Doing the Best We Can
As horse owners, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the advice out there regarding horse management. Chances are, you hear it from many sources–online articles, horse friends, well-known competitors, and maybe even family. They say things like, you need to do x, y, and z, with your horse. If you don’t, he’s bound to suffer.
I know one thing– the more I’ve learned about horse health, the more pressure I’ve felt to “do things right”. But one can only do so much, right? Sometimes, we just have to step back and realize that we’re very likely doing the best we can. In fact, I often think of this quote by Theodore Roosevelt:
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
It’s so true. We don’t all have perfect facilities for our horses. Most of us have to make do with what we’ve got. For example, when my husband and I bought our 30 acres nearly twenty years ago, it seemed like the perfect place for my horses. But as I learned more about the dangers of grass (which we have more than our fair share of), I began to fret. I worried about pasture-associated laminitis (which hasn’t happened, thankfully, and I now believe other factors are often involved, as you can read here.)
But over the years, I’ve attempted several tactics to reduce my horses’ grass intake–a dry lot, stalls and pens part-time, a track system, and grazing muzzles. None seemed like the perfect solution for my horses (though the last two definitely have value). I even opened the gate between my two pastures (which amount to about 12 acres, total), thinking my horses would move more if they had access to both at the same time. Nope. They just ate more. I’ve since gone back to using one pasture at a time.
Am I perfectly happy with my horses on grass full-time? No. My gelding, Hershey looks great, but my mares could stand to lose some weight. However, I’ve accepted that grass is what I have to deal with here, and since I haven’t had any major issues thus far, I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing. I do believe my horses are quite satisfied with their current situation, so that makes things somewhat easier.
I’m doing what I can, with what I have, where I am.
Would I love to have one of those “California” pastures with desert terrain where the horses all have great feet and don’t eat grass 24/7? Sure! But that’s not happening any time soon. So for now, I’ll deal with what I’ve got.
Of course, I have made some changes over the years that have improved my horses’ welfare (in my opinion). A while back, I stopped separating them into two pastures and allowed them to live all together as a herd. I now rotate my little herd between pastures, using the smaller, shadier pasture for spring and summer, and the larger, sunnier one for fall and winter. It seems to be working out well (so long as I make the transition between pastures slowly). I’ve planted several herbs, to add more variety in their summer pasture. And as you probably know, my horses are all barefoot, and I trim their feet myself now.
Sometimes, it’s easy to look at other people’s situations and think, “I should be doing that.” But you have to ask yourself: is it a realistic goal for you, personally? I’m all for learning more and making improvements when we can, but sometimes, I think we just stress ourselves out trying to do too much.
Sure, there are people who need to make some major improvements in how they keep their horses, but if you’re reading this blog, I’m betting you’re not one of them. So take a deep breath and relax. Like me, I’m sure you’re doing the best you can.
Ta-ta,
Casie
Hi! I'm Casie, a freelance writer specializing in horse health. I'm certified in equine acupressure and have a great interest in equine nutrition and barefoot hoof care. The Naturally Healthy Horse encompasses all of these things, and I would love to have you follow along!
Yes it sure is true that we can only do what we can do in this moment. However it is our responsibility to be aware of their needs and be ready.
I couldn’t think of not running my 3 aged horses together. They have lived together all their lives.
I hate seeing one horse in each one acre paddock. Even when I had stallions they had their mares live with them.
My property is 16ac with 14ac fenced into 3 horse paddocks.
They only spend maximum of 2wks in each paddock before moving to the next. My aged gelding tells me in no uncertain terms when it is time to move on to the next paddock. He stands at the gate and whinnys loudly so I will come open the gate for them.
I hope it helps with worm control. Certainly helps prevent overgrazing of their favourite parts of each paddock. I try to get in to mow the courser grass well before they arrive so it has had time to reshoot fresh growth. Also helps prevent soil compaction to some extent.
They like the change of scenery.
They prefer certain paddocks during particular weather events and he will stand at the gate and whinny loudly until I let them go to their preferred paddock prior to a storm for example. It’s one way I know if a storm will be bad. 😉
Certainly–keep learning and stay informed, but don’t stress over what isn’t feasible!
Thanks for this Casie. I have spent many years trying to learn as much as I could to keep my horses healthy. Lately, however, I have quit chasing after that “what you need to do” article and instead have opted to just keep doing what I have learned to do for them over the past 20 years. They may not be tip-top sound but do appear very happy with their lot in life! I do enjoy your articles though. It could be because I already practice much of what you recommend!
You’re welcome, Lynell. Glad you can relate!
Thank you so much for this, it was very needed. I have spent the last week stressing over what the best is in our current situation. Our 2 rescues are obviously much healthier and happier than they were when they first came to us, our baby turns 1 this week and is doing great, but my niece’s horse who lives with us has had me all stressed. He had some lameness a week ago and due to his history I pulled him completely off grass until the vet can come out but he is very unhappy being separated and on dry lot. It is just hard sometimes to balance what is best for their physical health with their emotional health, it obviously does him no good to fret around the dry lot not eating hay at all and kicking the gate. We have settled on an hour out in the morning and motivating the rest of the herd to stay close to the paddocks until the vet advises us further next week.
As much as I love to learn new methods, treatments and holistic remedies I do tend to stress and overthink it too so this was a good reminder that we are doing our best (especially as I nurse an achy back after trimming all their feet yesterday)
You’re welcome. 🙂 You sound a lot like me!
I do what I can with what I have.we have 3 horses so I’m always trying to care for them the best we can.