It is very easy for us humans to place negative feelings on to our animals. I am sure that you will agree with me that it is a horrible feeling when some one makes false judgements about us. So why is it any different when we do the same to our animals!

For example the other day I saw how a dog had been labelled as a bully with other dogs. This strong judgement had been made because the owner had observed that when her dog was around younger or gentle dogs, she would look very friendly but when she got close would snap at them and show aggressive signs.

The dogs behaviour was totally different to nervous of protective dogs and would bee her distance from them.

Using animal communication it became very clear that her dog was desperate to be sociable with other dogs. The reason for the aggression was that she was afraid of the intimacy. Now it became clear why she was approaching the younger and gentle dogs. She was also very sensitive to other dogs feelings and this is why she did not want anything to do with nervous or protective dogs.

Her wanting to be close to dogs changed as soon as she got to close to them as an overwhelming feeling of shyness and protection took over her.

This information changed the owners understanding and together we created a whole new approach, focused on helping her dog become intimate with other dogs. She was so desperate to learn how to overcome her shyness and have other dog friends that the task was easy when approached in the right way.

Understanding our animals from this feeling language gives us the power to really help them. If you are still in a place where you keep asking yourself why they are doing this or that. Then you have not found this connection and understanding that your animal is looking for!

Animal communication builds a trusting relationship. It is exactly the same for humans, when we find someone who understands us then it is easy to listen to them and trust them, as we can feel that they are there to help us. Because animal communication is so natural, it is very easy for anyone to learn the skills in a relatively short period of time!

James French one of the international pioneering animal communicator. The founder of Animal Communication Training The UK’s most established and well known animal communication teaching programs, helping students from beginners to professional independent animal communicators. Reikicare

Where did this practice come from? This desire to put a “mere animal” into beautiful jewelry that will be owned and loved and yes, shown to others? When we think of the horse it’s not hard to fathom. The horse is an animal with a number of desirable traits…traits that we all hope to possess in our own character. Some of these traits are:

1) The Strength of the Horse. Horses have been asked to perform man’s most menial tasks for years and years. Consider the workhorses like the Clydesdale. They can plow the fields all day long and still find time to pull those famous Budweiser Wagons. Jewelry that incorporates the horse design will exude the strength and shear power of this magnificent animal. This form of jewelry is very popular amongst men.

2) A Horse’s Grace. When you think of grace what come to mind? A horse? This is true for many people. If you watch a horse running along a field you see grace in action. Every fiber of their being seems focused on propelling this beautiful creature along. Beautifully streamlined, this magnificent creature has become the heart’s desire of many a young boy and girl. What happens if we add diamonds to the mix? We come up with a very special blend. Diamonds are also known for their class and elegance, and it’s a gem that marries perfectly with equestrian design.

3) Nobility – What a noble creature the horse is. During the Middle Ages, knights decked out in full battle armor rode horses with the symbol of the horse incorporated into their shields. And how did the peasants get around? They walked along side their knights no horse, no armor, and no shield let alone one with a horse design. Let’s fast forward to our world today. People of high-ranking are often honored with horse jewelry, particularly gold brooches and medallions. Rings with the design of a horse’s head are often awarded to others as a sign of “higher social class” or “nobility”.

We have left til now the main reason that people wear horse jewelry. Do you know what it is? It’s because they love this magnificent animal. Sure, like you and I, they have to go to work or school, shop or play, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t display their love of horses to the world.

In future articles we will be detailing some of the finer examples of horse jewelry, and we hope you will join us. If you find that you “just can’t wait” for these items, please visit us on our blog.

Looking to find the best deal on Horse Jewelry, then visit www.BeautifulHorseJewelry.com to learn of her TOP PICKS.

The horse hoof contains connective tissue which holds the hoof bone (the pedal bone) in place and connected to the hoof wall. This tissue is known as laminae and if it becomes damaged the result is known as ‘laminitis’. Minor damage results in inflammation of the tissue and temporary pain. More severe cases reduce the strength of the connective tissue, allowing the pedal bone to rotate and sink within the hoof. In the most extreme cases, the pedal bone will actually penetrate the sole of the hoof and be visible. In mild cases the horse can return to normal duties but in more severe cases (depending on the amount of rotation and sinking of the pedal bone) the horse will have to be retired, with the worst cases requiring that the horse is immediately put down. Although there are a number of treatments for laminitis, once the damage is done they can provide only minor improvements, so the emphasis needs to be on prevention rather than treatment.

The term ‘founder’ is associated with laminitis but can be used in several different senses. Some people use founder as the lay term for laminitis, while others use it to describe the more serious forms of laminitis (e.g. when the pedal bone penetrates the sole).

There are two main sources of damage to the laminae, leading to laminitis. One is toxins, which enter the blood and travel to the laminae, where they cause inflammation and tissue breakdown. The other is mechanical, where the laminae is damaged due to repeated shocks to the hoof (e.g. from running or jumping on hard surfaces).

Overly rich food changes the bacterial population in the intestines, with a subsequent release of toxins by the bacteria. It occurs when the horse received a large amount of food which is too high in carbohydrates or nitrogen. This can occur either with rich feed (e.g. grain or muesli) or lush pasture. Pasture is most likely to be too rich in spring, when rain follows a dry period, or when fertilizer has been used. As some breeds (especially ponies) are more sensitive, special care should be taken that neither their feed nor their pasture is too rich. When putting horses and ponies on rich pasture, one should limit the amount of grazing time and consider the use of a grazing muzzle to restrict the amount they eat.

Competition horses, such as jumping or racing horses, which are frequently worked on hard ground, are relatively likely to eventually develop laminitis. However, it can also occur in pleasure horses, if they work or travel on hard surfaces. Try to avoid use of your horse on hard ground. If it is necessary to travel on hard surfaces, try reducing the pace since a walking horse will have less hoof shock than a running horse. Ensuring that hoof trimming is correctly done, especially avoid trimming for long toes or over-trimming as these reduce the ability of the hooves to absorb shocks. If the horse is shoed, it should be done by a competent professional. Consider using shock-absorbing shoes (e.g. horse shoes with a rubber component) or shock absorbing boots during competitions (both are increasingly being used, even at the professional level).

The third major cause of laminitis is toxins which are unrelated to overly rich feed. This includes toxins which are ingested (e.g. through moldy hay, or grass which has been treated with herbicides) or toxins which are produced due to an infection within the horse. Ensure that food does not contain fungus, mold or chemicals. Ensure that any infections are promptly and aggressively treated, before they can result in toxin overload leading to laminitis.

This Laminitis and Founder article is part of the Horse Care series by Dr. Doug Stewart

The severity of these symptoms varies from person to person, ranging from a slight itch to a serious asthma attack. People with asthma should be careful when they first come into contact with horses as there have been a number of cases of fatal asthma reactions. In particular, asthmatic children coming into contact with horses for the first time should be carefully monitored to see if they have an adverse reaction and their medication should be available to hand in case that they do.

The most common cause of horse allergies is horse dander (bits of hair and skin which flake off, like dandruff). Other common causes include horse mites, urine and even horse salvia.

It is not uncommon for people to have an allergic reaction without being near a horse, through indirect contact. For example, if you enter a barn or other enclosed space where horses have been, one can come into contact with allergic agents even though the horses are not present at the time. Likewise, if a family member rides or works with horses, it is possible to have a reaction upon exposure to clothes or tack which they bring home which are carrying bits of allergic agents (e.g. dander).

Horse allergies can be easily treated, using the same methods as for other allergies. These include medication, desensitizing treatment or simple avoidance.

If you want to ride but find that your allergies are making this difficult, you may want to try riding a ‘curly horse’ breed. Many people who suffer from horse allergies find that they have little or no reaction with these breeds.

You may also wish to be medically tested to determine which aspect of horses you are allergic to. For example, if you are allergic to horse mites, treatment of the horse and its box against mites may reduce your symptoms to acceptable levels. Likewise, if it is urine or saliva you are allergic to, one can take care to avoid these specific elements when involved with horses.

The article Allergy to Horses was written by Doug Stewart, as part of his series on Horse Care.