I read this quick article today, that came in an email from the Parelli.com organization. And i said YES. I often watch people brush their horses and wonder if they are picking up on what the horse thinks of them in their personal space, touching their body. It is really the same for approaching a horse, haltering a horse, saddling a horse etc. Honestly, as creatures, they are not much different from us in how we feel in someone approaching our "comfort zone" or touching us without permission. When you look at from their point of view and are intentional, you may find it opens your mind to a whole new perspective.

Here is one example with grooming - again giving credit to the author Parelli.com

Groom with LoveIt’s time to put your grooming habits under the ‘relationship’ microscope!

For the most part, people groom their horses to make them clean and tidy, but some of the most important elements and opportunities are often missed.

In your quest to develop a positive relationship with your horse, maximize your grooming time with these perspectives and awareness:

1. Read The Body Language

We often see horses being vigorously brushed to remove dirt or detangle manes and tails and the groomer is totally oblivious to the horse’s experience. Read the body language: tossing head, ears back, tail swishing, trying to kick or bite, restless.. no wonder so many horses have to be cross-tied.

These behaviors are a sure sign that the horse is not enjoying the experience, and there are two reasons: fear or dominance.

• A fearful horse is going to be skittish and evasive, so use more "retreat". When the horse gets uncomfortable, back off a little, slow down or pause. This will show the horse that you’re considering their point of view and will build more confidence and trust in you.


• A dominant horse is going to try and kick or bite because, in the herd environment, it’s the dominant horse that initiates grooming. If your horse is doing this with you, there’s more work to do for you as the leader! Whatever you do, don’t punish or admonish your horse. It's better to use a sense of humor, a treat or two, find the itchy spots… and sometimes even to speed up!

2. Put Love Into Your Brushes

It’s not about the dirt! It’s all about the relationship, communion and connection with your horse. Brush your horse with ‘feel’ and think about how you can make this something your horse looks forward to instead a chore for you and a 'have to' for him or her. And when you’re brushing manes and tails, start at the bottom so you don’t tear or break the hair.

3. Make It A Massage!

How can your horse look forward to grooming? Think of ways that will improve their experience. Here’s an example: Some horses are difficult around the legs and give trouble with picking up their feet when you want to clean them out. The best way to overcome this is to be less "direct line" about it, so start by massaging your horse’s legs until he or she relaxes before you ask to pick them up.

As featured on my favorite website www.oneradionetwork.com
written Sayer Ji


Lethality of Roundup ‘Weedkiller’ May Extend Beyond Plants To Humans, Study Shows

A shocking new study finds that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup herbicide, “…may be the most biologically disruptive chemical in our environment,” capable of contributing to a wide range of fatal human diseases. A new report published in the journal Entropy links the active ingredient in Roundup herbicide known as glyphosate with a wide range of fatal diseases.[i]

Glyphosate is the world’s most popular herbicide and is designed to kill all but genetically modified “Roundup Ready” plants, such as GM corn, soy, beet, cottonseed and canola. Over 180 million pounds of the chemical are now applied to US soils each year,[ii] and while agrichemical manufacturers and government regulators have considered it ‘relatively safe,’ an expanding body of biomedical research indicates that it may cause over 30 distinct adverse health effects in exposed populations at far lower concentrations than used in agricultural applications.

The new report, authored by Stephanie Seneff, a research scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Anthony Samsel, a retired science consultant from Arthur D. Little, Inc., brings to the forefront concerns voiced by an outspoken minority that Roundup and related glyphosate herbicide formulations are contributing to diseases as far-ranging as inflammatory bowel disease, anorexia, cystic fibrosis, cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and infertility. In fact, the authors propose that glyphosate, contrary to being essentially nontoxic, “…may be the most biologically disruptive chemical in our environment.”

The researchers identified the inhibition and/or disruption of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes as a hitherto overlooked mechanism of toxicity associated with glyphosate exposure in mammals.

CYP enzymes are essential for detoxifying xenobiotic chemicals from the body. Glyphosate therefore enhances the damaging effects of other food borne chemical residues and environmental toxins. The researchers also showed how interference with CYP enzymes acts synergistically with disruption of the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids by gut bacteria (e.g. tryptophan), as well as impairment in serum sulfate transport, a critical biological system for cellular detoxification (e.g. transulfuration pathway which detoxifies metals).

This effect, according to the researchers, can contribute to causing or worsening “…most of the diseases and conditions associated with a Western diet which include gastrointestinal disorders, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, depression, autism, infertility, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.”

This new report may help to explain why over 30 adverse health effects associated with Roundup herbicide exposure have been identified in the peer-reviewed and published literature so far. Please help us spread this information by utilizing our Roundup Toxicity Research and GMO Research pages and sharing them with other concerned individuals and groups.

Here are some products I found that may be better for our horses and ourselves:

http://www.stgl.us/about_us.htm

http://www.greenergyinc.com/products.html

http://www.summersetproducts.com/alldown.html

I love this saying as it really applies to life in general. But specifically to our horses. I know, for me and my comfort level, I like to keep things calm and not have my horses raise their prey animal energy if I can help it. BUT I know that does not allow them to grow and that sometimes, they need to "go there" go to a  place where they are a bit un-confident, to grow. An example of this is my horse Marley - he is so confident when he is in his 5 acre pasture, his known area. But as soon as I take him out of the gate and through the neighborhood, his energy comes WAYYYY up and he becomes worried.

I used to avoid this but now I am using strategies to help Marley become more confident, and in the process, I am becoming more confident. Hmm - interesting how when our confidence rises, so does our horses. Our horse needs to know we are an alert, aware leader and that our focus is the keep the herd safe. Sometimes, it is hard to find that "peace" when our environment is not peaceful.

In case you wanted to know, some of the things I am doing are: recognizing the first moment that Marley is at a threshold when I take him out and then staying at that threshold, keeping him busy, until he is confident in that space. Then, moving on to the next space (which may only be 12 inches from the last). All of this is done on the ground, online as Marley does not need to manage his confidence and the weight and balance of a rider at the same time. This can take an hour or tow hours or whatever - I allow Marley the time he needs so that the next time, it takes less time. I see alot of people with their horses blowing or forcing their horse through thresholds and boy is that an accident waiting to happen. Also, it teaches your horse that you dont care about their feelings or respect them and to them, that means lack of trust in you.

Here is a great example from one of my mentors on how to help a horse find his own peace:

Let me know your thoughts on this!

This quick article is a must read and shows how your body affects your tack as well as how it can impede and even cause pain for your horse. Fascinating information when considering saddle fit and horse "problems" under saddle - most likely they are caused by either your body or your tack. 

http://www.equinechronicle.com/riding-and-training/saddle-research-uncovers-new-theory-in-asymmetry.html

Notice how this riders right shoulder is lower than her left. This will impact her horse's ability to do many of the maneuvers we ask of our horse. For example, there is a good chance the horse will not be able to pick up the correct lead in a canter, since the weight of the rider is not balanced in her own body.  I recommend two exercises to help you determine your own body positions - sit on your saddle in front of a mirror. See what your body looks like at rest, on an innate object. Then, video tape yourself on your horse. You would be amazed at what you see!

Another interesting article on the topic Rider and Horse Asymmetry Article  - how this affects your saddle and tack:

http://www.equitationscience.co.uk/upload/LAshton_Dec12_Asymmetry.pdf