Talking with Horses Helps

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." -- Gandhi

Animal Talk and Body Talk: Slim and Corey

"Thanks Val! This letter has been long overdue. Your work with Slim has been fantastic. I have always enjoyed such a great relationship with my wonderful mule, Slim. Then, after a cross-country move from Utah to Texas – I could tell she just wasn’t happy. After hearing about your work – I decided to give it a try. Your help with Slim is amazing and now she is so much happier – back to her normal self. As an extra bonus – you’ve helped me address and work with her ongoing lameness issues. I had accepted that I would forever be battling those.

"I enjoy our “maintenance” conversations where I just get to visit with her and hear her stories and thoughts. I look forward to these talks like I would a dinner party or special holiday. I’ve always felt so lucky to have Slim in my life - thank you for helping me find my happy mule again.

"After your great work with Slim – I figured, it would be a lot more practical to have your help in finding a show horse for hunters. Since I am learning jumping – I knew I needed a good-minded horse. I don’t know if you remember but we “visited” with several horses before finding Cory. She was a surprise and has been a treasured gift since she has come to share my life.

"She wasn’t known to be a sweet horse but I just felt such a connection with her, and your conversations with her before I bought her made it a lot easier to give her a try. It hasn’t been that long and she just keeps surprising everyone with her willingness to put up with my amateur mistakes and her depth of character as far as trying her best and giving 100 %.

"People who see her now assume she was misunderstood, or that she likes us better, but in my heart I know this turnaround is due to you. I wish I would have written more down when I first got her to compare notes – as its hard to remember Cory not being such a sweetie. She is such a snuggler now and just loves attention. When you and I first started talking with Cory – I would have a list of things that I wanted her to know were expected. So a lot of times these weren’t so much conversations as much as contract agreements. What a difference a year makes – I laugh to think about it. She still doesn’t entertain us with stories and insights like Slim – but she is wonderful in her own way.

Thank you so much for everything you have done for us."

I first met Slim and Cory a few years ago. At the time, Slim had just been moved to the San Antonio area, and was very unhappy. She had a mysterious lameness that no one could figure out or help. Through my working with her, her lameness issues improved dramatically and she went on to compete and play again.

When my client started searching for a hunting show horse, we did many 'pre-purchase' conversations with various prospects. Many of them looked good at first, but after talking directly with the horses, asking about their background, training, likes, dislikes and interests, getting a better feel for their personalities, and asking them about their bodies -- pain, discomforts, health issues -- we learned a great deal. We also discussed who my Client was and what she was looking for, asking them about their wishes and needs. Ultimately, we determined how willing they were to take care of my Client, teach her, and help her -- or not!

In every case, we determined fairly easily who was a good prospect for my Client, and who wasn't, which saved my Client a great deal of trouble, time and money.

When my Client found Cory, she was warned off of this horse. The young mare had proven difficult to manage and work with, wasn't showing well, had extremes of temperament from sad and depressed to angry and even violent. When we talked with Cory, she told us how difficult her life had been, how much she disliked her people and trainer, what she'd been made to do, and how she hurt and hated where she was. And she confirmed that she liked my Client and felt good with her.

We went on to explain my Client's situation and what she was looking for, and what she was offering in exchange. We negotiated a 'contract' of behavior, explaining the house rules and what Cory needed to do to take care of my Client. She agreed.

So my Client bought her. When she went to get her, Cory loaded onto the trailer easily and eagerly, never looking back. From the beginning, she's given 100% of her heart to my Client, has demonstrated her willingness to take care of her even in extreme circumstances, and is by all accounts a very happy horse.

Last summer, she was seriously injured by another horse. It looked like she would never be sound enough to jump again, but after many sessions of BodyTalk healing therapy and bodywork, we are thrilled to say that she is now back in training.

If you and your animal friend could use some help, or if you want to learn more about The BodyTalk healing system for both humans and animals, please visit my website, or contact me directly to make an appointment.