Leave them better than how you found them...

Hello, horse lovers!
Let’s talk about something that sounds simple, but could shift the entire landscape of horse welfare:

LEAVE THEM BETTER THAN HOW YOU FOUND THEM

Not cleaner.

Not fancier.

Not more obedient.

Better.

That might mean softer, happier, more relaxed, lighter in their body, or just more at peace.
And the beautiful thing?  It’s not a complex formula.

It’s a quiet promise; one you can make every time you clip on the halter.

GROOMING WITH INTENTION

You collect your horse from the paddock, he’s muddy, maybe a little tired from a play session in the rain. 
You bring him in, groom him well, pick out his feet, and remove that annoying stone he’s been shifting weight off.
Already, you’ve made his day better.
You haven’t even started training yet.

TRAINING WITH FEEL

Whatever your session looks like - groundwork, schooling, jumping, or a trail ride, think about how your horse feels before, during, and after.
Yes, work can be challenging and a  sweaty saddle pad now and then isn’t a problem.

But:

If your horse is drenched in sweat every day…
If they foam between their legs…
If they flinch when you girth them up or pin their ears when you arrive…

That’s your horse asking for rest.
For softness.
For a different kind of listening.
Like us, horses need rest days, not just for the body, but for the mind too.

THE WARNING SIGNS THAT GET MISSED

I’ve seen it too often:
Riders on horse #4 in just a few years because the last three broke down with similar injuries…and the pattern goes unquestioned.

I’ve seen horses dragged out, saddled up tight in the cross ties with no space to breathe or connect, ridden hard for 1–2 hours, and dumped back into the stable stiff and sore.

This doesn’t have to be the norm.
Even if you’re training for the Olympics, you can do it with feel.

THEY’RE NOT MACHINES (EVEN THE FIT ONES)

You can have the best-fitting tack, feed the finest food, and still miss the point if you’re pushing your horse like a bodybuilder with no protein shakes or ability to tell you, “I’m sore.”
Your horse can’t say out loud: “I’m exhausted today.”

But they’ll show you through tension, tail swishing, biting, resistance, or that distant, checked-out stare.

SO, WHAT DOES ‘BETTER’ MEAN?

It could be:

A cleaner coat.
Softer eyes.
Lighter steps.
A relaxed breath.
A moment of connection that reminds them they matter.

Maybe you trained. Maybe you just groomed. Maybe you called the osteopath and let them nap it off after.
Whatever you did, you made a deposit into the trust bank.

A WELFARE PROMISE YOU CAN KEEP

This isn’t about perfection or pressure.  It’s about intention.

Every time you’re with your horse simply ask:
Can I leave them better than I found them?

If the answer is yes, you’re already doing something wonderful for your horse’s welfare and your relationship.

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BUILDING A BETTER BOND?

I teach exactly this with feel, focus, and intentional horsemanship in my Online Academy.
It’s simple, accessible, and perfect for equestrian’s who care deeply about their horse’s experience.

🌐 Learn with me from today HERE
📲 Follow me @getgoodwithhorses on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok.

And remember, if you're ever stuck, unsure, or just need clarity, reach out. I'm here to help.
Thanks for reading and as always, keep getting good with horses. 🐴

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