08/04/2024
Some years ago I read an article from Martin Black’s page, titled; “Trading Physical Scars for Mental Scars.” And though it’s been years since I first read it, it’s one of those things that really resonated with me and has stuck with me all this time since.
The article explained everything beautifully on its own, and I highly recommend reading it especially as it’s written from Martin Black himself; who is arguably one of the best (if not THE best) cowboys/horsemen of our time. And lately I found myself thinking about his article again and I wanted to share a little of my own perspective on the topic.
I am someone who has always been very protective and concerned of those I take care of. I still am- but how I live with those qualities now makes me look back at my past self and describe the outlet in how I did things as controlling- despite my good intentions. I have had to work really hard on myself over the years to let my hair down, not be so controlling/worried, and let life do what it does. Learning how to care while staying out the way and accepting the consequences of freedom and a life well lived.
Years ago- almost a decade now- when I lived in California, we did things real different compared to how we do things today.
My horses lived separate from one another. They were fed on a strict regimen; twice a day feeds of 2 flakes of hay and some grain. They had an hour turnout- at best- maybe a couple times a week (without other horses). And if there was weather they were going to be “protected” from it- either with a stall or blanket. Not only did we all micromanage how our animals lived- the barns I boarded at (as I did not have my own land at the time) were incredibly judgmental to anyone who let their horses be together without a fence separating them. I remember one owner, who let their horses together at times, would be scoffed at from the other owners; for how “irresponsible” it was to allow their animals to be turned out together once in a while. And if Fluffy got a scrape, not only were we considered bad owners- we would immediately call a vet or at the least get all sorts of ointments and washes on it. The horses hardly worked but were bathed almost daily; manes and tails brushed, fly spray applied, feet shod, coats spotless. The more controlled- the better an owner you were.
And yet; there wasn’t a single well behaved or happy horse around. Not just because -truthfully- non of us there were horsemen anyway; but we had already set them up to fail just with the controlling and micromanaging way of which we housed them. And the kicker was- we were controlling to “keep our horses safe.” The list of excuses for our control was endless.
I look back at all that and am so glad we did a 180 to our old ways of management. What is also interesting- but I don’t think surprising- is our horses did a 180 in their behavior too when we changed our management.
Today our horses live all out together. Mares and geldings, old and young, big and small, horse or mule! They have access to high quality hay 24/7, different water sources, different terrain, and that’s how they stay- in all weather and all times of the day and night. They don’t get tucked in at night, they don’t get separated, they don’t have restrictions on feed or friends.
They get to experiment with their surroundings and learn from their herd mates. They sometimes have scrapes from trees. If we have a new animal introduced they almost always have a bite mark while they learn their place in the hierarchy. If they come in with manners then they almost never find themselves wearing bite marks, but if they’re rude or anxious, they soon learn to leave that drama behind so they can make friends. There’s rocks and branches and plenty things to trip on or scrape on. And sometimes they will! But that’s life! And what better way to learn it than to live it?
And as much as my lil ol heart struggled at first to see the scuffs, the galloping on hillsides and between trees, the shifting dynamics and squabbles between my fine saddle mounts or old nags; my horses began to thrive. They began to figure out how to get along, they paired up with similar personalities and formed complex and close relationships. They figured out to think about their feet when they traveled over rocks or stumps. They could run when the air gets crisp or bask in the sun when it peers through clouds on a winters day. They work with good mindsets and keep full bellies when they desire. They’re more thoughtful and precise of their feet. They’re athletic- even the old ones- as they live with no restrictions of movement all day, every day. They swish their tails and bend their necks to rid of flies which helps keep them supple. They roll in mud and high step through snowdrifts. They live right in the thick of it- it’s life!
So my horses may have some scars. But for them they wear them on their skin, not their mind. The skin can heal much easier than a broken spirit. And though the risk of living life the way it ought to be means we can’t control what they do- they get to live it well and likely live it more if we just let them.
