Health and Happiness. Are the two linked?
It's been a profound day...For at least the last 4 years Essy has had a small dark wart-like growth on the left hand side of his neck, with no hair around the immediate area. The vet has taken a look and because over the time it hasn't grown, I've left it alone. No ointments, herbs, parsley or butter rub!! (A little joke for my husband's benefit).
Tonight, the wart was gone! Gone! Disappeared. Totally vanished. Just like that.
As you can see the bald patch is still there.
It's very weird that it's gone. It's just as weird that there's no hole, mark, scar or audit trail of it's demise or existence.
Did he scratch it off (and leave no mark, blood, wound)? Even though warts don't suddenly move around the body over night (to my knowledge), I found myself looking all over his body for it!
Crazy I know, but last night it was there still, and then tonight it wasn't! Now that's crazy!
As I drove home I called the 'Old Woman' and our friend whom I've referred to before, as an 'angel', to tell them both. They each have an intimate knowledge of Essy, and his lumps and bumps so I knew they would both be as gobsmacked as I was feeling.
They were!
The old woman suddenly asked "do you think he is so happy he just healed himself"?
The question felt profound. It felt remarkably right.
Yet, it also implied that for the duration of his wart's presence, i.e. the last four years, he has not been a happy horse. That's not a great thought to hold as his carer and person responsible for his lifestyle and happiness.
Yet over the last four years he hasn't lived out 24 x 7 as he is doing now. In fact since we left a DIY life in 2010, his turnout time has always been compromised by Livery rules and hours of operation. Over the last 2 years turn out time has been reducing year on year, until now.
It seems a life of compromise can produce unhealthy results.
From Human research we know that if someone is sick, happiness makes them feel better physically. Happy people also cope better with stress and trauma, are more resilient, have stronger immune systems, and live longer.
Ok, but when it comes to a horse, does the concept of Happiness apply? Some experts suggest that with humans we need to differentiate between happiness and joy. As an example, they make the point that "Happiness depends on things. Joy is unconditional.”
I believe some people would argue that happiness does not depend on things, but many would agree that it does siting a better job, bigger bank balance, being taller, slimmer, having a prettier face, a faster car, more luxurious holidays, or a second home would make them feel more happy. I've beleived it too, for many years.
Do horses feel happiness? Do horses feel joy?
There are definitely ways to see joy in their body, their movement, energy, through their field games, their interaction with life and others, their appetite, coat condition and health. Their general level of "joie de vivre".
I don't know if that qualifies for happiness, joy, both or neither.
Conversely we should be able to see an absence of happiness or joy. But sometimes, we don't.
Sometimes we learn to accept in ourselves or others, including our horses a sense of resignation, a sense of 'making do', a noble but miss placed sense of acceptance of 'our lot'.
Tonight I am wondering if this is how Essy has been feeling. If this is what he has been doing - accepting 'his lot' and not complaining or making a fuss.
Now, just two weeks into his life of being a wonderfully retired horse living out with his companion of 15 years, 24 x 7, his happiness can return. Maybe now he is feeling joy again.
Is his "health" following a renewed sense of happiness?
In humans, we learn that happiness can be developed in 5 ways. As I list them, I think about how it applies to our horses too:-
The 5 ways to develop happiness are:
1. Be physically active. There is bountiful research backing the premise that exercise improves mood and leaves us feeling good about ourselves.
Essy has not only put on weight in the last two weeks (as has Solar Sue) but they have both put on muscle and muscle tone. No grass pot bellies, just a case of all round "filling out" and beautiful to see.
2. Meditate/Focus. Meditation, avoiding over thinking, and increasing “flow experiences” (activities that cause you to lose track of time) are all ways to get the mind right.
It has been uplifting to watch Essy and Solar snooze, rest under the tree, pause from grazing and enter that zen like state of just 'being'.
3. Laugh. The phrase “laughter is the best medicine” isn’t just a euphemism. Laughter is proven to prevent heart disease, lower stress hormones, strengthen the immune system, and reduce food cravings. It also has anti-aging benefits.
I sometimes think my herd has a ripe sense of humour as trying to get a photo of any of them with their ears forwards, their eyes open or without their tongues poking out, is a daily challenge. The joke is on me, I'm sure...
4. Be social. When we’re not feeling well, we tend to isolate ourselves. In reality, that’s the worse thing we can do. Having social connections and a strong support system can greatly improve one’s health.
Given the chance to graze together, side by side, Essy does. Up close and personal with Grace below:-
5. Be spiritual. Getting in touch with our spiritual side can do wonders for our physical health. This is especially valuable for those approaching the end of life. Not everyone gets cured, but we can be healed, from a spiritual perspective.
I never seem to have my camera with me when Essy and I stand as we did tonight together, for ages, neither of us moving, next to each other in the field doing absolutely nothing. Just surrounded by silence, air and other horses.
The only sound to punctuate the silence are Essy's occasional deep belly driven exhalations. I always wish afterwards that there was a way to capture it. It is as serene and as moving as when I first experienced it with Essy during Margrit's visit last year.
The lack of 'doing' and saying or even thinking, is the beauty of the experience.
They are moments I treasure even though they are daily. I'll never get bored of it, and never complacent. It actually feels like an honour.
Despite our differences as species it is incredible to me that he seems to want these moments, just the two of us, and doesn't move a muscle until he is ready to 'come out of it'.
As an experience, and due to the feelings (usually tears) in produces from me, if these moments aren't spiritual, I don't know what is. It's not about singing, hymns or prayers - certainly no religious service has ever reduced me to tears and tranquility all at the same time.
It's an added pleasure that they are happening outdoors, in his field with the other two in our herd quietly wandering off to leave us alone to enjoy our connection.
