Natural horsemanship reminds me to look at every situation as if I were a horse, shares Tim Hayes. He relates how cabin fever can affect both horse and rider. Spending 20 or 30 minutes, three to five times a week connecting with our horses is mentally and emotionally meaningful to him.
Source: Horse Network, December 2017.
If I can’t ride, I can still visit, says Hays. I can groom or walk him around in places that are safe. I can find and scratch his favorite spots. I can practice gentling exercises, getting him to bend and bring his head around toward his belly. I can play trust games like slowly asking him to bend and smell his tail without becoming upset. Or I can take a bucket, turn it upside down, sit and just be with him.
INSIGHTS: Hayes makes some good points that apply to other outside animals, in addition to horses. Animal health pros might consider posting a “have your hugged your horse today?” idea on social media, in blogs and newsletters using some of Hayes’ ideas and some of your own. Include an item that increases door trade, if appropriate, such as new heated buckets or grooming tools.