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| Photo by Rick Hustead Geeves enjoyed getting rinsed off after being ridden on a hot day. |
According to an old horseman's adage, "If you don't have time to groom, you don't have time to ride." I am ashamed to admit that there was once a time when the last thing I wanted to do was spend time brushing a horse when (I thought) I could be riding. But, that was then, and I have since learned (and corrected) the error of my ways. These days, grooming is one of my favorite things to do with (and for) a horse. Here's why:
- Mutual grooming is a way for horses to establish, maintain, and strengthen relationships with their herd mates. By the same token, every time you handle a horse you are part of his herd. The time you spend brushing and currying your horse is an opportunity for you to reinforce your status as a fair leader that he would choose to follow.
- If you observe a group of horses in a pasture, you will see that the animals tend to pair up with same, specific individuals; they are "buddies." As they nibble each other's withers to scratch an itch and use their tail to swat flies away their friend's face, they reinforce their bond. The time you spend brushing and currying your horse (and cleaning his hooves) is an opportunity for you to bond with him in a similar way as a pasture mate.
- I liken grooming my horse to a sort of moving meditation that helps to quiet my mind and relax the muscles in my body the same way it helps to relax my horse. Geeves's eyes often became heavy and started to close during our grooming sessions; and when I come home, I was also ready for a nap because I was so relaxed just from brushing him.
- Horses like to be groomed. Think of how good it feels to have someone else rub a sore spot or scratch an itch that you can't reach. I would liken this to getting a back rub or a massage after a vigorous run or working out at the gym. It's the same for your horse; and grooming is equally important after he is ridden or exercised on a lunge line.
- Grooming helps to stimulate the horse's cardiovascular circulation and improve the condition of his coat.
- The time you spend grooming is a good opportunity to check your horse for injuries or physical abnormalities that may require veterinary attention. The earlier you detect a potential problem, the sooner you can get your horse treatment and on the way to recovery.
- The more time you spend brushing and currying your horse, the better you will know his moods and behaviors. Horses can get in bad moods, too. For example, the corners of my horse's mouth literally curled down in what looked like a frown if Geeves was annoyed about something. Having said that, he also flashed a toothy "smile" at me a few times!
Grooming provides an opportunity for you to enjoy a whole other level of communication and deepening the partnership bond you share with your horse. I, for one, wouldn't miss that for the world.
Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in 2005. For more information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy®, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.
