Appropriate “Horse” Management Works

Several years ago, a horsewoman (and qualified vet, although she no longer practiced) mentioned a so-called animal communicator and healer, called Margrit Coates. Although we shared important common interests, I found the former veterinary lady difficult to get along with, and she probably felt similarly disposed to me. However, I’m very grateful for the information she provided.

So with the Margrit Coates book, Connecting with Horses (Rider 2008), I agree with much of this, but somehow find it difficult to connect with (particularly all the therapy-speak !) Nevertheless, I would still recommend the book to fellow equestrians, not least because it points out that so-called “natural horsemanship” techniques can be just as detrimental – without the right experience, temperament and character in the human trainer – as conventional schooling methods in the wrong hands.

However, it is the following extract (ammended slightly by me) from the Margrit Coates book (from the final section entitled “Hands and Hooves in Partnership”) that I really did connect with :

“Brothers Om and Jai share a struggle for survival with Raju, the mule who earns a living for their family in India. Several years ago the brothers’ father died and left behind a sick wife, seven children and the mule. At the time, Om and Jai were around seven and five years old, and their mother had no option other than to send her sons to work, and their only hope was Raju. They started working in a brick kiln and Raju worked as a family member, co-operating in their need as a true and faithful friend.

The Brooke (http://www.thebrooke.org) mobile veterinary team and community animal health workers were working in the area, and 4 years ago Dr Shabir, the vet in charge, came in to contact with the brothers and their mule. He noticed these 2 boys as very polite and sensitive owners, always keen to know about the Brooke’s treatments and welfare messages. According to Dr Shabir, “Raju is about 15 years old now and his condition is good – he is fit for work. I wonder how these small boys keep their animal in good health in such adverse circumstances”….

…”Both brothers are so caring about their animal that they immediately take Raju to the Brooke team whenever any problem arises. Jai said, “How could we neglect Raju ? He is our only hope in the absence of our father. He gives us support to live and feeds us. Without his help we could not find a way out of our crisis period”. Dr Shabir reports, “I am thankful to these young innocent children that I have never needed to attend an emergency for Raju because they give priority to prevention of problems”…

A hardworking family indeed !  Please also see my Horse Work Blog @ http://horsework.wordpress.com