Over the years I have had the privilege to listen and in some cases, work with some great teachers of the horse industry. There are several individuals that stand out in my mind including Tom Dorance, Harry Whitney, Peggy Cummings, and Mark Rashid. Others shared their skills and feelings more personally, most notably my Grandpa, my Dad, and my own horses. While each has provided lessons that up front may have sounded different, each one had a core message that distilled down to shape effective horsemanship for me. Simply stated, providing good CARE will lead to a horse that is COMFORTABLE. A COMFORTABLE horse can much more easily COLLECT to move more efficiently and freely. I have begun referring to these as the basic 3-C’s of having a horse to share and work with.
Caring for the horse encompasses a wide range of needs. Imagine sitting on a high spot in the Badlands of South Dakota, watching a herd of wild horse roam. They are eating, playing, and socializing. However, they are always mindful of issues affecting their survival. They are constantly making choices that affect their well-being.
When the horse is moved out of its natural environment, the horse trades its freedom to freely roam for protection and greater comfort. We, the owners, now have a responsibility to provide much of the care the horse worked to find in the wild. The forms of CARE that lead to a horse that works well for its owner include: Good nutrition, clean hay, shelter, exercise, clean water, veterinary care, dental care, pastures free from dangerous obstacles, farrier care, tack that fits, and yes, GROOMING. All of these in some way affect the way the horse feels on the inside and impacts its appearance and behavior on the outside.
The grooming process can be a critical element in the partnership between the horse and its rider. There is much that can be gained by incorporating grooming into both preparing for and completing any type of riding activity be it a strenuous training session or a casual trail ride in the company of friends. Foremost, grooming care is a time for horse and rider to focus on each other and communicate. It can foster suppleness in horse and rider that will benefit both during the day’s activities.
The horse has to a greater extent become dependent on its human owner for life’s essentials for which it had to forage in its wild existence. For that exchange the horse can give its owner great pleasure and satisfaction. Cutting corners in any way on the care of the horse will impact the comfort of the horse that in turn can limit the horse’s ability to collect. Tom Dorance and Harry Whitney both teach us that the horse will search for ways to move from discomfort to comfort. Remember the 3-C’s as part of the partnership with your horse. Together they can help lead to greater enjoyment and a stronger bond between you and your horse.
Thomas N. Tweeten, PhD
ATH Science, Inc.
Published in: Women & Horses, 1 (1):51 (2005).
PK Publishing Group, Inc.
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