performance Lets face it a discontented horse is not going to put in that extra effort for you, where else a horse that is completely contented with life is going to be better equipped to meet the challenges of competition. Many horseman will refer to a special horse as having plenty of ‘heart’ that is the horse will strive to please, the horse that once it turns up the centre line of the dressage arena comes alive, ears pricked a certain lightness on his feet, the horse that really throws his whole being into performing. Couple this with a rider that has plenty of ‘feeling’ and the team effect comes into overdrive.

health and happiness generally a horse that is in good health has a healthy appetite, clear eyes that sparkle and a coat that reflects, is a happy horse. The younger horses will be apt to antics of playing and generally tomfoolery, the older horse prefers to spend his energy and time grazing,  showing a healthy interest in their environment and particularly in other individuals in that environment. An unhappy horse wether through illness or environmental factors will appear dull and listless, nervous, even anxiety sometimes coupled with little or no appetite – as all good horse owners know any horse showing a sudden indifference towards his food warrants further investigation.

you and the horses happiness as a horse owner you will know your horse well in all the aspects of his disposition through regular contact and involvement over the time you have owned him . In this knowing of your horse… his daily habits, behaviour, energy levels are your guides thus any changes can alert you that your horse is unhappy in one form or another.

Of course any indication that your horse is unhappy due to health related problems call in your vet as soon as possible, if your vet does rule out any health issues then you may have to look at his environment. Surprising this is often missed, we had a horse that was agisted with us after a paddock move his weight dropped, he was sulky and not a happy chap, after ruling out any health issues, we tried another paddock with horses, still no go – on looking at his first paddock and his past lifestyle it all fell into place, this horse had come from a ‘one horse’ farm, his paddock was right next door to the house, [when horses arrive here they get put into the paddock nearest to our house] it appears he was really depressed at not been so near us humans, so by moving back problem solved and a gentle weaning him into a herb environment over a few months broke his dependency on the house watching.

On environment many will argue that allowing the horse to get back to nature is the way to go perhaps when they were allowed to roam over thousands of acres, bred at their own call and so on, but today there is no way we can reproduce the lifestyle they had. Having said that, there are many horses that hate stabling, just like us humans with our dislikes and likes… the trick is reading your horse, be feeling to his emotions, we have a group of horses here that adore their stables and on a wicked day you will find heads over gates almost demanding to be brought in early! Personally we prefer to stable of a night and outdoors no matter what weather during the days…. Of course making sure their paddocks have plenty of legroom to have a fly and enough protection from the elements. For those horses that simply hate the idea of stables leave them out, coats can be kept neat with careful rugging and the difference in performance by these horses is quite incredible when comparing it with pre-stable performance.

Companionship, while you may think you are your horses ‘shining light’ the news flash here is that 99% of horses much prefer the company of their own kind or a substitute animal kind, as we humans can not be with our horse 24 hours all the time. So make sure your horse has got some sort of horse stimulation, of course sharing a paddock can be a nail biting time for owners as some horses are really not safe to be in this situation, you as your horses protector really need to assess your horses personality and the personality of the ones you propose to put your horse out with – any doubt at all then don’t do it, okay accident happen but if you know your horse is a cow with other horses then don’t risk it. Its amazing for the horse that is antisocial how they will mate up with the oddest friends, … sheep, goats are popular and the good old stable cat.

The trick is to watch, listen with a still mind, and be forever feeling to your horses point of view … and so The happy horse comes about