“There’s only one thing we’re still dealing with,” Remmy's owner mentioned. “He paws terribly when standing in cross-ties.” Immediately, I had a vision of Remmy in the barn aisle, held by cross ties – two ropes attached to the walls, clipped to his halter. I responded, “No wonder he’s upset when stuck in cross-ties for two hours.” At the same time, Remmy’s owner added, “I knew he had been left in cross-ties for hours with the last trainer.” We shared a moment of realization and concern. I spoke, “This horse was made to stand in cross-ties for two hours…” “Yes, after his rides,” she confirmed ..read more

 I was doing something mundane, like the dishes, when I felt a proverbial tap on my left shoulder. With it, a horse I knew, Topaz, came into my mind.  "What about the rib?" he asked me. Topaz and his person had been on the phone with me a week prior. Topaz was worried about going into the wash stall. When I tuned in to him, he told me, "Slippery, slippery!" Due to an old injury, he was concerned about slipping. During that call, Topaz also pointed out that a rib on his left side was out of alignment. His person, a veterinarian and chiropractor, said she would check and fix it.  ..read more

The dog wanted to show me his favorite place: I saw a lake, nature, and pine trees. The dog expressed how much he loved the scent of pine needles.  The dog's person was not impressed. He said, “I don’t know what the dog was talking about.” Next, the man asked me what his dog's favorite spot in the house was. I saw the dog in the bedroom, covered by something that made the space dark and cozy.  Maybe he likes to be under the bed, I wondered. The human said, "Nope."  It turned out the dog was happiest under a blanket on the bed.  That was close enough for me.  But, more ..read more

Are you breathing with our therapy horses? Breathing? You might think right now. We don't have time for that. The parents will complain if the student is not on horseback within the first five minutes.  I get it.  Twenty-five years ago, I ran a traditional program: We quickly got the rider on the horse to maximize the time on horseback. I changed the program when I realized that horses were often little more than vehicles for getting the job done.  We integrated more bonding time and more opportunities for the riders to get to know the horse by seeing the world through the horse ..read more

It's important to understand that animals, just like humans, may not necessarily like each other. We don't always get along with every person we meet, even if we share the same workplace, school, or family. This is also true for horses, who are often brought together in small spaces without much choice. Each horse has its own history, experiences, and needs that must be met in a domestic setting. Sometimes, these needs are complex and cannot be easily met. The same can be said for our pets. In this episode, we will explore how to ensure everyone gets along. Show notes available here:  htt ..read more

As pet owners, we face various challenges and questions about our furry friends. Some of these questions may include when to take our dogs to the vet for diarrhea, what causes watery poop in horses, and how to deal with the bellies of anxious or sensitive animals. We all have seen the headlines on social media:  :: Diarrhea can be particularly dangerous for puppies, elderly dogs, and immunocompromised animals.  :: Diarrhea can result in the loss of electrolytes and dehydration.  With so many questions and uncertainties, it can be overwhelming to know what to do and when to do it ..read more

Do you deeply care about your animal and their well-being? Do you constantly check the weather, scour for life-saving supplements, research the perfect blanket, or only plan vacations when the right house sitter is available? I understand where you're coming from. Been there, done it. However, there is another side to this story. We must accept that we are not always in control of other beings' journeys, which can help us find peace and understanding. In this episode, we'll delve into this topic further and explore how to learn to let go and trust the natural course of things. Show notes avail ..read more

How do you facilitate a workplace conflict when the clients are equines? Two herd members, Dutch and Tango, were unhappy about the donkey's presence in their program. They considered him a distraction from their real work. However, Pedro, the donkey, felt he could serve as a greeter, easing people into the program. When I suggested assigning Pedro as a purposeful herd member to greet people and create a bridge into deeper work, neither horse was excited about that option. Listen in to see how to resolve workplace conflict. Show notes available here: https://www.mindful-connections.com/post/94 ..read more

I wondered why I was so tight. I could feel every muscle in my body pulling in one direction or another. When I walked, my Achilles felt tight; when I sat, my hip flexors felt tight; when I turned my head, my neck felt tight. Was this what it meant to get old? Then I felt Scout's wet nose touching my hand. Scout, our dog, had been lying on the other end of the sofa but had now crept along to engage me in some petting. I reached up to his neck and started to massage it. He licked my arm in response. Then I got sidetracked watching the show, and moments later, Scout nudged me, reminding me that ..read more

  See the visual I used as the icon for this podcast episode? Take a look at it. You see a woman taking a walk with her animals. While they are all on the same path, seeing the same things, the woman is distracted by her thoughts instead of being in the moment, experiencing nature and the company of the animals. The woman is physically there but not present.  It is an excellent reminder that you might be standing, sitting, or walking next to your animal in physical proximity; a leash or lead rope might physically connect you, yet you might not be present and in the moment at all. &nb ..read more