The Four F's
Friends, Forage, Freedom and ____?
“The Three F’s” has become a simple guide for equestrians seeking a more species appropriate habitat and lifestyle for their horses.
Making sure the three f’s are met helps to optimize the horses happiness and wellness.
Give them Friends.
Give them free access to near full-time Forage.
Give them Freedom to roam, seek shelter, or find space when they want or need.
But - what if we provide all of this, it’s been a while and something is still amiss?
Maybe the horse is stiff, it’s hooves aren’t doing well, or the horse is stressed.
In my brain, this tells me that somewhere #4 or Function is lacking.
FUNCTION
As a bodyworker I am interested in function within the body. Function must exist within all systems of the body including the musculoskeletal, visceral, neurological and craniosacral.
Function could also pertain to the mind.
The body and mind are interdependent upon one another. To keep it simple:
When the body isn’t happy, the mind might not happy. = Stress
When the mind isn’t happy, the body might not be happy. = Tension
An Example: Chronic Ulcers
When a horse is struggling with the battle of chronic ulcers despite providing the three f’s, long-term supplements and living as stress free of a life as possible - my brain has a red flag waving.
Stress is related to ulcers.
Stress is related to pain.
Pain is related to stress.
Perhaps, pain could be a cause of ulcers.
Assessing whether the horse is in pain somewhere is crucial because pain = stress.
Stress increases sympathetic nervous system activity.
Pain increases sympathetic nervous system activity.
Stress could manifest and contribute to ulcers in a variety of ways be it at the mental or physical level.
Pain might be in the brain, body, organs, feet, and so on.
Evaluation of Pain
Where are there restrictions within the body? Is there hyperactivity of the neurology? Are there chronic issues? Why aren’t they resolving?
There are millions of circuits within the body that connect, direct, discontinue, reconnect and redirect back to one another. It’s quite complicated when you look at it from a micro point of view but when you zoom out and back in then everything starts to look pretty simple & straight forward.
Organs are muscles that contract and move fluids through the body. If one of these organs is hyperactive, it may be in a constant state of contraction which, of courses, causes issues in itself but this can also impede normal flow of fluid, waste removal, nutrient delivery and absorption, etc. and that could contribute to a chain reaction causing problems downstream or elsewhere.
We are all trying to do right by our horses!
Most advocates of the three f’s are also advocates of all the right things including proper hoof health, bodywork, saddle fit, kinder methods of training and so on.
We hear success stories about horses who have absolutely flourished on track systems, grain free diets, with barefoot hooves & regular bodywork.
But I also often read tales from confused owners who are doing their very best for their horses but still have to search, ask questions, and seek help.
Again my osteopathic brain immediately wants to wave the function flag. Where is the body lacking function? Where is the mind lacking function?
You may be wondering how we ensure healthy function? Well, that’s dependent upon each individual horse but it definitely requires partnering with the right trainer, the right veterinarian, the right hoof care provider and the right bodyworker.
So, to wrap this up, I’m proposing that we add a fourth F, for function, and never stop looking for answers! You must be your horses advocate despite what everyone else wants to tell you.
