NEIGH: 5 ways to support one whose horse has died

A handful of heartfelt hints for encouraging a grieving horse lover

Our long-time beloved family horse died several months ago, and I still miss him. This loss also revived my sorrow over losing my very first horse, a challenging, but life-changing and once-in-a-lifetime mare, several years ago. I just heard that a once-naughty little show pony, who taught me to jump fences, was euthanized yesterday. And a dear old gelding, belonging to a barn pal, is struggling to stay standing today.

To a horse lover, losing an equine companion can be every bit as grief-worthy as the passing of a human family member or a close friend.

What can caring folks do or say to support someone who has just lost a horse?

Here are five ways to reach out to a grieving horse lover. For simplicity’s sake, let’s use a horse acronym, “NEIGH.”

N = Never nicker.

Why do people always seem to practice verbal calisthenics, stretching for all sorts of inappropriate things to say when others are mourning? A grieving horse owner is not likely to be encouraged by trite sayings, lame platitudes, personal horror stories of lost horses, or even unwelcome advice while enduring the pits of grief.

E = Ears forward.

The most sensitive and caring friends offer to listen to the mourning horse lover’s stories of grief, veterinary nightmares and even happy memories shared with the horse that has died – even if those stories are repeated numerous times.

NOTE: Written by this author, this copyrighted material originally appeared on another publisher’s site. That site no longer exists. This author holds all rights to this content. No republication is allowed without permission.

I = Instincts are insightful.

Often, simply sharing silent moments of unspoken understanding can be a marvelous way of showing compassion for the one who has just lost a much-loved horse.

G = Gallop in with good deeds.

When a horse has died, several difficult tasks may await the equine’s owner. Helpful friends may offer to pitch in at such moments, if appropriate.

For example, the grieving horse lover may need assistance in cleaning out the horse’s stall, packing up saddles and tack, or making arrangements for the horse’s remains. These responsibilities can be extremely emotional for the one who is mourning, but a close friend may be able to help.

When my own horse died, two barn friends stayed with me by a front pasture gate, visiting with other favorite horses, while her remains were removed from the back of the barn. The sight would have been a difficult memory to erase.

H = Hearken the herd.

Equestrian stables tend to be notorious for grapevine gossip, like any other close-knit community. When a horse has died, the owner’s friends can be extremely helpful by minimizing this, while compassionately informing those who will most sympathize with what has happened (with the owner’s permission). By running interference, so to speak, for the grieving horse lover, these companions may enlist additional encouragers.

These five simple steps can go a long way towards expressing care and concern for the mourning horse owner. Naysayers may beg to differ, but equine experience speaks volumes on the subject. 

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During my own season of mourning the loss of my mare, I welcomed and valued the friends who offered no unsolicited advice, but listened, empathized, offered assistance, and rallied other supportive horse-loving friends to do the same.

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Adapted from public domain photo

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Why Do Horses Roll on the Ground?

Let the good times roll!

Horse owners can spot the signs of a horse that plans to roll on the ground.

First, the equine may walk in a circle (somewhat as a dog might circle before lying down). Next, the horse will probably paw the dirt with his front hooves. He may even sniff the ground, as if he is seeking the optimum spot for rolling. Finally, he will bend his front knees, lean left or right and flop down into the dirt, dust, mud, sand or stall bedding.

Many horses will roll to one side, stand up and then roll to the other side. Young or particularly athletic horses may roll from one side to the other before rising again. After rolling, horses will usually shake themselves off and then run around a bit – with perhaps a few happy bucks.

Of course, rolling is a natural equine behavior. A rolling horse is perfectly safe, as long as he is carrying no rider or tack and has plenty of room to roll.

Why do horses roll? What precipitates this equine behavior?

Horses may roll for countless reasons. Here are ten common causes of equine rolling, including some that may be deliberate and some that may be utterly unconscious for horses.

1. Horses often roll when their abdomens hurt.

In certain instances, horses may roll on the ground while suffering from abdominal pain, as from colic. These horses usually show other signs of discomfort, bending backwards to look towards their guts, swishing their tails frantically and moaning. Colicking horses may lie down and rise repeatedly.

A horse with colic should be prevented from rolling, as this may encourage intestinal twisting or life-threatening impactions.

If a horse appears distressed, professional veterinary medical assistance may be needed.

2. Horses may roll if their fur is wet.

For horses, rolling on the ground is a natural form of self-grooming and a means of drying rain-soaked, sweat-soaked or shower-soaked coats.

In fact, freshly bathed horses may roll in dirt or mud immediately after cleansing, if they have the opportunity to do so. Although horse groomers may be somewhat chagrined to behold this equine behavior, horses may prefer to be gritty or mud-caked.

To prevent spit-shined horses from rolling, equine grooms may cover horses with terrycloth or fleece coolers and tie them in their stalls or the barn aisle for clean drying.

3. Horses roll for natural sunscreen.

Horses may sunburn, especially on their muzzles and other thinly covered areas. In particular, white or light-colored horses may be most affected by the sun’s rays. A roll in the mud can actually provide a layer of sunscreen (and even wind protection) for a horse, although the horse will likely have no idea that this benefit is occurring.

4. Horses roll to rid themselves of bothersome bugs.

In a similar vein, a coat of dust or mud on a horse’s coat may offer a certain amount of insect protection. Horses that roll may bear extra bug shield, even if they are unaware of this asset.

5. Horses tend to roll to imitate and signal one another.

Horses are social creatures. Each equine herd has its own hierarchy. Rolling is a social behavior, demonstrating both trust and social position.

Often, horse herd observes note how one horse’s rolling may lead to others’ following suit. Generally, only one horse in a herd will roll at a time, with equines taking turns. This is seen, by human observers, as a defense against possible predators.

Usually the most dominant horse in the herd is the last to hit the ground.

6. Horses might roll to resist uncomfortable tack.

Rolling may be quite dangerous, if a horse is wearing a saddle or training tack. A pinching surcingle or ill-fitting saddle or girth may give a horse cause to roll, if he is not prevented from doing so. A horse that rolls while wearing tack may easily become injured, and expensive tack may be damaged.

Of course, a horse that attempts to roll with a rider aboard may be perilous indeed, both to himself and to his equestrian partner.

7. Horses frequently roll to scratch their own backs.

Even horses love a good back scratching. Although social grooming may offer some such comfort for equines, an animated roll on the ground may be the best horse massage nature has to offer them. In fact, many equine chiropractors claim that rolling is often excellent for realigning horses’ vertebrae naturally.

8. Horses roll to shed their winter coats.

Each spring, horses residing in cold-weather climates may begin shedding their winter coats. Rolling vigorously in gritty dirt is one way to hasten this process.

Horses roll around to stretch their muscles.

Rolling on the ground is excellent exercise for a horse, stretching his back, barrel, buttocks, flanks, legs, neck, spine, and more. Because equestrian disciplines generally aim for optimum equine flexibility and overall fitness, horse owners almost universally express pleasure at seeing their horses rolling on the ground.

Horses sometimes roll just for fun.

To a horse, rolling around on the ground may be just plain fun. After all, a bit of exuberant thrashing can be an enjoyable means of expending extra equine energy, enthusiasm, and spirit. Once he’s done rolling, he’ll likely stand and shake off the dust and be ready to settle into some serious grazing or even work.

Roll on!

Image/s:

Horse Rising After Rolling – Pixabay public domain photo

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Equestrian terms: What is a bombproof horse?

A bombproof horse is a blessing indeed, particularly for beginning riders. What is a bombproof horse?

“He’s the bomb.”

A bombproof horse is a well-trained equine that is not easily rattled, having a calm temperament and a generally easy disposition. Most bombproof horses have been exposed to an extensive variety of potentially startling stimuli, such as sudden loud noises and sights. Police horses and parade mounts, in particular, experience considerable training to make them as bombproof as possible.

This article originally appeared on another publisher’s site, which is no longer open. All rights reverted to the author, so it appears here with full permission.

That horse may be bombproof, but how about wearing a helmet and boots anyway?

Some say a bomb could go off near a bombproof horse, and he wouldn’t go off like a rocket.

Certainly, a real bomb would startle any horse. No horse is 100 percent bombproof, but certain equines lend themselves readily to safer riding and handling, particularly with solid training and experience.

A bombproof horse tends to be forgiving, easily packing young children and beginning equestrians safely.

Often, the older a horse becomes, the more likely he is to become bombproof, although some horses seem naturally to possess a more bombproof bent than others. Other equines may seem to be more like ticking time bombs, just waiting for an excuse to explode.

The term "bombproof" tends to be used less often than in the past, perhaps because it is difficult (read: impossible) to guarantee such a trait in even the best trained and gentlest equine.

Image/s

Public domain photo

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