I just was talking about Al and his personality the other day and realized there's a big change in who he is now versus the horse he was the first year I had him. And I'm not sure it's a good change. He used to be full on Buddy the Elf. Every day was the best day ever and he was just so happy all the time. But these days? I dunno. I don't see that happy horse so much. He's just so insecure and constantly looking to his humans for reassurance. Which I'm happy to provide, but I would love for him to have some confidence of his own again. And everything I've been doing with him seems to not be providing that for him. So maybe a communicator could help me with that? What do you guys think?
I was a skeptical as you are. But I have had two horses that I referred to Beatrice Lydecker. She gave me insight on both of them. That was not possible given what I told her. In both cases, it was relatively simple. One didn’t feel I respected him and also didn’t understand how difficult the things were. I was asking of him. She was right! I didn’t really respect him because he was Little and not a Dressage bread horse. And it made sense that what I thought was simple to ask of him was actually pretty complicated given his coordination.I had to change my attitude around him, but you know what? He came around. The other horse who I had a big ego, told her things about wanting to wear his special halter that he had won and missing his friend who used to be next to him and turnout time so he was worried. A few adjustments to his wardrobe and schedule and he was back to being a fairly normal horse. I don’t think it was the end all of everything with these two quirky horses. But it did give me positive insight into how I might think differently given their unique personalities. All that being said. I still believe that when horses behave in ways that are not working for us there is pain behind it. I would never go to a psychologist before I examine everything physically. It sounds like you use mainly one vet. Is there a clinic nearby where you could take him for a complete work up. I have always found that pain is a much more likely explanation than anything psychological.
ReplyDeleteI actually have three vets all with their own practices, so believe me, we've covered all the bases. I refer to all my vets as Doc so I can see where that might seem like I only use one, but that's not the case.
DeleteHave you ever heard of PSSM? I watch a YouTuber in the UK (No Horse Han) who has a horse with PSSM. She had such a hard time figuring out what was wrong with her horse and she had the vet out a lot…but once she got that diagnosis she was able to provide management which really helped. I think you definitely should get a full work up and maybe ask the vet about PSSM since from what I have read on your blog Al seems to have good days and then not so good days. Hope you find out what’s wrong soon. I definitely think the full work up would be much more beneficial than an animal communicator.
ReplyDeleteYes, I know all about it. We suspected Pammon might have it, so I did a lot of research while I awaited his results which were negative.
DeleteI'm not sure who you are since you posted anonymously, so you may be a new reader, but if you look back, we've done many full body work ups on this horse. He's had plenty of vet attention, hunts for pain, and treatment plans. He's not unsound, he's not back sore, his flexions are perfect, and he's on ulcer treatment currently (and has been in the past). He doesn't have any trouble building nor maintaining muscle. His weight is perfect.
The only real "symptom" he has that night point to PSSM is that he can be resistant to moving forward. But the majority of the time I'm experiencing that with him he's also spooking at something ahead which is why he doesn't want to go there.
While I appreciate your concern for his health and well being, this post really was about animal communicators.
I have! 11/10 recommend, it was a blast to talk to her and she 100% picked up on some health things we were dealing with. Also I've spent $45 on way stupider shit 🤣
ReplyDeleteThis is the comment I was looking for! And yes, I mean, I've wasted way more than $45 on far stupider shit! Ha!
DeleteI think I'm going to do it.
I don’t think it can hurt. I think some horses are just more sensitive. In my barn, it’s Quaid. With the ice and the relentless wind he went off his feed yesterday. There’s also something loose on the barn that’s really noisy but can’t be fixed until spring. I gave him a gut supplement. But he was still eating his hay so I wasn’t too worried. The wind is gone today and he’s already looking more relaxed. Carmen, the reactive one, couldn’t care less.
ReplyDeleteAl seems sensitive too. I’ve always wanted to try a horse communicator so why not.
Yes! I agree. Al's goes off his grain pretty regularly but still eats hay and stays regular in all the other areas. I think you're right about him being sensitive like Quaid. He's funny because I don't think he's the "typical" presentation of a sensitive horse, but when you sit and observe him, he absolutely is. I'm hoping maybe a communicator can help me understand how to reassure him better. He definitely looks to me for that, and I do the best I can, but I don't think I'm doing it right for him.
DeleteI haven't used one, and I'm generally not too entrenched in the "woo-woo", but I recognize that sometimes things like that can help look at situations in a new light.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I'm thinking! Like maybe there's just a little something I can do differently that he would be really receptive of.
DeleteEh it could be fun, could be silly lol, might as well! I’m always a big fan of getting outside opinions on the horse from a variety of (trusted, not unsolicited lol) perspectives !
ReplyDeleteHaha... yes solicited advice! I think if nothing else it should be entertaining. And at best it could help!
DeleteThis is kind of an ironic thing to see because I literally just used one this weekend. I've done it twice now, both with Kali Crosby who was lovely each time. There were things that she would have no knowledge of that she repeated back to me in both sessions, and with never having met Dee, she had her personality down to a T (Hyperactive incredibly nosy golden retriever). I think if you have the spare cash, its always worth a shot, it definitely provided different perspectives for me with Dee.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what I'm hoping for! It is kind of eery the things they say sometimes that they would have no way of knowing. Makes you have to believe at least a little.
DeleteI know of 2 that I would definitely recommend! I had it done with Promise and it was pretty amazing. I have also had it done with Rosie twice - also really cool with dogs. :) Let me know if you'd like names!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I have a contact from a local friend who I'm going to try, but if I want another I'll reach out! I'm getting excited to do it!
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ReplyDeleteI have used two different ones- JulieAnnMarie and Melanie Grubbs. Cost was similar, they work a bit differently but both have had some helpful insights. I think Melanie has more to say about physical sensations and Julie Ann is good at reflecting the animal's personality. I always check in when it looks like it might be time to say goodbye- sometimes the answer is "not yet, I'm fine" but when it is "yes, I'm ready" it makes that final appointment just a little easier to schedule.
ReplyDeleteBetsy in WI
Oh that is interesting how you get something different from each. And I never thought to use a communicator for end of life decisions. That is a great use and I imagine brings some closure that I feel like we don't get when we have to just blindly make these decisions.
DeleteI love this idea of using it for end of life. I honestly have not considered that!
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