At Liberty Farm

11/08/2024

𝑩𝒓𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒏 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒅
Everyone likes to talk about the harm caused when a horse is ridden behind the vertical... but have you ever wondered why?

One (of the many) problems with a BTV position is that encourages incorrect flexion in the neck. In a healthy horse, the head will flex up and down at the first cervical vertebrae. This bone is known as the atlas or C1.

In an effort to avoid excessive pressure caused by a harsh bit, rider or gadgets (especially draw reins) many horses will begin flexing at the 3rd vertebrae (C3). "Broken at the 3rd" creates incorrect movement throughout the body and will quickly lead to pain and damage. Once a horse begins moving in this manner, it is extremely hard for them to unlearn and they may continue this harmful posture even when at or above the vertical.

11/06/2024

Checkout this Virginia opossum on my porch!


I love opossums, they’re America’s only native marsupial and are absolutely adorable. Sadly, these little cuties are often feared and vilified by people, killed by dogs, and hit by cars. They do NOT carry rabies, their body temperature is too low to harbor the rabies virus, and they’re harmless to people unless you make it defend itself. They’re also great to have around because they eat ticks! A single opossum is estimated to eat 5,000 ticks in one season! They’ll also eat other pests like mice/rats, cockroaches and other insects. They’re even immune to snake venom and will eat smaller venomous snakes.

They’re overwhelming beneficial creatures to have around. The one unfortunate thing they do is act as a vector of EPM in horses, and in reading up on it the advice I found said “While efforts to remove opossums will reduce the risk of infection on a farm, “nature abhors a vacuum,” as they say, and new opossums are bound to migrate into areas where the population has been reduced. Thus, I don’t think it’s feasible to completely stop horses from getting infected. I can acquire several different pathogens from my dog and cat, but I don’t intend to get rid of them because of it. I do, however, keep the cat’s litter box far from where food is stored, and I think the same logic applies to opossums. Make an effort to keep them out of the barn and away from the food and water supplies. You won’t completely prevent a horse from being exposed to the parasite, but perhaps less frequent exposure will also reduce the likelihood of EPM occurring.”

10/29/2024

10/27/2024

SLOOOOOW DOWN!

SLOW your walking down to 1 step per second with and without your horse next to you.
SLOW your hand movements down as you touch or do things.
SLOW your talking down.
SLOW your breathing down.
SLOW your pulls and pushes down on the leadrope.

SLOW to FLOW!

Humans are WAAAAY to fast for horses and this is one of the leading causes of reactivity and opposition reflex in horses.

Speed = stress.

Let me teach you what speed does...

When the brain perceives a threat, it causes the body to release the stress response hormone cortisol. Cortisol levels and speed go hand in hand.
Cortisol provides the body with the fuel it needs to flee a scary situation or fight against it.

The thing with the mind-body relationship is that the brain feels an emotion such as fear, which create a physical response in the body, but the body can also move at a certain speed or in a particular way and create an emotion in the brain. It can be reverse engineered.

This is how special the intimate relationship is between the brain and body.

The other thing to remember is that, collectively as a social animal, when speed is noticed by another mammal (no matter the species), it alerts the unconscious brain to threat.

Speed is an alarm system in a social system (consciously and unconsciously).

If you walked down a road and everyone started running, you'd find it hard not to run even if you didn't know what the cause was. You are noticing that others are running and in a direction, so you mirror them to increase your chances of survival. You don't need the reasoning part of your brain for this. You just activated your primal (survival) part of the brain.

One other thing to remember: HORSES CAN SMELL CORTISOL. So not only does your speed act as a visual alarm system to your horse, it also acts as an olfactory one!

Would you want to interact with someone who caused you to feel constantly on alert?

These little things are the beginnings of what ripples into chronic stress in both humans and horses.
You spend enough time around someone who is fast in their movement, your nervous system will condition itself to being on high alert.
HELLO 👋 CHRONIC STRESS!!!

Slow your movement down = slow your thoughts down.
Slow your movement down = lower your cortisol.
Slow your movement down = feel connected with yourself, the world and others in it.
Slow your movement down = slow your alarm systems down and eventually they'll turn off.

Slow down so much that it is uncomfortable. It won't be uncomfortable for long, I promise 😉

Happy brain training 🧠
Charlotte 🙂

10/22/2024

10/05/2024

We are devastated to see the disastrous effects of Hurricane Helene that have impacted thousands of people and equines far and wide. Please join The Foundation for the Horse, the AAEP's charitable arm, in aiding the victims of the hurricane with a donation to help those affected.

The Foundation for the Horse works directly with equine veterinarians on the ground to make sure supplies, hay, feed and veterinary care are provided to animals in need.

Pictured is an example of the devasting effects the residents of Hendersonville, NC have suffered during Hurricane Helene.

If you would like to join us in aiding those affected, donate at: https://membership.aaep.org/FFTH/Shared_Content/Donation-Pages/Give-Now.aspx?ItemId=DISASTER_RELIEF&SourceCode=GiveNow&fbclid=IwY2xjawFnmcNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHaHxoC1eLyh3A4yhmAjxmWHPmr_MlVVwcEAQlS7eG9dEchYSrXaPsyTwdQ_aem_XLRekJJPklcJ9rVpFvH-Tg

10/05/2024

Learn more about alfalfa and whether or not this leafy green legume is a good choice for your horse.

10/03/2024

Horses are a lot like 4th graders.

I know this because my wife, Bridget, is a school teacher, and over the years, I’ve gained a pretty good understanding of what it takes to make a great student-teacher relationship... and I’ve come to realize, in many ways, it’s not that much different from the horse-trainer relationship.

Horses, like students, may not always remember exactly what you taught them on a given day, but they remember how you made them feel.

They remember whether or not you encouraged them and made them feel confident about the things they have learned.

They remember if you took time to listen to them and to build a relationship with them.

They recognize our attitudes and behaviors, and they are easily influenced by the energy we put off—both positively and negatively.

Horses, like students, need space to make mistakes.

They don’t need to be micromanaged.

They don’t need to be harshly criticized when they get the wrong answer.

Instead, they need you to guide them in the right direction and be rewarded when they find the right answer.

Horses, like students, need us to take the time to help them develop their skills.

They need us to show patience and kindness.

They need us to have understanding and excellent communication.

They need us to be committed to their growth, no matter how slow or fast it may be.

Horses, like students, need us to understand that progress is not an overnight process, but rather a lifelong journey. And, while it may be a long journey, it sure is a rewarding one.

10/02/2024

Slow your roll...

09/24/2024

Two mustangs were euthanized because of pre-existing leg injuries and a mare broke her leg while being herded by helicopter toward a corral on the roundup’s last day

09/24/2024

Palm Beach County
Tryin to reason w/Hurricane Season🌀

09/20/2024

Looking forward to the Horseman's Symposium this weekend with Emily and Ryan Rose. I have two sessions - Horse Makeover and Rider Makeover, and a breakout session on horse behavior.

Eager to meet the other presenters and hope to see you there!

:)
Linda