12d • General discussion
Behavior and body language
Before I began teaching I had made a list of many things I was not taught in lessons-years of lessons. The list of items was important for me to include in my program. The range of things was vast: from grooming and tacking up skills to handling on the ground, ground work, riding related things, communication, body language and herd behavior just to name a few.
Every now and then someone will ask me why I teach that to everyone, since not everyone will be a horse owner. So, at least in part, here is my answer.
A student can help prevent a MAJOR issue from forming, if they understand behavior well enough:
Throughout the years I have had many students ‘catch’ or find my horse either choking or colicking.
One 12 yr old once came out to get me while I was teaching to say, “I think Blue is choking.” And indeed he was. She noticed, and notified me early enough that hand walking got whatever it was
dislodged and no vet visit was required. Pretty amazing.
In another instance a new student in her second week of camp realized Lily was Colicing. Lily has quirks, but this was a bit much. She did downward dog in the aisle several times in a row. My students know my horses like to stretch, but repeatedly is not normal. This kid must’ve been maybe 10. She felt so good to know SHE caught that. And I did have to get a vet out. She had an impaction. I think those are things kids will remember. They actually helped a horse. Possibly saved a life.
Yesterday, a student who I’ve been teaching over 8 years was here for her lesson. First you need to know that the horse is a lover of people: a stranger can go in his paddock and he’ll walk beside them. He’s curious, friendly and loves to be around people. So she goes in there and HE WALKS AWAY. weird. Second time HE TROTS AWAY. Then he decides to roll. After that he pawed, went to the gate and pawed some more.
And about that time is when she told me he didn’t eat his breakfast. I’d like to point out that 2 years ago this horse was almost emaciated and he canters in from the field for his food. Very eagerly.
Add all those things together and it’s a pretty easy assumption we were looking at colic. She spent her entire lesson time hand walking him. Then probably an additional 2 hours of walking and trotting. He did get water on 3 occasions and had gas once. Previously I had heard zero motility, and at that point we both heard a little, near his flank, on both sides. I figured that got things moving. He had not seemed distressed for some time. Walking with us quietly, even power walking. Head low with good expression in his face.
I expressed to her that I was sorry she spent her time hand walking a colicky horse and she said,”that’s ok, I’m just glad I noticed!”
This is also a good time to point out that not every horse lays down and writhes around. They each have their own way of saying oh no my tummy hurts a lot!
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Behavior and body language
skool.com/riderreset
I help riders who desire progress & harmony on school horses by teaching them awareness & experimentation while continuing in person lessons.
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