Sports horses also need a herd: When Horses Choose in the USA

Mia Lykke Nielsen trained a 3 year old sports mare in the United States who lived in a stall and then some hours alone in the field to avoid the risk of getting injured.
Riesling, the young mare, was craving social interaction from the beginning to the end of the session. Mia tried to fill that gap a little bit by acting like a horse, but she knows it's never going to be enough as long as she doesn't have a horse friend or more to play with.
It is only by interacting and coexisting with the same species that horses feel completely safe from the potential environmental threats that linger in their instinctive survival mindset. Otherwise, horses can develop anxiety and will lack social skills, affecting the balance of their mental state.
Mia makes sure to advocate for the horses and educate about their essential needs based on her wide experience with wild horses and scientific studies.
Read more this topic by clicking the link: thehorse.com/1100336/is-your-...

[@sidilicious11]

I hope the owner can find ways that the mare can have buddies to hang out, groom, and play with. What a beauty she is. Mia, you sure do talk “horse” well! You are a gem.

[@dawncamp303]

its so sad that horses can't be horses! when will people learn ! Mia is a great horsewoman and trainer.

[@gisele2926]

I have seen quite a few “fancy” barns with very beautiful, expensive high anxiety horses because they do not let the horses ‘ horse’. Horses are heathier and happier with herds and much time spent outside socializing and grazing. 🐎❤️

[@pattallant2398]

I just love her way with horses!! ❤

[@susakreuzuxinformationdesi4311]

if Mia was not a horse in her former life she definitely will be in her next ❤

[@joopvervaart]

I have two horses left they are grandmother and granddaughter, they are always together, They have both problems with their legs so we do not ride them. They are full of trust and are not afraid, just because they are never alone

[@stevie56565]

Mia love you so much!

[@andreasbracke1997]

Hi. Great Video again! These horses are lucky, that you tell the owners. I enjoy watching!

[@amyanderson3448]

Too many horses in the US are kept in stalls with small paddocks, by themselves. And separated by electric fences so they are afraid to even try to touch each other. They can see other horses, but don't get to freely interact with them. Many people do this out of fear of injury. But, the one horse who died at the stable where I volunteered died after injuring himself in his stall. He had to be put down after somehow breaking his upper leg, not his foreleg. This was a big active horse who should have been out at least during the day with his buddy next door. It broke my heart. None of the horses get turned out together. Thus, bored, depressed, anxious horses. So sad.

[@jakeyboy8402]

Beautiful horse! I greatly enjoy watching your videos. You are gifted!

[@laurajeanbotha5321]

Mia, I love how truly passionate, loving & caring you are towards the horses you train. You have such a calming effect on them. I've watched quite a few videos of the US & Brazil tour. I find it really interesting that you have to tell the owners that their horses must be in a herd. Are these poor horses locked in their stables all week.without being put out as a herd to socialise & eat grass together? Shocking if that is the case. If not, perhaps they shouldn't own horses? From LB in SA 🇿🇦

[@yv6eda]

Beautiful work Mia... as usual!

[@snowgurl21]

Regardless of a horse is a race horse or event horse they need to be a horse still they need to express their inherit nature and be themselves or rider/horse wont work and will be a struggle

[@mjohanson1281]

I wanna herd

[@suzannemomma]

❤

[@eliara-thevoice8430]

Horses are herd animals. They need their friends and family like all other living things. Its cruel and inhumane to force them into an isolated life. Prayers that humans learn how to let horses be horses by allowing them to be in a herd.

[@mariaf.lariva6785]

I believe in this and so wanted for my mare. But what to do if all horses around are at least $200,000 horse international Grand Prix winners and no one wants their horse bit or kicked by chance. I bet they will Perform better if they had a herd. But no one wants to pay thousand of dollar bills in vet. So my solution was was part of her herd. I also sit in the paddock. And walk and sometimes I scratch her…

[@shannondominguez9725]

What a beautiful little lady with a full life ahead of her. Thank you for being her voice/advocating for her needs. I really hope she gets at least 2 girlfriends to hang out and gossip with. I get that the owners were well intentioned trying to keep her safe but unless a 🐎 is really averse to being around other horses or are aggressive they really enjoy being together and the bonds they form/connections formed are so important to them just as with us. Skydog Sanctuary in Malibu and Oregon are an incredible example of providing their rescued horses with tons of space(9,000 acres)with their own herds giving them options of how far away or how close they’d like to be to humans unless a rare case happens (with only 2 horses that they have)who don’t feel safe or comfortable in the big herds but prefer the presence of people which the team at Skydog readily provides. They will do whatever the horses in their care choose as it’s all about them thank you Mia for everything you do.🩷🐎

[@saspinks3001]

Another horse "cursed" with good looks. I don't know how someone can say they love another soul yet don't do the best they can to give that soul the best life possible.

[@gmariet1391]

I love your interactions with horses , but I get nervous for you letting them chew on your hair. It reminds of a little boy whose head was bitten at around age 6. ♥️🐎respectfully !

[@toomanymonkeys21]

Time for a nice barn donkey?

[@stanleyeaton5957]

😱 *promo sm*

[@mariaf.lariva6785]

I heard you can put a goat in their stall. lol for whom is allowed to Do That

[@louanngreinke7910]

❤