Empress Equine

28/01/2024

THIS! The hypocrisy in our industry is astounding. It is unbelievable how prevalent it is in our industry to teach young children to use punitive force (to put it mildly) to facilitate immediate obedience in the face of clear misunderstanding and pain. This is almost always done under the reason of "saftey". What are we teaching our children?! As soon as dominance and punishment based solutions are presented under the guise of satey, they betray a significant lack of knowledge on behalf of the trainer or coach. Learning theory has progressed, equine ethology has been widely studied, and the impact of learned helplessness is clear. And yet, so many people proliferate knowledge that is not only incredibly out of date, but also significantly abusive and unhelpful in the long run. Sure, you may scare the horse into submission and get to that event - but at what cost to the animal you are supposed to be protecting. The kids we teach are the next generation of equine caretakers - we have a responsibility to both them and the horses to create better outcomes than those we have grown up with. Our horses owe us nothing - but it is 100% our responsibility as equine caretakers to seek out SPECIES-APPROPRIATE knowledge and professionals who advocate for the horses themselves and not their commodification. The information is out there. We know better now. Now we need to do better.

Imagine a world where we said to children, we’re not going to force your beautiful pony with kicks and crops like those other people!! We are going to train them in a way that you BOTH have fun, by using Positive Reinforcement training, with clicker training, by training with food and scratches!

Imagine if we said to children, you’ll have more fun on the ground and get to know your pony better that way and build a friendship. You’ll build a real relationship, where your pony will truly love you back.

Imagine if we taught them how to have fun and laugh with their pony and the pony was laughing and having fun too.

Imagine children who learnt empathy for all creatures, not just how to use them and make them do what the child and adults want.

Imagine a generation of children growing into adults, who could ‘talk’ to their animals, by understanding how all creatures learn and that they feel emotions too.

Imagine children who didn’t have to cry in frustration or in pain, from falling off or being bucked off unwilling or scared ponies. Imagine a miserable and scared child, not having fun and not wanting to do things with their pony and being told to push through the fear and pain?

Instead, imagine children learning via Positive Reinforcement (clicker) training, how to build important life skills as humans, such as empathy, observation, problem solving, analysis, hand eye coordination, thinking on their feet, emotional regulation, developing reciprocal relationships and positive interactions with others.

With all that learning, we could set them up for life with amazing skills that build their confidence, self esteem and physical and mental wellbeing and their emotional maturity and regulation. As well as learning how to interact with others in a positive way, where both parties can ‘win’.

Imagine us being the adult heaping Positive Reinforcement on our children! Saying “well done!”, “you were awesome!”, “you worked that out so well!”, “you’ve made your pony so happy and well trained!” and “I’m so proud of you!”. WE adults enjoy the benefits as well, because it makes us feel good too!

Where do we get so lost, that we insist children hit and kick their pony for their own pleasure, who then grow into adults who do the same?

Worse, the child turned adult, who has doubts, fear and doesn’t enjoy what they are doing with their horse, who feels mounting pressures from the equestrian world and discontent with what they’re doing. Therefore they force the horse more and more to get results.

What hypocrisy are we teaching children?!

05/10/2023

This is Bear.

Once Bear understood that his opinion was going to be heard, Bear said *no* to touch.

He was only touched when medically necessary or he had invited that particular interaction (which didn’t happen for many months).

Now, Bear actively shows me where he would like to be scratched, and for how long.

I don’t get to pat or hug him if he’s not up for it. AND THAT IS AWESOME.

He feels safe enough to say no, and I get to honour him by hearing his opinion. AND THAT IS AWESOME.

Patting horses may be enjoyable for us – but if we really choose to hear our horses, the vast majority of them aren’t actually up for a lot of touch. Please ask them first, and be willing to hear no. This incredibly simple act of honour can have unbelievable benefits to both you and your horse.


Hear no with honour and celebrate your horse’s willingness to be honest.


Because from there, we can achieve the unimaginable.

06/09/2023

What do we owe ourselves when we are working with our horses?


What we owe to our horses is, most often, the notion at the forefront of my mind. However, what we owe to ourselves, the values and ethics we uphold, is an immutable half of our relationship with our horses.

What we owe to ourselves, first and foremost, is accountability with grace, and responsibility without guilt or shame.

All too often we get entrenched in what we did *wrong*, or how we created *confusion* during session.

There is value in assessing where we can do better, without a doubt. But when these thoughts become intertwined with how *good* or *successful* we are, we can very quickly become mired in doubt and self-deprecation.

Suddenly, we feel as though we can’t move forward, and we’ve *let down* ourselves and our horses. The optimism is gone, the joy dissipated. Neither the horses nor we are capable of learning under these conditions.

What we owe to ourselves then, is forgiveness. Letting go of our expectations and the need to be *perfect*.

We strive constantly to give horses the space and time to understand our requests, but all too often we miss the mark in doing this for ourselves.

If we can cultivate a situation in which we can provide the same grace to ourselves that we look to provide for our horses, we can be accountable by taking responsibility for our part while also letting ourselves *off the hook* while we search for better ways forward.

From here, we can begin to view an unintended outcome as merely information, neither good nor bad, room is left for genuine analysis and the potential for a far deeper understanding.

Acknowledging a miss-step without shame, releasing that energy without absorbing it, and without reproofs, will create a learning environment filled with joy and exploration for both our horses and ourselves.

And isn’t that the whole point?

01/04/2023

"What are you willing to do to become the person your horse needs you to be?" 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

Someone posted a photo of a horse jumping through fire, and the thread blew up. Most people were complimentary about seeing a horse do this with a rider on it’s back. Amazing! So cool! Confidence building!

Well, just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

What are we trying to prove?

Should we ever be out to prove anything WITH our horses?

Focus more on proving TO our horses that we are safe, that we have their best interest in mind and everything else comes after that. If competition, trying new things, jumping through fire, going for any kind of ride or any interaction can be achieved while truthfully saying that is the case at all times, that’s connection, that’s trust, that’s actual horsemanship.

I don’t know what the process was for training that horse to jump through fire. Maybe it was done in such a way that the horse felt safe at all times. I’d like to think that is possible. I do know that, given how some of the horses I work with move, what their bodies and facial expressions look like, that is not the case far too often.

What would you need to do to become safer for your horse (instead of only thinking about things the other way around)? How would you need to change your attitude, energy, training, riding, outlook, belief system, goals?

What are you willing to do to become the person your horse needs you to be?

18/12/2022

💯

“Making the wrong thing hard and the right thing easy”

A common saying in the Natural Horsemanship circles and one that in my own opinion is problematic. Why? Because most of the time trainers put more emphasis on the “wrong thing” than the “right thing” and it usually means either physical or emotional stress on the horse and doesn’t allow the horse a choice in the matter.

Let me elaborate.

Take the example of a horse not loading into the trailer. Trainers who follow this mindset will often make the horse run in circles outside or away from the trailer (wrong thing hard) and letting the horse rest in or near the trailer (right thing easy) this is successful in getting the horse “wanting” to go into the trailer, but not because the horse is okay with going into the trailer, but because NOT going in the trailer is highly aversive. It’s a ‘do it or else’ kind of situation. An illusion of a choice.

Some trainers will take this approach to almost everything they teach. From trailer loading, leading, lunging, separation anxiety, mounting, riding etc.

Now some people are ok with this, and will continue taking this approach (to which I say you do you)
But me personally, am not.
Why? Because it is very important to me that my horse feels good about what they learn & do.
I want them to come quick to my side because they genuinely enjoy being there walking besides me, not because they get worked hard if they’re not quick enough.
I want them to go into the trailer because they feel safe & confident in there, not because the alternative is being chased.
I want them to stand still at the mounting block, because they find riding a fun activity, not because there’s aversive consequences if they don’t stand there.
I also want to give my horses choices.
I repeat this constantly, a true choice, means neither of the choices are far better or worse than the other and that none result in a negative consequence for the individual.

So what’s the alternative I hear you ask?

Instead of focusing on what you don’t like about what your horse does, and how to make this choice harder for your horse, and only give relief on the behaviour you want,
focus on what exactly you would like your horse to do instead, break that down into small teachable bits, and make that a really fun, and enjoyable thing to do. Continue to reward the behaviour and your horse will come through for you.

Taking the trailer loading example I used at the beginning of this post. If we make the trailer a genuinely safe and enjoyable place to be instead of just a relief, you don’t have to ever make the outside of the trailer a hard place to be.

So instead of making the wrong thing hard and the right thing easy, I say let’s make the ‘right’ thing fun, safe & rewarding.

12/12/2022

“Will she expect a treat every time?”

I get this question a lot when I talk to people about introducing food rewards to their animals. They want to know if their animal will them expect a treat form them every time they ask them to do something.

Is it really that the animal “expects” the treat though? I think it’s a matter of perspective. It’s all in the way you frame the story for yourself.

In my version of the story, my animals don’t “expect” a treat. They just trust that whenever they do something for me, something good will happen for them. They’re confident that I won’t let them down and that whatever they’re doing will be worth it. ❤️

12/12/2022

Wondering, along with you perhaps, how far we can step away from a behaviourism view point, and still educate the horse.

When the principals underlying our techniques shift from:

"How to get my desired behaviour out of the horse"

into...

"Provide an opportunity for the horse to express themselves, think for themselves, and develop their emotional regulation"

Even very science informed practices still hold onto a behaviourist framework fundamentally informed by what the human desires and needs in the interaction. Yes these practices allow for improved welfare when compared to older, brutalist style training, but I have found that many horses continue to feel rushed, interrupted, distracted in training protocols that continue to be framed through human desires for correct behaviour.

To take a plain look at our inner selves; we may be kinder to horses today, but we are still afraid of allowing the horse control. We perceive obedience as safe. Not just safe physically, but emotionally too.

Something I say over and over again to clients, good horsemanship is not just about how you are when you get what you want, but how you are when you DON'T get what you want.

That slices both ways. How is your horse when they don't get their first preference, and how are you?

MFB is the foundation technique of EH. It is highly imperfect and yet I find it incredibly effective. Many students at the beginning of their exploration of it ask me questions framed like this:

"When I do X, what is the best behaviour I should be looking for in the horse? What end note should I finish on in the training? My horse won't do Y, so how can I get it from them"

My answer is always something like:
"When you do X, listen to what the horse tells you, whatever that may be. You don't have to hunt for a 'win' in this technique to finish on, you can start and stop anytime as we are not doing external reinforcement, but internal maturation. If you horse doesn't do Y for you, that's a powerful awareness, great information for you to take note of"

When you shift the way you look at things, the thing you look at change.

The end goal a better behaved horse? Sure. Does it take longer? At the beginning, yes. But I have found more long term success with horses this way, than using science informed practices that engender a rapid accumulation of wanted behaviours initially, but in 3-6 months, everything sort of plateaus, or stagnates.

Have you started exploring horse training outside of the behaviourist framework yet? I get a lot of push back from behaviourists for trying. Because, ironically, being a trainer who doesn't follow a strict behaviourist rule book is unwanted behaviour according to behaviourists, and I often get their punishment for it, particularly the passive kind. But that's their journey. I breathe, take note of it, and continue forwards in exploring new training pathways.

11/12/2022

"Being kind in certain instances doesn't cancel out when you choose not to be kind, or, worse, are informed of how something impacts your horse and choose to ignore it and continue when it is well within your power to improve their comfort"

This is so painfully accurate, but for many, to change this will require the cultivation of self-awareness..

And in the pertinent words of Neil Strauss, 'Self-awareness takes work. And listening to things you don't want to hear. And admitting you're wrong alot. It's not for everyone. Just for those that would rather be happier than right.'

Happy certainly feels better to me.

28/11/2022

Meeting Esmé 🍃

There are so very many reasons I love my job - she is definitely one of them 🥰💕

27/11/2022

"All empathetic and deeply caring horsemanship practices involve fully integrated shadow work. All of them." 👏👏👏

If you are on the fence about liberty, positive reinforcement training, or engaging in a more holistic approach - or if this doesn't sound realistic for you, this is the invitation to explore why. The answer is often the key to a better relationship with your horse, and with yourself.

Just like you, your horse can be addicted, bonded to or have an attachment to a bad feeling.

Let it go, we tell ourselves.

Let go of our guilt
Let go of our anxiety
Let go of our desire to control

The problem with letting go is that it triggers the panic system in our brain. Panic is an emotional state that can occur in a high or low arousal. Panic is also interchangeably referred to as LOSS by Pankseppian aficionados. Panic or Loss in a low arousal is the emotional system in the brain which causes sadness. All mammals share this system. Sadness is a depressed form of panic. Sadness is about loss. Loss can be internal and external.

So it is possible, to be sad, or anxious about LOSING things that were bad for you.

The brain does not place value judgements on the things it loses. The brain will initially categorise all losses as a panic triggering event, regardless of what is being let go of. Only much later, does the pre-frontal cortex intellectualise that the loss was positive. And horses have a limited pre-frontal cortex.

With time and more thought, we can develop joy about the things we let go of. But that is not the initial response.

Think of hoarders? Or folks who have untidy houses, cluttered cars? There is crap everywhere, most of it useless, but why don't they let go of it? Because to let go of it would open the corner of our brain responsible for panic, loss and sadness. The more unresolved issues in that corner of our emotional brain, the more we are unlikely to let go of stuff, be it physical or emotional stuff.

So think of the horse person you know, who appears fully committed to perpetuating problematic training practices, with their horses suffering as a result. This person may even be aggressive about defending their practices. This is a defence mechanism. This person is carrying often a tremendous amount of pain internally. P-A-I-N. Pay Attention Inside Now. They are avoiding inner work. And the result? They are unable to pivot, let go of negative things, and move towards the light.

This may be one of the reason that so many of us hang our heads in wonder at why the equestrian community appears to be moving at a glacial pace towards new, updated and potentially kinder training practices. Even if someone can intellectually see and understand that a change would be better, this does not help them to process letting go of what they know. As soon as many of us consider letting go of what we know, we begin to panic. If we were raised in an emotionally stifled environment, have trouble connecting to our empathic selves, or view emotion as a dirty thing that belongs in a box, we will shut down that feeling and so too, shut down our progressive thoughts.

All empathetic and deeply caring horsemanship practices involve fully integrated inner shadow work. All of them.

What sets them apart is a clear understanding at the panic process and doing this in an emotionally safe and supportive manner. Not pretending to let go of stuff and putting a new hat on it. But to truly abandon the old principals and practices which created problematic training requires a unique blend of radical self honesty, in an environment of emotional support, effective in replacing the old and installing the new. Very tricky thing to do. Not many yet specialise in this delicate process.

Even fewer horse people are truly willing to embark on this process. Those that have, I salute you in humble awe at your bravery and love for the horse.

Because letting go is the opposite of validation. To effectively let go, we must first truly invalidate what we already have, believe, perceive and practice. And this triggers all of us. ALL of us. Myself strongly included.

Trainers and coaches I speak to you for a moment: think of those clients you remember, who were not looking for solutions and support, but for validation of what they already have. They wanted you to somehow validate what they were already doing, but make it look more ethical, or a new look, or updated, without addressing root issues. The way they framed their questions, the way they responded to your feedback? Now think of the clients who came ready to change. They did not know how, and were not yet fully aware of how much would have to change. But they were ready. How they framed their questions and how they responded to feedback?

Horse owners, think of the coaches and trainers you have hired in the past and try and remember those who were not committed to a pathway of professional improvement. Remember the way they insisted that you were perfect, very quickly. The way they corrected you impatiently. The way they shamed you for sucking at stuff. The way that their words rarely matched their actions. Now think of those you met who listened to you. Who invented new techniques on the spot for you. Who were confident about what they knew and what they could do, but also confident about what they didn't and where their expertise currently ended. Who referred you to others, their colleagues. Helped you network for your solutions instead of breeding dependence on them.

Now all of us. Imagine which of these categories of horse people were effective in their ability to unite with their little losses. Who knew that learning required little deaths of previous knowing. Who felt that sadness flow through them as they lost their self image of their old selves but then immediately welcomed in the new self.

How do you process your little losses on your way to learning?

26/11/2022

"Can a huge animal be sensitive? Well, the average horse weighs 50 million times more than the average fly, but immediately feels the pest settle on his body. A hypothetical human with that degree of sensitivity would feel the weight of five unseen dandelion seeds—something real humans can't do. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Trained horses can detect from two yards away a nod of the human head that measures only 8/1000 of an inch in displacement. That's two-and-a-half times more susceptible to visual displacement than we are. Faced with the same nod, humans wouldn't even know it had occurred. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
One more statistic: at the withers, a horse can detect 3/10,000 of an ounce of pressure from one nylon filament—the weight of about three grains of sand. Poke the same filament into a human fingertip, and we have no idea it's there. ⁣⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣⁣
With this level of sensitivity, horses notice the difference between 1 inch of shoulder movement and 2 inches. And they're trying to figure out what it means." 📚 Horse Brain, Human Brain⁣⁣⁣
⁣⁣⁣

24/11/2022

People, and our horses 💕

24/11/2022

Please read this. And then read it again. This is the baseline, and it is the mindset we need each and every time we approach training.

Are you training for dysfunction? 🏋🏼🏇

If i took you to the gym and told you to lift 100kg you'd probably tell me you couldn't. If I stood behind you with a whip, shouting at you or prodding you in the ribs you'd probably try to lift it, even though you know you can't and as a result use the wrong muscles, compensate and probably end up injuring yourself. If you continued to do this before your body was ready you would strengthen the wrong muscles, cause imbalance in your body and damage joints, ligaments and tendons in the process.

If i took you and asked you to just lift the bar, assessed your posture and form and slowly, over the weeks built up your reps and weight and kept assessing your posture, you would eventually lift that 100kg without a problem and without causing injury in the process.

Your horse is no different.

We should not be pushing horses beyond what their bodies are capable of. I think people look at horses and see a big animal and automatically assume they are strong, I often remind people that horses were never designed to be ridden so it is our responsibility as a rider/ owner to strengthen our horses for this. This requires us to strengthen muscles that would not ordinarily strengthen just mooching around a field.

Every horse is different, just like us humans. They will require strengthening in different areas, so a one size fits all doesn't work. Add in to that mix previous injuries and every exercise plan should be carefully tailored to that horse's needs on that day.

For example - pole work is generally considered a good exercise for building core strength, this is only true if your horse is actually using its core to get over the poles. If your horse trots through a line of poles with its head in the air, its shoulders sunk, it's back hollow and its pelvis out behind itself... Hammering it over lines of poles is just going to strengthen those muscles we are trying to switch off and put the joints, ligaments and tendons at risk of being damaged. Add in to this an unbalanced rider and these stressors increase.

Of course, the first time we ask a horse to do anything they may fumble a couple of times before they find the right way. But if they don't improve each time and instead get tighter in their frame we must stop and reassess the exercise.

Instead, we may have to first teach the horse how to use its body correctly, this may be at the standstill and then in walk without any poles, I know! How boring i hear you cry!!

Only then, when the horse can carry itself comfortably, do we start with one pole (just like the single bar at the gym), get the form right and once we can do that correctly we may introduce another pole or go up a gait.

This applies to everything we do with the horse. Ask for one thing, get it right (by right i mean using the right muscles) and then gradually ask for more as they build strength, only then can you advance the exercise.

If the horse has had time off or an injury you may need to start from scratch. Just because they trotted 6 poles 6 weeks ago, doesn't mean they can now.

Work with the horse you have on the day, they may have slipped in the field, worked hard the previous day. If their form fails or they're struggling - either stop the exercise or simplify it- DO NOT push on through if they're not doing it correctly - you will train the wrong muscles, you will train dysfunction. Just because they could do it yesterday does not mean they can today.

So please consider this with everything you do with your horse, watch them, listen to them, assess them and they will work so much better for you as a result.

Written by Kirsty Rawden Veterinary Physiotherapy - please credit if you copy/ share

*Steps off my soapbox* 🙌🏼

21/11/2022

🍃💕

It’s been 8 weeks now since Soleado came here. It’s feels longer and shorter at the same time. But it’s not the day-count that matters, but his moments of letting go of fear and tension. And with passing time, we have more and more of those moments.

But we also have moments of fall-backs. Because healing from trauma (and fear is based in trauma) is a journey not a goal. He may never - or not for a long time - let go of all his deep rooted fears. Especially when the trigger bucket is pretty full and anxiety is up, he spooks from simple movements and sounds.

I can even make an accurate list of what he’s afraid of and make good guesses where this comes from. I can read that into his body language and the feeling of tension that rises and drops. This is what he tells me, this is having conversations.

But with a conversation - a two way road - I try to answer him that he is safe now. I am not trying to keep him away from all that triggers him but rather show him again and again to let go.

Sometimes it’s pretty and sometimes it isn’t. Maybe we should re-learn and accept that ugliness is part of life, too. Behavior isn’t always nice and soft and fine. No’s can be harsh, especially emotionally. Should we be able to show that on social media? I believe so, but I takes a lot of courage because I know the judgment out here. So while we are trying to make the horse world a better place for horses, let’s remember that we humans are part of it, too. Let’s be kind to each other, even if we don’t agree all of the time.

21/11/2022

THIS

11/11/2022

"How the f**k does someone have the audacity to continue to tack their horse up when they're lashing out in objection?

Or chase them around the mounting block until they stand still for long enough to swing a leg over.

Where is that love then? That unconditional love that sees the horse for who they are, not what they do for us. Hears what they are saying and does something about it."

YES 🙌🙌🙌

I'm probably tantalising a rabbit hole. And I claw myself back from the edge daily;

The edge where I wonder what on earth I'm still doing in this industry. Where people's actions seem so far removed from their words.

Their love for their horse seems to stop the second the words fall out of their mouths.

The misplaced idea that their horse needs to be ridden. Regardless of their comfort.

Regardless of what their horse is screaming.

What is motivating that belief that horses need to be ridden?

How the f**k does someone have the audacity to continue to tack their horse up when they're lashing out in objection?

Or chase them around the mounting block until they stand still for long enough to swing a leg over.

Where is that love then? That unconditional love that sees the horse for who they are, not what they do for us. Hears what they are saying and does something about it.

Even if that 'something' is quite simply stopping.

Until you find the answers.

You don't have to continue traumatising your horse until you find a better solution.

And I appreciate this feeling hurts more, because I also know the number of people who have waning hopes and feel much like I do;

Who try so hard to find the solution for their horse, but it's still not quite enough and they don't know what to do.

Especially when they're not heard;

Or that they're struggling with something they havent got the answers for yet.

I see you. And I'm here.

Musings from...
🔊 The Diary of a CEO E193: Gabor Mate: The Childhood Lie That's Ruining All Of Our Lives

24/09/2022

This is something we come up against continually. Riding is not something we aim to dispose of, but it should be viewed as it is - the highest demonstration of trust in a horse/human relationship. There is so much we can do to enrich their lives and ensure their happiness. Once we step back from seeing riding as the be all and end all, we move forward so much more honestly in our partnerships. To be graced with the privilege of riding, we need to earn it 💕

IT DOESN'T MEAN WE CAN'T RIDE

Often when writing or sharing posts and articles about equine welfare, what we ask of horses, asking difficult questions about ethics, it's met not only with a lot of support (happily!), but also with what is becoming the all too common retort "we won't be allowed to ride horses next" or "they won't be happy until we stop keeping horses".

But really, there is such a vast middle ground between not keeping horses and using them as disposable commodities without a voice or emotional capacity.

From our standpoint at IEP, we're not saying stop riding (!) But what we are saying is that whatever we do with our horses, we absolutely MUST do it in the best way that we can;

🐎 Facilitating choice - is your horse openly choosing to come and be tacked up instead of heading back to the herd/grazing/eating the pile of hay? If not, investigate possible reasons why that might be. It could be just in that moment he'd rather go and hang out in the field, but there could be an emotional and/or physical reason why;

🐎 Is she in pain? Regular MSK therapy, Physiotherapy and Vet checks often unearth pain and may be able to discover the root cause which can then be addressed - further specialists can then help you;

🐎 Is the tack uncomfortable? Remedial and routine saddle, bridle and bit fitting checks are essential to ensure that everything is fitting comfortably and facilitating maximum range of motion and freedom of movement. Your horse's physique may change over time so a one-off check/fitting is not sufficient. Each horse should have their own tack, which is specifically fitted to them. Yes, bits and bridles are not force free, but as they are routinely in use, we need to ensure that they are the best type/fit for the individual. Also, placement of your saddle is crucial - it should never be beyond the 18th rib, but it shouldn't interfere with the scapular - 2/3 fingers behind this should be ensured

🐎 No foot, no horse - a cliche but so true! Routine and remedial visits from your farrier or barefoot trimmer can uncover SO many clues as to why your horse may be uncomfortable (or in considerable pain!). Sometimes a minor adjustment is all it takes, but if things go unchecked, you risk causing imbalance, compensatory movement and chronic foot issues. Checking of feet can also give clues as to msk pain or other health issues - everything is linked!

🐎 Nutrition - is it optimum for your individual horse? What was the result of your soil nutrient test? Do you need to supplement? Is the horse receiving the correct balance and quantity for the exercise that they do? Are there any underlying metabolic disorders? Could there be an ulcer grumbling away?

🐎 Is your horse enjoying a generally enriched life? Enrichment in the form of scentwork, investigating novel objects, foraging etc is fabulous for mental stimulation and to help emotional stability and confidence. But enrichment also encompasses; safety and security (as perceived by your horse), optimum health - free of pain, parasites, gastric issues, foot issues (everything!) positive social opportunities (is your horse happy with their field mate(s)? Does he/she have a pair bond? Are they emotionally comfortable leaving their herd to do things with you or does that cause anxiety? How are the dynamics in the field? are they happy in your company too?) Temperature and opportunity to regulate - particularly from heat, which we have experienced to more intense degrees recently. Free access to primary reinforcers - food (appropriate) and fresh water. When you think enrichment, think "what enriches my horse's life? What makes it the best it can be in every respect".

🐎 Dental checks - regular and remedial - soooo many issues stem from teeth and gums. Dental pain is by no means limited to the jaw area - compensatory movement and avoidance of pain can lead to pain throughout the msk system. Refer back to bit fitting - the wrong bit for the horse can have massively detrimental effects on the horse's mouth and TMJ

🐎 Fear/Anxiety/Past Trauma/Stress - Avoidance and fleeing are patent communications that a horse is worried by something, and should NOT be ignored or punished. If your horse is concerned about particular places/items/people/machinery etc then contact a behavioural consultant (as with all professionals, check credentials and experience, references). Punishing or flooding (forcing a horse to face something they are uncomfortable with or fearful of until they become emotionally helpless and 'give in') will make things so much worse, intensify the horse's negative perception, destroy your relationship and is, simply cruel. It may not be fear, perhaps your horse has a hormonal imbalance, perhaps you've just moved yards and they aren't yet settled in their new environment. Is there a new horse around who has influenced herd dynamics. The possibilities are endless when we are looking at beings who have such RICH EMOTIONAL CAPACITY.

🐎 How about the rider? Do they/you have a physical condition which may be affecting balance, posture, hands, legs, anything - all of these things have a knock on effect in the horse that you're riding, which can result in a negative association - being ridden causes me pain/discomfort therefore I'm avoiding that! (Such a natural response - just as WE avoid things that hurt, scare, bore, frustrate, or otherwise emotionally compromise us)

The list of how we can enhance and optimise our horses' wellbeing goes on, and there are things that aren't mentioned here but the message is that we can still ride, still enjoy sharing our lives with horses - absolutely! But we must recognise them as individuals with their own perceptions. They are living, sensing, feeling beings - do we have the right to force? To take for granted that our horse will do something for us? Is it our right? Would it not feel so much better if your horse came keenly walking towards you when you're carrying your tack as well as when you're carrying a feed bucket? There are many ways to give your equines choice and enhance the experiences they have when they are sharing activities with us. Let's not assume that our horses are happy, just because they 'comply' - they are such honest, giving animals, they often just go along with things and form an 'acceptance' but this is not the same as an eagerness, an enjoyment. Listen to them - they communicate in so many ways, but do we hear them? Observe; they ears, eyes, nostrils, jaw, tenseness, do they point a particular foot, do they hold their tail up/to the side, do they avoid transitioning, do they toss their head, to they vocalise - the list goes on.

There are also so many things that we can do with our horses as well as riding - perhaps just walk together, go on a foraging hunt, play with different botanicals to see which they like, different scents, give them something to play with, explore. Which side of the yard do they prefer to be on? Who's company do they prefer? Find out what and who THEY like. Who is your horse? It's such a fabulous journey to go on with them - and if your horse is happy, go for a ride together too 👍

So no, it's not about banishing riding. It's about giving consideration, empathy, care and agency to your horse. There are equine professionals who specialise in every aspect of our horse's wellbeing - consult them, and follow any advice that they give. Changing perception, helping with trauma, or healing a physical health condition takes time and involves (relies on) caregiver compliance.

And a note regarding the ultimate force free situation - yes, this is what we strive for, but we need to recognise that the jump is far too big for many people and real and pure 'force free' can be difficult to achieve in certain situations. So let's support those who are seeking better welfare options, better ethics and a better understanding of their horses - let's bridge that gap 🙏