My interpretation would be that some natural, instinctual form of movement or aggressiveness (which can be appropriate in some situations) has gotten undermined.
All of us have the need to be 'bulls' once in awhile for self protection. The opposite - which might also be appropriate for your situation - is that some group of individuals who have been brutishly aggressive are now being better controlled (loss of legs - loss of power - loss of mobility - loss of influence)