I recently received an email from someone very angry about painting horses as she viewed it disrespectful and some form of mistreatment. I thought an explanation was do and wanted to pass it on…
I can tell you are an animal lover with much compassion about the care and treatment of animals. I thank you for your interest in our programs and our curriculum. I can ensure you that our equine team receive the upmost care with equine dentist, specialized diets, massage therapist/ chiropractors, Pulse PFEM... I could go on and on as they are our colleagues and we work closely together to enhance the lives of others, so their wellbeing is pretty essential to what we do.
First, I think it is important that you understand that equine assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) are nontraditional. Most clients have either stopped utilizing clinical care or the institutional therapies have hit a plateau and the results are waning. Yet, other participants utilize our programs to supplement care they are currently receiving. Some of our greatest improvements have been accomplished through fine motor activities such as the one pictured. While there are numerous reasons that we might paint one of God's most majestic creatures, one in particular is to overcome any fear that is associated with such a large animal. Many of our participants have some form of PTSD and we find that in painting, we forget that we are working with an animal Other individuals have tactile or sensory disorders which a medium such as paint and sponges helps us to overcome thus, opening the door for countless instructions in horsemanship, such as grooming as you have mentioned. The horse becomes the teacher in such activities allowing participants to relax and build a bond with the equine therapist. Residents at the nursing home did take part in grooming with brushes which is in fact a gross motor activity, braiding, adding blingy barrettes like the flashy show tack adorned in western events, or wrapping hair in a pipecleaners to include fine motor skills. Speech, memory recall, and various other cognitive skills were integrated throughout the visit stimulated grossly through the inclusion of such activities.
Second, most everything in life has varying interpretations and equine care is no different. The pony pictured, Pebbles, actually belongs to my daughter. She is a hunter jumper. She grows the most beautiful mane each year and I absolutely despise having it pulled; however, the English discipline sees that as a more polished and finished look. I would never intentionally disrespect an animal that could ditch my daughter at any given jump. I truly could go on and on about varying equestrian views. Work horses and docked tails.... etc... What it comes down to is our team of specialists and what we do. Not all horses can jump fences, rope cattle, plow fields, or be therapists, (although all horses offer some form of therapy.) We have returned horses home that were not the best fit for our specialized instruction, yet there continues to be a list of equine friends waiting to join our team. Our team, is uniquely selected; desiring attention, affection, and for some a greater purpose. I feel that they wear their paint proudly sensing the joy in which they are immersed in at the time of painting. While they cannot verbalize their thoughts, body language speaks volumes! I have yet to see a horse shake, skin quiver, side pass, or pawing at the sight of paint. As I mentioned, their care is of upmost important and we would not sacrifice the wellbeing of the horse at any point. I have noticed these behaviors and other submissive characteristics when a horse has been depressed, upset, or experienced something they did not like. This might create a dangerous situation for all participants and is rectified immediately. Most of our team members love having a purpose and look forward to our nontraditional tactics of therapy. Their ears will turn forward and some might give a nicker. It's truly an awesome experience that you are welcome to partake in.
I can tell you are an animal lover with much compassion about the care and treatment of animals. I thank you for your interest in our programs and our curriculum. I can ensure you that our equine team receive the upmost care with equine dentist, specialized diets, massage therapist/ chiropractors, Pulse PFEM... I could go on and on as they are our colleagues and we work closely together to enhance the lives of others, so their wellbeing is pretty essential to what we do.
First, I think it is important that you understand that equine assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) are nontraditional. Most clients have either stopped utilizing clinical care or the institutional therapies have hit a plateau and the results are waning. Yet, other participants utilize our programs to supplement care they are currently receiving. Some of our greatest improvements have been accomplished through fine motor activities such as the one pictured. While there are numerous reasons that we might paint one of God's most majestic creatures, one in particular is to overcome any fear that is associated with such a large animal. Many of our participants have some form of PTSD and we find that in painting, we forget that we are working with an animal Other individuals have tactile or sensory disorders which a medium such as paint and sponges helps us to overcome thus, opening the door for countless instructions in horsemanship, such as grooming as you have mentioned. The horse becomes the teacher in such activities allowing participants to relax and build a bond with the equine therapist. Residents at the nursing home did take part in grooming with brushes which is in fact a gross motor activity, braiding, adding blingy barrettes like the flashy show tack adorned in western events, or wrapping hair in a pipecleaners to include fine motor skills. Speech, memory recall, and various other cognitive skills were integrated throughout the visit stimulated grossly through the inclusion of such activities.
Second, most everything in life has varying interpretations and equine care is no different. The pony pictured, Pebbles, actually belongs to my daughter. She is a hunter jumper. She grows the most beautiful mane each year and I absolutely despise having it pulled; however, the English discipline sees that as a more polished and finished look. I would never intentionally disrespect an animal that could ditch my daughter at any given jump. I truly could go on and on about varying equestrian views. Work horses and docked tails.... etc... What it comes down to is our team of specialists and what we do. Not all horses can jump fences, rope cattle, plow fields, or be therapists, (although all horses offer some form of therapy.) We have returned horses home that were not the best fit for our specialized instruction, yet there continues to be a list of equine friends waiting to join our team. Our team, is uniquely selected; desiring attention, affection, and for some a greater purpose. I feel that they wear their paint proudly sensing the joy in which they are immersed in at the time of painting. While they cannot verbalize their thoughts, body language speaks volumes! I have yet to see a horse shake, skin quiver, side pass, or pawing at the sight of paint. As I mentioned, their care is of upmost important and we would not sacrifice the wellbeing of the horse at any point. I have noticed these behaviors and other submissive characteristics when a horse has been depressed, upset, or experienced something they did not like. This might create a dangerous situation for all participants and is rectified immediately. Most of our team members love having a purpose and look forward to our nontraditional tactics of therapy. Their ears will turn forward and some might give a nicker. It's truly an awesome experience that you are welcome to partake in.
While not handmade like the Native Americans used, our tempera paint is not harmful to either participant. We may utilize our paint to teach horse breeds as this one participant did, recalling her long-term memories of an appaloosa horse she once had. We might also teach symbols such as the ones used on horses before battles. Paint has been utilized for years and years for numerous reasons.... While I respect your opinion, I truly hope that your anger might transform into an appreciation for what these horses are capable of and what that means in the lives of ALL our participants. These members of our barn family have chosen to stay with us and experience love, laughter, and all the color that comes with it. It might look strange to some; but we all do strange things for the ones we love. I hope that when you see a painted pony in the pasture, you realize all the meaning that it symbolizes.
Blessings,
Blessings,