Uppbindning av häst
Meet Paulina von Bonsdorff, a passionate and dedicated horse groom who has spent years caring for horses across various countries in Europe. From her early beginnings in Finland to her move to Sweden at a young age, Paulina’s journey is one of resilience, learning, and a deep love for horses. In this blog post, we delve into her experiences, the lessons she’s learned, and the importance of stable safety.
Paulina’s Early Passion for Horses
Introduction to Horses at a Young Age
Paulina’s love for horses started at a very young age. Her initial experiences with horses in Finland shaped her future aspirations. While many children dream of having pets, Paulina’s aspirations centered on providing meticulous care for horses. She was driven by a desire to be close to them and absorb as much knowledge as possible.
Decision to Move to Sweden
Why move to Sweden? The decision wasn’t easy. Finland offered limited options for horse-related studies. Paulina realized early that if she wanted to pursue her passion seriously, she had to make a significant change. At the age of 15, she decided that moving to Sweden would offer her better opportunities.
Paulina’s journey began with a firm resolve. As she puts it,
“I moved to Sweden for better opportunities in horse studies.”
Think about it: How many teenagers are ready to move to a new country for their education and dreams? Such a bold move is truly inspiring.
Challenges Faced During the Early Years
Relocating to another country at an early age comes with its own set of challenges. New environment, different culture, and the pressure of excelling in her studies were just the beginning. In Flyinge, the Equestrian Centers of Excellence, where she studied for some years, included rigorous training sessions and academic pressure. But those years were crucial in building her career. It wasn’t just education; it was about molding character, persistence, and ambition. And Paulina managed it all gracefully.
Passion drives ambition
It’s simple really: Passion drives ambition. Paulina’s early exposure to horses became her life’s calling. Moving countries at such a tender age, overcoming myriad challenges, and striving through rigorous training – her story is nothing short of inspiring. Those who truly follow their passions find a way, no matter the hurdles. For Paulina, Sweden was just the beginning of a lifelong journey with horses.
This is just a part of Paulina’s story, encapsulating her early passion and the bold steps she took to pursue it. Her journey reminds us that age is just a number when it comes to chasing dreams.
The Life of a Horse Groom: Day-to-Day Responsibilities
Daily Routines and Tasks as a Horse Groom
Paulina’s day starts early. She’s up before dawn, preparing for a day filled with grooming tasks. Daily routines for a groom include feeding the horses, checking their health, and ensuring they are content. Each horse gets individual attention to maintain peak health.
Cleaning the stables is another essential task. Grooms like Paulina ensure the living spaces are spotless. The goal is simple: to prevent accidents from happening and keep the horses comfortable. “This is my life as a groom,” she often reflects. And it’s a lot of hard work!
Moreover, training young horses and preparing them for shows or competitions is part of the job. Tasks are diverse, from cleaning hooves to checking for injuries. Routine vaccinations and safety measures are critical too.
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- Daily feed and water checks
- Stable cleaning and bedding replacement
- Preparing horses for work
- Daily exercise and training regimen
- Field management
- Taking care of the horses and their tack
- Observing for health issues or injuries
- Evening feed and securing for the night
Paulina believes that the most enjoyable aspect of working with horses is discovering the keys that truly work. The progress can be instantaneous, whether it’s establishing a new connection during grooming, improving riding techniques, or finding better ways to load horses onto trucks or trailers. She emphasizes the importance of thinking outside the box, exploring what works and what doesn’t for each individual horse. For Paulina, the most rewarding moments come from witnessing these changes. She notes that these changes aren’t always grand or dramatic; often, they’re small improvements that occur in daily work.
This approach aligns with the concept of positive reinforcement in horse training, where horse people look for and reward desired behaviors, no matter how small. It also reflects the idea that every horse is unique and may respond differently to various training methods.
Experiences in Different Countries
Paulina’s journey took her to Sweden, Germany, Belgium, and the US, to name a few. Every country offered unique experiences and challenges.
In Sweden, she found a unique climate and horse breeds. The cold weather was a significant factor in how she approached her grooming tasks.
In Germany, Paulina encountered rigorous training schedules. She had to adapt quickly to the demands of high-level competitive grooming, where every detail mattered.
Every place has a bit of different routines and challenges, and a horse groom must adapt to the new working environment and colleagues as quickly as possible. Then, you can work your way up to make improvements.
Unique Challenges and Valuable Learning Moments as a Professional Horse Groom
Paulina describes the culture in the equestrian industry as: ‘Everybody knows everything, and nobody’s ever wrong.’ But she wants to emphasize that you can always learn from other people and from looking at other things. Paulina always looks for solutions and improvements in her stable, how she can make things safer, and how she can make it easier to work. She suggests that everyone should open their eyes a little bit, look at what other people are doing, and never stop learning.
Paulina has faced many unique challenges during her career as a horse groom. One particularly daunting aspect was dealing with cross ties. “Traditionally, I’ve used different cross ties that you attach, often with panic hooks,” Paulina noted. These ties, while seemingly safe, can be very dangerous.
A memorable incident where a horse pulled too hard broke the panic hook, causing an injury. And then another time, where a thinner baling twine was used to secure a lead rope to the wall’s tie-ring. The horse was scared. It started to pull; neither the lead rope nor the baling twine broke in time, and the wall’s wooden panels started to come out. Then the horse got even more scared, and the accident was a fact.
These were vital learning experiences. Safety measures have been paramount since, and especially when it comes to securing the horses in the tie-ups.
Despite the risks, horse groom Paulina emphasized that “Horses are prone to accidents no matter what you do.”
New and innovative safety tools are always on her radar.
Enhancing Stable Safety: Lessons Learned
The Importance of Stable Safety
Stable safety is paramount. It’s the cornerstone upon which the well-being of horses and handlers rests. A safe environment, not only protects our beloved animals, but also provides peace of mind for everyone involved. Without stringent horse groom safety measures, stables can become hazardous areas where accidents are waiting to happen.
Every stable should have a unique system tailored to its specific needs. It’s crucial to think ahead and consider all possible scenarios. As a well named horse groom puts it,
“You try to eliminate all the things that can possibly happen.”
Common Risks and How to Mitigate Them
Many risks lurk in a stable environment, and understanding these is the first step towards mitigation. Here are some common risks that horse owners and horse grooms have to try to protect against, along with their solutions:
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- Environmental Hazards: The overall stable environment should be free from potential dangers. This includes securing loose items, ensuring doors and windows are properly latched, and removing any protruding hooks or bars that horses could get caught on. Regular safety audits should check for these hazards to create a safer environment for both horses and handlers.
- Cross Ties Hazards: Traditional cross ties are often covered in plastic and have a chain with a flip-over lock mechanism. These create a lot of sound pollution, are heavy on the horse’s neck, and also difficult for the horse groom to handle. Moreover, the hooks often fail when they are needed most.
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Tripping Hazards: Slippery or uneven flooring can cause trips and falls, posing a risk to both horses and handlers. Installing rubber flooring can provide a non-slip, cushioned surface that enhances safety and comfort. Regular inspections and prompt repairs of all flooring types are essential to mitigate these risks and maintain a safe environment.
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Fire Hazards: Stables are full of flammable materials, making fire safety crucial. Ensure proper storage of forage and use fire retardant materials where possible. Keep stable aisles clean and free from clutter or stored items that could obstruct quick movement. Place halters and lead ropes in easily accessible locations near each stall to facilitate a swift escape if necessary. These precautions will help create a safer environment and improve emergency preparedness.
“Thinking a few steps forward can minimize risks.“ This mindset for a professional horse groom, like Paulina, is essential in identifying and addressing potential hazards before they become real problems.
Innovative Solutions for Common Problems
Innovation in stable safety involves both new technologies and new approaches to old problems. One area requiring improvement is panic hook mechanisms.
A traditional panic hook does not release as it should. Ideally, the tie-ups should release automatically when the horse panics to prevent injuries to both the horse and the handler. However, traditional panic hooks often require manual intervention, which defeats their purpose. Finding solutions that work as intended without requiring close proximity to a stressed horse can significantly enhance safety.
Comparison: Traditional Cross Ties vs. Modern safety
A thought-provoking anecdote shared by professional horse groom Paulina illustrates the point: “It doesn’t matter if I am picking a hoof or I put the horse at the cross ties or put it in the truck. You start to see this thinking about, okay, this can lead to the next thing. It’s in the back of your head all the time and I think everybody can minimize more risk just by thinking a little bit like a few steps forward.”
When it comes to traditional cross-ties, Paulina has a lot of horse groom experience to share, which can prevent a lot of horses as well as other horse grooms and handlers from unnecessary accidents. It is easy to learn more; take a look at the comparisons page.
When being asked about how it is to use the EasyConnect, Paulina replies:
I’m really, really happy with the product.
They did a really, really nice job.
They are easy to use.
Easy to adjust.
Yeah, I’m really, really happy with the product.
Conclusion
Ensuring stable safety takes a proactive and thoughtful approach. Whether it’s improving existing equipment like cross ties or adopting new technologies, every step counts for a good horse groom. “You try to eliminate all the things that can possibly happen.” These words from professional horse groom Paulina should resonate with every stable owner, horse groom, or anyone who comes close to these incredible creatures. Safety is a continuous process, an integral part of horse care for a horse groom, requiring constant vigilance and a commitment to improvement.
Stable safety is vital for both horses and handlers. Key risks include traditional carabiners, panic hooks, elasticated tie-ups and slipping hazards. Innovations and thoughtful planning can significantly mitigate these risks.