Shoes, Saddles and Bridles

Since it is the 2nd to the last day of the month and I've been wracking my brain for something to write (the old writer's block *vbg*) I asked my hubby tonight to give me just three words having to do with horses. This is my "jumpstart". Well, the first three words that came to his head were Shoes, Saddles and Bridles. So now, I've been thinking of what to write about Shoes, Saddles and Bridles. Immediately what came to *my* mind was ... three things that can cause "bad" behavior! Of course, remembering that to the horse it isn't "bad" behavior ... it's communication! Clear and concise. Well, at least to the horse it's clear and concise. To us mere humans, horse communications can be muddy, dirty, harmful behaviors. Bucking, rearing, shying, bolting, balking, biting, striking - all of these behaviors are nothing more than the Equine language. Granted, it's pretty severe and loud language. Virtually, all of these are to be compared to our "swearing". Loud, demonstrative, expressive, emotional ... what we deem "bad" behavior from a horse is the horse "swearing". Ok, now you ask what any of this has to do with Shoes, Saddles or Bridles? Ah ha! Here we go ... hang in with me while I try to clear the communications here.

First the shoes. Well, gee whiz. Think of having to wear a pair of shoes that are too short, too narrow, with heels that are too high. I tend to think that anyone forced to wear such a thing 24/7 is going to be just a wee bit grumpy, to say the least. After awhile, especially when we're forced to hurry and run through our day, we'll be more than just a wee bit grumpy. Adjectives such as snappy, impatient, restless, painful ... AH! There's THAT word ... p-a-i-n-f-u-l!! Yes, painful. Now, imagine the pain and then try to imagine what a horse must feel like when forced to endure the same too short, too narrow, heels too high, shoes. Not just on two feet, either, but on four feet! The horse tries to tell us with quiet communication such as being a bit sluggish in the walk, perhaps some difficult transitions to the trot and then the canter is just way out of control. I can only imagine, myself, that the horse,having to endure this kind of pain, is doing us a favor by not bucking us off his back at the first chance! Communication? Sluggish, rough transitions, difficult canters? Think.

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