Janice Clyma trading as: Animal Therapies Unlimited

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it that some horses which are competed heavily and dont appear to be treated gently still seem to do well?  Is body work necessary?

Just watch these horses, do they have their ears pricked and look keen to do their job?  Do they come out show after show, season after season and keep winning?  If they do they are probably either getting very well cared for between competitions, have a regular bodywork carer, or are being better looked after than you perhaps think.  If they dont have the above indicators, they will soon start to stop and avoid the discomfort caused by constant pressure of competiton, both mental and physical. 

Human athletes know how to keep form between long competition schedules, and animals are just the same.  If we dont allow stress healing time and facilitation then this will compound until the pain or inability to "do the work" will start to show.

It is a measure of the equine that it will try its hardest through much discomfort to please its human.  We are the thick, ignorant twits who place human skills of deviance on the horse, saying its trying to get out of working today!!... really if a horse was that intelligent it wouldnt let us on its back in the first place.  They do their best to the level of training they have had, within the ability of their bodies pretty much all the time, the only variable is our training skills and communication techniques with them. 

If a horse does well consistently then it probably likes its rider and and understands what is expected.  Some horses can handle alot being asked of them, some not.  Some just need consistent signals and praise when they get it right, some can switch off and "fill in" for rider inadequacies.   Like people its luck of the draw as to what sort of horse you have, and how it will deal with the situation.  They are more perceptive than people give them credit for.