Anxiety Doesn't Have to be the Norm

Friends,
One of the health topics I am most passionate about is Mental Health.
So let me start by saying to anyone that is interested in this topic-

"You must understand there is no separation between mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, environmental, family and community health!"

Reading that I ask you how does that feel? For many, especially those that have experienced any ongoing mental health issues, that may hit home.
For others that may sound like a big stretch and a feeling of certainty that "the answer" really lies in just one or two of those categories.
Either way I encourage you to think about that statement and follow along this with me as write this blog and more about mental health experiences. I want to hear from you too. Share your thoughts and experiences. I do not write blogs to hear more of myself ;) but rather to have discussion, stimulate thought and hopefully bring about much-needed change.
By all means if you or a loved one, whether they are two-legged humans or four-legged companions, are experiencing mental/emotional health issues please reach out and ask for help! There are MANY resources in the world today. Some are successful at helping individuals heal the root cause of mental health issues and honestly some aren't but you must start somewhere.
At Red Horse Wellness Center, we have been working with, studying and helping humans, horses and dogs with anxiety disorders, depression, and PTSD for 14yrs. We are really passionate about shifting society's and individuals' thinking about these issues. Most importantly we are here to help people ready to find to the root-cause and replace it with health!

I happen to be writing this the night before Trudy Scott's online Anxiety Summit-Season 3 begins.
Red Horse Wellness Center signed up as an affiliate because I listened to Season 2 and heard high-quality content and knowledgeable professionals sharing information about the nutritional foundation to healing- This is info that is almost completely missing in mainstream mental healthcare and it needs to spread quickly.
When you are experiencing any type of anxiety or depression every moment seems like an eternity!
So we want to help get real answers out as quickly and easily as possible.
Here is the link to tune in and listen for free or you can purchase any of the packages available to use as a resource to come back to later or share solutions with others you will have the opportunity to help in the future.
The Anxiety Summit

As always I will remind you humans are animals too. Separating the two only slows down our understanding how to restore health and vitality to all!
So let's get the sharing goin'.

Wishes for Good Health for All,
Lauren Michele

Horse Training Q & A with Lauren Michele McGarry

Q&A Gaining Trust Again

Q: Hi this is Christie. Thanks for getting back to me! I've had my horse Bourbon since he was born, I've done ground work with him from day one. Before I took him to the trainer I only had been on him about three times. I never rode him. Just got on to start the process. He just stood there fine. I just recently got him back from the trainer, He informed me that he wouldn't allow me to ride Bourbon on his property but I could do whatever I wanted at home. He was at the trainers for two and half months. He's a big puppy dog but he also can have a big attitude. He kicks when he doesn't want to pick up his feet, especially his back ones. When he doesn't want to do something he will run whatever over or drag you along. I've worked with desensitizing him since he was young. However, when it comes to spray bottles or taking a bath its a nightmare. People are afraid of him, so am I at times. Is there any advice you can give me to help successfully move forward with his training?

A: First  Christy, it sounds like you had a good beginning with him and he trusted you. Horses do not forget that so barring some really unusual accident at the trainers I bet you can earn his trust and build his and your confidence again. The important thing is to go slow, have a plan that specifically addresses his fears and builds a strong foundation. Think of it as a stone wall that you would want to last for a lifetime through all kinds of weather- you would give each stone you choose and its placement ( comparable to timing with your horse) great thought.

Safety comes first and there are lots of good resources available in this multi-media world to help. I will recommend a few to get you started with at the end. One thing you mention I would be cautious of is comparing him ( as many of us do! ;) ) to being like a “big puppy dog” or “having an attitude” as that can lead us into some misunderstandings. We can see it from a different perspective that may be more helpful. An example would be :Sometimes he is very relaxed and patient with me, sometimes he is feeling unsafe therefore is very disagreeable.

For now I would forget about riding and focus on all the ground basics so you and others are safe around him and can keep him safe as well.As I often ask people “If you are not safe with a horse on the ground, if you are not able to accomplish all basic skills safely and easily on the ground. WHY would you want to climb on the horse’s back?” I ask people this to really get them thinking about the way they think about training their horse, the steps involved and about SAFETY!

As to Bourbon’s current behavior, it is difficult to give you specific directions as I or anyone helping you needs to see what is happening in your interactions. I do feel safe to say that it is likely your cues and requests are not being understood by Bourbon. And likely he does not feel safe, that is why he is trying to flee, i.e. “run over people”. As to kicking, when you try to pick up his feet, the fact that he has not actually kicked you means he does not want to hurt you, he is trying to tell you that he does not feel safe, he is confused as to why to what is trying to be accomplished or it is a challenge for him for reasons outside the scope of this response. For some horses it is very helpful if you give them a motivation

Here is what to master first:
1) Approaching and Haltering-These first moments will determine how each interaction goes. A horse that has learned to approach you or be approached willingly and actively is ready to be a partner!

2) Leading and Body Movement- This will allow you to hone your skills in creating safe boundaries and signaling. Also you can hone his body maneuvering and coordination skills. Invaluable!
3) Grooming, Blanketing and Picking out feet- will create a bond, pleasurable memories, allow him to get comfortable with objects( blanket fabric in this case ) touching all parts of him including around his head and letting him hear the sound of this.

4) Working Simple Obstacles on Ground- The ability to cross ground poles, go through a gate or doorway and to cross a tarp or bridge is going to teach both of you how to communicate to each other very well and BUILD CONFIDENCE and TRUST!

These may sound really basic given the time and money you put into Bourbon but do not be discouraged. Think about where you are now and how great it would be to have these skills and confidence down so well you both looked forward to them! Also, it may have a snowball effect, meaning since he has a good memory of doing some of these before with you as you go through them and rebuild confidence each step and day can get easier and easier. Nothing is 100% but I can say if you do this appropriately and with some professional help that you have good communication with, you will have achieved more than most people ever achieve with their horse- a foundation that is unshakeable and a happy, willing partner!

Please keep us posted on your progress with Bourbon! We all learn from sharing with each other!

Any questions for our Q & A can be sent to our e-mail us from our "Contact Us" page on our website listed below.

Red Horse Training & Care

www.redhorsecenter.com

Lauren Michele McGarry, L.M.T.,

Healthy Porridge For An Equestrian

 A smart horse person feeds herself well along with her horse. Since our horses are reliant on us and nutrition is a vital part of a healthy life it serves us all well to become healthier or stay healthy. And it's always easy to do with YUMMY food! At Red Horse Training & Care we teach others and are always continuing our own education in how to consume an organic, non-GMO, mostly raw, mostly vegan diet. After decades of research and apprenticeships with nutritionists and holistic physicians, we both believe and witness on a daily basis the positive healing outcome of this approach. Every horse and person is unique so we stay away from saying "never" and "always"except when it comes to organic and GMOs. This satisfying recipe along with many others we hope to share can be tweaked to meet your dietary needs and preferences. However I will say "I sincerely wish that any animal products you use come from animals that are raised humanely, free-to- move, eat and feel healthy themselves and have companionship while alive".
Thanks!

Here's to eating well, feeling well and being with our horses!!

Sprouted Quinoa and Coconut Porridge

(especially good for a cold morning before going to the barn!)

1 Cup Sprouted Quinoa (easy-no brainer- will list at bottom)
1/2 Cup soaked, finely shredded Coconut ( keep the soaking water)

1TBSP Hemp Seeds or seed of your preference ( hemp is super yummy, nutritious and need not be soaked! :) )
1/2 Tsp of cinnamon or as much as you like (I use 1TBSP)

1/4 Tsp Sea or Himalayan Salt 

5 INGREDIENTS-THAT"S IT!

In a blender, puree coconut and water.
In a pot, on LOW warm quinoa to a desired texture, the less time on heat the more enzymes and nutrients you leave in tact. I like about 5 minutes below simmer with a lid on the pot.

Add, cinnamon at this time and a minute or so before done add your coconut "milk" with the pulp left in it for more lovely flavor and texture,  Add hemp seeds and salt if desired. I like to add a bit of *OCPV Coconut-oil on top in place of butter because I LOVE HEALTHY FAT!! : p and wah-lah! A VERY NUTRIENT DENSE breakfast that will keep you going for a long-time!

What I like about these recipes is that you can tweak just about everything from seasonings, temperatures, times and even ingredients, but I like quick and easy and cinnamon so this is my fav!

Sprouted Quinoa- Put your desired amount of quinoa in a glass jar and cover with at least one inch of water. Let it be for 24hrs, rinse and use!

*OCPV- Organic, Cold-Pressed, Virgin- Coconut oil

Red Horse Training & Care

redhorsecenter.com

Lauren Michele McGarry, L.M.T., Y.T 

Sugar's Story

It was mid Spring and still wintry cold. The wind was blowing hard as I walked up to a little green barn looking for the owner. I was looking for Silkie chickens to add to my small flock @ home. Just as I made it to the door of the barn out comes an older man, small in stature and looking either puzzled or suspicious, I wasn't sure.
Sometimes when going to farms when people don't recognize you- one can be suspect until friendliness is declared. Then you get a big welcome in. In this case it was a bit different. The fellow seemed cautious of me even after I declared his neighbor in name sent me to him because I was.. well just looking for chickens

I asked if he would show me the Silkies that had begun to pop their head out the door but I had no idea what I was about to find. He hesitantly and slowly took me into the barn where there were 6-8 horse stalls and Silkies of all colors were everywhere. He had no idea that I was an equine professional and being so used to barns of all kinds I thought nothing of the seemingly empty stalls.
We made our way to the middle stall so he could show me some of the hens that were laying on eggs but when he opened the door all I could stare @ was a furry, skinny little mini horse that was standing in a typical founder stance. Her neck and head hung particularly low, she rocked back wars continuously to get her weight off her front feet I knew. Her feet were in terrible shape! Worse yet was when I looked @ her eyes she seemed to be somewhere else.
She had left her body filled with pain but yet there she was still alive.