10/13/2026
🐴 Auggie’s Story: Learning to Feel Safe Again 🤎
Sometimes, healing doesn’t mean forgetting what happened to us. Sometimes, it means learning how to navigate life differently because of it.
From what I understand, Auggie came to the rescue after experiencing significant neglect. He was confined to a stall around the clock, malnourished, and unable to move freely. As a Thoroughbred, a breed known for its speed and high energy, you can imagine how difficult those circumstances may have been for him.
Like humans, horses can carry the effects of trauma long after their circumstances change. They develop coping mechanisms to manage stress, and for Auggie, one of those is cribbing—a repetitive behavior that can become a difficult habit to break and may contribute to health concerns.
What stands out to me is that Auggie primarily cribs in his stall, which seems to be associated with a particularly stressful time in his life.
When he first came to live with us, his cribbing was so persistent that it could take him nearly two hours to finish a meal that would typically take about 30 minutes.
So I asked myself: Why would I insist on feeding him somewhere that causes him distress when I have another option?
I began feeding him in the pasture, where he was more comfortable. Sometimes, supporting an animal’s well-being means adjusting our approach rather than expecting them to simply push through their struggles.
Recently, with the wet conditions in our pastures and the need to give his hooves some dry time, we’ve been gradually incorporating his stall into his routine again.
And I’m so proud of the progress he’s made! 🤎 With gentle redirection, Auggie is now able to respond to a simple verbal cue and shift his attention when he begins showing signs of cribbing.
We still have work to do, and sometimes that means sitting nearby while he eats. But that small amount of time in my day is worth every second if it helps him feel more comfortable.
🌿 So, what does Auggie teach us about Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL)?
His story reminds us that behavior often has a story behind it. In EAL, we learn to look beyond what we see on the surface, practice empathy, recognize individual needs, and adjust our approach rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all solution.
Just as Auggie needs patience and an environment where he feels safe, we all have different experiences that shape how we respond to the world. Working with horses can help us recognize those patterns in ourselves, build self-awareness, and learn to respond with greater understanding.
Auggie reminds me that healing isn’t always about overcoming the past. Sometimes, it’s about learning how to live well alongside it.
At Bloom & Bridle, we believe there is so much to learn from our horses. Their behaviors can tell us a story, and sometimes, the most meaningful thing we can do is pause, look deeper, and meet them where they are. 🤎🐴