06: Horses and Healing Layers

Today, I will be exploring a concept that I call healing layers. 

Healing layers is a framework for guiding equine healing while also helping us manage our expectations. The concept is not new to this podcast or my programs, and it often gets used by healers and homeopaths. It involves dealing with equine health issues in stages and allowing the horse's body to push the problems out gradually. 

The healing layers approach is helpful when figuring out how to deal with equine health issues and understanding the consequences.

A Personalized Approach to Understanding How Horses Heal

Healing is a nuanced concept. Everyone has their way of looking at healing, especially when dealing with horses. In this podcast, we advocate for an individualized approach to equine health issues and highlight the need for each horse owner to gain a unique understanding of what healing means for them and their horse.

Setting Realistic Expectations in Horse Healing and Looking Beyond Test Results

When dealing with equine health issues, it is much better to start by looking at the bigger picture of your horse's health instead of basing all your healing expectations on test results alone. For example, if you are dealing with conditions like ulcers or equine metabolic syndrome, consider how your horse feels overall rather than just looking at the numbers on paper. Pay close attention to the horse's energy levels, look for signs of inflammation, and check its general well-being. 

Recognizing Patterns in How Horses Heal

Dealing with any current health problem in a horse is not just about focusing on that specific issue. It is about looking at the entire health profile of the horse. You can begin thinking about healing in layers by imagining a timeline of your horse's health issues. Then, start looking for patterns and notice any issues that keep returning. 

Being Patient when Helping Horses Heal

Even though we would like our horses to return to health as fast as possible, healing does not always happen quickly. We must consider the horse's age and how their diet and lifestyle over the years may impact their healing. Horse owners must also learn to be patient and understand that horses take time to heal. True healing requires commitment and a plan encompassing every aspect.

Understanding the Ups and Downs of Horse Health

It helps to think about a horse's health in terms of a journey in which their health goes up and down. When flare-ups occur during a horse's recovery, they should prompt the owner to notice any signs of progress, like less inflammation and a better attitude, because healing is not always a straight line. Sometimes, there are bumps in the healing path that require lots of patience and careful attention.

Helping a Horse to Heal One Step at a Time

The idea behind healing layers is to help your horse heal one step at a time. (For example, if your horse has ulcers, start by looking at its digestion.) It is best not to overwhelm the horse with too many changes at a time. Instead, have a focused plan that takes things step by step, peeling back the layers, one by one, to understand and address each emerging health issue.

Links and resources:

Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website 

Free Webinar Masterclass: Four Steps to Solving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally