Traditions in Horsemanship

convenient easy less expensive and popular. 
Horse care traditions can be tricky. Just remember back to the days of your first or even your current horse and the deluge of opinions from every corner of the barn telling you to feed this hay in these amounts use this blanket trim or shoe his feet this way or that. It can be overwhelming. I still have moments when I wonder about the best way to care for my horses remembering how easy it was to sink into the traditional ways of doing things. Thankfully I have a horse that doesnt allow complacency she made her opinions about her care very clear. For example when I attempted to separate her from her buddies in a small paddock with an electric fence she would have none of it and became increasingly challenging to handle. After a few years of trying unsuccessfully to shove her into a traditional box of horse care we moved to an acreage in the Cowichan Valley where her needs of freedom friends and movement could be met. I learned as I went and made lots of mistakes as I moved from what I still refer to as a more traditional way of doing things into rather uncharted territory from numbness to feeling and from disconnected to connected. 
When it comes to the traditions with horses that have been passed down to you I encourage you to approach each one with a healthy skepticism and these simple questions.
Does this tradition in any way cause harm even inadvertently to my horse myself or any other being?
Does this tradition have its roots in a particular culture or in my family heritage? Do I understand those roots fully?
Is there a body of research andor scientific evidence that is contrary to this tradition? If so what does this research show to be true?
What is my personal attachment to this tradition? Does the motivation behind this attachment have the wellbeing of my horse in mind?
If I change or let go of this tradition what might I lose and what might I gain?
As always I hope this helps you build a more solid foundation for connection with your horses and more clarity around your steps forward. Traditions are important but they are also constantly evolving as we learn more and grow our capacity for understanding these amazing animals. Good luck and happy trails! And by the
way my back is on the mend thanks to a good solid week of rest and letting go of my tradition of pushing too hard.