Our animals say a lot about us and they, like children, are happy to tattle! Let’s say you have a horse that is pushy and disrespectful, what does that say about you? Are you a pushy person? If not, then are you a pushover? Hmmm… How about that pony that will not stay in the paddock? Having some boundary issues, are you? Is it hard for you to draw the line on what you will tolerate and being really honest about what just doesn’t work for you? Yeah, but, all my other horses stay in their places; it’s just this one that gets out! Then you are probably pretty solid in most areas of your life, the places where you feel you have authority, like at work and maybe at home but when it comes to saying no to volunteer work, that may be a whole other ballgame!
So what about those hard keepers that you can’t seem to feed enough? You dump in the feed and supplements and still struggle to keep weight on them. How is your own nutritional status? If it is good, then you might want to take a look at where in your life you are hungry. It may very well be the emotional or spiritual body that is starving. Maybe you need a caring human to hear some of the secrets you tell only to your horse. Are you touch deprived? Schedule yourself some regular bodywork, like massages and pedicures. Take the time to truly hug the people that love you. Maybe you’ve been feeding the wrong body.
Let’s look at parasite issues; worms, flies, ticks, and things that are feeding off of your horse. Oftentimes that indicates relationships that are parasitical in nature. Is someone in your life sucking you dry, draining your finances or your life force energy? We all know people who leave us feeling exhausted after spending time with them. People who are needy and clingy and don’t stand in their own power. You might need some help strengthening your personal boundaries.
Recently there has been a lot of talk about horses with ulcers. Questions for the owners of these horses might be: are you getting enough rest and healthy exercise? Do you eat properly and stay adequately hydrated? Just how much of a perfectionist are you? Are you constantly criticizing yourself? Are you your own worst enemy? Or maybe you are overly sensitive to the opinions and judgment of others. What is going on in your life that you just can’t seem to stomach?
It is not unusual for a horse that is insulin resistant to have an owner with diabetes or blood sugar issues. Horses with thyroid conditions often have owners with unhealthy thyroids. It may not always be the owner of the horse who has the health issue. The problem may be related to a previous owner rather than the current one, which is often the case with rescued horses. In therapy horses, it may very well be a client that the horse feels especially fond of.
The thought that your beloved equine companion has manifested a behavior problem or health condition on your behalf is distressing to most and pretty far-fetched for some. Taking the time for a close and honest look at yourself is not a very easy or comfortable thing to do. In reality, healing often is not comfortable. However, if you are willing to see your own reflection in your horse’s health and behavior, then healing can begin for both of you. After all, that is your own reflection you are seeing when looking into your horse’s eyes. If your desire is for your companion to be healthy on all levels, then have the courage to look first in your own back yard. Heal the human and you heal the horse.