Uncategorized – Insightful Equine

Spa Dog subscription box – It’ll make you want to add another dog to your family!

InsightfulBR — Wed, 24 May 2023 17:22:56 +0000

Head over to the Spa Dog Box website to get your pampered pooch their own Spa Dog Box. And at the time I’m posting this they also have a promo going on for 50% off your first box if you use the code LUXURY!

The post Spa Dog subscription box – It’ll make you want to add another dog to your family! appeared first on Insightful Equine.

My best riding hack for green riders in slippery saddles

InsightfulBR — Tue, 09 May 2023 17:48:40 +0000

My best riding hack for green riders in slippery saddles

Adding a bit of grip to your saddle can make it way easier for beginners to learn to balance form their core instead of relying on the reins and stirrups. By using resistance bands to give the seat grip you can take them on and off as needed for different riders or different exercises/events (hello canter first time canter riders).

You can pick up light super grippy resistance bands here. I’ve found Gaiam brand to have the right combo of grip with give to get he job done without causing any damage to the saddle or being to firm on the channel for the horses spine.

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Struggling to interpret horse sales ads? Learn the lingo and find the right horse right now

InsightfulBR — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 20:39:33 +0000

Struggling To Interpret Horse Sales Ads? Learn The Lingo And Find The Horse Of Your Dreams Now

Ever find yourself reading a horse sales ad and saying WTF, what language is this written in? How are you supposed to know if the horse is even worth looking at if you can’t figure out what skills it has, who it’s suitable for, and what care it requires?

Talking to horse people is really hard when you don’t know all the terms. Important details get missed, you don’t ask the right questions, and you spend another weekend driving around on a wild goose chase looking at horses that are all wrong for you!

It’s time to learn the lingo so you can…

Stop feeling like a clueless outsider
Ditch feeling intimated when talking with horse owner/trainers
Quickly see what info is missing from a horse sales ad
Know what questions to ask to see if a horse is worth looking into further
Speak fluidly with horse people
Find and buy the horse of your dreams!!

I’ve been where you are and I wish that I had more help at the time, which is why I love helping people find and buy their perfect horse. I want to give you a leg up in this tricky part of the process so I’ve created a Horse Sales Ad Translator.

You can download the entire Horse Sales Ad Translator for free right here!

The post Struggling to interpret horse sales ads? Learn the lingo and find the right horse right now appeared first on Insightful Equine.

10 Horse Buying Mistakes To Avoid

InsightfulBR — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 19:50:12 +0000

10 Horse buying mistakes to avoid

1. Getting hung up on color

I think I could write this one down for the top three mistakes it gets made so much. Unless you’re buying a horse to breed for particular color genetics having a certain color will not help you to reach your riding goals or your equine relationship goals. It’s time to start looking at all the ads in black and white

2. Thinking the right gender means the right attitude

Hormone imbalances can cause both mare and geldings to be uncomfortable, unpredictable, and unsafe. Buying a certain gender is by no means a sure-fire way to avoid having to deal with hormonal inconsistencies. Geldings can act like stallions. Mares can be so well balanced they are gender-neutral. And any horse’s hormones can change based on their environment, stress, herd, nutrition, and care practices.

3. Shopping without clear goals in mind

It’s pretty easy to get lost in the world of horse shopping especially if you’re not sure what you’re looking for. Take the time to get a clear vision of what you plan to do with your future horse and the personality traits that are important to you. If you want to fast track this process without worry that you’ve missed adding important details to your wish list I recommend you take my Horse Buying Masterclass.

4. Buying on potential

Just because a horse could do something does not mean that it will successfully do it. One of the biggest reasons that I see horses being sold is because owners bought them based on potential that didn’t pan out. If you have an event or activity that is high on your list of priorities buy a horse that is already proven to be capable and happy doing it.

5. Buying out of desperation

Settling for an unsuitable horse because your sick of looking never pans out! You’ll end up either selling the mismatched horse and starting the process over or worse yet you’ll end up keeping it forever and struggle with both of you being disappointed and unhappy with your relationship. More horse goes up for sale every day, hang in there, keep searching, the right one will come along.

6. Skipping the vet check or having an inadequate vet check done

Getting a pre-purchase exam can save you from getting a horse that is unable to do the things that you’re hoping to do or getting one that you are unable to maintain. Finding your dream horse and then finding out there is something majorly wrong and having to start the search all over is very frustrating but it’s still better than buying a horse with issues that go diagnosed at the time of purchase.

7. Not listening to your gut

When it comes to buying the right horse one’s instincts are usually spot on. If you find the perfect horse but you’re just not feelin’ it don’t be afraid to walk away. For the horse that doesn’t quite meet all the criteria but your gut says they’re the one I like to use the three-day rule: if you’re still thinking about the horse and its still available three days after you meet it then it’s worth going back for a second look.

8. Being afraid to offer less than the asking price

For a lot of sellers, the most important thing is knowing their horse is going to an exceptional home. Offering less doesn’t have to be awkward or insulting and you won’t know unless you ask.

9. Passing up horses that are too far away

Everyone has to have limits as to how far they are willing to travel for a horse but you also want to be realistic about it. Rather than ruling out horses that are further away than you planned to go you’d be better off asking lots of additional questions and getting good videos to determine if they are worth the extra time to go see. If the perfect horse is an hour further than you wanted to go, does that hour really make a difference in the big scheme of things?

10. Buying at first sight - Impulse buying never really works out

Meet the horse, test ride it, get clear on how you feel about how things went. Then if you like the horse go back again for a prepurchase exam with a vet. It’s also good to ask about any trial periods or buy back options although not all sellers are comfortable with those as they can have a lot of grey areas in the case that the horse gets injured or devalued in some way after the sale.

I know how overwhelming the shopping process can be and how important it is to find just the right match. I hope these tips will help you along your horse buying journey. If you’d like further guidance or to fast track your buying process click here to enroll in the Horse Buying Masterclass!

Insightfully,

Becky

The post 10 Horse Buying Mistakes To Avoid appeared first on Insightful Equine.

Welcoming Our Insightful New Addition

InsightfulBR — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 04:23:47 +0000

Baby Everett Has Arrived

Our Insightful New Addition

I’m beyond excited to announce that my new little rider has arrived and its a boy!

We're over the moon

Everett was born on August 5th at 3am weighing 7 pounds and measuring 21 inches long. The timing of his birth fell right at the end of the Sturgeon Full Moon. According to The Old Farmers Almanac “Babies born a day after the full Moon enjoy success and endurance.”

He already fits right in with the rest of the Insightful crew around here. Several months ago I knew I was going to go into labor on the 4th (I even put money on it in my baby pool). Then at the end of July my Aunt Sarah checked in with me on Facebook to see how things were looking for the baby arriving July 29th (the day she was banking on), he wasn’t ready yet but let me know he’d be coming in the early hours on morning of the 5th.

One woman's stock tank is another woman's birthing tub.

In a previous post I shared my plan of having a water birth at home. I’m happy to say everything went very smoothly. My midwife brought over a stock tank to double as a birthing tub and I was prepped well ahead of time for my little guy to be born in the waters of a horse tank just as every future rider should be

Then there were three

Recovery has gone really well over the last three weeks and Everett is acclimating more every day. He hasn’t been to see the horses yet and I’m not quite back to riding but will be soon enough. For now I’m taking things slow and our happy little family is enjoying our time together.

Insightfully,

Becky

The post Welcoming Our Insightful New Addition appeared first on Insightful Equine.

The Five Elements & Your Horse Part 5 – Earth

InsightfulBR — Sat, 22 Aug 2020 22:32:15 +0000

The five elements and your horse - Part 5 Earth

Guest post series by Sam MacLean of Red Dog Ranch

This is the final post in a five-part blog series* on the Five Elements of Chinese Medicine featuring Sam MacLean, owner of Red Dog Ranch, an equine acupressure/myofascial release/energy practitioner who specializes in special/unusual cases, horses that perplex western veterinary care and end-of-life palliative care.

Please visit: www.rdrequine.com for more information.
You can also find Red Dog Ranch on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Sam can be reached: sam@rdrequine.com

If you’d like a refresher on the Five Elements and the essence of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), I’d encourage you to re-read the previous four blog posts:

Part 1 on the Metal Element (Autumn): http://www.insightfulequine.com/the-five-elements-your-horse-part-1-metal/

Part 2 on the Water Element (Winter): https://www.insightfulequine.com/the-five-elements-and-your-horse-part-2-water/

Part 3 on the Wood Element (Spring): https://www.insightfulequine.com/the-five-elements-and-your-horse-part-3-the-wood-element/

Part 4 on the Fire Element (Summer): https://www.insightfulequine.com/the-five-elements-your-horse-part-4-fire/

*Please note that this post nor any post that you find here at Insightful Equine are intended to provide or replace veterinary advice. If your horse needs medical attention please seek a veterinarian.

Part 5 - The Earth Element

Hopefully by now you are beginning to tune into the various elements and sense the changes as we move from one season to the next. Late summer, the element of Earth, is no different. You probably have noticed the change in the sunlight, especially late in the day as the sun descends toward the horizon. There are even some trees with leaves that are beginning to fade. The evenings are a little cooler and in the mornings we are seeing some fog accumulating in low areas on our property. These are signs that we have moved way past the peak external, yang, of summer and are now beginning our gradual descent toward the more internal, yin, nature of the latter part of the year.

In Chinese Medicine the Earth Element is an important component of the Five Element theory as it represents the center axis of life. And yet, late summer is not truly a season like winter, spring, summer and fall. If we view the Five Elements as phases and not as fixed phenomena, we can experience the dynamic movements that take place as one element transforms into the next. Looking through the lens of transformation, we experience the Earth Element throughout the year in a few different phases: 1) during the late summer or harvest time, as we are now; 2) during a short time period at the end of each of the other elements as they transform into the next element; and, 3) during a couple days before and after each of the equinoxes/solstices. The ideal visual for looking at the Five Elements (Transformations) this way can be seen above, with the Earth Element in the center and the other elements pivoting around its stable center.

I personally love viewing the Five Elements this way. Everything in nature happens at a steady pace that evolves over time. We are not in spring one day and then in summer the next. Rather, nature gradually transforms from one season to the next, each element reaches its peak and then gradually transforms again into the next. I have also noticed in my five decades of life that there are regular times throughout the year where returning to center, getting grounded, nourishing myself and accepting where I am in life allows me to open up to and make room for the next phase. This is the element of Earth, the transition phase of life.

SEASON: LATE SUMMER

The season of Late Summer includes harvest time, approximately mid-August through the first frost. It is a season of transition, transforming from the most yang (active and external) time of year, summer, to the more yin (quiet and internal) time of year beginning with autumn. During Late Summer, as the energy begins its decline, the plants and fruits complete their ripening and are ready for harvest. A productive summer generates a bountiful harvest, which allows for plenty of crops to be stored away so that food and forage will offer plenty of nourishment through the fall and winter. A healthy Earth Element in Late Summer creates a sense of abundance. This season of transition is also the time of year when kids return to school; when we are all typically transitioning from a more relaxed summer pace, or “vacation mode”, to more of an intense “work mode”.

EARTH AS MOTHER

Gail Reichstein, in her book Wood Becomes Water, begins the chapter on the Earth Element with this sentence: “Earth is the mother of life.” The archetype of mother earth runs deep in human history and for good reason. Earth is our home, our nourishment, our sustenance, our comfort and our patient provider. Earth is the stable center. When we were babies, our own mothers could be described in the same way. In fact the perfect image of the Earth Element is a nursing baby, with the mother providing love and nourishment, everything the infant needs to live and thrive.

In times of chaos and transformation, what do we do? We go home to family. We eat “comfort foods”. We snuggle under blankets. We seek security. Essentially, we mother ourselves. We also know to nurture others in need. When others are hurting we reach out with care and compassion. The emotion of the Earth Element is sympathy. And when we are balanced in our Earth Element, sympathy is expressed spontaneously, like comforting a sick child or friend in need without thought of “what’s in it for me?” And yet, when our Earth Element is out of balance it can manifest in distinct ways. The sympathy may take on an exaggeration to the point of worry and obsessive thoughts/rumination. There may also be a complete lack of sympathy and compassion; or “over-mothering” where the recipient feels smothered; or embodying the “martyr”, who mothers everyone with no boundaries or consideration for his/her own needs and then is full of resentment later.

ORGAN SYSTEMS

The Earth Element expresses itself in the physical body through the organ systems of the Spleen (including the pancreas) and the Stomach. As you may recall from the previous blog posts, in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) these associated organ systems represent a holistic network that includes the organs, along with channels for delivering Qi, broader functions, attributes and energetics. It is a very different way of seeing the functions of organs than the way western allopathic medicine identifies, understands and works with a more narrow, mechanical view of organs. In Chinese Medicine the Spleen and Stomach, as a team, provide nourishment and fuel to our body and all the various systems of the body.

When the Earth Element organs (Spleen and Stomach) are healthy and in harmony in an animal/human body, the muscles are supple and have the energy needed to support the body, limbs and movement; the organs remain in their proper positions; food is digested well; there is a healthy balance of blood sugar; and there is enough energy to sustain every day life without worry of lack or scarcity. On a mental and emotional level, when the Earth Element is in harmony the horse or human is able to share from of a sense of abundance with others and equally receive love, empathy and sympathy from others. They feel grounded, stable and centered; and they know how to nourish themselves. However, when these systems are out of balance physically the horse or human may be significantly overweight, struggle with diabetes or insulin resistance or metabolic issues, experience digestive issues, prolapsed organs, edema, and poor muscling, to mention a few examples. On a mental/emotional level, the Earth imbalance may show up as extreme worry, OCD and rumination, the inability to feel sympathy or being overly caring, sluggishness, extreme stubbornness, or even hoarding (the feeling of never having enough).

A helpful analogy for the balance needed to maintain a healthy digestive system, keeping the Earth Element in harmony is to think of a beautiful pile of compost in the garden. A rich, fertile compost pile is one where everything has been “digested”, it has that amazing earthy scent and there is an even feeling of dampness, where the compost could stick together if squeezed into a ball. A good compost pile needs a particular balance of heat, moisture and dry material for everything to decompose. In an unhealthy compost pile it may stink, you may see material that has not been fully “cooked” and there may be some mold, meaning there is stagnation and too much dampness in the pile, which has prevented enough heat to fully “cook” everything. In the other extreme, a compost pile with not enough moisture will be dry and crumbly, with little scent and the materials may not have decomposed well due to lack of heat. The balance needed in the compost pile is similar to the balance needed in our own digestive system. Too much cold, fat and sugar may cause stagnation, and too much dampness, may cause gas, bloating, edema or phlegm. Think about this when your pony is grazing all day on a super rich pasture or when you dive into a big bowl of your favorite ice-cream. It is all about finding the healthy and nourishing, and balanced center for each of us as individuals.

Supporting More Harmony

As guardian of your horse(s) what can you do to support more harmony during the Earth phase? Consider some of these suggestions:

The flavor attributed to the Earth Element is sweet**. But this does not mean sugar is good/healthy for you or your horse. The flavor of sweet refers to sweet whole foods like: apples, bananas, barley, carrots, kale, melons, pears, pumpkin, squash, sunflower seeds, sweet potato, and whole grains like oats and barley. The sweet flavor is nourishing to the Spleen and Stomach systems. Be mindful of feeding your horse fruits like apples and pears: do so in moderation (occasional treats) as they are very dense and may contribute to excess conditions of Earth, especially in horses that have Earth imbalances. Please note that if your horse is IR (insulin resistant) or has PPID or bouts of laminitis or weight issues, please consult your veterinarian about appropriate sweet flavored whole foods.
Digestion begins with the mouth and for horses this means having healthy and balanced mouth and teeth are very important. Please ensure your horse receives regular care by a qualified equine dentist.
Sharing acupressure with your horses is a great way to help them regain their natural harmony and vitality while also deepening your connection. Please check out the brief acupressure videos on my YouTube page***. The newest video is a perfect point for the Earth Element: https://youtu.be/KB0Sw0AhKxs

Finally, late summer is the ideal time to evaluate how you are nurturing and nourishing both yourself and your horses so that you all will be ready when the weather turns cold. Here are a few ideas to help you make the most of this season. Ask yourself the following questions:

How do I nourish myself? My horse(s)? Other loved ones?
How am I eating? Am I rushed? Eating in front of the TV? Or am I relaxed and eating mindfully, thoroughly chewy each bite of food before swallowing?
What am I mentally digesting? Am I watching the news for hours on end that makes me worry about the future? Am I watching horror movies that create anxiety? Am I scrolling through social media right before bed? Or am I mentally digesting interesting books and documentaries that keep me learning and expanding myself or perhaps selecting calming music before bed?
Are there things that I ruminate or obsess about that distract me from other things/people/animals that I hold dear?
Where am I feeling most stable and centered in my life? How can I build on that so that I can feel grounded in other areas of my life?
What areas of my life are bearing fruit? In the areas of life where I feel most abundant, is there opportunity for me to give back to someone in need/support?
Thinking ahead to autumn, are there areas of life that I need to adjust? Are their habits or practices that no longer nurture me and/or my horse? What can I begin preparing for now so that I can “let it go” this fall?

My wish is that you feel grounded, stable and abundant during this beautiful time of year. Being able to experience your center and the strength and stability of your mind-body-emotions will go a long way to preparing you and your horses for the cold, dark and more inward seasons of fall and winter. It has been an absolute pleasure to connect with you over the last year as we explored the nature of each of the Five Elements. I hope experiencing them in a new way has enabled you and your horse to move from phase to phase with balance, joy and vitality knowing that you both are growing and transforming along the way. I encourage you to re-visit these posts as needed to help you be more mindful during each season with the goal of creating more physical-mental-emotional harmony in your life and the lives of your horses.

Please follow me on Facebook and Instagram (@rdrequine) for lots of posts and information on Chinese Medicine and helping your horses live a life full of joy, harmony and vitality. Another way to stay in touch and continue your learning is to sign-up for my quarterly toolkit. Four times a year you will receive helpful tools to keep your horses healthy and in harmony with the world around them. Sign up here: https://www.rdrequine.com/promo-landing-page

If you have any questions or would like more information on Chinese Medicine or the Earth Element, please send me an email. If I can help your horse(s) during this harvest time of year please reach out.

Be in harmony,

Sam

*Please note that this post (nor any post that you find here at Insightful Equine) does not provide or replace veterinary medical advice. If your horse needs medical attention please seek a licensed veterinarian.

**Please consult your veterinarian prior to making changes to your horse’s diet and/or incorporating integrative care into your horse’s health care.

***Always consult your veterinarian prior to initiating an integrative care for your horse. Always follow proper veterinary medical care and recommendations.

Resources:

Nourishing Destiny, Lonny S. Jarrett, Spirit Path Press, Stockbridge, MA, 2009.

Between Heaven and Earth, Harriet Beinfield and Efrem Korngold, Ballantine Books, NY, 1991.

Wood Becomes Water, Gail Reichstein. Kodansha USA, Inc., 1998.

Elemental Acupressure https://www.elementalacupressure.com

Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute https://www.animalacupressure.com

The Institute of Classical Five-Element Acupuncture http://www.5elements.com/

The post The Five Elements & Your Horse Part 5 – Earth appeared first on Insightful Equine.

The Five Elements & Your Horse Part 4 – Fire

InsightfulBR — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 20:05:16 +0000

The five elements and your horse - Part 4 Fire

Guest post series by Sam MacLean of Red Dog Ranch

This month continues part four of a five-part blog series* on the Five Elements of Chinese Medicine featuring Sam MacLean, owner of Red Dog Ranch, an equine acupressure/myofascial release/energy practitioner who specializes in special/unusual cases, horses that perplex western veterinary care and end-of-life palliative care.

Please visit: www.rdrequine.com for more information.
You can also find Red Dog Ranch on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Sam can be reached: sam@rdrequine.com

If you’d like a refresher on the Five Elements and the essence of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), I’d encourage you to re-read the first three blog posts:

Part 1 on the Metal Element (Autumn): http://www.insightfulequine.com/the-five-elements-your-horse-part-1-metal/

Part 2 on the Water Element (Winter): https://www.insightfulequine.com/the-five-elements-and-your-horse-part-2-water/

Part 3 on the Wood Element(Spring): https://www.insightfulequine.com/the-five-elements-and-your-horse-part-3-the-wood-element/

Part 4 - The Fire Element

It is finally summer! Did it seem like it took forever to get here or is that just me? We certainly experienced an unusual spring with COVID-19 as most of us endured extended “stay-at-home” orders. Even though the world seemed (and still seems) out of synch and chaotic, if you paid attention to nature, she continued on as usual. The rains came, the trees leafed out, the flowers bloomed, the grass turned green and the birds migrated. The natural cycles continued and, I might add, beautifully so. During the lock-down the natural world became my focus; it grounded me and centered me every single day. Even now as the energy of spring (Wood) has expanded into the full potential of summer (Fire) being present in and observant of the natural world sustains my hope and optimism in the midst of our ongoing human chaos. The flowers have exploded in vibrancy, the grasses have reached their peak, the tree canopy is dense and lush and everything feels warm to the touch. Summer, the Fire Element, is here.

ORGAN SYSTEMS

The Fire Element expresses in the physical body through the organ systems of the Heart, Small Intestine, Pericardium and Triple Heater (sometimes referred to as the Triple Warmer or San Jiao). For this blog post we will be focusing on the Heart system, which is considered the Ruler of the entire body in Chinese Medicine. It is said that the Heart delegates to all the other systems and at the same time relies on the other systems to maintain all aspects of life, which is why in the Fire Element there are three additional organ systems to protect the heart. The Heart system rules the body’s blood flow and pulse. It also houses the “shen” or spirit of the animal or person, which can be seen as the sparkle in the eyes. When the Heart system is in harmony there is a sense of joi de vivre (joy of life) to the being, the person or horse sleeps well, expresses compassion toward others, and has deep connections with others/herd mates. When the Heart is out of balance the symptoms may include: anxiety, depression, volatility, mania, shoulder issues, nervous system disorders, excessive sweating, a swollen tongue and cardiovascular issues.

MATURITY

As we progress through the seasons, the dreams we held in winter and envisioned, planned for in spring, now need to flourish. Summer represents coming into our fullness, reaching for the peak expansion of our true self, in Chinese Medicine it is the life phase of maturity. “Only in the fullness of maturity do we have the inner abundance and self-sufficiency to truly share with others.” ¹ We build our inner Fire by fully being and expressing ourselves and then sharing from our inner abundance. This is mirrored in the natural world, too. The plants must come into their fullest expression in order to then be able to grow the fruit to be harvested in the fall.

WUWEI

The experience that perfectly illuminates the energy of the Fire Element is the traditional summer campfire. Picture a memory you may have of sitting around the campfire or firepit on a warm summer evening. Sitting in a circle you are connecting with friends or family through stories, laughter, perhaps some singing. You share good food and drink and the feeling of openhearted warmth gives way to not having a care in the world. There is no effort, no pushing, no resisting…just going with the flow, which ultimately expresses as joy. This is the Chinese concept of wuwei: effortless effort; when we align ourselves with the natural flow (inner/outer) of the world, life just flows.

This is also the state many people are constantly searching for with their horse(s). The state of ease, when there is an ebb and flow with our horse, whether in-hand or in the saddle, can be felt, sensed and witnessed. We know it when it happens. Unfortunately, in our desperate seeking for it we may become controlling of the horse, which will create anxiety and resistance in our horse. The key to wuwei is openhearted surrender, being present with our horse and releasing the outcome. Enjoying the moment. Have you noticed how often I have mentioned joy…it is the emotion of the Fire Element and wuwei is the experience of the heart in harmony.

COHERENCE

Life feels very stressful lately, even more than typical. This stress causes us to feel worry, anxiety and frustration and these emotions impair the way we live and interact with people and our horses. These emotions are also examples of the Fire Element being out of balance. However, when we focus on and express love, appreciation and gratitude we can live and connect with others at an optimal level, when the Fire Element is in harmony. Coherence is when our heart, mind and emotions are in alignment and working together in harmony. According to Heartmath, “When we are generating a coherent heart rhythm, the activity in the two branches of the Autonomic Nervous System is synchronized and the body’s systems operate with increased efficiency and harmony.”

The Heartmath Institute, (heartmath.org) is a nonprofit organization that has developed reliable, scientifically validated tools since 1991 to help people bring their physical, mental and emotional systems into balanced alignment with their heart’s intuitive guidance. Through their research they have discovered that one of the most effective ways to reduce stress is to access the vast intelligence of the heart by working with the rhythm of the heart-beats, or Heart Rate Variability (HRV). A low HRV is reflective of health issues. But by increasing our HRV we enter into coherence, which leads to psychological resilience, the ability to handle stress and change, and improvements in mental performance.

Heartmath sponsored research by Ellen Kaye Gehrke, Ph.D found that horses naturally tend to be in a state of coherence most of the time where people tend to be in a state of incoherence most of the time. They also found that human emotions do impact horses and that horses will mirror our emotional states. So the next time you go out to visit your horse, consider taking some time to enter a coherent state. I’ve included a guided exercise below to help you do just that.

Supporting More Harmony

As guardian of your horse(s) what can you do to support more harmony during the Fire phase of summer?

The flavor attributed to the Fire phase is bitter, so incorporating this taste into the diet** is good for the organ systems of the Fire Element. Examples of bitter foods that are appropriate for horses during summer include: celery, mint, zucchini, and lettuce.
Ensure that your horse has access to clean and fresh water is critical in the summer.
Ensure that your horse has access to shade or shelter during the peak hours of sunlight/heat.
Since joy is the emotion of Fire, seek out ways for your horse to have fun and feel joy. This will also deepen your connection.
Sharing acupressure*** with your horse is a great way to help him/her maintain harmony and strengthen your bond. Check out this point combo for the Fire Element: https://youtu.be/6hs77oZVhoQ

Finally, summer is a great time to fully express yourself and share your abundance with others. Connecting with your Heart will not only support you and your health, it will also benefit you horse. Here are a few ideas to implement this summer:

Practice this “Quick Coherence” method from the HeartMath Institute to reduce stress, improve your physiological state, and help you create resonance with your horse(s): https://youtu.be/AQxIbEYcRlg
Play! What makes you feel joy? What makes you laugh? What makes you feel connected to friends and family? Do more of that!
What are you passionate about? Do more of that! If you are unsure or have never thought about it, just follow your joy and it will likely lead you in the right direction to fully express your true self.

If you have questions or would like more information on Chinese Medicine or the Fire Element, please send me an email. If I can help your horse(s) this summer (or any time of year) please reach out.

The final element in our series will arrive later this summer with the element of Earth. So, until then…

Be in harmony,

Sam

**Please consult your veterinarian prior to making changes to your horse’s diet and/or incorporating integrative care into your horse’s health care.

***Always consult your veterinarian prior to initiating an integrative care for your horse. Always follow proper veterinary medical care and recommendations.

Resources:

Five Element Archetypal Qigong and Jungian Psychotherapy: A Synthesis, Gold, Peter Meyer. Pacifica Graduate Institute, ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 2016.

Between Heaven and Earth, Harriet Beinfield and Efrem Korngold, Ballantine Books, NY, 1991.

Wood Becomes Water, Gail Reichstein. Kodansha USA, Inc., 1998.

Elemental Acupressure https://www.elementalacupressure.com

Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute https://www.animalacupressure.com

1 Neil Gumenick, The Institute of Classical Five-Element Acupuncture

The post The Five Elements & Your Horse Part 4 – Fire appeared first on Insightful Equine.

The past 34 weeks have been a beautiful journey…

InsightfulBR — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 19:06:53 +0000

A new little rider is coming to Insightful Equine!

Many of you have probably noticed that I’ve been slacking a bit on bringing you new content. Well, there’s a good reason… I’ve been over here in my little corner of the world quietly growing a human! Yup you read that right, the new little rider is set to arrive at the end of July and we couldn’t be more excited!

After sharing the news with my barn family I’ve had lots of questions come up about being a pregnant horse person and how things will change in the future. I love that people aren’t afraid to ask and I’m happy to share some of them with all of you.

Inquiring minds want to know - pregnancy edition

Will the blog stay going after the baby arrives?

100% yes. Things here have been a bit slow during the past few months as I’ve been preparing for the exciting changes ahead. I can assure you even though things have gotten a bit quiet there are no plans to shut down and I’ve got a ton of new content lined up for you.

Are you riding while pregnant?

Yes, my midwife has given me the green light to keep riding for as long as I feel comfortable. Of course, now I choose what horses to ride with a lot more caution than I would if I weren’t pregnant. But so far at 34 weeks, things are going great and I’m still feeling good in the saddle.

Will you keep teaching and working with horses after the baby arrives?

I know for many women having a baby becomes a make it or break it moment in their horse career. They either go all in moving horses up the list of priorities or they let go of the horses all together as their time and resources become limited. I’m on the go-all-in program. I want to set an example for my child that dreams don’t have to be set aside when life gets busy and show them “where there is a woman there’s a way”.

Are you going to share more of your journey on the blog?

That depends on you guys. Let me know if you would like more posts on riding while pregnant, adjustments I’ve had to make along the way, having a water birth in a stock tank, how things unfold with time off after the baby is born or getting back into shape post prego. I’m happy to share anything you want to know about but I also don’t want to bore you with a bunch of baby blah blah if its not something you’re up for reading. Shoot me a message or let me know in the comments section if there is anything you want to hear more about.

When will the little one arrive and is it a boy or girl?

My due date is some where between July 24th and August 4th. I’ve chosen not to find out the gender so it will be a surprise for all of us (except for Ken he knows cause he just couldn’t wait that long).

Can the horses tell you're pregnant?

Some seem to be more in tune with the bump that others. Rudy has been especially quiet and attentive around me. Her and I are so close it was no shock that she was the first horse that noticed any difference in me. Others have checked out the bump with more curiosity. Overall it’s been really fun seeing their responses and feeling the little one wiggle around when the horses are checking in.

Thanks for being here for me and sharing my excitement on this new journey. I can’t wait for the little one to meet all of you, Rudy and the herd.

Insightfully,

Becky

The post The past 34 weeks have been a beautiful journey… appeared first on Insightful Equine.

8 Ways To Improve Your Horsemanship From Home

InsightfulBR — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 02:57:43 +0000

Keep your edge while staying safe at home

Let's take on this challenge and make progress together, separately.

I know most of you are spending way more time at home right now because of the COVID-19 pandemic and for many that also means limiting your horse time or limiting trips to the barn. It’s easy to go into panic mode thinking that being away from your horse for a bit is sure to set back your goals and derail your riding but I want to challenge everyone to think outside the box. You’re not as helpless as you think. The riding season will return. There is still a great deal that you Can Do right now to progress and prepare for your next ride, whenever that may be.

Let’s take on this challenge and make progress together, separately.

Better Horsemanship From Home

1. Make self-care and restoring harmony a priority

Most of us have heard the line “my horse is my therapist”. Let’s take this opportunity to elevate them of that role. Rather than letting all your stress start piling up while you’re away from the barn why not learn new ways of de-stressing and rebalancing. Just think how happy the horses will be to see you coming out with positive grounded energy.

2. Stay fit and flexible

Stay fit and flexible. Staying at home doesn’t mean we have to camp on the couch all day. YouTube has some great free yoga for equestrians videos to try out, my balance board post also covers at home exercises and there a ton of exercise ball workouts out there that improve flexibility through the hips, core, and lower back so there perfect for improving your riding from home.

3. Take your soul riding with horse themed Guided visualization

Tapping into meditation can help to ease anxiety and give you a chance to connect with your horse even though you’re not physically together. If you need a little guidance, here is an equine guided visualization that I put together for you to follow along with.

4. Dedicate one meal a day to your horse

Okay, so this one might sound a bit weird but hang in there with me. I understand eating sustainable, animal-friendly, healthy whole foods can be tough especially with limited access to the grocery store but with a little bit of planning, you can create some pretty amazing dishes that can sharpen your mind and fuel your body while being kinder to the earth and the animals on it. Keep it simple, create one thoughtful meal each day that includes a beautiful array of colorful fruits and veggies. When you sit down to eat let yourself be filled with gratitude for your horse and the amazing planet we live on. If you need further meal ideas I would check out Forks Over Knives, Oh She Glows, or The Happy Pear for beautiful tasty recipes.

5. Reading horse-related books

I’ve never heard anyone say “I wish I knew less about horses”. Even if you’re not an avid reader sitting down to read just a few pages a day can quickly expand your understanding of horses and take your horsemanship to another level. If you’re looking for any recommendations check out my reading list right here.

6. Study riding videos/ videos of winning runs in your event of choice

Studies have shown athletes that utilize video and visualization out-perform their competitors even though they spend less time training. An easy way to find great videos is to search your discipline +championship, world show, nationals, or finals on YouTube and see what pops up.

7. Journaling

For many riders journaling is hard to commit to. It’s hard to switch gears between all the physical activity and sitting down to mindfully write about your equine aspirations. But in the instance of being stuck at home thinking about riding 24/7 journaling, your thoughts can keep you from going stir crazy and can help keep the horse longing in check. Get it out of your head and onto the paper. Not sure what to write about? These ideas might help… If I could take my horse anywhere we would go… If I could teach my horse anything I would teach them to… My larger than life horse goal is to… By the end of the year, my horse and I will be able to…

8. Send a homemade horse treat care package out to the barn for your equine pal

So this one might not directly make you a better rider but it will help your horse feel a little extra love while you’re away. Here is a list of 50 horse-friendly foods if you need ideas to get started with the ingredients you have on hand.

Insightfully,

Becky

The post 8 Ways To Improve Your Horsemanship From Home appeared first on Insightful Equine.

The Five Elements and Your Horse – Part 3 The Wood Element

InsightfulBR — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 00:16:05 +0000

The five elements and your horse - Part 3 Wood

Guest post series by Sam MacLean of Red Dog Ranch

This month continues part three of a five-part blog series* on the Five Elements of Chinese Medicine featuring Sam MacLean, owner of Red Dog Ranch, an equine acupressure/myofascial release/energy practitioner who specializes in special/unusual cases, horses that perplex western veterinary care and end-of-life palliative care.

Please visit: www.rdrequine.com for more information.
You can also find Red Dog Ranch on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Sam can be reached: sam@rdrequine.com

If you’d like a refresher on the Five Elements and the essence of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), I’d encourage you to re-read the first two blog posts: Part 1 on the Metal Element (Autumn): http://www.insightfulequine.com/the-five-elements-your-horse-part-1-metal/

and Part 2 on the Water Element (Winter): https://www.insightfulequine.com/the-five-elements-and-your-horse-part-2-water/

Part 3 - The Wood Element

Can you feel it? The sun is setting later, the snow is melting, and the temperature is warming (in fits and spurts)…it is beginning to feel more like spring. Yet, at my barn the surest sign that spring is just around the corner is that my Thoroughbred Romeo is shedding!

I remember last year at this time how exhausted I felt. The thought of spring and all that comes with it here in Wisconsin (endless rain, more mud than you can imagine and a constant overcast sky) depleted me even more. It took time—well into summer—for my body, mind and emotions to recover a state of balance. Yet, this year I feel so much different—more nourished and energized. I credit the change to spending more time this winter hibernating, eating nourishing foods and drinks that kept me warm, and being careful not to over-do work or chores or play. I have also noticed that my horses seem more calm and, in particular, my Wood horse, Romeo, is much less agitated and nippy. Perhaps because I was more mindful of his individual needs over the winter and spent more time helping him maintain a sense of balance.

By following nature’s way and being mindful, my horses and I are in a better place entering into spring, the Wood phase of the year. Hopefully you, too, were able to implement some of the winter (Water Element) recommendations from the last blog; I’d love to hear if you noticed a difference within yourself or your horses as you move into spring.

TRANSITION

We are currently transitioning from winter (Water Element), the most yin time of the year when it is dark, still, heavy and cold, to summer (Fire Element), which is the most yang time of the year when it is sunny, active, light and warm. Spring (Wood Element) is sandwiched in between those two extremes. There is a saying in Chinese Medicine that during spring you keep one foot in winter and one foot in summer. This rings especially true here in the Midwest where we regularly experience snowstorms in April. All the more reason that it is important to use this time to gradually shift toward the more active, yang time of year.

RE-BIRTH AND RENEWAL

The Wood Element is powerful! And, its energy is all about growth and change. Think of a seed that has been covered by a blanket of snow during winter and seemingly overnight it shoots delicate tendrils through the dark frozen earth to be birthed into the sun and air. Imagine the force and energy required to make that happen!

Each year we move through a similar process of re-birth and renewal. We planted seeds about our visions for the new year deep within ourselves during the dark winter months, and they will soon germinate and break through to be exposed to the light of the sun. Our job during this phase is to maintain a healthy Wood Element by keeping true to our desires, organizing ourselves so that we make good decisions and maintaining a smooth flow of Qi (Chi) so that come fall we will reap the harvest of our goals.

However, the stillness and heaviness of winter (heavy foods, thick clothing, long dark days) may build up pressure and pent-up energy that manifests as frustration and irritability by this time. This can be a sign of Wood imbalance. While anger is the natural emotion of the Wood phase it is important to understand the difference between the healthy and an imbalanced expression of anger. Anger can be healthy and helpful when we need to speak up for ourselves or respond to a threatening situation. On the other hand, anger that is imbalanced may present as unhealthy competition, critical judgment, controlling behaviors or even emotional outbursts and rage. For some of us, anger is an emotion to avoid or deny and this also reflects an imbalance.

While we may have the urge to dump the winter sluggishness and dive into spring with both feet hitting the pavement (or the arena sand), it is important to be deliberate in how we move our energy during the Wood phase. Much like the trunk and branches of a tree reaching up and extending out toward the sun it also helps us to replicate this energy. And like the healthy tree that can bend and sway in the wind, the Wood phase asks us to maintain mental, emotional and physical flexibility. Being rigid and stiff in our physical body or mentally or emotionally is another sign of imbalance. Maintaining our internal sense of direction for the year will help us plan the steps needed to achieve our goals while being flexible enough to bend and move around obstacles that life will inevitably present.

ORGAN SYSTEMS

The Wood Element expresses itself in the physical body through the organ systems of Liver and Gallbladder. Of note: because horses eat all the time there is no need to store bile like humans and thus horses do not have a Gallbladder. Regardless of this fact, the energetics of the equine Gallbladder system are equally important in Chinese Medicine. As you may recall from the previous blogs on the Metal and Water Elements, the associated organ systems of each element represent holistic networks that include the organs, channels for delivering Qi, their functions and attributes; very different from the way western allopathic medicine identifies, understands and works with specific organs. For instance, in TCM the Liver (capitalized as it refers to the holistic system) is considered the strategic planner of the body, or some use the metaphor of an army general or architect; and the Gallbladder is the decision maker or construction manager. Whereas the architect develops the vision for the new building she needs a decisive construction manager to make a myriad of important decisions and on the spot judgments to ensure the architect’s vision becomes manifested according to the plans. The Liver and Gallbladder systems do not like extremes and it is the Wood Element’s job to ensure smooth flowing Qi (Chi) throughout the body. The Wood system is an important part of the body’s immune function. So when people and their horses get sick or have allergies during spring it is an indication that Liver/Gallbladder systems may be out of balance. Other physical symptoms of Wood imbalance include: eye issues, headaches, tendon/ligament/connective tissue issues, hoof issues and stiff/choppy movements.

SUPPORTING MORE HARMONY IN YOUR HORSE

As guardian of your horse(s) what can you do to support more harmony during the Wood phase of spring?

- The flavor attributed to the Wood phase is sour so incorporating sour into the diet** is good for Liver/Gallbladder. Examples of sour would be Apple Cider Vinegar, blackberries, grapefruit, lemon, lime.
- Dandelion and Milk Thistle are great herbs for the Wood system during springtime. It’s easy around here to find dandelions for horses…they are very abundant in spring. For more information on herbs please check out https://harmanyequine.com/top-ten-herbs-starting/
- Get your horse outside and moving. If you and your horse have not been very active over the winter please start slowly and gradually.
- Introduce your horse to something new. Some fun ideas: try some R+ (positive reinforcement) or clicker training, explore being at liberty, introduce some Cavaletti exercises, practice in-hand work, or get playful and make up fun games together, etc.
- If your horse regularly develops allergies or stiffness/tendon issues*** during the spring, you may want to consider proactively scheduling several sessions with a body-worker, acupuncturist, acupressure practitioner and/or chiropractor.
- Sharing acupressure with your horse is a great way to help him/her feel good and deepen your connection. Please check out the brief acupressure videos I have on my YouTube page. The newest video is a perfect point for spring https://youtu.be/TkwdHKquKq4

Supporting more harmony within yourself

Finally, spring is a great time to renew yourself! Hopefully during the darkness of winter you spent some time envisioning what you desire in the coming year. Supporting your Wood element will help you manifest and reach your goals. Here are a few ideas to help you smoothly transition through spring:

Focus intentionally on what needs to be renewed or refreshed in your life, your home, in your relationships, your job, and with your horse(s).
Release the winter heaviness through spring-cleaning. Our homes (and barns) always feel lighter after a good deep cleaning.
Get organized! Being organized always helps us make better decisions and prevents frustration. Pick one area to start…maybe it is that hall closet that is the family dump zone. Or, start smaller and simply organize one drawer at a time in your kitchen.
Lighten up on your diet. Add in more greens and definitely drink more water (but avoid the ice).
Get moving! Move with your horse and make it fun. Get outside and take a walk…explore together. Or if you feel like trying something new this Qigong practice for springtime is the perfect place to start: https://youtu.be/TdSTlr1k4Aw

Benevolence, kindness, forgiveness and patience are all Wood element virtues. Any of these would be useful mantras to help return to harmony when feelings of frustration, impatience, and/or anger overtake us. I use the virtue of patience as a mantra to help me stay in harmony with my horse Romeo when he gets a bit nippy or pushy. In fact just the other day as I was trying to video us for my YouTube channel he was pushy and frustrated; he did not want any part of it. I calmly stepped away, took a couple deep breaths and reflected on being more patient. I then realized that I was being very rigid about capturing this video. I wanted it done then and so my energy was solely focused on completing it and not about being present with him. I returned to Romeo, thanked him for the reminder and left the barn. Over and over again Romeo reminds me about the lessons of Wood: that being present, patient, kind and extending forgiveness to others are some of the most important lessons in life. And yes, the video eventually got filmed.

I wish for you a spring that allows you to move and play with your horse; that opens you up to expansive energy; that helps you reach up and out toward your vision for the year; that encourages you to be flexible so that you can easily move around the obstacles of life. Above all, I wish for you a spring that encourages you extend kindness to others, your horse(s) and, most importantly, yourself.

If you have questions or would like more information on Chinese Medicine or the Wood Element, please send me an email. If I can help your horse(s) this spring (or any time of year) please reach out.

The next part in our series will arrive this summer with the Element of Fire. So, until then…

Be in harmony,

Sam

**Please consult your veterinarian prior to making changes to your horse’s diet and/or incorporating integrative care into your horse’s health care.

***Always consult your veterinarian prior to initiating an integrative care for your horse. Always follow proper veterinary medical care and recommendations.

Resources:

Five Element Archetypal Qigong and Jungian Psychotherapy: A Synthesis, Gold, Peter Meyer. Pacifica Graduate Institute, ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 2016.

Between Heaven and Earth, Harriet Beinfield and Efrem Korngold, Ballantine Books, NY, 1991.

Wood Becomes Water, Gail Reichstein. Kodansha USA, Inc., 1998.

Elemental Acupressure https://www.elementalacupressure.com

Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute https://www.animalacupressure.com

The post The Five Elements and Your Horse – Part 3 The Wood Element appeared first on Insightful Equine.