Hold Tight To Your Dream

I had actually posted this photo to the Spartan Equine Facebook page earlier but felt the need to re-post it with a story since it ties in so well with a conversation I had this afternoon while working on a new client's beautiful & giant Hanoverian gelding.

The session started out well, the client was referred to me by another client and explained why she wanted this gelding worked on and where she felt he was having issues. I began introducing myself and my touch slowly, he seemed very receptive and willing to allow deeper work. Then it happened. I was doing some myofascial release on the shoulder and the gelding was really enjoying it, so much so he lost his balance for a split second and shifted causing his muscle belly to slip out of my grasp and "snap" sharply. Now if you've ever had a deep tissue massage yourself you've probably experienced this sensation. It's not painful but it's also not the most comfortable moment and your massage therapist will quickly fix it by doing some nice soften strokes to relax the muscle again. Horses are not humans though and this sort of sudden discomfort usually leads them to shying away from me momentarily.....unless of course you're dealing with 17.2 Hands of sensitive chestnut gelding! This boy threw his head up in the air and took several large steps away from me. I gave him a second and approached with a flat hand to gently soften the offending area but he was having none of that, again he thew his head up and took several large steps backward. I paused and assessed his facial expression to be one of wariness but not fear so again I stepped towards him but this time reached for his withers where I had previously been working to the point that his lips were wiggling in pure joy. A few gentle heel presses along the shoulder blade moving down to the point of the shoulder and he relaxed again and allowed me to finish working on the muscle without issue. Moving along I got to chatting with his owner and she asked what it is that I do for work other than this, I explained I work as a tech at a small animal practice but I'd love to work for an equine vet in the area it's just very hard to get into equine practices in this region. That's when she said "you shouldn't give up trying to get in with one, you're clearly meant to work with horses. I didn't want to say anything before because I didn't want to interfere with your process but this boy is very particular and if he doesn't like you or feels offended by something you've done then he makes it known...and that's a lot of horse to throw a temper tantrum! You handled his dramatics very well and you have such a calming presence while working." That right there is so encouraging and kind of another horse person whom I have literally just met to say! So thank you to all my clients, friends and family who believe in what I do and continually support me & encourage me, it means the world to me that you all appreciate my passion and love for these gorgeous and talented animals that brings us all together ❤💆🐎

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