When it goes wrong with your horse...

Things go wrong with our horses from time to time...and it can be a really difficult time to navigate, if they are in pain especially. Sometimes it's obvious, sometimes not so much. Sometimes it's only you that can see/feel/sense that something isn't quite right with your horse, because you know your horse so well. 

Subtle lameness is one of the difficult areas with horses...everything seems ok, but they have a couple of 'off' days, or a few 'odd' steps, or don't seem their usual self, or a bit grumpy etc.

Or you're going through rehab with your horse, all progressing well and then you start to go backwards, or the horse isn't progressing as they should be, or it's all getting more difficult instead of easier, and your hope of actually getting back to riding seems further away than ever. 

This is where it is super important to LISTEN TO YOUR HORSE. And by this I mean take in all of the signs that your horse is giving you...their mood, their movement, their communication with you, their BEHAVIOUR. Horses live 'in the moment' and so their behaviour can usually be directly linked to what is happening in the moment. They don't think and plan like we do, they REACT. 

Learning what is normal for your horse, and learning to assess them, and to do this regularly, and monitor their progress through whatever exercise plan you're following, ensures that you pick up any early changes to their usual behaviour, body or movement. We work on this extensively in my members group, so that the members are clear on HOW to assess their horses, and how to monitor their horse as they move through the exercise plan. 

When we start mapping out an exercise plan or a rehabilitation plan for our horses, it looks like a straight forward journey from A to B. Unfortunately there will pretty much ALWAYS be some bumps in the road, particularly within rehabilitation, unfortunately. (This is why I have added a Members group to my programmes, to support my members with regular live sessions and provide a safe space online to chat with me and other members about their difficulties, without judgement). 

Rehabilitation is a difficult journey, there WILL be ups and downs, good days and bad days, forward momentum and backward steps. As well and celebrations and tears along the way. It's difficult rehabbing horses. 

Understanding your horses behaviour is key to knowing how they are doing...their behaviour is their communication tool with us. So slowing ourselves down to absorb their behaviour is super important. If they are avoiding something (the mounting block, being tacked up, going into the school etc) what is the reason for this? It's not because they are being 'difficult' or 'naughty'...they are trying to tell you something. 

EQUINE BEHAVIOUR: we have started an Equine Behaviour series of trainings with a highly experienced Equine Behaviourist, in my members group, this month, with more in depth training planned over the coming months. This month we are looking at the link between behaviour and pain. Something that ALL horse owners should learn more about, in my opinion. So that we can learn how to read our horses better. I have learnt how to read the more subtle signs with horses, and am used to helping horse owners with getting their horses diagnosed, when the signs are not that obvious. And behaviour is the key to this. 

If you would like to join us for the equine behaviour training this month, you will get access to my online Strength & Straightness programme, which includes a full exercise rehabilitation programme, and the new behaviour and nutrition trainings, and so much more, as well as access to my friendly and supportive members group. 

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS AND SIGN UP AREA: Strength & Straightness programme

QUESTIONS? If you have any questions, or need any support, please get in touch through the Contact page here on my site.