How holistic are you with your horses?

[R2R]

Following on from my Parelli post, I was wondering how holistic you were with your horses? I am not entirely sure if holistic is the right word, but I have certain things I won’t do and my expectations of my horses are limited in certain areas – for example, I will not groom my horse etc in the field or stable, however if I went into the field with a head collar and put it on the horse, I would expect said horse to stand still and let me pick feet/apply fly spray/groom etc.

To me horse in field = his time.

I also believe in horses being out as much as possible, horses being freeschooled over jumps to figure out themselves, etc.

Feeding wise, I feed honey, cow parsley, natural youghurt, epsom salts etc - not all at the same time obviously!

So how holistic are you with your horses?

 

[stencilface]

We only feed them things that have been approved by the vegetarian society, and linseed oil - wouldn't feed them cod liver oil.

Get as much turnout as possible (all out 24/7 for the last month) and have minimal work done on them - manes are pulled, but tails left full and I would never trim his whiskers - they're too cute!

I will groom my horse anywhere, but then he quite often enjoys it and often if I've ridden in the field, I'll untack him when I get off, so he's turned out

I have freeschooled, but only once when I had access to a suitably sized indoor arena - I wouldn't trust him in an outdoor to not jump out!

I will send them away a la Monty Roberts if they won't be caught - works a treat, they do an imaginary circle around me in the field and doesn't take long before they let themselves be caught

Is that what you meant?

 

[Chestnuttymare]

I like to see my horse with nicely pulled mane and her tail tidy. I groom in her stable quite often. I give her reiki regularly and have done the equine breathing technique, I massage her also, all very relaxing for her.
I don't ride her in the field, i agree that the field is her place. Have done it once or twice when looking for lost surcingle or boot.
Have only had a problem catching her once and just kept sending her away, never had to repeat it.
Also had help from a parelli person/totally brilliant horsewoman who along with usual horse common sense when i first got her. She learned the 7 games but i don't really do it now as it was a means to an end for us. It worked so don't jump on me for it and she was never struck with anything.