The place in life for ex-gallopers: "Here I am a horse, here dare it to be!"
When a flower doesn’t bloom
You fix the environment in which it grows.
Not the flower.
– Alexander den Hejyer
Extensive paddocks surrounded by forest, a stream with spring water, clean air, birdsong – and silence: there are still a few of these secluded retreats far away from “civilization”. Here, foxes and hares can say goodnight to each other, slow worms and fire salamanders, grass snakes, wild animals and horses can come to rest.
Ahimsa’s horses live in groups all year round in the middle of the Odenwald’s natural surroundings, secluded from the rest of the world. It is a place that comes as close as possible to the natural needs of horses. There are no stalls here, the horses live among their own kind, maintain social contacts and can move freely and according to their individual needs.
Our well-kept open stables offer everything that dynamic thoroughbred horses need to live: Wide open spaces to satisfy their urge to move, large, well-kept shelters where each horse can sleep lying down, fresh spring water and 24-hour free access to high-quality organic hay.
With us, all horses, from spirited young horses to old, low-ranking or injured animals, have a chance of a stress-free life. If social compatibility is guaranteed and their state of health allows it, the horses live in groups 24 hours a day.
Ahimsa’s horse husbandry is precisely tailored to the needs of sensitive English thoroughbred horses. We never skimp on feed, because English thoroughbreds have a high basal metabolic rate and are sensitive to their stomachs. We counteract possible sources of stress immediately, because only a English thoroughbred that is kept stress-free can become a healthy English thoroughbred. We make sure there is enough space as well as islands of retreat and rest. The horses remain in their familiar surroundings and maintain long-lasting friendships without the social group being torn apart or disturbed.
The biggest contribution to their well-being – apart from our care and attention – is the environment, the nature in which our facility is embedded. There is plenty of variety here, because there is always something exciting happening in nature that box horses can only dream of. The nature in the Odenwald is intense, it challenges the horses and at the same time gives them balance and inner strength.
In this way, it is always gratifying to see how the horses grow into their new phase of life, blossom in terms of health and gain inner strength, self-confidence and peace of mind.
Conversely, this also means that humans have to adapt to the horses’ needs and forgo a great deal of comfort and convenience.
Given the choice, it is a fundamental decision as to who owes what to whom, an option to fill the term “responsibility” with life and to replace the basic idea that the horse has to “function” with “the horse is allowed to feel good”, because then the horse usually “functions”, too.
There needs to be a change of perspective with regard to the “obligation to deliver”, which should by no means lie with the horse, but above all with the people in whose care the horse spends its life.
