Have you ever groomed your horse with your hands -- no brush, no curry -- just your naked hands? What a delight it is, for both the giver and the receiver. I learned this from one of our late horses, Star, a grey gelding.
Star had given me a grooming lesson a few days before one of our other horses, Buck, passed on. Initially I was brushing Star using a soft mitt curry. It was spring and his coat was dropping like snow. During the brushing session, Star strongly communicated that he wanted me to do something differently. He got my attention.
When I tuned in, I realized that it would be nice to use my left hand to follow the curry strokes going across his coat. Listening and following the suggestion, I ended up getting into this fabulous rhythm, moving across his body with one naked and one ‘mitted’ hand. We both truly enjoyed the experience, which in itself was special.
Star had been very skin sensitive due to Cushing’s disease. Over the last few years, I had noted that the disease can make horses skin ache a little when brushed. I imagine it to be like a person with the flu -- ’achy body, don’t touch me’. By the end of this grooming session, I felt that this new technique seemed to work well for him.
After I had finished with Star, I took Buck into the aisle for his clean up. He had Cushing’s disease, as well, and therefore usually had a similar reaction to the brushes. When I applied the newly learned technique, however, he and I had our first-ever enjoyable grooming session. Later I realized it was not only a first, but it was also our last grooming. A few days later, Buck passed away from colic.
I called our animal communicator the day after Buck passed. I told her about the grooming lesson Star had given me the week before and I indicated how silly I felt that I had never tried the hand/brush combination before.
I was told that Star had indicated I should not be upset -- I didn’t know, or didn’t get it before. He knew I was not ready for the lesson in grooming before that day. It is not about knowledge on how to groom; grooming is supposed to be a therapeutic, giving experience.
Ever since, I have predominately used my hands for grooming. I use my hands as a curry, and as a massaging tool. I use them for strokes and for rubs, and as radar to sense heat or bumps that might require attention.
Although Buck and Star have left us, the teaching lives on. Our filly asks for a hands-on grooming session on a daily basis. She usually steps on the pitchfork as I muck the stall -- a clear sign to take a break and provide a therapeutic, giving experience.
Nicole Birkholzer, Founder of Birchwood Farm Equine Inspired Coaching Nicole and her horses facilitate Life Changing Horse Experiences, while coaching clients to find their path and believe in themselves. www.birchwoodfarm.us ~ 508.846.5001
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