Do You Treat Your Horse Like an Athletic Partner?

Blog by: Kory Kumar

Have you ever really stopped to consider the level of physical demand we place upon our equine partners? I recently had the pleasure of treating my horse to his first Magna-Wave Therapy session. While watching how his body reacted to the magnetic pulses, my friend, and Magna- Wave Therapist, Kenna Slater, and I began to discuss the importance of providing your equine athletic partner with routine and on-going care, so that they can continue to perform at a high level.

After she left, I kept thinking about all the implications that surround thinking of your horse as your ultimate athletic partner. I quickly began to realize that the “provisions of routine and on- going care,” is much farther reaching than I had ever really considered. The level of equine competition is not a relevant factor in this. The fact is that no matter what type of activities or events you do with your horse, the every day demands we place on our equine partners denotes a high level of athleticism.

So, why am I thinking about this? Well, you see, I personally have a profound love for my gelding, Neil. He is my heart horse, and I think of him as my partner. He’s not the tool that allows me to participate in my chosen hobby, or just something I use for this phase of my life activities. I absolutely want what is best for him, and I’m very cognizant of his physical and mental wellbeing. He is my partner, and together we will work to achieve my goals. My goals mean nothing without his partnership. They are nothing that I could possibly achieve on my own, without his support or being.

My horse is owed my respect, if for no other reason than because I ask him to work hard each time I ride. We push each other to frustration points and to success. My journeys through the rungs of the competitive equine industry are enhanced because he is my partner. While I expect many horses could perhaps fulfill my goals, they are personally more meaningful because of Neil. Despite my less than competitive nature, overall, I continue to travel to shows, and exhibit Neil, and the classes that we have a mutual enjoyment of, require him to put forth a great deal of athletic ability.

Please don’t misunderstand my point. I have had many horses in life, and they have gained in ability and qualit” for my chosen equestrian competition level over time. I have sold several horses over the years for various reasons, but I did not have a clear feeling or understanding of my horse being my athletic partner until fairly recently. I think I have thought of him as such for a long time, but it wasn’t until I started to have a conversation about it, that I truly began to think critically of the full implications of him as my critical athletic partner.

For me, it isn’t about finding the farrier who can do the cheapest job, or the vet with the lowest fees. I want the person who does the BEST job for my horse. I want him to have a good foundation from the bottom up. That means: his feet are balanced; he’s provided with excellent food and clean water; he’s able to go outside and be a horse; his health is good and being monitored by a vet I trust, that he has a trainer who has both of our best interests at heart; and that he gets routine treatments similar other athletes. This one simple fact is critical for people to understand- Neil is my athletic partner.

Think about this, Russell Wilson (my favorite, quarterback, I mean, I am a Washingtonian, so of course, a SeaHawks fan), would NEVER be expected to play a game on Sunday and then just go home and go to bed. He would never play without practice, warm up, stand by medical care, and things like physical therapy, massage therapy, cold therapy, heat therapy, ect. This man is considered a top athlete. So, if we consider our horses to be top athletes, why would we not provide them with similar types of supports so that their muscles can maintain flexibility and strength? Why are they not made a higher priority, so that they can maintain cellular rejuvenation, and metabolic health?

I have been blessed with some amazing friendships in my life. My friendship with Robin Gorman of Solid Ideas has taught me and allowed me to grow in my understanding of healthy horse biological functioning. She has spent most of her life in the pursuit of developing supplements that enhance her own equine partner’s health and vitality. I have learned so much from her and come to realize how much I didn’t know, that I thought I did know!

I have been riding and showing horses since I was a very young girl. I have considered myself to be knowledgeable of general horse health for a great many years; but, my friends, I must admit that I have learned a great deal over the past five years, and it appears I have a great deal more to learn.

I humbly ask of you to grow in your own knowledge. I ask that you see your horses as the athletic partners they truly are and that you seek ways to provide them with some forms of support that all other athletes are afforded. Our horses do not have a voice of their own; however, they show us things in many different ways. Please listen to your partners and support them as they need it. These animals are hardworking, talented, and athletic partners to our greater dreams.

~Respectfully Yours, Kory Kumar

Kory