10/08/2025
The face of a horse who, just a year ago needed sedating by a vet just to get her through a trim.
Over the year, we’ve never needed sedation, but plenty of patience and understanding. Lots of conversations and lots of relearning the best ways to communicate.
Over the last few months she’s been practicing asking politely for her leg if she needs it, and with time, waiting patiently while I finish what I’m doing to give it her back. She’s got this absolutely nailed … and as with most horses that learn this … the more they know they can get their feet back … the less they ask.
However, the last trim we took an even bigger step. One I completely adore and always feel very honoured to experience… she started interacting with me on a really gentle and intimate level.
I got hair snuffles, she was checking out what I was doing with my tools whilst her foot was forward on the stand. And enjoyed gentle muzzle kisses and nostril breaths with me.
When horses who were previously fearful take this step to interact with you at this level, when they’ve previously merely tolerated your presence, it should never be under recognised.
Here’s to her enjoying her feet being done from this point on 🫶🏻
