You have the power! Do you know that? Do vets, farriers, trainers, and other equine experts have talents that you don't?
We don't know you, but we suspect no.
You employ these experts because they know things that you don't. As for ability, they practice their craft every day. You don't. This is why they presently, in all likelihood, have greater abilities than you.
Surprisingly, knowing things that you don't, is both a strength and weakness. When education, training, or experience is used to limit the ways we look at problems, our ability to solve the problem creatively is diminished. Learning experts call these pre-conceived ideas "mental models." What experts "know" is a type of mental model and can be very powerful since they (the mental models) are often built upon experience.
But ... there's a rub.
Problems or things we observe in horses could be caused by a variety of issues. An apparent behavior problem could be a training issue. The problem could also be a symptom of something else, completely unrelated to training.
For example,your horse might throw its head. This may be a discipline issue or a consequence of something else, such as a tender mouth, resulting from sharp (un-floated) teeth.
The point is, you see and interact with your horse, and may observe things that give you insights. Your trainer, vet, or equine dentist do not have the same relationship, and cannot always make the same observations. This is the information you know! Never underestimate the importance of your power here.
For your horse's benefit, as well as to save you time and money, you need to determine the cause of a behavior or symptom before implementing a solution. So many books, clinics, and other support mediums attack problems with a ready made, one size fits all solution. This is neither fair nor efficient for you or your horse.
To be successful, the problem solver needs to attack the problem by FIRST attempting to diagnose the cause. Once you're empowered with that knowlege, the solution will get easier and almost certainly be more effective.
EQuiSmarts ensures that you (or your personal vet, trainer, or farrier) work on the most likely problem first. Your skill at really seeing your horse will likely improve, and having more information will improve your interactions with your vendors. They want to help you. Giving them more information will add to their toolset, and thus increase the likelihood that you get results.
You are a critical participant in your horse's equine care program. The information you'll learn to collect will make you much more knowledgeable about the needs of your horse.
This information will also help you sort out the advice your vendor gives you, and when the situation arises, give you the confidence to chose a new vendor. You'll see! The more you know, the healthier and happier your horse can become.
