Horses

Horses are incredibly beautiful and powerful animals — yet at the same time, they are remarkably fragile and sensitive, both physically and mentally.

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A small wound, if located unfavorably, can leave a horse permanently impaired, and a traumatic event can alter its mental state forever.

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From nature’s side, horses are grazing animals that move slowly and continuously throughout the day, without great bursts of exertion — and their feeding patterns reflect that as well. This stands in stark contrast to modern horse management, where horses are often kept in stalls, turned out only for short periods, and expected to perform intense physical work.

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As performance animals, horses are athletes. This means that the owner, rider, or driver must understand the basics of muscle physiology and training, proper nutrition for performance, and — most importantly — take care of the horse’s body and mind so that it functions optimally at all times. Human athletes are constantly monitored and treated to ensure peak performance and injury prevention — and there is much we can learn from that approach.