Page 52 - November 2016

There are many ways we can help a horse relax without resorting to chemicals.
heather Smith thomas
by Heather Smith Thomas
Some horses become challenging when circum- stances dictate that the horse remain calm. Nervousness, fear, or high spirits may make it difficult for that horse to relax and respect the person handling him. When a horse won’t stand still for the farrier or for a veterinary procedure, or becomes a danger to himself and his handlers due to flightiness or anxiety, many people reach for a tranquilizer or sedative. Yet, there are many ways we can help a horse relax without resorting to chemicals.
Twitches, lip chains, the Stableizer, and other devices that take advantage of certain pressure points to stimulate endorphin release in the horse, can create a calming effect when used properly. They can also be counterproductive if used improperly, creating pain or irritation rather than relaxation.
Tia Nelson, DVM, a veterinarian and farrier in Helena, Montana, says there are also a number of other techniques that can be utilized, as well as some “calm- ing” supplements and herbs that seem to work for some horses. “One of the most basic principles of keeping a horse calm, however, is proper handling and training,” says Nelson. Trust and respect are the foundation of human/horse relationships, and this is what separates the calm, relaxed attitude of a well-trained domestic horse from the flighty fear response of a wild one.
Training and desensiTizaTion
Dr. Jenny Johnson from Oak Hill Shock Wave and Veterinary Chiropractic, in Calabasas, Califor- nia, has been an equine veterinarian for nearly 30 years. She has handled a lot of horses and has several suggestions on keeping them calm and relaxed.
“If a horse is flighty and nervous for the veterinar- ian or farrier, work with the horse in advance to pre- pare and desensitize him to what is going to happen, especially if it’s a young horse. The more you can do to expose him to a variety of circumstances, the better,” Johnson says. Calmness and relaxation stem mainly from trust and confidence, and familiarity with the surroundings. The horse is at ease with that person and surroundings, rather than suspicious or fearful.
“In my chiropractic work, I spend a lot more time with each horse than I did when I was doing routine veterinary work. I’ve found that most horses are trust- ing animals. But, some are immediately defensive. Some may have had rough handling and don’t trust people, but there are a few that are just naturally sus- picious or cautious,” says Johnson. Whatever comes their way, they are worried about it until they learn it’s not going to hurt them and then they become more comfortable with it.
Veterinarian and farrier Tia Nelson, DVM says there are a number of techniques that can be utilized, as well as some supplements and herbs, that work to relax horses, but that proper handling and training
are the most basic ways to keep a horse calm.
Calm Without
ChemiCalS
50 SPEEDHORSE, November 2016
Dr. Jenny Johnson of Oak Hill Shock Wave and Veterinary Chiropractic suggests keeping a horse relaxed
with training and consistent, calm handling, as well as your own confidence in yourself and in the horse,
to create a cohesive partnership.
equine health