Awakened Equestrian

09/10/2024

🐴Do you Want to Talk to Horses? Are You Sure about that?
Do we want to talk to horses, hear them, perceive them because we are deeply and truly interested in their thoughts, or do we hope that thanks to this ability we will be able to manipulate them better? That they will be more obedient, more efficient, and that we will subdue them more easily? Then we don't want to understand horses, we want to control them.
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Discover the truth about horse communication. Learn why it's more than just control, and how understanding horses can lead to profound personal growth.

07/10/2024

10/10 Ten Commandments for Working (Not Only) with Young Horses
🐴 Give Time
Time is against you only if you're in a hurry. If you are constrained by time, if you are preparing horses within strictly defined time frames, if you have to meet deadlines or ride 5 horses a day, the probability that you will be able to give the horse what it needs is greatly reduced. Horses are not guided by time, it is not a defining factor for them. Only we are used to clinging to it and measuring our success in time. This is why many sports disciplines are also timed.
However, if the horse is more of a partner than a sporting tool for us, we should be guided by their clock. Give them as much time as they need, don't push the training according to charts, competitions or other riders, but purely according to how the horse feels. Don't move on to the next step if they are not yet completely comfortable and at ease with the previous one. Patience is a quality that you will certainly make use of when preparing (not only) young horses. The time you will save by rushing something will undoubtedly turn against you, and you will take much longer to fix the consequences of hasty actions and excessive pressure. Don't be guided by time, but fully utilize it in the rhythm of your horse.
photo .michaela.cernikova

07/10/2024

9/10 Ten Commandments for Working (Not Only) with Young Horses
🐴 Better to Undertrain Than Overtrain
Always train below the horse's capabilities. Physical exhaustion is a significant stressor for horses. How would a tired horse flee a pack of wolves? We will maintain the horse's motivation only if the training is positive, successful, and relatively short. Free yourself from the idea that you have to be guided by the clock. Be guided by your feelings instead. Some days the horse will cooperate more joyfully, other times there won't be time for harder exercises, and sometimes it's better not to train at all. Give them the opportunity to express themselves and respect their opinion. If you cannot go with their ideas, at least indicate that you perceive and understand them and ask for their forbearance. Remember that less is often more.
photo .kom

06/10/2024

8/10 Ten Commandments for Working (Not Only) with Young Horses
🐴 Rewrite the Patterns and Offer Solutions
If we need to modify the horse's behavior, it is not appropriate to do so by mere prohibitions. If we simply prohibit the horse from inappropriate behavior and at the same time do not indicate to them what behavior we consider more appropriate and more advantageous for them, we are only driving them into a corner, significantly increasing the likelihood that they will panic and start to resist. Every restriction must go hand in hand with instructions on how to calmly get out of the situation.
Rewrite the behavioral patterns by replacing them with other, positive ones. If at all possible, think ahead about how you will resolve the situation. In conflicts, try to stay positive, don't let yourself be swept away by emotions or fear. Stay with the horse, offer solutions, be their solid point. They will learn to seek security and calm in you, they will rely on your advice and your judgment, and they won't be forced to solve crisis situations in by panicking.
photo .michaela.cernikova

06/10/2024

7/10 Ten Commandments for Working (Not Only) with Young Horses
🐴 Never Let the Horse Fail
Never let the horse fail. You've surely heard experienced horse people say that you mustn't let the horse win, that you have to show them who's in charge, that you're the boss. But what if it doesn't have to be that way? What if there's a way to work with the horse so that they don't have to be broken, subdued, humiliated, processed, bound, and dominated?
The training of a horse can be done without any losers. Victory doesn't mean that someone has to lose. It can quite well be a win-win situation, where both sides win because they cooperate to their mutual satisfaction. The horse should leave each training session as a winner, one who succeeded, who was praised, who was appreciated. It's up to us, the riders, to design the trainings in this way. Don't just think about the exercises the horse must complete. Plan and continuously adapt the training so that the horse succeeds.
photo .michaela.cernikova

05/10/2024

6/10 Ten Commandments for Working (Not Only) with Young Horses
🐴 Perceive, Understand, Respond
Many riders yearn to understand horses. But when they start to understand them, they are greatly surprised to find that the horses are not saying what they had imagined. Horses are honest, often brutally honest. They tell us things about ourselves that we didn't want to hear, and it is immensely challenging for our ego to come to terms with this. Our task and at the same time a great challenge is to accept this information, not to resist it, not to question it, but to process it. Accept the messages of the horses as they are, even when they don't suit us.
There are situations where we simply have to push them to where we need them to go. For example, when we need to pass through a place where they are afraid, or when we need them to tolerate an unpleasant treatment. However, we must always make it clear to the horse that we understand them, that we perceive them, even if at that particular moment we really have to insist on our own way. Whenever possible, we should compromise, give the horse more preparation time, more time to process the situation, and so on. Communication must always be open and mutual.
photo .dohn

05/10/2024

5/10 Ten Commandments for Working (Not Only) with Young Horses
🐴Reading Between the Lines
Horses communicate constantly. Among themselves and with us. They are constantly sending signals, but we ignore or fail to recognize and understand many of them. We understand when the horse lashes out at us or grimaces. But we don't pay as much attention to the slight tension in the body, the unrest in the eyes, the blinking, the ear movements, the changes in breathing, the tension in the mouth. And it is these signals that come first and are the most crucial. Horses try to do everything at the most subtle level, saving the energy they might need to flee from predators. If they resort to "expressive" communication (such as an attack), it means that we missed a lot of their previous small warnings.
Unfortunately, we humans tend to take everything personally and relationally. But horses don't communicate to annoy us, but because that's how they truly feel. We shouldn't suppress their behavior, but rather address it and look for the causes. We should be able to recognize the smallest deviations in the horse's behavior, distinguish their mood, pain, and dissatisfaction. Observe signs of tension, stress, relaxation, and even more, respond to them in an appropriate manner.
photo .michaela.cernikova

04/10/2024

4/10 Ten Commandments for Working (Not Only) with Young Horses
🐴 Positive Thinking
Always try to think positively. Focus on what the horse is good at, appreciate even the slightest effort, rejoice in their progress. Don't look at training as a set of things that don't go according to your expectations, but as a journey made up of many small steps. The horse won't enjoy the work if they don't feel it from you. Even when things aren't going well and the horse reacts differently than you expected, always keep a positive vision of the result you want to achieve in your mind.
Don't dwell on what didn't work out. Rewrite the formula that tells the horse (and quite possibly you as well) "this didn't work out" to "come on, let's try that even better!" It's not important for the horse to leave the arena with a drilled exercise, but the crucial thing is for them to leave with a good feeling. But this feeling must come from us and be genuine.
photo .michaela.cernikova

04/10/2024

3/10 Ten Commandments for Working (Not Only) with Young Horses
🐴 Calmness
Calmness is the highest value for a horse. Calmness means safety. Horses are incredibly sensitive to our emotions and are very emotional themselves. Some immediately express their feelings, others store them within. We should create such a safe emotional environment for the horses that they are not afraid to express their unease and disagreement. In order to afford them this, we must be calm ourselves. Learn to recognize and manage our own emotions, be stable, predictable, not succumb to moods and frustrations, and resolve our emotional instability without burdening the horse.
A sign of emotional maturity is the ability to calmly manage the other's unrest. A horse that has the opportunity to function in an emotionally stable environment can paradoxically better cope with some unexpected rider's fluctuation, such as sudden nervousness or sadness. For truly authentic calmness, it is important to be able to release and relax the accumulated tensions that simply cannot be avoided in life. Otherwise, these tensions accumulate, build up, and then manifest as, for example, a sudden emotional outburst or a physical problem.
photo: .dohn

03/10/2024

2/10 Ten Commandments for Working (Not Only) with Young Horses
🐴 2. Trust
Within the firmly defined boundaries, there is endless space for trust. But trust must be mutual. We cannot force the horse to trust us if we do not trust them. And if we do not even trust ourselves. We build trust and a mutual relationship through seemingly trivial actions, through basic handling of the horse. Putting on the halter, leading, grooming, mutual understanding of the comfort zone and personal space. And also consistently following the established rules no matter what. Trust is incredibly fragile, and horses have an excellent memory, don't forget that.
photo .dohn

03/10/2024

1/10 Ten Commandments for Working (Not Only) with Young Horses
🐴 1. Safety, Consistency, Boundaries
The safety of the horse and rider is always the top priority. I like to give the horses as much freedom as possible, including the freedom of choice. But in order to give them this freedom, I must be sure that they fully respect the boundaries we have set. That they understand these boundaries and that I can rely on their respect for them. Freedom and democracy only work if both sides consistently adhere to the established agreements. Therefore, I always start by defining the rules to ensure the greatest possible safety for myself, the horse, and our surroundings. Boundaries do not need to be set with force, usually absolute consistency and immutability of the rules is sufficient.
Firm boundaries are not a limitation for either party. On the contrary, they are a guarantee and certainty, a solid point in our shared communication. And most importantly, they can be safely built upon.
photo .kom

03/10/2024

Ten Commandments for Working (Not Only) with Young Horses
Horses are incredible animals. Inspirational, magical, tolerant, understanding, patient. We humans feel like we should be constantly teaching them, but it's the other way around. Horses can teach us so much more about life.
It's time to stop perceiving the preparation of a horse as training leading to their education. It should rather be a mutual process of growth, for both the rider and the horse. Our behavior towards the horse is deeply imprinted in their body and soul. I would like to inspire you with the principles that guide me when working (not only) with young horses.
There is just one unpleasant catch. These rules are strict mainly for the rider, not the horse. But I can assure you that thanks to them, you will grow.
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Horses are incredible animals. Inspirational, magical, tolerant, understanding, patient. We humans feel like we should be constantly teaching them, but it's the other way around. Horses can teach us so much more about life.

30/09/2024

JUST CALM DOWN!
Turn off your mind. Think of nothing. Meditate. Don't worry about it.
I don't know about you, but it always irritated me the most when someone told me to calm down.
Calming down and relaxing is the absolute centerpiece of energy work in the broadest sense of the phrase - in an ideal state, it represents the starting point for all communication, whether with other people, animals, ourselves, or the universal "internet".
This state is similar to the feeling when we enter a room where there is absolute peace. An emptiness that doesn't frighten but calms, a silence in which we can hear the quietest voices, and there's also "something" extra. In this room, we can find answers to all questions, there we are ourselves, there we are safe, happy, and fulfilled.
I don't want to teach you how to ride, I don't want to teach you how to work with energies, I don't want to teach you how to communicate with animals. I want to teach you to enter this "room" inside us, because everything is already there. All the manuals of the world, everything we've ever sought and will seek. There we are, in our strength and essence.
For a content, harmonious, and conscious life, it's enough to learn to go inside and stay there calmly for a while. But if we want to explore further, there are a million other doors to choose from. The possibilities are limitless. The only limitation is our inner setting, which we can change.
Opening the door and entering, it sounds simple. But often it's not that easy. We're hindered by our fears, ego, insecurities, self-doubts, and labels we've acquired along the way in life, the feeling that I'm not good enough, that I don't deserve it.
But! AT ANY TIME in our lives, we can say enough. At any time, we can turn to those doors and reach for the handle. Then all we need to do is persevere and wait until the right time to open them. EACH OF US can.
That's why my courses are the way they are. That's why I don't pretend to do magic and grand gestures. That's why I don't want to teach you to DO something. I don't promise or teach techniques, I don't have a method.
I just want to show you the door and help you find the strength to open it.
K.
photo .dohn

28/09/2024

Horse vision👀 – Field of View, Blind Spots, and Adaptation to Light

Due to the positioning of their eyes on the sides of their heads, horses have a wide visual field, which is a significant advantage for an animal that is preyed upon. The sides of their vision are covered by weaker monocular vision, while directly in front of them, they have clearer binocular vision, created by the overlap of both eyes' fields.
However, horses do have two blind spots – one directly in front of their noses and another just behind their tails. This explains why a horse may startle easily if approached from behind without warning, as it is unable to see what’s coming.
Horses also have a third eyelid, which protects the eye and helps distribute moisture evenly across the surface of the eyeball. While their eyes don’t adapt to changes in light as quickly as human eyes, they are better suited for low-light conditions. When a horse moves from bright light into a darker environment – such as transitioning from sunlight into a trailer – it can take up to 20 minutes for its eyes to fully adjust.
Although this process is slow, horses possess a special layer at the back of their eyes called the tapetum lucidum, which allows them to see very well in the dark. Additionally, horses have black nodules around their pupils known as corpora nigra, which help protect their eyes from the glare of sunlight.
Understanding these unique features of equine vision can significantly improve our approach to training and caring for horses, as it helps us better comprehend how they perceive and react to the world around them.

Source: Horse and Hound
Foto: horsehealtproduct

27/09/2024

HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT HEALING?❤️
Healing can be understood as the rebalancing of energies on physical, psychological, and spiritual levels. The healer doesn't work with their own energy, but rather connects to the energy of the source – be it the universe, nature, essence, or God – depending on your personal beliefs.
The fundamental benefit of healing lies in its ability to release energy blocks and promote deep relaxation. Only when stress and tension leave the body can it begin to regenerate and establish balance at all levels. During healing, we communicate with both body and soul, uncovering root causes and allowing the release of anything that doesn't serve the body's wellbeing at that moment.
Healing often has a rapid onset, but its effects can last for an extended period. Changes at the physical, spiritual, and energetic levels may continue to process for several weeks after the actual session.
photo .dohn

25/09/2024

WILL I DISAPPOINT YOU IF I LEAVE?
The topic of our animal companions' departure is incredibly difficult. Not all of us are fortunate enough to have our pets live to old age, giving us time to prepare for their passing. If we can afford this luxury, let's make the most of it. This post was inspired by a recent encounter.
An old horse, while still feeling relatively well for his age, was concerned about something else: "Will my human be able to cope here when I'm gone?"
It never occurred to me that horses could think this way, carrying the weight of responsibility for us. "What will happen when I'm no longer here to comfort and support her? Will she manage the grief after my departure? If I have to leave, does it mean I've failed her?"
Some horses seemingly consider caring for us as their mission, their purpose. But as they feel their time approaching, what if this task becomes an undue burden? They know their strength is fading and fear that they might fail in their duty.
It's immensely challenging to let go of a lifelong equine friend. But try to see it from their perspective. Give them freedom. Assure them that when they decide to go, they can do so with ease. Because you will manage, because they've done their job wonderfully, but now it's time for you to start holding yourself up. Reassure them that their departure won't disappoint you. That the decision is theirs alone.
During this encounter, tears flowed from everyone - the owner, myself, and the horse. The message was so powerful that I feel compelled to share it. Perhaps it can help other horses and their humans.❤
K.

23/09/2024

YOU'RE LOOKING IN THE WRONG PLACE
Why do we feel so good around horses? Why do we breathe easier in their presence? Why do we long to touch them?
Because a horse is a connection. A connection to nature, to the whole, to ourselves, to gentleness, and to freedom. To everything we've surrendered in exchange for life in modern society. Although we live in relative comfort and safety, we aren't happy. Deep inside, we feel that something is missing.
When we approach a horse, we sense an opportunity. We correctly perceive that horses hold the key to our happiness. Unfortunately for them, we usually try to obtain it in a way typical of the human race. We attempt to control horses, force them into obedience, show off to others how we've conquered them, and collect praise for it.
But by doing this, we're mainly feeding our ego, not our soul. That's why we keep changing horses, trainers, equipment, and training structures in an attempt to achieve satisfaction. Yet we can't find it.
Horses can't help us if they're defensive, if they feel threatened, or if they're in pain. True magic can't be forced. Trying to free ourselves by depriving someone else of freedom... it simply can't work.
It's only when we stop, start to perceive and listen, when we subdue our ego enough so that it doesn't overshadow our soul, when we admit that it's us who need to learn and not the horses, that we discover what we've been chasing has been right in front of us all along.
That's why I no longer teach riders how to ride. It doesn't make sense to me to teach them dressage movements when I can guide them, together with the horses, on a path to something far more valuable: a happier and more conscious life.
photo .dohn

18/09/2024

In Dr. Adrian Harrison’s recent study, seven horses were outfitted with five different bridles, carefully selected and fitted by professional bit and bridle fitters. The study aimed to measure the distribution and intensity of pressure under the noseband, utilizing innovative technology. Colour-sensitive Fujifilm strips were taped inside the nosebands, and a CURO sensor system was employed to detect and record pressure waves from the tissue. The nosebands were tightened to a precise 1.5 cm using an ISES taper gauge, ensuring consistent conditions for measurement.
The horses were observed in various states: at rest, walking, during a collected gait (tölt), as well as during full stops and while backing up. The study confirmed that linear thin film pressure sensors offer a quick, easy, non-invasive, yet highly reliable method for accurately measuring the pressure under the nosebands during both physical activity and rest.
Notably, the research showed that the four FEI-approved bridles used in the study did not exert less pressure under the noseband compared to a bridle recently banned by the FEI. This finding challenges the assumption that FEI-approved equipment necessarily adheres to superior standards of horse comfort and welfare.
The study also raised concerns about the potential for nosebands to exert pressures high enough to cause tissue damage. Dr. Harrison concluded that bridles and nosebands should be evaluated using rigorous scientific methods, rather than relying on arbitrary or subjective criteria, which is currently the practice. This research underscores the need for a more evidence-based approach in equestrian equipment approval to better protect the welfare of horses.

Source: Harrison, A. (2024). Pressure Measurements from Five Different Nosebands at Rest, and During Riding at Walk, a Collected Gait, Backing up and a Full Stop. Open Journal of Veterinary Medicine.
Photo: EuroDressage

15/09/2024

Hyperflexion, also known as overbending, is a widely used training technique in equestrian sports, where a horse's head, poll (the top of the head between the ears), and neck are strongly flexed. Despite its popularity, this method has come under scrutiny in recent years due to concerns that it might negatively affect the well-being of horses, potentially violating animal welfare standards.
A recent study sought to investigate the impact of different poll-neck positions on the upper airways of horses during riding. The researchers used an overhead endoscope to record video footage of the larynx (the voice box) in 14 horses. These recordings were taken both at rest and during three different riding phases: first in a stretched position, second in a working position, and third in hyperflexion.
The study revealed that when comparing the working position to hyperflexion, there was a significant reduction in the area of the laryngeal opening. Additionally, other measured parameters of the larynx also showed notable reductions. These changes were not correlated with the horses' age, training level, or individual anatomical differences in the neck area.
In summary, the research demonstrated that hyperflexion leads to considerable compression of the larynx, which could have implications for the respiratory health and overall well-being of horses. This finding adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that while hyperflexion may be effective in training, it also poses risks to equine welfare.

Source: Zebisch, A., May, A., Reese, S., & Gehlen, H. (2013). Effects of different head-neck positions on the larynges of ridden horses. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition.

13/09/2024

Stress is a broad concept that encompasses both physiological and psychological responses to external stimuli. When evaluating psychological stress in exercising horses, one major challenge is distinguishing between these two factors, as both contribute to stress reactions.
Short-term stress in horses is typically assessed through a combination of physiological and behavioral parameters. Commonly used physiological measures include heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), cortisol levels (in blood or saliva), and eye temperature. Behavioral assessments often focus on actions that might indicate a conflict between the horse and its rider or trainer.
A review of existing literature reveals frequent inconsistencies among these different stress measures. For instance, while heart rate and HRV parameters often align (indicating either increased, decreased, or insignificant stress compared to control conditions), cortisol levels tend to show limited correlation. This suggests that cortisol may not be particularly useful for evaluating the valence.
Although HRV theoretically provides a better reflection of the balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system activity than cortisol levels, using this metric requires careful consideration of appropriate timeframes, data correction methods, and equipment accuracy. Despite their popularity, field devices used for these measurements might not always offer the necessary precision.
Behavioral parameters might offer more accurate insights into stress levels in exercising horses. Specifically, the frequency of conflict behaviors—actions that suggest a horse is struggling to comply with its rider's or trainer's aids—appears to be a practical indicator of stress. However, it's important to note that while increased frequencies of such behaviors are strong indicators of stress, their absence does not necessarily mean the horse is stress-free, as conditions such as learned helplessness could be at play.

Source: Hall, C. (2017, May). Indicators of stress in equitation.
Photo: iStock

12/09/2024

⚠️Scientific procedures for addressing noseband fit and tightness, eliminating the risk of excessive and painful tightening, as well as quantitative measurements of pressures under the noseband while riding are either scarce or lacking. ⚠️
An article published by the University of Copenhagen addresses this issue.
Danish scientists were surprised that scientific procedures for evaluating the correct fitting of nosebands and excessive tightening, which can cause pain, are inadequate or completely missing. They also pointed out the problem that the process of approving bridles by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) is not based on quantitative measurements.
When asked about the process of approving equestrian equipment, an FEI spokesperson replied: The FEI does not hold a certification process for individual pieces of equipment [..]..in other words, there is no mechanism where a manufacturer [..] would be able to submit a piece of tack and/or equipment for review by a panel, and get a “stamp of approval” by the FEI”. Instead, “... merely interprets the applicable FEI Rules and Regulations when it comes to individual tack and equipment” and decides without scientific quantifiable measurements.
Meanwhile, an international study found significant differences in noseband tightening across various FEI disciplines, where only 7% of nosebands met the FEI "two-finger" standard, which corresponds to 1.5 cm, while 44% were tightened to "0 fingers". "Such results indicate a clear need for a better protocol for equipment inspection during FEI competitions, especially when it comes to tightening nosebands," noted Dr. Harris.
‼Pressures under nosebands can reach levels that appear capable of inflicting tissue damage, hence bridles and nosebands should be assessed using scientific methodology and not based on arbitrary and subjective criteria, as is currently the case.‼

What do you think about this? Do you have any suggestions on how to solve this issue?
Source: Harrison, A. (2024) Pressure Measurements from Five Different Nosebands at Rest, and During Riding at Walk, a Collected Gait, Backing up and a Full Stop. Open Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 14, 137-154.

11/09/2024

A horse may live in a stable, but its heart always runs free in the wild.
That’s something we need to understand and respect.

09/09/2024

🐴 My opinion on lunging aids? Those who know nothing about them shouldn't use them, and those who know something about them know they're pointless to use. ✌
K.
photo .kom

05/09/2024

HORSES DON'T PRETEND
Throughout my life spent around horses, I've often heard phrases like "he's making it up," "he's just doing that," or "don't believe it, he's faking." While we can't deny horses' ability to anticipate, problem-solve, and even display a sense of humor, we absolutely cannot accuse them of feigning pain.
We must understand that pain is a significant stressor for horses. As prey animals whose survival depends on their ability to swiftly escape predators, any limitation to their movement causes considerable internal distress. What often escapes our human logic is the fact that horses actually try to mask their physical limitations. For a predator, nothing is easier than identifying and attacking a weakened individual. Limping, for instance, is practically an invitation to a feast.
This is why horses have deeply ingrained in their DNA the instinct to act as if nothing is wrong. Some individuals are particularly stoic in this regard, and their pain and discomfort can only be detected through thorough examination.
Pretending to be in pain makes no sense for a horse. A horse doesn't limp to avoid work. If a horse is limping (and the lameness doesn't have an acute cause, such as an injury), it more likely means that we've long overlooked a problem that has been gradually worsening. On a scale from 0 to 10, lameness isn't a sign of pain at level 1, but rather at 8 or 9. We've simply missed the earlier signs.
Accusing a horse of making up or pretending to be in pain is utterly illogical. Only a human, whose ego has clouded their judgment, is capable of such deception.
photo Michaela Černíková