My first dog was a bit overprotective of us and she told my dog that her only job was as a “crumb detector”. She was much more settled after that.
7 Likes
I would think that animal communicators could learn a lot about people’s horses just by reading the COTH forums. People do post pictures and discuss lameness and other health issues here.
I really have no feelings about the subject one way or the other. People will do whatever pleases them with their money, as it should be.
Susan said no, she can make suggestions but she said it didnt really work. She explained it that she could tell my horse I would never endanger him, but he’s still gonna have anxiety.
2 Likes
Thanks.
In my experience, some communicators can accurately relay anything to the animal(s), but whether the animal(s) actually believes it is something else. What the owner/rider/handler tells the communicator to tell the animal(s) may directly contradict the animal’s personal experience.
Animals have their own ideas and will often express them no matter what the owner/rider/handler wants answered. I say owner/rider/handler because, in my experience, if anyone else asks a question, the animal says it’s none of their business.
It’s not “mind reading,” it’s contacting and then, politely asking for a conversation. On the animal’s side, it’s contacting and then, apparently, sending a message.
If you want to do it yourself, I’ve heard the very best first step is to learn to meditate. To clear your mind so you can “hear” what the Bible calls “still, small voices.”
ETA: this is from a gal I knew more than 30 years ago who apparently became a “communicator” from reading a book and listening to some “how-to” tapes. She was never wrong.
5 Likes
Turn the horse out for 6-8 months, and then see what you have. A long rest with no riding, can often heal things we can’t see. Don’t waste your $ on an Animal Communicator.
Are you a veterinarian who knows the horse(s) you’re referring to? If not, your suggestion is no better than what an animal communicator might say.
3 Likes
I have known several horses that have had issues that could not be diagnosed by all types of modalities, and a long rest period can sometimes heal what is bothering the horse, either physical or mental. AC’s especially the ones who take your credit card over the phone, are complete bunk. I smell snake oil…
2 Likes
See, here’s the thing. Your opinion about animal communication is worthless, and so is your opinion about what other people’s horses, horses you’ve never been within 100 miles of, need.
5 Likes
It occurred to me that, with the poster who was just sitting in the barn aisle when a dog came up and, apparently, “gave” her two pictures, of his bed and where he peed in the morning, that the dog was just introducing himself. “Hi. This is me.” Just a thought…
I’m OK with you not understanding. Not quite as OK with the idea that you feel that you can be quite so judgmental about their thoughts and beliefs.
People can be all of the fun things that you mention, and yet, still some of us choose to listen. That’s the kind thing to do. Seriously, anyone contacting a medium is looking for some answers that they do not feel that they’ve heard, want confirmed, or hope to hear.
Let it go.
4 Likes
Bless your heart. When I had my first animal communicator experience, it was after the 6 months of pasture rest, many thousands in vet investigations, and lots of other opinions. Frankly, the $65 I spent talking to the communicator was the most conclusive experience I had in over a year with that horse. He’s now happy, healthy, and living his best life doing a different job.
9 Likes
I have had “surprise” animal messages, like other posters said. A while ago I was sitting outside my apartment building, chatting with another resident. Her little Jack Russell terrier was wandering around. She said that the dog sometimes was silly, and I suddenly “knew” the dog’s opinions on the matter. I told the owner that the dog didn’t think he was silly, he was doing Important Dog Business, which humans don’t know anything about.
5 Likes
I talked to AC #1 15+ years ago and she was spot on. I gave her zero prompts or info. She was so helpful when I thought I was going to lose my horse. I spoke to her twice and both times she was great. That had been my only AC experience.
Recently I spoke with AC #2 and she did not connect at all with my animal. She told me many things that were just not correct. Just about everything. I finally told her what was going on because the call was pointless and then she was pretty much just offering advice. Yet still making incorrect statements. Maybe she was having an off day, but she definitely did not connect with my animal. I was almost embarrassed for her and how hard she was grasping to say something that was true or helpful.
If I hadn’t had a great experience with AC #1, I would be a total skeptic after the recent conversation with AC #2. I have an appt with AC #1 from years ago in 1 week.
6 Likes
I don’t think you quite understood what I meant. There are several on here that are adamant that skeptics should believe them because of their experiences. I’m not discounting anyone’s experiences at all, or even saying its not true, I’m just saying that’s not how it works and people should try not to let it upset them so much that the skeptics don’t immediately change their minds after hearing their story. Your (g) experiences influence your beliefs, but that doesn’t mean they will influence someone else’s that didn’t experience the same thing.
I’m sorry if my tone came across harsher than i meant it to! I’m not judging anyone for their beliefs, promise.
Sure they can. I think this is a relevant example, which I’ve shared here before. My horse was difficult to get to canter. AC said he seemed to be unsure about going into the canter (I can’t remember exactly now, it’s been years.) I mentioned that my mare always struck off right away when I moved my outside leg back. AC said she would tell the gelding to ask the mare about beginning to canter. The next time I rode him, I moved my leg back and he went right into the canter!
5 Likes
No. Frankly, it seems to be the other way around, that skeptics are adamant that people should believe them when they say people are not telling the truth, or are deluded victims of charlatans.
3 Likes
I have found people are so sensitive about that! I was struggling with an issue with a dog and did something that is considered to be not reliable, and for me it helped. I did it through a holistic vet who thoroughly explained that many people thought it to be a waste but she’d found it helpful in some cases. It wasn’t an AC but on Facebook groups I was made to feel like I’d held a satanic ritual, so I can’t even bring myself to say what it was.
At any rate, for me and my dog, it was life changing. It may be coincidence, but I see it as money well spent because the problem she was having stopped. I still got so many people replying that they were so sorry I’d wasted my money but didn’t want to cause me to waste someone else’s.
I get that, but I went in knowing full well that it wasn’t considered useful or accurate but I wanted to give it a go before I did something a lot more intense. It didn’t cause me to do anything risky or harmful to the dog. I made a couple of changes, but they weren’t anything that would have any effect on anything really. 
I don’t get it. If someone said, “I have enough money to either call the vet or an AC,” obviously I think anyone would advise a vet. If an animal is getting everything it needs, a one time AC visit that doesn’t put anyone in financial jeopardy probably won’t hurt - even if it only makes the owner feel better about retiring the horse.
Regardless of AC or not, sometimes retiring the horse makes more sense than endless diagnostics into something that may or may not be fixable. I did it with a 22 year old gelding that was leased out when he had issues and my vet said, “You could spend a lot of money trying to figure out whether this is even an issue and if it is, if it’s a fixable one; or you could just put him out to pasture and see what happens.” I did the latter and he’s still around and seems to have a good quality of life retired (personally, I think that particular horse isn’t the most lovey dovey people horse and seems dramatically happier - but I’m able to provide more turnout to retirees than riding horses).
3 Likes
I had an AC talk to my little Haffy when I got him last year. I had him xrayed so I knew all was well in front, but he still kept tripping ALL THE TIME! Flat ground, the little hump into his stall, he was stumbling to the degree I was worried about safety.
The communicator asked him about it and told me he was just being lazy. She said to him, “Pick up your feet, it’s not safe!” and he’s rarely stumbled since, I kid you not.
8 Likes
