Horses for sale from years : 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
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BACH FLOWER ESSENCES
FOR ANIMALS
In the early 1930's, noted British physician and scientist, Dr Edward Bach, observed that many of his patients would display emotional and psychological difficulties- such as apprehension, worry, loneliness, boredom, depression, uncertainty, hopelessness, and fear prior to the onset of physical illness. He noted that these difficulties inhibited the body's natural healing ability to prevent and/or overcome disease. Bach left his practice to dedicate his life to study the relationship between a person's state of mind and the progression of disease. He believes that a safe, gentle treatment could be found in nature.
After many years of research and testing, Bach discovered a preparation of 38 flowering plants and trees that when administered could alleviate a broad range of emotional and psychological obstacles. These Flower Remedies act as a catalyst so that a person's/animal's own system can achieve balance after being in a state of imbalance due to the stress of any period of strong emotion. Once an emotional balance is achieved- physical dysfunction and maladaptive behaviors can be altered as well.
Bach Remedies do not work directly on the physical level. They do not effect a physiological response in the same way medications, herbs, and homeopathy do. They will not interfere with medications. The Remedies re-balance energy in the mental, spiritual and emotional bodies. The Bach Flower Remedies will in no way hamper your horse's performance. They do not act as a sedative but rather address the imbalance and provide soothing, calming support. This will allow you and your horse to perform to your full potential unhampered by nerves, excitability, and/or fear.
The Remedies can be administered in several ways. Placing the Remedy on the animal's feed, in their drinking water, dropping or misting them directly into the animal's mouth (best application). Normally, the Remedy is given 4-8 times a day. In acute situations, the Remedy can be administered every few seconds to every 5 minutes until the animal is restored to a calm state. Remedies are non-toxic and you can not overdose.
Our animal companions experience a variety of emotions- including traumatic events, and just as with humans, can get caught up in a "psychological loop" of negative emotional reactions and maladaptive behavioral patterns. For example: competition or change in herd status brought about by the purchase of a new horse. A change such as this can cause the horse to feel rejection, become depressed, withdrawn- or to become dominant and bullying toward the new addition or toward the owner. The change in relationship equilibrium is upset, perhaps causing a further reduction in attention paid to the original horse- resulting in a worsening in behavior patterns.
Everything our animal companions do through their actions and vocalizations are forms of communications. While it is not fair to completely anthropomorphosize (attribute human characteristics) their behavior, it is important to realize that they can suffer from grief, abandonment, separation anxiety and over-possessiveness, to name a few. The more attuned an animal is to it’s owner, the more likely it is to pick up on, and be subject to, the owner’s emotions and stresses. The closeness of the relationship between pet and owner can be either beneficial or harmful, depending upon the influences involved. It is important to realize that some behavior problems are not really problems with behavior, but may be signs of physical illness. An animal is entitled to a thorough veterinary examination before they are characterized as having a stress or behavior-related disorder.
If the flight-or-fight reflex of the horse is out-of-balance, the horse will be constantly fearful and reactive. He will habitually tense his muscles and use poor movement patterns. This tension and biomechanically inefficient movement limits the horse's athletic ability and leaves him vulnerable to injury. It also limits the effect of massage, acupressure and other body therapies and frustrates training efforts. This is why horses who are easily frightened or prone to aggressive behavior rarely reach even reasonable levels of performance in recreational or competitive events. They also injure themselves and their handlers frequently.
It is important
to assess who actually needs treatment..Is it really the horse? Or does the
owner require support too? An example:
If you have a horse that spooks on the trail at certain "obstacles" (rocks,
water, brush) it is possible that the rider will anticipate the "spook" and
become nervous and fearful before saddling up. In the saddle, the rider will
tense up- the horse will feel the rider take up a stronger contact, gripping
with the legs, and hold his/her breath (all typical nervous reactions of
riders). The rider has inadvertently suggested with bodily reactions that there
is danger ahead...The horse- being a herd animal - translates this rider
behavior as a signal of danger and looks for the predator. Due to the "Fight or
Flight" response innate in equines, the horse is even more "spooky" and inclined
to "flee". It soon becomes a situation that has escalated and horse and rider
are both nervous - each of them losing confidence. By treating both horse and
rider for fearful anticipation- the relationship can be restored and trail
riding day will become more enjoyable for both.
Both Horses and their riders can benefit tremendously from the use of the Bach Flower Remedies. An unhappy ride will affect their horse and vice versa. It is often beneficial to treat horse and rider together to achieve a harmonious enjoyable safe relationship.
How does one know what emotions your animal is experiencing? By answering the detailed questionnaire, we can assist you in diagnosis and remedy prescription. It is important to assess and identify the emotion behind the "problem" to be treated. For example: a horse labeled as "aggressive" might be either "dominant" or could be "defensive". Each of these will require a different approach.
Examples where the Bach Flower Remedy treatment can be helpful
Staff Bio's--
Deborah Weatherby
Betsy Lirakis
Top O' The Hill Farm |