Pack Metrowest LLC

Ozzie photo bombing Henri 😂🐕

Black lab bums

Rainy day walk 🐕 ☂️

Snowy days ❄️

Snow days ❄️

Almost feels like spring 🌼🌺

You can’t expect predictability from a dysregulated nervous system.

Horses who are chronically stressed are often living in fight or flight mode.

Just like with people who experience chronic anxiety, when the nervous system is perpetually agitated and on high alert, horses are a lot more jumpy.

They will spook more easily.

They will have bigger reactions.

As someone who has grown up experiencing trauma and had lifelong anxiety, I relate to this.

I used to jump at the smallest little things when I was at my most dysregulated.

I had no say over the matter, I was surprised more easily because my body was constantly on the look out for danger, never relaxed.

Horses are very similar in this way.

Chronic stress that results from trauma, unmet needs, pain will result in a perpetually nervous horse.

You can’t expect horses to be predictable and relaxed when they’re chronically anxious.

No amount of punishment, frustration or getting mad at them will change it either.

You (hopefully) wouldn’t yell at a friend who is having a panic attack to try to get them to stop.

So, why is it so accepted to “yell” at horses who are doing essentially the same thing?

Anger, frustration and punishment do not cure anxiety.

They add to it.

What alleviates anxiety and quiets the nervous system is SAFETY.

You can’t be the safe place and a primary source of stress at the same time.

You can’t provide sanctuary while also being the punisher.

So, when your horse is struggling, rather than responding with frustration and punishment, ask yourself:

What can I do to help them feel safer right now?

What factors in their life could be compiling to add to their anxiety?

How can I better support them to relax?

Punishment doesn’t regulate a nervous system.

Providing safety and meeting needs does.

Happy dogs after their hike 🐕