Change is good

by Kate Romanenko

Horses love to roam and their bodies are designed to do just that. Their health depends on it and their constant movement builds healthy organs and strong bones.

When movement is restricted (stalled, or confined in small areas) they physically and mentally fall apart. Because many of us are aware of this, our horses are turned out daily, and some are never stalled. But are we offering and providing the necessary elements for happy and healthy horses?

Many horses have acres of turnout where they can receive the benefits from various vegetation, constant movement, herd life, natural head-low position and hooves exposed to water daily. Although turned out daily, some horses are still being kept in an unnatural environment due to overcrowded pens and limited turnout areas. Standing in the same old paddock, day after day, around a round bale with the head up position and not moving can actually be harmful to our equine friends. Do you notice when they get out ( like down the driveway) they act like they are in another world? Horses need mental as well as physical stimulation. Why not switch them around, in and out of their regular pens once in a while? Horses learn through repetition, and if they are always put in the same area they learn to feel comfortable there. This is why when some of us go off the property to ride, our horses can seem dangerous. They just don't know how to relax and trust us because they are out of their element.

Not only is the change of scenery important, but also change of sounds. Turnout near a roadway will allow your horse to see and hear traffic. Plastic bags or balloons tied to fences will also help desensitise your horse. We need to expose our horses to as many things as possible, so when we encounter these things our horses feel safe and unthreatened. (Those of us that show at fall fairs know what I am talking about!)

So go ahead and change pens once in a while, or walk by that thing that normally would scare your horse. Just let him look at it. Horses need more than just good food and adequate exercise. Visual and mental stimulation can be just as important.

Remember, horse needs, not people needs.