Feel the love

Owning horses is a journey that, without doubt, brings joy, partnership, connection, personal growth and exhilaration, but also has its challenges, especially when you’re faced with horse health issues. These times can feel difficult, but offer opportunities to strengthen your bond and explore new experiences. Furthermore, by developing resilience, compassion and hope, you’ll grow as a rider and owner, too.

Moving goalposts

When your horse’s health takes an unexpected turn, it’s natural to feel upset or overwhelmed. You may have to adjust your goals, or accept that certain activities are no longer possible. But these changes, while challenging, can open the door to new opportunities, while forcing us to pause and reassess what truly matters. In doing so, they encourage us to appreciate the quieter, everyday moments with our horses – ones we might otherwise take for granted.

We can also acquire patience, adaptability and ways of finding creative solutions – for example, groundwork or liberty training instead of jumping. These activities can keep your horse engaged while deepening your understanding of his needs and capabilities.

Exercise: The challenge reframe

Take a moment to write two columns…

1. In the first column, list the challenges you’re feeling.
2. In the second column, get creative and write down one opportunity or constructive action you could take to reframe each setback. For example, if your horse can no longer jump, you could explore polework that will strengthen your bond.

Revisiting this list when you feel stuck can help shift your mindset towards all the opportunities and possibilities available to you at any moment in time.

TOP TIP

Write a list of all the activities you can still enjoy with your horse, no matter how small, and display it somewhere where you’ll see it often.

Discover more ways to connect with your horse with Alison’s expert advice in April Horse&Rider – get your copy today!