Squared Up Equine

I was so blessed to participate in my first whole horse dissection this weekend.

Still very surreal being in a space with so many amazing brains at work at one time.

Thank you so much to Sozo Equine, LLC for letting us all gain so much knowledge and perspective from Critter, and to Becks Nairn for leading us all through this journey.

This group of passionate individuals is truly changing the equine world!

This weekend was one of the most vulnerable and raw experiences in my professional life.

I was given the absolutely insane opportunity to host Becks Nairn here in little Fair Grove using my own horse as the instructor.

The back story is that it has been about a year of debating when his time will be.
I never want a horse to live in pain on my watch, but wait, he just had another good day, so am I making the call too early?

Bad days, good weeks, increasing bad days.

I feed him dinner one night and as he came up for dinner I knew. I sobbed and made the decision it was time to let him go.

When I came in the house that very night I opened Facebook and Becks had JUST made a post, so fresh it had no comments yet, that she was coming to the US for the first time ever and looking for host sites.

She chose to come here, and this weekend was that. It’s not lost on me how amazing the opportunity is.

As the weekend got closer I was feeling more and more vulnerable.

I’m a professional. Not just a professional, but also an instructor. What will all these people think of my “failed” work? How harsh will they be on me, and is this even worth it?

Once inside him, we found even more than I ever imagined we would. Tears as I type this and think about how stoic and KIND he was despite all of it. Kind. So. Kind.

He had so much to teach us. The body is incredible.

Emotionally it felt like my own heart was open on that table and ready to take a beating.
Every person in that room met us with grace and compassion.

I spent my early years in the equine profession being torn down by so many professionals. Hit after hit. I just built walls.

This weekend was such a reminder that vulnerability in spite of the hits is still worth it.

Part of horse ownership is a kind death. It’s one of the most loving decisions we make while caring for them. That soapbox of mine if for another post.

Thank you to everyone in the room. Thank you so much.

I will continue to share him for, probably, ever.

Becks, thank you isn’t enough. You’re incredible. You’re fierce, collaborative, and brilliant. It was a honor.

An image, taken by Becks, of the exposed spinal cord at the myodural bridge. Doesn’t get much more vulnerable than that.

Made a mini horse feel quite a bit better today! Looking forward to getting him on a regular hoof care schedule to help him even more.