Body Work / Horse Spa
Horses groom each other, and they love it. Have you ever had the opportunity to have a massage? It feels really great when you have someone who knows how much pressure to apply. Well, horses love the same thing! I learned this from my miniature donkey, Tommy. A friend of mine told me that there was something wrong with my donkey’s ears—he wouldn’t let her touch them. So I asked, how are you touching them? She said like this... very lightly. I said, do you think it might feel like there’s a fly on his ear? So I took his ear gently but firmly and he allowed me the touch. With no discomfort. So, listen to your four-legged friend!
A friend of mine wanted to know more about what I was doing with my horses so she began coming over several times a week. I would groom my horse for about 20 minutes before I saddled her up. My friend would already have her horse saddled and ready to ride. I looked at the horse and the mare appeared uncomfortable to me: she couldn't stand still, walking all over her human, which made my friend very impatient. So I suggested that she take her saddle off and groom her horse. And that’s what she did.
We brushed the mane, tail, face, and her body, looking for fur that was laying in a different way. Her horse finally settled down and just loved all the attention she was getting. Her eyes began to soften and her body began to loosen and fill out. This was the perfect time to show my friend a few exercises she could do: belly lifts, massaging the neck, stretching her legs, just to name a few.
We were having such an enjoyable time bonding with our ponies that we decided we were not going to ride that afternoon; we were going to spend that time just grooming. So after several hours of just making our horses feel great, and talking and laughing, it was time to load up her horse and call it a day.
We had so much fun, and my friend was amazed how different her horse looked and how relaxed and happy the mare was. She had stood there for several hours and hardly moved. After that day she realized how important it was to her horse to be groomed. Sometimes that’s all they need—just a little TLC. And some days that’s all WE want! I wonder, are they more like us then we know…..
|
