DECEMBER 2021 THE RIDER /29


How To Make A Happy Horse


tions that require very care- ful analysis. Then there’s the need


to be consistent. Find what works for your horse, in terms of hay and/or grain, and then feed it at approxi- mately the same time each day. Make sure your horse has regular hay and water all the time. Keep the feed going through the gut in a steady stream, even if you have to regulate the amount with slow feed hay nets or whatever works for your horse.


Proper Turnout There’s


that word


again! Because once again, it


By Kathy Farrokhzad. I’m not talking about


happy as in - give your horse a treat and he’ll be happy. I’m talking more about


what it takes to make a horse thrive. Really, it’s all about management, but there’s so much that needs to be taken into account when you’re thinking about everything that needs to be “just so” in order to create the perfect set-up for the benefit of your equine friend. We often have our own


areas of expertise and com- fort, and so we might excel in one aspect while not rec- ognizing another. The more we can incorporate into our normal, everyday routines, the better and easier every- thing will be for everyone. And it will be the horses that benefit.


Routine I think the number one


thing you can do to help a horse feel comfortable and safe is to provide a steady routine. Feeding, turnout,


training, handling... horses love rhythm! If your horse has a chance to become ac- customed to a set schedule, he’ll thrive. It’s as simple as that.


Proper Nutrition I’m using the word


“proper” because really, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to feeding horses. Some need more. Some need a LOT less. The ones who work need different. And there might be the few who have metabolic condi-


all depends. Does the horse like being outside or inside? What’s the best combina- tion? What works best for the barn? Can the horse go with friends, or will he get hurt, or hurt others, every time?


However, there’s al-


ways a good way and I think every horse should get the type of turnout that makes him “happy”.


Appropriate Exercise If your horse is just


starting up again after a long winter off, then his exercise should include lots more walking, and focused min- utes of conditioning. There is no way he can work the


way a horse would in mid- season. But in mid-season, the horse should be working with more intensity, longer, with less walking in be- tween. The horse that gets to


move the way he needs to will feel good in his own skin.


Appropriate Vetting/Far- rier Care Once again,


some


horses need more attention and others need less. You might be able to get away with just your annual shots, teeth floating and regular trims. Or the horse might need shoes and supplements or medication to keep him at his best. You can tell when a


horse doesn’t feel well. Then, it’s all about figuring out what is causing the prob- lem and addressing it will a professional.


Plenty of Attention Attention could include


everything from grooming to taking the horse to a show or far-away trail ride. Every time you handle


the horse, he’s getting atten- tion. And all animals, just


like us, thrive on attention, especially when it’s positive. Teach your horse a new trick! Take him for a hand walk up the trails. Walk him over a tarp. Go for a ride. It’s all good!


Good Riding Horses appreciate good


riders - you’ll see it every time! If you can get the horse to move comfortably (= in balance) AND ride in a way that encourages the horse’s best movements while also harmonizing yourself to his movements... well, you’ll have the horse eating out of your hands (lit- erally?) in no time! And the clincher with


this one is that even if you start a little rough at the be- ginning, the better you get, the happier the horse will be. Horses are the best for- givers! So when you see a


horse that looks great, is alert and active, and respect- ful toward and interested in people, you know that some- thing is going right there. Exercise makes the horse feel good from the inside. Food helps maintain the gut, which is the source of com-


fort and contentment. Good riding makes all


the difference in the world. Hanging out with friends in the field (or beside them if needed) provides the social interaction that all animals need. And then top it off with health care and you’ve got a great formula that is likely to make a lot of (posi- tive) difference. And then, you “make”


your horse happy! I’ve seen horses thrive


when a missing factor has been added into their lives. Each of the issues above play a role in the overall pic- ture. If one or two are miss- ing, the discerning person will be able to notice the dif- ference.


Bio: Kathy Farrokhzad is an EC coach and author of the Horse Listening book col- lection, Goal Setting For The Equestrian: A Personal Workbook, and the creator of the Practice Sessions on- line program. If you liked what you read here, check out her blog at HorseListen- ing.com for many more arti- cles about horses, riding and life in general.


This enthusiastic three-year-old gelding is Navy Spirit, an unraced son of Twirling Candy. At 15.1 he is still growing physically and mentally and will require a patient, experienced rider to guide him towards the hunter/ jumper ring. And he will be worth it!


If you're interested in meeting “Navy Spirit” please contact LongRun!


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