Tag horse behavior

Acting like we have all day

Nancy Crowe

If you’re feeling stuck between what happened and what’s coming, you’re in good company. Tuff the camp horse had already nuzzled and checked me for treats, ditched his fly mask (twice) and decided he was tired of being on welcoming duty with two other horses (who’d moved to the other side of the pasture). Now here I was relaying the message that he couldn’t go back in the barn just yet. All he wanted to do was get on with his day.

I told Tuff he was welcome to share a Let Animals Lead® meditation with me in the meantime. He grumbled but took me up on it. After a few minutes, he stopped fidgeting, lowered his head and began licking and chewing. By the time he went back into the barn, he was much happier. 

Horse trainer Monty Roberts said that if you act like you have 15 minutes it’ll take all day, but if you act like you have all day it’ll take 15 minutes. 

Getting on with your day or your life is easier if you stop and refresh. Who knows, maybe that is getting on with your day. 

Want to help your horse, cat, dog or other friend have happier days? Contact me for an animal communication or Let Animals Lead® session today.

Dental anxiety? Reign it in

Nancy Crowe

Itchy with bug bites, Megan the gypsy horse was in no mood to have her teeth done. I’d been told she had dental issues and, even with sedation, anxiety to the point of rearing. Now her turn was coming up.

I told her what was happening and that I knew firsthand that tooth and skin problems are no fun … but not insurmountable. She’d indicated a few weeks earlier that she was “the queen around here” — so I said: “Be the queen. You’ve got this.”

She was skeptical but shared a meditation session with me. I pictured her bathed in a gentle light, regal and unbothered.

Megan reportedly had a good visit with the equine dentist. As befits a queen, all four feet stayed on the ground.  

We all require maintenance now and then. If an air of royalty helps you get it done, go for it. Just reign kindly.

(Image courtesy of Canva’s new AI wizardry)

Horse sense for the eclipse

Nancy Crowe 2 Comments
A secure barn or paddock — maybe even with lunch — is the best place for horses during the April 8 solar eclipse.

My corner of the world will experience a “deep partial” solar eclipse April 8. Though we’re not in the path of totality, animals — especially horses — will likely notice. Noticing anything out of the ordinary is their strength.

A horse may simply go into nap mode as the sky darkens and be mildly confused when “nighttime” ends after a few minutes. Or he may become restless, even agitated, if he thinks something awful is happening.

Due to darkness and extra traffic, the Indiana Board of Animal Health advises horse owners not to be on the road during the eclipse. A secure barn or paddock is a much better place for our equine friends that afternoon.

I’ve been telling the horses I work with that in the middle of the afternoon in a few days, something different will be happening. The light may look a bit dimmer and the air cooler for a short time, and then it’ll be back to normal in a short time. It won’t yet be nighttime and it’s nothing bad – just something nature does once in a while.

I’m appealing to herd leaders to help everyone else stay calm and also let them know what humans will be around that day. I picture everyone taking note of the changes, remembering that it’s OK, and going on with their day.

So far, none of the horses are too concerned. One off-track thoroughbred told me he’d seen an eclipse before. Two senior mares, while appreciating the heads up, were of the opinion that life holds more perplexing occurrences. Duly noted, ladies.

In any case, I plan to be home during the eclipse and remotely send them all reminders and reassurance. Whatever the weather, we will all just absorb what’s happening from wherever we are.

To paraphrase Psalm 19, the heavens tell a greater story.