Hello everyone!
Today we are going to discuss a very interesting and current topic in our equestrian lives: the Paddock Paradise, and natural movement for our horse's physical and mental health.
Let's start by explaining in more detail what a Paddock Paradise is:
An innovative natural boarding system for our horse-and-rider pairs, created by the global proponent of the "Barefoot" movement, Jaime Jackson, which is based on feral horse populations and their behaviors in the wild. This system is a revolution as it mimics the natural life of the horse, allowing them to maintain a much healthier state, which is why it is widely used in the rehabilitation of various problems. Meeting their intuitive needs is the key to forming a healthy horse in all aspects, which will later allow us to reach a higher level in the sport.
It stimulates natural movement and facilitates the horse's muscling. More movement means more wear and less hoof care. It protects horses from pastures that cause laminitis, reduces the need for pre-exercise warm-up, decreases the probability of musculoskeletal injuries, helps correct neurotic behaviors, allows for maintaining an optimal diet and weight for the horse, and adapts to breeding and foaling periods; but the most important benefit is allowing the horse to make its own decisions; something that will imminently improve its security in any uncertain circumstance for them. Wandering and exploring the environment, interacting with their companions, will increase the animal's curiosity and foraging activity, also making them learn group coexistence rules from which we ourselves will benefit, improving their handling and relationship with the animal; such as respect and non-invasion of your space.
A problem that leads to an even greater focus on this type of stabling is some advances or installations that simulate natural movement for the horse in a totally artificial environment for them, such as the horse walker. The horse's sensory perceptions when entering a horse walker are not at all similar to a state of freedom and relationship with others. Horses are positioned individually and independently where they also have to follow a pace set by the motor of this installation without giving the horse the option to stop, slow down, scratch, or simply look at something they have felt and are curious about. Furthermore, these installations require a much greater investment than a Paddock Paradise or interactive paddock, and the benefits for the horse are immensely smaller.
Sometimes we seek contradictory solutions for the results we want to achieve. Sometimes the horse just needs to be a little more horse.
In movement and interaction lies the horse's health. Mental and physical health that will undoubtedly provide better sporting results as the horse will feel fulfilled and have a much more positive attitude towards work.
Never stop experimenting.
Greetings,
We are in contact both by mail and through social media,
Empire Sapphire Team.
