| How would you tell a friend you were in pain without | | | | and find that tender spot. When your horse knows |
| words? No arm gestures, or holding that sore in your | | | | you are ready and willing to listen then you will get |
| lower back or pointing. OK that would be a stretch for | | | | signals from your friend about the painful spots. |
| us but our equine friends have to somehow tell us or | | | | Do you want to know my secret? Horses are mirrors |
| show us they are in pain with actions or body | | | | to us. They show us what is really going on with us. |
| movements. | | | | We can use this line of communications to hear what |
| How can you be sure that you are dealing with a | | | | they are trying to tell us. This can be additive: - listen |
| mental problem or a physical problem? Often they will | | | | also to your body. Are you feeling anything? Are you |
| just act out and we don't see that they are trying to | | | | getting information that is coming from your horse to |
| tell us about their jaw or a tender gut. This can be | | | | you? |
| frustrating until you develop a sympathetic | | | | Listen and feel - your horse will be able to |
| communication with the horse. Some places to look | | | | communicate to you exactly where, or if, there is any |
| are not as obvious as you might think, are they? | | | | pain or discomfort. You may feel something in your |
| Teeth pain can result in head throwing and bobbing or | | | | body. Don't be concerned if you don't feel anything at |
| cribbing. Back problems or spine misalignment can | | | | first or if you doubt your information. Just listen! Soon |
| show up as moving away when gearing up or cinching | | | | you will be a horse whisperer... Have fun with this and |
| the saddle. Bucking, limping and colic are obvious ones | | | | just notice how much closer you become to your best |
| but it's the subtle ones we are talking about here. | | | | friend. |
| You might do a little massaging up and down the spine | | | | |