August 12, 2024 
Owning a horse was a childhood dream that I was fortunate enough to turn into a reality upon gaining a financially stable career as a nurse. Little did I know that what I would learn in nursing school would one day come into play as a horse owner.
Okay, is my thoroughbred Theo a sensitive, anxious, injury-prone animal? Yes.
Maybe a different horse would not have made it their sole mission to teach me how to deal with all of the potential medical issues as a first-time owner. But, in the end, I guess I should thank him for putting me through these many lessons over the years.
In nursing school, one of the very first and most important classes we take is called Health Assessment. Simply put, we learn about all the systems of the body, and how to assess a patient for things we expect to be present, as well as anything irregular.
This evidence is used to provide the appropriate care and treatment for a patient’s conditions. For these purposes, I have broken down the assessments into categories, and will discuss how my horse, Theo, has tested my skills in each.
Physical Assessment
As a nurse, I am required to perform a head-to-toe assessment on my patients, looking at the different systems (the gastrointestinal system, respiratory system, musculoskeletal system, integumentary system, etc.). One summer, after noting an increased cough, I found myself listening to Theo’s lungs with my stethoscope, counting his respiratory rate, and assessing his nasal drainage. But that was just the beginning.
Given that Theo is an off-the-track thoroughbred, his GI system speaks for itself. Theo has been scoped and treated for ulcers, and has suffered from an episode of colic. The integumentary system (i.e. the skin) is another biggie for Mr. Sensitive. From Benadryl for fly bite swelling to hoof delamination and abscesses, eye swelling, and puncture wounds, I have done as much wound care on Theo as I have in a year of being an emergency department nurse!
The musculoskeletal system is another one. I have rehabbed my war horse from kissing spine surgery and a suspensory ligament tear. I briefly recall hearing about the use of platelet-rich plasma around the time of the latter injury and—lo and behold—it was the recommended option to treat Theo’s leg. My friends laugh when I tell them that my horse has had shockwave, acupuncture, massage, and chiropractic adjustments.
But, if not for him, I would not have learned the benefits of some of these complementary treatment options myself.
Social/Emotional Assessment
Part of being a nurse involves talking to patients, listening to their feelings and experiences, and being compassionate and empathetic. Learning to listen to what our horses are saying is a little different. It was not something I was accustomed to doing to the depths at which I now try to engage with Theo.
Initially, I lacked the experience and knowledge to examine what makes Theo anxious. I’ve learned it’s not just about looking for calming supplements. Watching how Theo interacts and behaves with his herd mates, for example, and how that translates into his interactions with me has been thought-provoking.
Just being with him, and knowing something is not right, is like that gut feeling that we get as nurses when we look at patients, and think something bad is going to happen. I have learned, in both the horse and human instances, I need to trust my gut.
Environmental Assessment
Caring for patients often involves learning about their environment and living conditions at home. Environment is considered a social determinant of health, as it can affect patient outcomes and overall quality of life.
In the case of my horse, I learned how important environment can be when it comes to his happiness. One example: A thoroughbred on limited turnout was a recipe for disaster!
In another instance, I moved Theo to a different type of barn at a time when he was telling me he was done with our current training regimen. We left our structured program for a semi-retirement-type setting where he was quickly able to relax, as the pressure was gone. I listened to what he was telling me, and I am certainly glad I did.
In the end, Theo has taught me that horses are complex and individual beings, shaped by their previous life experiences and interactions, and their relationships with others. The same can be said for human beings.
Be it a nurse with patients, or an owner with her horse, in difficult times, we must listen to each other and be compassionate.
