It only takes a moment to slow down and be more aware. More aware to connect the pieces. To think, why if this is done, this happens. Awareness of how the hoof effects your ride. It doesn’t cost you a dime to be aware. Awareness can be visual, or that inner voice you better listen to.
I see so many top trainers taking years, trying to “correct a horse”, when the root of the issues, are the hooves.
I see body workers trying to fix sore muscles and skeletal wear and tear. They have no awareness how it starts in the hooves. They will diagnose “kissing spines” in an under run hoof, that can’t mechanically support the spine. It’s a cookie cutter approach and they are not aware of the bigger picture.
I see farriers cutting perfect lines in frogs, mapping hooves and measuring. They are totally unaware how their trim effects the rest of the horse. They create joint, tendon, ligament and behavior issues. They obsess over the bottom of the hoof and do not take note of the entire horse. They argue over trim theories without being aware of what a truly sound natural hoof is. They aren’t aware of one, even in front of their nose. Awareness creates an organic trim with guidelines and not rules and measurements. That is just another cookie cutter approach.
I see owners not aware of the hardships they put on their horses. They then wonder why the horse breaks down. From bad hooves, over worked bodies, bad training, and too much training.
One becomes more aware when you educate yourself, but the root is in empathy. Put yourself in your horses’s life. Are you at the gym hours a day? Then go home and sit alone, in a tiny room . With very little to eat? Away from family and friends? Then expected to do this without pay or rest? How long would you hold up? How long before you had a mental or physical breakdown? Would you then be labeled naught?
Being aware, you see and think about everything. It’s hard to see everything, it can be overwhelming. But this awareness gives you the answers you seek. Don’t rely on others to save you. Be aware of your horse’s needs. Don’t follow the crowd. Be aware of every movement, body language, and listen to them. They will then open up to you and trust you. They will communicate with you more and come to you for comfort. This is the special bond everyone seeks with their horse.
If you want to know everything about a human’s soul and their self- development, watch how they are around their horses. Look at the health and happiness of the horse. Mentally and physically. This is why true horseman take pride in their horses. They are aware it ‘s a mirror of themselves. Horsemanship are all about self awareness , and your awareness of the horse.