How the lives of horses are improving.
I am so grateful for the change I see in the lives of horses today! I’m grateful for the change in the thinking of those responsible for their wellbeing. More and more we see horses in paddocks rather than stables, more in herds than on their own, and gradually seeing an improvement in their day to day treatment, more respectful than ever before though there’s still a way to go.
Today I’d like to talk about horses living in paddocks. Horses will always do better in paddocks than inside in stables. Even with little space, being outside is the better option. They have views of their surroundings and can see what’s going on, they can enjoy the sun and have space to lie down.
However, I have seen “paddocks” of 30 m² and this is no better than a stable. A paddock should provide sufficient space to allow horses to gallop and stretch as well as sufficient shelter if it is to be considered a paddock fit for a horse.
Although an improvement, we also have to remember that he is still enclosed and that without stimulation the horse will become bored. A paddock is a better option than a stable but an enclosure all the same. Each horse is an individual, each horse’s environment is different, however, it’s not a question of ‘if’ the horse will become bored, it’s a question of ‘when’. It’s possible to live in a wonderful place and still become incredibly bored.
At the end of the day, when everything becomes monotonous, the horse will begin to demand new experiences. If the demand is not met, this is when horses develop ‘vices’ such as wind sucking, head weaving, biting the fence, pawing the ground etc. So having a horse in a paddock doesn’t mean he has a perfect life. And having company and space does not signify that we have a happy horse. If your horse is bored, his boredom or frustration will be demonstrated through his behaviour.
Once boredom has been established it can be very difficult to eliminate but if we develop a few fundamentals; a level of understanding, listening, or simply being together without expectations, boredom can be avoided.
If we listen well enough, horses with their sincerity will clearly tell us yes and no, and also let us know when they have had enough. Imagine you are bored and a friend arrives with a proposal to do something together, not only would you be pleased, you would be delighted! However if someone arrived whose company you do not enjoy, you would prefer to remain alone…. and bored.
It all comes back to the basics; the type of relationship you have with your equine friend.
This is not magic, this comes through constant work, an understanding of the horse as an animal and listening to his needs. It’s step by step on a long road but one that is fun if you are capable of letting go of expectations and embracing patience, understanding and enthusiasm.
It can be difficult, but not impossible.
If you would like more information or guidance on this subject please get in touch with me. Everything I do is for the betterment of the horse and its owner.
Sandra de Isidro, Diciembre 2021
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