Hey Reader!

Mid-week today! Everything cool in your world? I hope so! 🤞🤠

Two things happened that caused me to want to write about this topic today.

First thing: During my second-last session with my young mare I actually saddled her up! (Actually, I realise now that I already shared that a few emails ago but you can probably tell that I'm still super-stoked about it!)

Someone wanted to come into the arena just as I was removing the saddle. I was removing it slowly because my mare threw her head up just as I was going to take the saddle off (probably because she could hear the noise outside the arena door 🤔). I was waiting for a more positive posture before removing it.

Anyway, the person was looking forward to chatting with me so I stood, watching my horse with only one eye, and gave most of my attention to the conversation this person and I were having. My mare, a little like a doted-upon child, is used to my full attention. By and by she moved closer to me and, without laying her ears back or anything else, began to give me a gentle nip 😳 which I caught pretty quickly!

I think she was trying to tell me it was time to go back to her pen 😂🤣😅

Second thing: Someone had a very bad accident and broke two of their vertebrae in their back 😐 This is something I can identify with. The pain is immense. This person wound up in the hospital and recounted things about the stay that were very much in common with horses in confinement. Things such as: having to watch the things happening with little input, no choice of when or what to eat, no visitors, bright and noisy too much of the time, being in pain but pain medication was not delivered, wanting to ring the buzzer to get a nurse's attention but the buzzer had not been put in place, and on and on.

This person became frustrated over the buzzer not being in place so found a way to throw a plastic bowl out into the hallway to get attention.

Think about this in terms of horses. They develop coping strategies such as turning and facing the corner when it's too bright and noisy, weaving at the door when they want out (not understanding they are confined because of an injury), chewing at the stall door because they are bored and want something to chew on, kicking at the stable door to get someone to notice their concern, and on and on.

Think about this in terms of children who are too young to communicate or have non-verbal issues.

Are all of the above misbehaving? ...or are they communicating! 🤔

When you think your animals or your children are misbehaving, ask yourself "Why?", instead of immediately labelling them as problems.

Just a little food for thought.

My status? It was too smoky for my lungs 🫁 again today 😕 but I *think* it might be better tomorrow???

I'm ever hopeful! 🤞🤠

If ever you want to chat, just reply to this email and let me know!

...until I hear from you, stay well and take care...

Remember, if you’ve missed previous emails (the public ones, at least), you can go here to read them.​

-Sylvia (ever hopeful🤞🤠) Schneider

PS - Here are some handy links to information:

1. ​15 Ways Horses Can Improve Your Life​
2. ​15 Lessons Experienced Horse People Have Learned ...and Want to Help New Horse Lovers Understand!​
3. ​Are You Ready for Horse Ownership? (A Comprehensive Checklist)​

Need the 'Easy Button'? If you have a pressing concern regarding a horse or equine related matter, and you need help NOW, you might want to consult about it using this link as your 'Easy Button'.