If you prefer watching or listening, please click on the video above. If you prefer reading, please keep scrolling.

For new, views, and exclusive deals, subscribe to our free newsletter.

Dear P,

I’m sorry. I regret whipping you when you were lazy. I now understand that you were in pain and doing your best. I apologise.

Dear B,

I’m sorry. I regret jabbing you in the mouth when you kept throwing your head in the air. I now understand that you were in pain and doing your best. I apologise.

Dear P,

I’m sorry. I regret asking you to jump that fence and getting upset when you stopped at it. I now understand that you were in pain and doing your best. I apologise.

Dear C,

I’m sorry. I regret that you felt the need to bolt and keep going until you were so tired you had to stop. I now understand that you were in pain and doing your best. I apologise.

Dear J,

I’m sorry. I regret pushing you too hard, causing you to buck me off multiple times. I now understand that you were in pain and doing your best. I apologise.

Dear H,

I’m sorry. I regret hitting you when the instructor told me to because you wouldn’t go over that jump. I now understand that you were in pain and doing your best. I apologise.

Dear M,

I’m sorry. I regret using my spurs to hurt you because you weren’t sharp enough from my leg. I now understand that you were in pain and doing your best. I apologise.

Dear S,

I’m sorry. I regret putting an ill-fitting saddle on you and expecting you to do as I asked. I now understand that you were in pain and doing your best. I apologise.

Dear W,

I’m sorry. I regret pushing you so hard that you ended up with damage to your suspensory ligament. If only I’d listened when I noticed you seemed stiff. I now understand that you were in pain and doing your best. I apologise.

I have been around horses for nearly 50 years, and I could go on and on with my apologies. I have made many mistakes, often due to ignorance. I am sending this sincere apology into the universe, hoping it reaches those who need to hear it from me. From now on, I am putting my energy and focus into making amends where possible. I am committed to learning how to recognise pain in horses, both ridden and non-ridden, and sharing this learning with those who are interested. I am also dedicated to learning how to manage aches and pains and bringing knowledge of the relevant science on neuromusculoskeletal health and well-being in humans into the equine field. I am committed to promoting physical and mental well-being for horses and their humans throughout the world, doing the best I can with the knowledge, tools, and experience that I have. I am grateful to all my teachers, both human and equine, past, present, and future, who have guided me and continue to guide me. To my horses, past, present, and future, I promise to do my best.

With love,

Sue

For new, views, and exclusive deals, subscribe to our free newsletter. 

Sue Palmer MCSP, aka The Horse Physio, is an award-winning author, educator, and Chartered Physiotherapist. Sue specialises in understanding the links between equine pain and behaviour, focusing on prevention, partnership and performance. She promotes the kind and fair treatment of horses through empathetic education, and is registered with the RAMP, the ACPAT, the IHA, the CSP and the HCPC.

You can find The Horse Physio on the web, on Facebook, on Instagram, and on YouTube, book an online consultation, or take a look at Sue’s online courses.

Horse Health Check: The 10-Point Plan for Physical Wellness

Head to Hoof: An Introduction to Horse Massage

Horse Massage for Horse Owners

Stretching Your Horse: A Guide to Keeping Your Equine Friend Happy and Healthy

Harmonious Horsemanship, co-authored with Dr Sue Dyson

Understanding Horse Performance: Brain, Pain or Training?

Horse Massage for Horse Owners

Thank you for your interest in this post; I appreciate your time and am grateful you chose to spend it with me. If you found value in this article, please support me by liking, subscribing, following, and sharing it on your favourite social media platform, and turn on the relevant notifications for future content from The Horse Physio. Please also take a moment to subscribe to my newsletter. Your support means the world to me, and it helps me continue creating content that matters to you.