Heidi's Top 10 Stewardship Practises. I don't want to tell anyone what to do, or give out free "advice". But, I do want to encourage responsible horsemen to think more deeply. Many people do not think things through, and actually say or influence others with statements that are not accurate. If horsemen took the time to think things through, they may act differently in some situations. Perhaps, these practises which I strive to abide by, may help others develop their own top 10 stewardship practises. So, what does the responsible horsemen do to demonstrate stewardship?
Number 4. Do not be afraid of death - it is a part of horse ownership. The question to ask yourself is how do you treat your equine partner at the end of its life. Do you help them along in a kind and compassionate way or do you pass your equine partner on someone else for deal with? My opinion is that building a partnership with an equine is a amazing feat of communication, art, science, skill and something intangible - something magical that you feel when you sail over a jump, or ride a thousand foot scree slope in the Rocky Mountains, or make first contact with a foal. Just this month, November 2012, Equine Canada released its new strategic plan, directing our national horse organization through the next 6 years. There are seven core values that support the vision, and the top of the list, Equine Welfare is worded in a way that made me proud. The Equine Canada core value is expressed in the belief that by "Accepting our responsibility to our equine partners as a privilege, we affirm safeguarding the welfare of the horse is paramount." Wow, a privilege. So many of us spend our lives developing and putting into practise our equine leadership skills, with the goal of creating an amazing partnership, it indeed is a privilege. And, how appropriate to have our equines referred to as partners.
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| Horses take us all to new heights. |
The end of this equine partners life should equal its beginning. It is the human partner, or leader of the horse that should be there at the end; be there when the vet arrives at your farm, and the truck or bulldozer removes the body. We have controlled our emotions through our entire equestrian careers. Horsemen are capable of dealing with the most difficult part of horse stewardship. Many people choose to have others deal with the euthanizing of their horses at the end, or worse yet, delay action; but this is the one change you can do to ensure your horse has a kind death. Do not abandon your horse when your equine partner needs you the most. I challenge folks to maintain their leadership of their equine partner and help them along the way kindly, on the farm where their horse is most comfortable, make the last moments stress free and be able to make that happen in a timely way. By doing this for our horses, we can discover a new understanding and acceptance of death as something that is part of life. This is where our equine partners can show us; how living for the moment helps us throughout life, helps us over those obstacles, through those fears, and even more so, helps us all at the very end.
Check back next Friday for "
Number 3. Sell and Rehome Responsibly."
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