Happy New Year, and welcome to the first episode of Healing Horses with Elisha for 2024! I am excited to kick this year off with a topic to spark your thoughts about health goals for your horses for 2024. In mid-February, I will host my free webinar series, called Become Your Horse’s Healer, again. Today, I will cover some of what I have discussed in that series to help you set your expectations for your horse's health in the coming year.Understanding Healing PatternsHorses usually respond to healing programs in four different ways. Some horses respond positively to a new program and show rapid improvement. Others experience a temporary worsening of their conditions as their bodies start the healing process, often marked by fatigue or increased inflammation. Some horses show initial improvement followed by a later setback, while others progress gradually.Emotional and Physical Health InterplayHealing is a complex journey involving physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental health. In addition to addressing the physical symptoms, owners must understand the emotional aspects that might impact their horse's wellbeing of their horse. Challenges may arise when a horse’s physical and emotional health are misaligned. Recognizing all the interconnected elements is essential for comprehensive care and successful healing.Setting Realistic Expectations and GoalsWhen starting a health journey, it is essential to set realistic expectations. Each horse has a unique healing trajectory, and patience is paramount. Making rushed decisions due to having unrealistic expectations could lead to setbacks. Owners need to acknowledge their horse's individuality, taking their age, constitution, and any chronic conditions they may have into account. Horses with a more robust constitution and those at risk due to breed characteristics may respond differently. Understanding these factors allows owners to tailor their expectations and approaches accordingly. Setting achievable goals and celebrating small victories allow owners to navigate the healing process with more of a positive mindset.Addressing Obstacles to RecoveryIn some instances, despite your well-intentioned efforts, obstacles may still hinder your horse’s progress. That is why it is crucial to identify physical and emotional sources of toxicity, or address the lifestyle factors that impede the healing process. Gradual changes, observation, and responsiveness to the horse's cues help create a more effective healing environment.Chronic Nature of Diseases and Pathology Chronic diseases in horses are particularly challenging. Conditions like side bone, ring bone, and bone remodeling in the feet or joints that show tissue changes complicate issues. Horse owners must learn to distinguish inflammation from degeneration because once tissues (especially bone) undergo changes, it complicates recovery. Setting realistic expectations is crucial for determining whether or not full recovery is possible. Genetic Predispositions and Melanomas Genetic predispositions, like melanomas or related conditions, impact a horse's health. (White and grey horses often have melanomas due to genetic factors.) Improvement is possible in those cases, especially when owners are able to recognize the genes that influence the disease expression. Managing a horse’s diet, nutrition, and lifestyle is crucial for modulating genetic expression and keeping detrimental genes turned off to mitigate the effects of those conditions.Constitution and Environmental Factors The constitution of a horse gets influenced by factors starting in the womb. In some horses, constitutional weaknesses shows up as susceptibility to allergies or illnesses. Strengthening a horse's...