11/24/2025
Very often when we get a new horse we immediately focus on training. Either we want to train important life skills they may need, train to progress to the dream goals we have with them, or enjoy the training they already know! We are often very enthusiastic and goal focused with our new dream starting!
But training is not the first step to a happy, healthy, functioning horse. Remember there's three components to a functioning sentient being, physical health, behavioral AND emotional. Training focuses on behaviors, its important but it can only be effective if the other two are in line.
The horse has to be physically healthy and well or behavioral training will be constantly fighting their physical wellness. One of the kids was just saying "Wispy has been trotting so much lately, it's like she finally learned to trot". She didn't suddenly learn how to trot at 22y.o we have finally managed to address the pain she's dealt with off and on throughout the years. She trots easilu, when her feet don't hurt! If their feet hurt, their muscles ache, their gut is on fire, if they feel like they're starving because they have inconsistent forage, how can they possibly behave appropriately in response? I know i'm not emotionally or behaviorally at my best when i'm in pain.
Many of us know to check for pain when there is a behavioral problem, but sometimes we have to dig a little deeper. Sometimes the problem is hard to dig out, but if your horse tells you they have pain, believe them.
The part many people forget about is the emotional component. Oof i'm so guilty of this myself, its easy to overlook, especially because most horses Love R+ so seem happy when playing with R+. But maybe they get overaroused, easily frustrated, short temper, or hide their feelings and explode "out of nowhere". They enjoy the R+ but their underlying emotions are distracting them and interrupting their learning.
Emotions can be harder to grip. They aren't concrete or measureable, they can't tell us "hey i miss my old friend" or "i'm worried about if we'll be fed enough today" or "another horse is harrassing me and i can't escape them". They can only show their agitation through behaviors. Sometimes, again, it's hard to find the problem, because maybe its not something current but something old continuing to weigh on them.
Ensuring your horse has a fully healthy lifestyle, with plenty of time outdoors, with friendly peer horses, with all their resource needs met, and plenty of enrichment is not at as easy as it sounds. Life, our own resources, boarding options, which horses go out with who, whether we are allowed to use enrichment or not, so much is beyond our control. But we do the best we can to ensure our horses are as emotionally tended as we need. Sometimes a break, focusing on the things they enjoy rather than what we enjoy, sometimes just resting, sharing space, and being there for each other is all we need, even when things aren't perfect. Don't forget to include this time with your horse.
