light, which causes the production of serotonin, a vital chemical in the brain that affects a range of body functions, including mood. By using a light box, horses are given the dose of daylight they seem to be craving, and they begin to produce the vital chemical that once again can lift their mood and give them back their energy, resulting in happier horses who are easier to ride.
Some horses exhibit stress and lack of impulsion and performance. Stress and boredom may lead to vices such as weaving, box walking, and cribbing—actions that are less apparent when a horse is outside in a sunny field.
So, how can you recognize if your horse is feeling blue? • Poor eating • Dull eyes
• Lethargy/sluggishness • Ears not alert • Unusual aggressiveness • Unusual passivity • No interest – stands at back of stable
• Stands and actually looks depressed – head down etc.
• Diminished performance
Depression is a known symptom of specific conditions such as Cushing’s, Strangles and Equine Infectious Anemia. Consulting your Vet should be your number one action to ensure your horse is not suffering from any of these serious conditions before you attempt to address the problem.
Even if your horse is not suffering from the more severe form of SAD, you can do several things to help your horse stave off the winter blues.
TRAIL RIDE Bundle up, saddle up, and hit the trails.
Pat Parelli plays the porcupine game with Allure by using light pressure to yield the hindquarters.
Holistic Horse™ • February/March 2012 • Vol.19, Issue 77
www.holistichorse.com | 5
There is no better way to get to know your horse, get good exercise and commune with nature than to trail ride. It is relaxing, stress relieving and can do wonders for the emotional well-being of your horse. A leisurely ride along a scenic path can be a healing time that helps your horse face the world in a better frame of mind.
GROUNDWORK TRAINING Winter is the perfect season to see just how much additional training our horses need for the discipline we ride. Groundwork is the foundation of a well-trained and behaved horse. Many natural horsemanship trainers, such as Pat Parelli, stress the importance of building a solid relationship based on trust and leadership on the ground first. The Parelli concept of learning the horse’s language, developed as the Seven Games™, teaches you how to be your horse’s natural leader. It’s a great way to exercise your horse mentally, emotionally, physically and naturally.
MAXIMIZE ARENA TIME Along cold winter indoors can get anybody down. Maintaining a regular riding schedule, even a modified one, is important for the physical and mental health of you and your horse. Horses who are allowed ample exercise are mentally content. They
rarely develop vices such as pawing, stall kicking or wood chewing, which are often results of boredom.
The best thing to work on in the winter is transitions. Transitions really help to supple, balance and get your horse moving off his hindquarters. Riding transitions will keep you and your horse in shape without having to do too much work.
MASSAGE Horses get aches and pains, just as humans do, but they can’t use words to make their complaints known. A massage will be both physically and psychologically relaxing for your horse and can help create a bond and mutual trust between you. Massage therapy can help alleviate muscle fatigue and spasms, reducing your horse’s risk of pulling or tearing muscles. It can help your horse be more relaxed by relieving tension, improving his circulation, and reducing the risk of over using other muscles that compensate for any discomfort.
ACUPRESSURE/ACUPUNCTURE There are many good reasons to use both acupressure and acupuncture, especially for chronic musculoskeletal conditions and diseases. These
continued on p. 6 „„
Coco
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32