Hej friends! It's Malin here, your Swedish farmer, horse lover, and enthusiastic Q&A host. Today, we dive into some of your most thoughtful, funny, and curious comments. We absolutely love reading what you send in, and we picked out a few to answer right here. So let's get into it!
🗨️ "What happened to your back?"
Great question, and one that comes up often! I haven't had a specific trauma or accident, but my back has always been a bit of a challenge. Since I'm legally blind, I tend to look down while walking, which has affected my posture over time. It developed into back pain and stiffness.
On top of that, I have osteoporosis, which means I have very fragile bones. Even small movements can trigger pain in my muscles. It's one of the reasons I'm planning to apply for a guide dog, so I can walk more upright and not have to stare at the ground for balance or focus. That should help my back tremendously!
🗨️ "How did you get into horses?"
It all started when I was about six years old. My dad and I used to watch Little House on the Prairie together, and I absolutely fell in love with the horses, and the whole lifestyle, to be honest. That love never went away.
My first horse was named Gulla, and I had her until I was in my late teens. She was quite old when I got her, but she lived a long, beautiful life. She wasn't a western horse, but I dreamed of being a cowboy! I even asked for a cowboy saddle for Christmas and rode her with an old rug and a bridle, just me, Gula, and the woods.
🗨️ "Why don't you always wear a helmet when riding?"
I get this question quite a bit, and I want to be clear, I have nothing against helmets. They're a great safety tool, and I do wear one sometimes.
But because of my vision, I rely heavily on sound and feel when riding. Helmets can actually dull those senses for me. I know that sounds odd, but when you're blind, your ears and body become your primary guides.
I only ride extremely safe and trusted horses. If I were to fall off, I'd likely hurt myself regardless because of my bone condition. So, for me, it's about balance, safety and connection. And being 53, I think I've earned the right to decide what works best for me.
🗨️ "At what age should a mare stop breeding?"
It really depends on the individual horse. I don't believe in setting a strict number or age. I look at the mare's overall health, behavior, and condition.
Take Madonna, for example. She only had one foal, Lavendel, and we almost lost her during that pregnancy. So, she won't have any more. On the other hand, Shanaya had 15 foals and handled them beautifully, with breaks between pregnancies.
🗨️ "When should a horse retire and live "in freedom"?"
I love this question. I believe retirement should be based on the horse's wellbeing and willingness. Some horses want to work longer, others prefer to relax. "Freedom" shouldn't mean isolation or disconnection, it should mean the horse gets to enjoy life in a way that feels good for them.
If a horse is still happy to go for rides or participate in groundwork, there's no reason to take that joy away. For me, the best part of a horse's day should be the time spent with its human.
🗨️ "Why are you touching Madonna's private parts?"
Yes, this came up, so let's clear the air! When I examine my mares (like Madonna), I'm checking for signs of pregnancy, health issues, or discomfort. That means I need to feel the udder and sometimes the vulva.
The same goes for geldings, I need to be able to touch all parts of their bodies to check for swelling, injuries, or hygiene concerns. It's completely normal and necessary in horse care. They can't check those areas themselves, so we do it for them!
⭐ Highlight Comment of the Week
"It warms my heart, gives me strength, and makes me smile every time I watch your videos. You show love, care, silliness, and training. Thank you for being a pillar of strength and light in a world that often snuffs out those things. All my love to the horses, the crew, and to you, my friend."
Thank you. Truly. Comments like this are why we keep doing what we do. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for following along, laughing with us, crying with us, and being part of our little Swedish farm family.
