Horses are social beings. They have feelings, moods, personalities, fears, drives, good and bad days, just like we do. They live in herds for a reason. Beyond safety in numbers, they need companionship. Depending on whom you ask, they can bond with or even love their human companions.
In the case of Liz and Baylee, I think it is the latter. The love is mutual. She cares for and about him, and he expresses his feelings by whinneying, neighing, nuzzling, and working hard to please her. One day she was not feeling well. After riding for a bit, she got down and just stood quietly in the ring. Baylee came up to her and gently licked her, as if to offer his support and ask if she was OK.
We found him in a petting zoo, so in a way he was “rescued” from living with a camel and llamas in adjacent stalls. He really did not know much about being a horse. Now, six years later, he is well trained, gentle, and a pleasure for almost anyone to ride. He has excellent ground manners, and is almost “bombproof” in terms of spooking at common objects and situations.
So, you ask, “Where is this going?” Like most of us, your horse can only be at his best when he feels well. When his joints feel good, his hooves are solid and don’t hurt, when he feels strong, confident and safe, he will work his heart out for you. But, it is up to you, his owner, master, alpha herd leader, and the ONLY source of care that he has, to keep him this way.
Horses, like most other domesticated animals we are familiar with, age three to seven times as rapidly as we humans do in general. While arthritis may come up on us slowly, over several years, your horse may start to feel the effects relatively early. Your job is to carefully monitor your horse for changes in behavior and work ethic. Is something just not quite right? Your vet or farrier are the places to start, but ultimately, you must take responsibility for your horse’s health and well-being. You know your horse like yourself and your kids. If you don’t, you have no business owning a horse. Just like the rest of your family, they are a source of great joy, angst, and responsibility.
A horse is a prey animal that lets you, a predator by all measures in his world, control him, and even get up on his back! Any other predator will get on his back only to kill and eat him! Why should he trust you at all?
He will trust you if you are kind, but firm, constantly re-inforcing your position as his leader. He wants to depend on you to keep him safe and directed. If he is well and content, he will be much happier and willing to cooperate. A sick horse cannot tell you why he is not being cooperative, and may even be dangerous. If riding is painfull for him, it will also be for you.
For love, respect, responsibility, and just protecting your investment of time, money and emotional energy in a living, intelligent and emotional creature, you need to do your best by him.
The products we offer are designed to do just that. They are designed and tested to do what they say. THE BEST RELATIONSHIP YOU CAN HAVE WITH YOUR HORSE COMES FROM KNOWING YOU ARE DOING YOUR BEST FOR HIM.
Horseahaulic world LLC believes in what we offer, and tests as many products as we can on our own stock.
Please review and try our product offerings with the knowldge that we trust what we offer.
