What does horse health and happiness mean and look like? As a vet, I am keen to define and strive for a state of health that is far more than just the absence o...
In this episode, I talk about what we can learn about our horses by observing signs as diverse as their body and hoof shape, behavioural responses, facial expressions, and movement. We can gather information that can help us answer questions about their underlying health, any pain, how they sense and learn, and what they need.
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38:06
Trauma-informed horse-human partnerships with Sarah Schlote
In this episode I am joined by Sarah Schlote, psychotherapist, counsellor, and Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner with extensive training and experience in a number of trauma treatment approaches. We talk about attunement in relationship, and trauma as applied to veterinary and husbandry procedures in horses, and what we can do to both help minimise this and recover from it.
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1:45:10
Have we really ruled out pain?
In this episode, I discuss the question “Have we really ruled out pain?” when it comes to the veterinary investigation of behaviours like bucking under sadlle, girthiness, or other signs that there might be an underlying health problem, pain or discomfort. Quite often we are left unsure as to how far we have answered this question - we might find obvious reasons for the behaviour and treat them but be unsure whether we have successfully resolved them or the pain associated with them, or we might not find obvious reasons and be left scratching our head as to why the behaviour is happening. This is a common reason for people to approach me for online consultations, in-person visits, or my rehabilitation boarding service.
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24:54
Cooperative care with Peggy Hogan and Anat Shalev
In this episode, I am joined by Peggy Hogan and Anat Shalev, from whom I have learned so much about ethical and effective training. They are both pioneers in the field of cooperative care, where you can train horses for medical and husbandry procedures, and they employ the use of choice and control on the part of the horse to create amazing wholehearted behaviour offerings from horses.
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1:11:16
Needle shyness
In this episode, I explain my approach to helping needle shy horses ethically, yet effectively. The basis of this is two-fold - address the underlying causes for the individual horse's needle shyness, and teach cooperative care behaviours that allow for two-way communication, giving the horse choice and a voice in the process.
What does horse health and happiness mean and look like? As a vet, I am keen to define and strive for a state of health that is far more than just the absence of disease. Vitality, instead, is my aim - where exuberance, vigour, growth, strength, and energy are words you would use to describe your horse's state. This podcast explores nurturing the innate nature of animals to address the deep roots of this vitality. It is about you being able to help your horse fully, and strengthen and celebrate your relationship as a result. Dive in for in-depth discussions by guest speakers and me.