attention of the nervous system that fosters new neural connections and healthier movement habits.

We respect the horse’s innate wisdom and recognise that our horse created the compensation and restriction out of a desire to feel safe. We aim to create a safe learning environment for the horse, so the horse can have more choice in how it moves and feels. It reminds the horse how to move with greater comfort and ease by supporting and moving the horse in specific, non-habitual ways to restore body awareness and freedom of movement.

Debono Moves brings the horse into balance by “waking up” the less-used parts of the body.

I have been practicing Feldenkrais myself since 2014 and was introduced to Mary’s work by my friend and Feldenkrais practitioner Grace Chapman. Since 2020 I started studying with Mary in her on-line Move with your Horse program, what has been a wonderful and insightful journey. 

In October 2023 I travelled to the US to attend advanced training and even that we learned a lot of the moves in our online program after my trip to the US I came home with a better feel and understanding on how to pull it all together, not only have the “words” but can start creating “sentences” and tell “a story”. A story that horses love to listen to and help them move with more ease and feel better.

In June 2025 I became a Certified Equine Debono Moves Practitioner.