It’s hard to believe that my beloved dog, Maggie has been gone for two years. Some days I still cry when I think of her. Maggie was such a love; so smart and so in tune with my emotional state. There is no replacing her in my mind. Therefore, I am dogless in Ohio.
Reflecting on Maggie’s decline in health, a few things come to mind. She was diagnosed with food and airborn allergies at a young age. A result of that is for an animal to rub its head against a hard surface and also licking itself due to itching. Maggie did that for many years.
When we moved to North Carolina, I noticed changes in Maggie’s behavior. Her head rubbing continued and licking became more severe. She licked herself, the furniture & the carpet while awake. She also started pacing and circling.                            
Maggie’s favorite place to lay down was on the cool tiles in front of the fireplace, even though she had difficulty getting up from that location. In addition, there were changes in her bowel habits. Eating habits were affected too. It appeared that she had an insatiable appetite & water intake increased.
On February 19, 2009, Maggie was unable to stand on her hind legs. A veterinarian gave a diagnosis of brain and/or spinal cord tumor. Seeing my dog suffering with severe pain and unable to walk, I chose euthanasia. That is a difficult decision for a pet owner to make. It’s so hard to let go…
My past experiences with being a dog owner is this: I am drawn to ones who are not healthy. Because of that, I learn so much from helping them to heal.
After Maggie’s passing, I researched canine brain tumors. Maggie exhibited many of the signs, including the need to lay on a hard surface.  Although I was not aware while she was alive, the information has answered many of my questions about her behavioral changes. My regret is not knowing sooner.
Although difficult to lose my Maggie, she was a blessing of love and a source of knowledge for me. I miss you, girlfriend!!!

Barb Borkowski is owner of The Healing Journey in Ohio, USA. She is an animal communicator and energy therapist. Barb’s healing work with animals was featured on Fox 8 News in Cleveland, Ohio. She was also a guest on the Robin Swoboda Show, a morning TV show, in Cleveland. Barb’s educational background includes energy therapy, massage therapy and nursing.

Contact Barb:

http://www.horseownertoday.com/vendor.aspx?vid=88

http://www.linkedin.com/in/barbborkowski

http://thehealingjourneync.wordpress.com/

The motto of the Holistic Horse Care Cooperative is “Our Circle of Influence That Honors the Horse.”   This motto keeps me on track while doing projects for the Holistic Horse Care Cooperative (HHCC) and while working with my own horses.   
When we think of what honors the horse, as a horse, we have no choice but to look at the Whole.  Looking at the Whole is what being holistic really is about. 
What honors a horse’s emotional well-being?  The words: community (a herd), freedom, grazing (a constant browsing or picking of good food), balance (good food, good water, shelter, few toxins), faith (to the herd), and trust (of the herd and oneself) come to mind.
These same things honor a horse’s physical well-being.  The herd helps protect, groom, and nurture.  Good food, water and shelter are all key to physical wellness.  Faith and Trust allow the horse to take part in the herd mutual grooming and protections.  Freedom of movement is key to maintaining overall wellness and even in healing when it might seem that the horse needs to rest, movement actually encourages healing.
When we honor a horse’s basic emotional and physical well-being at all times, we gain insight into what management practices and which treatments are more serving to the horse as a whole.  It’s not always about WHAT, but is more often about the WHOLE.  Thank you for being a part of the circle of influence that honors the horse.

Robin Davis is a lifelong horse lover who founded of the Holistic Horse Care Cooperative (www.Holistic-Herd.com) and, alongside of her husband, is owner/operator of a holistic horsekeeping ranch in Northern Colorado called Mustang Hollow.  Robin loves to spend time with her horses any way she can.  Her current herd of six consists of 1 Mustang, 1 Warmblood, 1 OTTB, 1 Arabian and 1 Welsh cross.  Robin loves to trailride, has competed in Dressage and has started and tuned up many horses using natural horsemanship methods.

Many years ago, I was the owner of a yellow Lab. Her name was Maggie. When Maggie wanted something, she stood still and stared until someone noticed. One day she had a prolonged stare. I tried to figure out what she wanted. She stomped her front paws on the dining room floor and these words came to mind “You are supposed to help God’s gentle creatures”. That was the day I decided to include animal communication as part of my business.
Initially, I made on-site calls to help animals. Due to requests from people who lived quite a distance from me, I started to provide distant communication sessions. When I look at pictures of animals, I am able to tell if they are having physical discomfort. I briefly feel in my body what they are feeling in theirs. Also covered in a session are any behavioral or emotional issues. The majority of problems are related to the humans in their life. Animals are very sensitive to human emotions. Specific details are revealed and suggestions for making improvements are given.
There were numerous times that I was able to help with physical and behavioral problems. Some were due to inadequate nutrition, health issues that were later checked & tested by veterinarians and changes made in the home environment that decreased stress.
Distant animal communication is available by email correspondence or Skype calls. If you have ever wondered what your pet would like you to know, an animal communicator may be able to tell you!


Barb Borkowski is owner of The Healing Journey in Ohio, USA. She is an animal communicator and energy therapist. Barb’s healing work with animals was featured on Fox 8 News in Cleveland, Ohio. She was also a guest on the Robin Swoboda Show, a morning TV show, in Cleveland. Barb’s educational background includes energy therapy, massage therapy and nursing.

http://www.linkedin.com/in/barbborkowski

http://www.horseownertoday.com/vendor.aspx?vid=88

http://thehealingjourneync.wordpress.com/

Learning about energy fields of living things was a strange concept at first. I had a medical background. While working as a nurse, I was able to guess what physical problems newly admitted patients had simply by looking at them. A few co-workers knew about my ability. Test results always confirmed my initial assessment of the health problems. Still, I was unaware of the technical name for tuning into energy fields. After being in a car accident, massage therapy provided relief of pain. I decided to become a licensed massage therapist. It wasn’t until I attended school for massage therapy that I learned about energy fields of living things, yet I was aware of them at a very young age. From a toddler into adulthood I was able to sense things about people and animals. There was finally a name for it.
When people are relaxed, their energy field is calm and peaceful. Being around them feels good. Stress causes energetic changes in the body. Being near a stressed, worried or angry person does not feel good.  How we are feeling emotionally and physically emanates from our bodies. Animals are highly sensitive to our emotions. They feel them on a deep level and it affects them. They react to fear, tension and sadness.
In the next article, I will explain how I communicate with animals.

Barb Borkowski is owner of The Healing Journey in Ohio, USA. She is an animal communicator and energy therapist. Barb’s healing work with animals was featured on Fox 8 News in Cleveland, Ohio. She was also a guest on the Robin Swoboda Show, a morning TV show, in Cleveland. Barb’s educational background includes energy therapy, massage therapy and nursing.

http://www.linkedin.com/in/barbborkowski

http://www.horseownertoday.com/vendor.aspx?vid=88

http://thehealingjourneync.wordpress.com/

I have a life long interest in energy healing.  Energy healing and animal communication are fascinating so when Barb and I met I definitely wanted her input on our mare Sara.

Barb was very willing and asked for a recent photo, I send the following video clip and photo to her.

My mare’s name is “Simply Sara”. 

Here she is earlier this summer  http://youtu.be/WbSyOV7adx4

This is Barb's response.....

Hi Bonnie,
 
When I look at the picture of Sara, the following comes to mind:
 
Sara does not realize how big she is. As funny as it may sound, she thinks she is a dog! While viewing the video of Sara, that really got my attention. To me, she shows some canine mannerisms.
 
My attention is drawn to the area where Sara's liver is. There is energy congestion there. My impression is that her liver is slightly smaller than the average for her size.  With that, it feels like her liver is working hard to rid the body of toxins. I suggest checking into alfalfa for its liver cleansing properties. (Please consult a veterinarian! I am not an expert on animals, just the messenger).
 
Sara is extra sensitive to electromagnetic fields. Being close to power lines and electrical appliances causes a nervous, jittery sensation in her abdomen.
 
A feeling of sadness surrounds Sara's forehead.  "My owner thinks too much and doesn't follow her heart.
 
Sometimes Sara's left front lower leg has tenderness. Her right hip gets stiff with slight soreness, especially when it rains.
 
Sara desires for you to "follow your heart". You deserve happiness after all you've been through.
 
I hope this helps you, Bonnie. If you have questions, please let me know.
 
Blessings,
Barb

Barb and I will be working together with Sara, check back for regular updates.

http://www.linkedin.com/in/barbborkowski

http://www.horseownertoday.com/vendor.aspx?vid=88

http://thehealingjourneync.wordpress.com/

 

Many people have heard the term “animal communicator”. Some understand the meaning while others do not.  My goal is to help explain what animal communication is and how it may benefit your beloved four-legged friend.
Several writers have interviewed me. They all asked the same question: When did you first realize you could communicate with animals? There is a picture of me placing my hand on the top of the head of my great-grandfather’s Collie when I was two years old. I sensed that his head hurt. I grew up with several Beagles that my dad used for hunting rabbits. Spending time with them was my preferred activity. If one of them did not feel well, I felt the discomfort in my body. Some people take classes to learn how to communicate with animals. I did not. Knowing what animals need is natural for me.
My approach to helping pets is by tuning in to their subtle energy field. All living things are composed of energy. In the next article, I will share with you my journey of learning about energy fields in humans and in animals.

Barb Borkowski is owner of The Healing Journey in Ohio, USA. She is an animal communicator and energy therapist. Barb’s healing work with animals was featured on Fox 8 News in Cleveland, Ohio. She was also a guest on the Robin Swoboda Show, a morning TV show, in Cleveland. Barb’s educational background includes energy therapy, massage therapy and nursing.

Contact Barb:

http://www.horseownertoday.com/vendor.aspx?vid=88

http://www.linkedin.com/in/barbborkowski

http://thehealingjourneync.wordpress.com/

Thyme Growing

Robin Davis is a lifelong horse lover who founded of the Holistic Horse Care Cooperative (www.Holistic-Herd.com) and, alongside of her husband, is owner/operator of a holistic horsekeeping ranch in Northern Colorado called Mustang Hollow.  Robin loves to spend time with her horses any way she can.  Her current herd of six consists of 1 Mustang, 1 Warmblood, 1 OTTB, 1 Quarter horse, 1 Arabian and 1 Welsh cross.  Robin loves to trailride, has competed in Dressage and has started and tuned up many horses using natural horsemanship methods.

Flies, mosquitoes, gnats, oh my!  It is most certainly fly season in overdrive right now.  Here are a few tips from my barnyard on handling those pesky pests for humans and the horses.
I add garlic and diatomaceous earth to the horses soaked pellets.  The garlic helps repel the bugs and the diatomaceous earth helps deal with internal parasites as well as those who are compelled to lay their eggs in manure.  In Hilary Page Self’s book “A Modern Horse Herbal”, she recommends 6-8 fresh, crushed cloves daily or 15-30 grams of pure garlic powder daily.  It’s recommended to not feed garlic to nursing mares.
On the outside of my horses I use an essential oil blend – Young Living’s Purification helps repel the flies and helps stop the itching.
I’ve also found that adding fresh thyme to my horses feed will help with those itchy areas.  I grow a patch and use it fresh.  When the thyme doesn’t have anything to offer I add a few tablets of the homeopathic remedy Apis to their water.
These same remedies are good for humans too.  What I like best as a topical deterrent on my body is Lavender essential oil.  Straight out of the bottle and onto my body relaxes me and helps keep those bugs away.
Here in Colorado we have at least 2 more months before first frost and those flies are at their worst in the fall.  Hope some of these tips help you and your horsey friends. 

Robin Davis is a lifelong horse lover who founded of the Holistic Horse Care Cooperative (www.Holistic-Herd.com) and, alongside of her husband, is owner/operator of a holistic horsekeeping ranch in Northern Colorado called Mustang Hollow.  Robin loves to spend time with her horses any way she can.  Her current herd of six consists of 1 Mustang, 1 Warmblood, 1 OTTB, 1 Quarter horse, 1 Arabian and 1 Welsh cross.  Robin loves to trailride, has competed in Dressage and has started and tuned up many horses using natural horsemanship methods.

The download that came in this week was how we have given our power over to technology in so many ways.  When did it become common place to put shoes on any horse in any situation no matter their job or their living arrangement?  Why do new to seasoned horse owners buy the concept that they MUST shoe?
These thoughts made me think about just how much technology is revered in our society.  The technology of shoes is often looked upon as being better than the gifts of nature.  A horse has a hard hoof wall which surrounds a ‘circulation pump’ and ‘curb feelers’.  A metal covering and what amounts to a brace shut down the full function of the pump and the feelers. 
When covered with a shoe, a hoof is not in touch with the Earth.  Horses are set up to feel the energies of the Earth and the land through their feet.  Sourcing through this connection is very important.  Truth be known it’s just as important that we Source ourselves through a connection to the Earth by going barefoot once in awhile.
So not only is it important to be in relationship with your horse’s feet, it is important to be in touch with your own.  The Earth is calling you to get in touch.  Take a moment to kick off those shoes and feel what it’s like to Source from the land.  How many messages can you get when you stand quietly while your feet are attached to the land?  How do you feel?  Just listen and feel.
Your horses will thank you as you develop and enjoy this new awareness and connection to the Earth. 
Happy Connecting.
Robin

Robin Davis is a lifelong horse lover who founded of the Holistic Horse Care Cooperative (www.Holistic-Herd.com) and, alongside of her husband, is owner/operator of a holistic horsekeeping ranch in Northern Colorado called Mustang Hollow.  Robin loves to spend time with her horses any way she can.  Her current herd of six consists of 1 Mustang, 1 Warmblood, 1 OTTB, 1 Quarter horse, 1 Arabian and 1 Welsh cross.  Robin loves to trailride, has competed in Dressage and has started and tuned up many horses using natural horsemanship methods.
When we live with horses we get used to shifting our agenda based upon the energies that present themselves at the time they do.  My agenda was to continue the conversation about the feet in this next blog, Mother Nature’s agenda was to present a HUGE wildfire to the west of us and, therefore, get me exploring and taking action with ways to support my horses through smoke inhalation.  Yup, pretty big shift.

So let’s talk about the feet some more.  Last blog about the feet addressed getting in timing with the feet.  By now your horse should be as interested in what you want to do with their feet as you are in how the feet fall.  I hope you are having fun as your relationship deepens and your training is getting easier.
I mentioned that the hoof is an indication of wellness.  I’m sure you’ve already begun to think about what sorts of indicators I might be talking about.  Of course, the obvious ones such as thrush, hoof wall cracking and white line disease jump to mind readily.  For a less obvious indicator, pay attention to how your horse lands with its feet.  Do they land heel – toe, or do they land flat, or do they stab the toe? 
When they step forward where are they breaking over the toe.  Does it seem to take forever and then the horse kind of flips the toe out to begin again, or do they appear to have a choppy breakover, or is it an easy breakover with what appears to be an efficient use of the entire leg, shoulder and hip?

Photo credits Robin Davis, Holistic Horse Care Cooperative

Sit and watch your horse move when you are not a part of the equation.  One of the best places to do this is in the pasture while they graze or when they are turned loose in an arena without any gear attached to them and you are not moving them around.  Compare two or three horses and their movement.  In fact even better, watch several.  Time sitting and watching how different horses move is time well spent if you really want to get to know the feet and what efficient biomechanics look like.
So much can be told from the hoof we could go on for days and days.  But for now enjoy your time watching how a few horses stride. Happy trails. 

Robin Davis is a lifelong horse lover who founded of the Holistic Horse Care Cooperative (www.Holistic-Herd.com) and, alongside of her husband, is owner/operator of a holistic horsekeeping ranch in Northern Colorado called Mustang Hollow.  Robin loves to spend time with her horses any way she can.  Her current herd of six consists of 1 Mustang, 1 Warmblood, 1 OTTB, 1 Quarter horse, 1 Arabian and 1 Welsh cross.  Robin loves to trailride, has competed in Dressage and has started and tuned up many horses using natural horsemanship methods.
When we live with horses we get used to shifting our agenda based upon the energies that present themselves at the time they do.  My agenda was to continue the conversation about the feet in this next blog, Mother Nature’s agenda was to present a HUGE wildfire to the west of us and, therefore, get me exploring and taking action with ways to support my horses through smoke inhalation.  Yup, pretty big shift. 

It ‘s wildfire season all across the western United States, as I type this, record level fires burn in Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona.  Even if you are not directly affected by the fire itself, you may be dealing with smoke from the fires.  We sure are.  It settles on our ranch just like a fog. 
If you can move your horses away from the smoke, by all means, do so.   No matter if your horses stay in place or move, a little support can go a long way to maintain their wellness.  The first thing I did for my horses was to offer them a dose of Bach’s Rescue Remedy to ease their stress.  You can drop a couple of drops from the eyedropper directly into their mouth, or put it on top of a treat or in their grain. 
The next thing I do is to place a few tablets of Ignatia Amara homeopathic remedy in their water tank, so they can free choice whatever they may need.  When offering water with a remedy in it, I always make sure they also have access to water without a remedy in it too.  Once your horses become accustomed to you offering them support they learn how to choose what they need, when they need it.  If they don’t need the remedy I sure don’t want to discourage them from drinking.  Homeopathy has no taste or smell, but the horses can feel the vibration and whether or not they are attracted to it.
Last, but certainly not least, I stimulate a few acupressure points.  I’m running out of space here, but for an article about some specific acupoints , you might see this article:  http://holistic-herd.com/article/breathing-easy-equine-respiratory-support/
I hope all of this is helpful, and I hope our wildfire season is as bad as it will get now, I sure cannot imagine it being worse.  We’ll continue our discussion about hooves later.  Until next time, enjoy your ponies.