Could your horse benefit from some energy TLC?

If the last year has taught us anything, it’s that looking after our wellbeing is so important. There are a variety of aspects to this, for example nutrition, movement and rest, addressing any stresses that we’re experiencing and creating the environment that allows us, as an individual, to thrive.

This is no less true for the animals we care for.

So, what does this look like when we’re thinking about horses?

If your horse is showing signs of:

• a lack of energy
• dull coat
• behavioural issues
• chronic health niggles

or if they’re recovering from injury or illness, or are now in their senior years, then they could benefit from some support.

My focus is on energy, in all its different forms. I believe that when our energies are balancing in a supportive and uplifting way, then we will naturally experience wellbeing.

You might have noticed that I said ‘balancing’ rather than having ‘balance’. This is because I think that this is a dynamic process; a way of BEing, rather than something we do and then it’s ‘done’.

So, looking at the points I mentioned above:

• nutrition:
  Each species has its own particular nutritional needs and individuals will have variations within this.
  A horse’s gut has evolved over thousands of years to extract nutrients from a range of forage plants. They are very efficient at extracting this energy and so do best when the plants are not high in sugars.
  It’s also good to remember that when feeding a horse, we’re actually feeding the bacteria in its hindgut.
  And, like us, they do best on a diet that avoids overly processed foods and chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides and mould inhibitors. Nature really does know best, but we need to remember that we’re aiming for what a horse would be accessing in its most natural, wild environment.
  

• movement and rest:
  In their wild habitat horses walk many miles each day in search of food and water. This supports their wellbeing by keeping them fit and allowing their hooves to act as ‘pumps’ circulating oxygen and nutrients and taking away waste products. Movement can also help to reduce stress if it allows the horse to feel able to escape from any perceived threat.
  Rest is also essential, as this is when the body does any necessary maintenance and repair. It facilitates efficient digestion and also gives the horse time and space to process whatever they’ve been experiencing.
  

• addressing any stresses:
  Here I think it’s essential to remember that stress is a very individual thing and so we need to view things from the horse’s perspective to understand whether they might find it stressful. Horses, like us, can become anxious and it can have huge impacts on their wellbeing.
  

• creating the right environment for the individual to thrive:
  
  
  In my work I look at the whole environment in which the animal – or person – is living and explore where this is / is not working for them. I then use a variety of techniques to work with the individual, touching on each of the points above, to support the creation of a more supportive environment, both internal and external, which will allow them to thrive.
  
  For a horse this generally brings back that spring in their step, the bright eye and shiny coat, strong hooves, healthy digestion and calm but interested temperament. This all means that they are a happier – and safer – animal, and that you will hopefully enjoy many happy years together.
  

If you’d like to know more I offer a free 20 minute initial consultation.
You can find my website at https://equenergy.com and there is a links list that can take you to my social media, YouTube and podcast accounts.

If you’d like to learn more about how I support people in creating greater wellbeing for themselves, I invite you to visit my website and find 4 simple steps to shifting yourself into a more uplifted energy, and stay there.

About The Author
This is a guest post by Robyn Harris who is the founder of EQUENERGY: Wellbeing Naturally. She describes herself as a Soul Alignment Mentor, believing that ‘a mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself’ – Oprah Winfrey.

Having known what it’s like to feel stressed, ill and overwhelmed, she is passionate about holding a safe and nurturing space in which to intuitively and gently inspire others to reconnect with their sense of joy, purpose and love of Life through re-membering, Who They Really Are at the very core of their BEing. She also believes in the importance of doing this in a light-hearted, uplifting, person centred way, and of making it fun!

She feels it's so important to understand how our thoughts and beliefs impact on our wellbeing, and how our bodies respond to these and to the world around us. Having this knowledge enables us to make the choices that will best support our wellbeing. A few years ago, as part of her own journey to greater soul alignment and wellbeing, Robyn moved to Wales with her husband and now lives in a beautiful rural setting near Abergavenny.

Working from a very holistic perspective, she believes that we can draw a lot of wisdom from the natural world, and from the animals who share our lives. She therefore also offers the opportunity to experience the healing of the magical space at Equenergy and, for those who feel drawn to it, of the energy of her amazing equine partners Dakota (Dax) and Rika.