Be Trauma Informed
Nov 01, 2024
I recently had a lovely conversation with a member who has taken on two horses with past trauma.
Supporting horses that have experienced trauma in the first few months of rehoming isn’t about training; it's about understanding.
It takes time 
for horses to adjust to new environments and feel safe. When I'm working with horses with trauma, I focus on creating an environment that decreases stress and increases dopamine and serotonin in the brain. Without these chemicals in balance, your horses' ability to learn, remember and relax will be low.
for horses to adjust to new environments and feel safe. When I'm working with horses with trauma, I focus on creating an environment that decreases stress and increases dopamine and serotonin in the brain. Without these chemicals in balance, your horses' ability to learn, remember and relax will be low.It's not about training at this stage, it's about meeting ethological needs so that they're able to access the thinking parts of the brain, rather than constantly operating in their fight/flight etc mode. 
⚘️
⚘️Evaluate how well their physical, social and cognitive needs are being met then create an environment that fills any gaps.
Friends, Forage, Freedom are your bare minimum, they'll need more to address the trauma. Look at providing horse-led enrichment that allows them to fulfil exploration, play, and problem-solving needs at their own level, in their own time. 
This will help them become calmer, smarter, braver and make the 'training' part a whole lot easier. Beware of how they're feeling, read their communication signals and respond appropriately so they feel listened to and in control (in a safe way). If necessary work in protective contact, barriers help them and you feel safer and more relaxed. 
Enabling agency in their lives is a powerful healer of trauma. Choice, control and challenge are magical ingredients.
Do you have a horse that has/could have experienced trauma? What techniques have you used to support them? 
Would you like to find out more about creating a horse-led force-free approach? If so, the Horse Play At Home online learning hub could be what you're looking for.
Book your free call today to learn more about the Horse Play At Home Learning Hub and check if it's right for you.
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