How is your box rest experience?
Image by Krutz27 from Pixabay
In these sad times where social distancing is of paramount importance. I have listened to many people's experiences. Some individuals are enjoying lowered stress levels arising from the reduced pace of life, in contrast others are highly stressed. Having the time to take a daily walk has been made available to others. Reflected on just how difficult box rest is for horses, this is not a recent revelation for me.
People's responses during lockdown regarding staying indoors apart from one hour's exercise daily has been interesting. The effect on mental health has been particularly apparent during this time, short tempers, depression, and cabin fever. Sadly for a lot of horses this is the norm, and unlike ourselves who can move freely around our homes and find things to occupy our time. The horse lives in one room and once their food runs out; they have little to occupy their time and access to minimal movement.
They stand in their stables for twenty-three hours daily and in a lot of instances the hour out of the stable is spent in a ménage. Lack of interaction and structure in our lives are partly to blame for our stress. The horse a herd animal needs social interaction. Through this experience you can empathise how this affects this highly gregarious, intelligent herd animal who would cover distances of approximately 25 miles daily. Consider what the horse might feel like when they arrive at the ménage, sluggish, stiff, maybe stressed.
You may not have realised this, but now you are getting a real insight into their lives in this current situation. Think of ways you can break their days up so they get more access to movement throughout the day. Add ground work and variety to their ridden work. Hacking is one of the best ways to develop and train a horse.
Movement for three, great idea!
Image by LassoRox1 from Pixabay
You may have noticed a difference in any aches, pains and stiffness you suffer from. Feeling the benefits from your daily walk. Think you bring this stiffness and aches into your riding. Investing the time in your life for more movement will help you, your horse, and create health benefits. You cannot separate the mind and body they work simultaneously and influence each other in so many aspects. This can be observed if one is impaired symptoms will be evident in the other.
I am certain for those of you having the unfamiliar experience of taking a daily walk. You will note how less stressed you become when out walking, and how much calmer you are when returning from your walk. Stress is an innate survival instinct to protect us from threat. Respiratory, cardiovascular and immune systems are affected, it increases inflammatory cortisol production. Muscles tense up and cause the body to be in a guarded state. In the ongoing situation you need to find ways to relax.
Just being around horses is stress relieving. If you are fortunate enough that you have your own land and aren't breaking any of the social distancing rules, enjoy your ride to the full. Those who can't give your horse a hug, they are very therapeutic animals. Get your daily walks in as you need this for your mind and body! I have found this time has brought powerful feelings of reflexion and appreciation. I will have a much greater appreciation for many things in my life I may previously have taken for granted, even my hairdresser!
Image by HUNTER16 from Pixabay