Page 14 - Demo

We all know the signs of a full-blown emergency:sweating, pawing, rolling, bleeding or refusing tobear weight. But the real magic - the real skill - liesin recognizing the subtle signs that appear before the obviousones. Because emergencies rarely start with drama. They startwith something small. A flicker. A feeling. A moment that onlysomeone paying close attention might notice.And often, those moments are the difference between “wecaught it early” and “I wish I’d seen it sooner.”The Problem WiTh WaiTing For big SignSIt’s easy to think everything is fine because your horse isn’ton the ground, dripping blood or visibly in pain. But horses areprey animals. Their instinct is to hide weakness - sometimesuntil it’s almost too late.By the time your horse is showing dramatic signs, the problem has already been in motion. Colic didn’t begin with a sweat.An abscess didn’t appear the moment your horse went threelegged. The earliest warnings were probably there - just quieter.Sometimes we think we’re waiting for confirmation, but whatwe’re really doing is hoping the problem will resolve itself. Thatpause can cost you precious time.WhaT “QuieT” SignS mighT look likeEvery horse is different, but here are some of the small shiftsthat often precede larger emergencies:• A slightly elevated heart rate• Standing unusually still• Slower chewing or softer eyes• Dropping weight in the topline or shoulder• One hoof is warmer than the others• Less interested in hay, but still picking at it• A shift in posture or expression that feels offThese aren’t things most owners are taught to take seriously- but they matter. And if you’ve been around horses long enough,you’ve probably had a moment where something in your guttold you, “Something’s not right.”That instinct is worth listening to. Your gut is often backedby hundreds of hours of subconscious observation. That’s notguesswork - that’s experience at work.PaTTern recogniTion STarTS WiTh Paying aTTenTionIt’s hard to notice what’s changed if you don’t know what“normal” looks like in the first place. That’s why building a habitof quiet observation - especially when everything is fine - mattersso much.Here’s a simple routine to help you get started:• Stand and watch your horse for two full minutes a day.• Check their digital pulse once a week.• Practice lifting each hoof and noticing the temperature andfeel.• Note gum color, refill time and resting heart rate.• Run your hands along the topline and shoulder every week.None of these steps takes long. But they train your eyes,hands and brain to recognize subtle changes early - the kind ofchanges you might otherwise overlook.When Horses Whisper: The “Quiet”Signs Before the Emergencyby Shelly Allencontinued on page 1614 Arizona Horse Connection February, 2026Jean Burke Tubac, Arizona(520) 401-2233• 24 Hour On-Site Supervision• Veterinarian On CallSpecialized horse care...over 20 years of quality service.Psalm 40Lush Green Grass Pastures... Lush Green Grass Pastures...in Southern Arizona in Southern Arizona• Mares • Geldings• Weanlings• Mares And Foals• Lay Ups• Retired Horses• 35 Years In Business• Year RoundElevation 3300 ft.Does your horse need a new lease on life? Do you want your youngsters to grow up as real horses? Do you like green grass and cooler weather? Then these pastures are for you!100 Irrigated Acres Divided Into 5 to 6 Acre Pastureswith Smooth Wire & Pipe FencingElectric Fence • Pens Available