Australian Equine Arts |
Australian Equine Arts |
Copyright - 2003 Australian Equine Arts - ABN 19814 575 741 - All rights reserved. No part of these publications may be reproduced by any means whatsoever without the written permission of the publisher. The information contained within these web pages/articles is intended for information and educational purposes only. Readers are cautioned to seek expert advice from a qualified health professional and/or experienced Trainer before pursuing any form of treatment or training on their horses/animals. Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or webmaster. |
Natural Equine Lifestyle - The Requirements for a Healthy Horse |
"You were once wild here. Don't let them tame you! - Isadora Duncan |
It is unfortunate that almost all the things we want to do with a horse run against his natural survival ideas. |
Horse's survival programmes say: no aliens on the back no aliens in the blind zone run away when startled keep the feet free do not get trapped keep the head free stay with others interact with others use excess energy in play explore, inspect groom self and friends |
Our human programmes say: ride walk behind or drive not allowed to run away grasp, clean and shoe them confine tie up and restrain discourage discourage discourage often discourage discourage when handled |
Most of the common health problems affecting domestic horses are a direct result of man made violations of the horse's natural lifestyle and can be prevented through removal of the cause and return to a natural lifestyle. |
Environmental temperature Fluctuates continually Changes abruptly Movement Continuous Restricted, too short, too infrequent and often unnatural Lifestyle Herdlife Often solitary Nutrition Vast variety and Restricted, insufficient continuous uptake variety & set meals Body posture Natural, mostly head low Unnatural, mostly head high Body weight Changes gradually, activally Changes suddenly,passively Exposure of hooves to water Daily Rare to none Resting places In the open In enclosed spaces Presence of oils on hooves Non-existent Common Immediate & direct ground contact of hooves Always Rarely Clothing & protective wear Non-existent Common (blankets & bandages) |
Natural Environment Conventional Boarding (stable/boxes) |
To run away you need good feet: one of the horse's strongest built-in survival programmes says look after your feet. Anything that threatens a horse's feet by implication threatens his life and, as with running away, it is better to be safe than sorry. Horses are extremely careful to avoid anything that might threaten their feet, which includes any new and untested surface; they are greatly reassured if they can see another horse, or any animal, walking on it safely. |
To a naturally free-ranging animal like the horse confinement is at first terrifying, for it removes all possibility of self-defence by running away. As natural cave-dwellers, finding comfort and security in small, snug places, we often find this difficult to understand: we provide barns and shelter, only to find that horses seldom use them except to escape from flies in hot weather. In vile winter weather horses stand backed up under a hedge or wall, tails tucked in. Though they look miserable, they prefer to be outside, free. HORSES ARE NATURALLY CLAUSTROPHOBIC. |
Freedom of movement - 24 hours a day - every day |
Company of at least one other horse - preferably a herd |
Natural grazing on a variety of plants, grasses and hay |
Free access to salts & minerals |
Shelter from extreme weather - shady trees to rest under |
Constant access to water for drinking and to hydrate hooves - pond, creek or stream |
Lucy Rees - The Horses Mind Published 1985 by Arco Publishing, Inc. New York |
Dr.vet.med. Hiltrud Strasser "A Lifetime of Soundness" Published by Sabine Kells, Canada 1998 |
