All horsemanship should begin with a complete understanding of the implications of this inversion of the famous quotation from the movie, "The Elephant Man." Horses are not people. Things that we adore,like cozy, comfortable small rooms are endless sources of stress and repressed anxiety for horses. Perhaps the greatest enemy to their long term health is the surplus of unnatural calories pumped into them by conscientious members of the established horse world. They receive endless rest and little movement though they evolved to move nearly constantly.
Natural horse care provides horses with opportunities for improved health and real happiness. Joe Camp's great work, "The Soul of a Horse" explains the benefits of natural horse care in a way that a complete novice can understand and apply.
Our next interview will be with Joe Camp and will be featured in the next few days. In the mean time, go out and buy this great book. Your horse will appreciate you for it. You might just end up putting many extra years on his life.
(Here is a great shot of Croatoan, one of my Corolla stallions, his first spring after capture. Since capture he has produced several foals. He is strong, smooth gaited, and gentle enough for his main trial rider to be only 8 years old. He loves living like an animal.)
Yes I have heard mention of Joe Camp and will be checking daily to review his interview.
ReplyDeleteIn the mean time I hope to get out and get a copy of his book.