Narrow Minds
Often I ponder about the ‘narrow mindedness’ that seems to plaguing the horse world.
It’s quite difficult to navigate as a professional and as an owner.
Equestrians and horse owners all over the world have various ways of displaying their love and affection for their horses, quite clearly. Matching tack, custom halters, fancy treats, photoshoots… from the simple things to the more complex.
Horse owners don’t hesitate when it comes to purchasing brand name supplements, having their horse shod because they aren’t comfortable barefoot, enduring multiple veterinary visits, opting for diagnostics, routine steroid injections, frequent bodywork sessions, dropping thousands of dollars on fancy custom fitted saddles, and training with the best instructor that the local area has to offer.
However - despite all of these efforts, it is not uncommon to hear of an ongoing “minor” issue persisting, or new one manifesting, whether it be in training (mental, emotional) or a physical one.
Let me just say that “just because it’s common, does NOT mean it’s normal”.
When unfamiliar viewpoints & suggestions are brought to light, these same owners flock back to the land of tradition. Even when discussed at length, and despite being presented with simple (sure, possibly, time-consuming) solutions that are aimed at fixing the root problem of the persisting issue - these solutions are often too involved, too weird, unfamiliar or uncomfortable - because it’s not mainstream advice. Even if these ideas are or have been scientifically proven or disproven, it’s sometimes not enough to convince the owner.
These suggestions that I am talking about are usually in the realm of dialing in diet, treating thrush, amping up proper groundwork. Nothing too crazy, but something that has the potential to turn your horses life and soundness around.
And I’ll tell ya what - it’s exhausting for the practitioners out here who are dedicating themselves to the process,
to learn, learn, learn,
to understand, understand, understand,
to experience, experience, experience,
and then try to educate, educate, educate.
We do it because we love horses. We lie awake at night thinking about your horses - and how we can hopefully help them one day. Most of the time it feels like we are swimming up stream though!
I’m of the opinion, that seeking out multiple opinions, and learning from as many people as I can, is going to be beneficial in some way, shape, or form. Even if I don’t ultimately agree, or resonate with something, I won’t discredit it until I’ve tried it.
