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I stood in the room and looked around.  I didn’t know anyone, and I didn’t know where to start.  It’s nerve wracking, feeling all alone, worrying what people are thinking of me, not knowing how to introduce myself to anyone.  Do I stand quietly and wait to see if someone comes over, or do I ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’ and butt in on someone else’s conversation?  We’re taught all kinds of things at school – mathematics, reading, writing, science, art.  But when it comes to social skills, we’re just left to figure it out for ourselves, and I’m not sure that a bunch of peers are the best qualified for the job!

I was teaching a course a couple of years ago on how to massage your own horse.  A lady on the course worked with horses helping people to heal emotionally and psychologically, or helping them to recognise aspects of their personality that they might like to change or develop, and to figure out how to make those changes.  It’s really powerful way of working, that I’ve been lucky enough to be involved on from the outside a couple of times, and to experience for myself just once.  Anyway, this lady suggested that we introduce ourselves to the horse and ‘ask permission’ before we massage them, rather than just walking up to them and getting stuck in.

It’s a way of thinking that’s stuck with me ever since (thanks Laira http://www.lairagold.com!), and I wonder how often the issues we have with our horses could be at least partly linked to us treating them more like machines than sentient beings.  It’s all too easy to just go in the stable, put the headcollar on, and go about our business.  We brush the saddle area off (sometimes!), put the tack on, lead them out to the mounting block, get on, and off we go.

I tried just slowing down a bit, and for me, I found I got a lot more from the interaction with my horse.  Spending some time simply being near her, watching her eat or doze (and quite a lot watching her being hassled by the gelding in the field who kept her on the move pretty much all the time!).  Spending more time standing by her and stroking before putting the headcollar on. Taking more time with the grooming, and doing it slowly with feel rather than simply as an action to clean my horse.  Talking to her, telling her what I was going to do next (as well, as of course, telling her all my troubles – horses are definitely my best healers!).  Sitting quietly in the saddle while she stood for a few moments after I got on.  More importantly, taking several minutes to do some in hand work before I got on, including walk, trot, lateral work, baited stretches, and some canter when the round pen was available.

As an ACPAT (www.acpat.co.uk) and RAMP (www.rampregister.org) registered Chartered Physiotherapist, it’s not always that easy to slow down, or to ‘ask permission’ from the horse I’m working with.  There are time pressures, owners and trainers chatting, busy yards going about their daily business.  And some of the things I’d need to ‘ask permission’ for, especially when I’m palpating for sore or tight areas or checking spinal and limb range of movement for stiffness, pain or restriction, most horses would definitely say “No” to!  I do my best though to keep these ideas in the forefront of my mind as I work.  I’m lucky enough to love my work, to feel fulfilled and continually excited for what I might learn that day or the next, despite having qualified over 10 years ago and having treated literally thousands of times.  I’m a strong believer that adrenalin impedes the healing process (hence a horse can gallop even with a severe injury to get away from the danger), and I actively work to reduce stress or tension in my treatment sessions.

It’s hard to slow down and switch off when we get to our horses, but I think it’s really important to do so.  Try leaving your ‘baggage’ from the day at the yard gate, or meditating for just a minute or two before you get out of the car.  I’m listening to the audiobook ‘High Performance Habits’ by Brendan Burchard, and he suggests stopping, closing your eyes and repeating the word “Release” several times as you switch from one activity to another.  Often we’re so busy running the internal movie of what’s going to happen later that day at work, or that evening, or tomorrow, that we forget to be ‘in the moment’ with our horse.  And the only place to truly find joy is right in that moment.

“Happiness is NOW! It isn’t tomorrow.  It isn’t yesterday.  Happiness is like a morning glory: Yesterday’s won’t bloom again, tomorrow’s hasn’t opened yet.  Only today’s flower can be enjoyed today.  Be happy this very moment, and you’ll learn to be happy always.”  Swami Kriyananda

Sue Palmer MCSP


Chartered Physiotherapist
ACPAT and RAMP Registered: www.thehorsephysio.co.uk

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