My daily dose of love. I love hugging and so happy to have another outlet 😁❤️
Did you know that research suggests that a hug should last at least 20 seconds for oxytocin to be released in meaningful amounts. Shorter hugs (under 10 seconds) still have benefits but may not trigger as much of a hormonal response. A 10- to 30-second hug has been found to be the sweet spot for reducing stress and increasing happiness.
Here are seven reasons for Hugging & Cuddling
💝 Boosts Oxytocin ("The Love Hormone") – Hugging increases oxytocin, which fosters feelings of trust, bonding, and emotional security.
😡 Reduces Stress & Lowers Cortisol – Physical touch reduces cortisol levels, helping to decrease stress and anxiety.
🥰 Increases Serotonin & Dopamine – Hugs stimulate the release of serotonin and dopamine, which improve mood and contribute to feelings of happiness and relaxation.
🤗 Lowers Blood Pressure & Heart Rate – Research suggests that hugs activate pressure receptors in the skin (Pacinian corpuscles), which send signals to the vagus nerve, helping to regulate heart rate and reduce blood pressure.
🫡 Strengthens the Immune System – Studies show that frequent hugs can reduce susceptibility to colds by lowering stress-related inflammation.
😖 Pain Relief – Physical touch can activate opioid receptors, providing mild pain relief.
👩❤️👨 Enhances Social Bonds – Regular physical affection strengthens relationships, creating deeper emotional connections.
So, what's your daily dose of happy hormones?
This is Day 3 of acclimating the horses to the stables. At times, it will be necessary for them to be indoors for various reasons. Both boys arrived rather scared and a bit traumatized by the long-haul journey.
Initially, they refused to even poke their noses in, but today, with an open-door policy, we’re making good progress.
There’s been a bit of in-and-out movement and some checking of each other’s food buckets. Stables are great for feeding bucket meals at set times.
When I first discovered Paddock Paradise De Paardenmaat in the Netherlands in 2015, I was so inspired by how well-organized the whole process was. An entire herd of over 30 horses would come storming in from different parts of the tracking system in the morning and evening. Each horse knew exactly where to go and which stable was "theirs." Imagine—30 horses! It’s through developing consistent habits that animals learn to rely on their safety net.
In the video, you can see me making a correction and asking the boys to step back out. Neither of them is wearing a head collar or rope. All communication is done through intent and body language, without force. I don’t make a big deal out of them leaving the stables or trying to steal each other’s food. From past experience, I know that, over time, they’ll naturally settle into their safe spaces and eat in peace.
If you have stables and want to streamline mealtimes, I highly recommend this system. It’s best to first assess which horses are the most dominant and position their stables closest to the entrance. Working down the pecking order can be very helpful. If the horses are familiar with the setup and comfortable using the stable for feeding, the doors can be locked to prevent any "thieving"—because, of course, the grass is always greener on the other side! 😆
Save £££ with first time lucky—electric fencing.
#paddockparadise #tracksystem #electricfence
Little by little, a little becomes a lot. Step by step, the #paddockparadise will soon start taking shape. I should know what to do by now! 😅
" Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." - Theodore Roosevelt
Today was one of those days that makes you stop and think the world turned up the color saturation. It's days like this when my work really hits home and takes on a deeper meaning.
I remember my first encounter a decade ago with the struggle of picking out a horse's feet. Little did I know, that experience would turn my professional life on its head.
Today, I’m reminded that my job isn't just about trimming hooves. It’s about connecting with my real clients: the horses. My role is to provide reassurance and help them overcome their fears, breaking cycles of negative behavior one hoof at a time. I regret not having recorded our initial visits to showcase the progress we've made.
A gold star goes to Misty, the ex-racer Thoroughbred, and his owner for making significant strides in addressing behavioral issues. Misty trotted into my life four visits ago, and I'll be honest—I had my doubts about how quickly we’d make progress. We started strong, but there were a few bumps along the way. Misty has had a tough life, but now he's heading toward a brighter future with owners who dedicate plenty of time and love to doing the "homework."
Thoroughbreds often have it rough, with the racing industry leaving many of them scarred. But I've seen firsthand that we can heal those old wounds. Misty used to be quite the character, capable of getting dangerous. He’d lash out and bite if I so much as glanced at his front leg, out of fear of being punished. But we've come a long way in just a few sessions. Today, we celebrated with gentle kisses on the muzzle, some scratches, and treats. I’m confident that Misty will soon blossom into a safe and wonderful ride.
Who knew that picking up a hoof could pick up your spirits too?
#naturedoesit #naturaltrim #naturalhorsemanship #isnhcp #equiliberta #thoroughbred
The boys have arrived safely in Ireland 🇮🇪 and Meadow Track Livery will be their new home.
I no longer wanted to gamble with their care, it has been a very messy past few months. Now they will be living on a fully surfaced system of multiple tracks, in a mixed herd. I met Maja personally and can't speak well enough about her set up, her dedication and work ethic. The boarding facility for horses is a true ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I also wanted to give special thanks to John from EquiTrans, he went above and beyond with transport arrangements.
Both of my boys are settling in very well in their new home. Looking forward to share the updates and more 🐴 🐴 news.
Movement is one of the most important aspects of horse's life. But not just any movement. Lifestyle driven movement provides physical condition. Natural Horse Boarding means your horse is always warmed up, is always "ready".
Living out means not only movement, horses get to socialise and make friends. Playfighting consists of an important physical development of core muscles of the back and abdomen. Unrestricted contact caters for horses mental and emotional wellbeing.
When the horses choose, it is horse centred lifestyle.
#naturedoesit #naturalhorsecare #nhc #wellbeing #shirehorse #heavyhorses #drafthorse #paddockparadise #jaimejackson #isnhcp
From our NHC talk at @meadow_track_livery ❤️
NHC library. The must have books on horses:
📙 The Natural Trim: Lessons from the Wild
📕 Laminitis: An Equine Plague of Unconscionable Proportions
📗 The Natural Trim: Principles and Practice
📔 Paddock Paradise: Guide to Natural Horse Boarding
📓 Navicula Syndrome: Healing and Prevention
💡 Invest in prevention!
What makes a good trimmer?
Speed of work? Price? Or the hoof work?
When we rush things, we miss a whole lot. Most visibility we ruin what could be there. A good working relationship. Horses, just like humans want to be acknowledged. Their consent in the process is of immense importance. That's a marker of a good working relationship.
He's calm, relaxed, attentive. We communicate, have fun, and sometimes bloop. But horses are very forgiving, for as long as we're ready to admit our mis-doing.
This video is rather long and boring, but it intends to show that horses can stand without fighting for their leg back. I have his consent. It wasn't always like this. We had to work things out. To arrive where we are today. Every horse comes with different history. Every situation is different, our highest goal is to earn the trust. And never loose it. As the leader, we don't control. We trust. Then everything moves peacefully. The leader doesn't dominate, he is kind. Only the weak fight. The leader is accommodating, understanding and reasonably demanding. He is generous in his giving, not competitive and bossy. His boundaries of engagement are set. Never to be contested. He compares to no one. Does not follow. He can be all embracing. That is a relationship worth having.
So what makes a good trimmer? I don't know. I'm not a trimmer. I am a Natural Hoof Care Practitioner, and let my work speak for me.
#naturalhorsecare #naturalhoofcare #nhc #naturedoesit #naturaltrim #personaldevelopment #unfasteningmethod #positivereinforcement #equiliberta #isnhcp #4pillarsofNHC
#usgreatbasunwildhorsemodel #nhc #jaimejackson #naturedoesit #4PillarsofNHC
Have you ever wondered if there's such a thing as a naturally shaped hoof?
It is a result of horses lifestyle and habitat. The closer we get to provide adaptive environment the greater the results. The question is how to marry the two worlds...
If you're interested in learning more about what are the characteristics of a naturally shaped hoof, follow the YouTube link:
https://youtu.be/wuVi9pxVeI8
#naturalhorsecare #wildhorsemodel #naturaltrim #naturedoesit #jaimejackson #4pillarsofNHC #paddockparadise #naturalboarding
The unknown territory of another perspective can feel threatening, but an open mind goes further where no one ever goes.
#naturedoesit #perdonaldevelopmemt #deepening #naturalhorsemanship #powerofpresence #consciousness #equiliberta
ISNHCP Practitioner and Instructor &
