The Cure in Pure ( Episode 5) : 'they wont speak, they'll show' pennys approach.

 

Penny's commonly used phrase, "Listen to them, they won't speak, they'll show," is more than just a catchy phrase; it's the cornerstone of her approach to animal care, particularly evident in her interactions with horses. It's a philosophy that shifts the focus from simply managing animals to truly understanding and responding to their innate communication. As we witnessed on Monday, this principle yielded a remarkable outcome.

The team observed one of the horses exhibiting a peculiar behavior: consistently seeking out and eating the bark and leaves of trees around the field, while her grazing companions remained focused on the grass. This wasn't just a casual nibble; it was a persistent, almost driven pursuit of something the horse seemed to be missing. When the team brought this to Penny's attention, her response perfectly encapsulated her philosophy: "She must be missing something, a nutrient or mineral that she knows she needs and she can't get it from her food, so she's going to the trees to obtain it."

This statement is key. Instead of dismissing the behavior as odd or simply reinforcing boundaries to prevent the horse from eating the trees, Penny immediately interpreted the action as a form of communication. The horse wasn't being defiant; she was exhibiting a natural, instinctual behavior in an attempt to self-medicate or supplement her diet. This is where the "listen" part comes in. Penny wasn't listening for words, but for the message embedded in the horse's actions.

Acting on this intuitive understanding, the team sourced and provided the horse with a supplement containing the minerals that could potentially be found in the trees she was consuming. The results were truly telling. Since the introduction of these minerals into her feed, the horse has significantly reduced, and in many cases, stopped her reliance on the trees. This change in behavior is a powerful validation of Penny's initial assessment.

This "Listen to them" approach extends far beyond addressing nutritional deficiencies. It's about recognizing that animals are constantly communicating their physical and emotional states through their natural behaviors. It's about observing subtle cues in their posture, their interactions with others, their energy levels, and even seemingly insignificant habits like the tree-eating.

For example, a horse pinning its ears might be expressing discomfort or anxiety, not just aggression. A horse that is unusually withdrawn might be experiencing pain or illness. A horse that is excessively restless could be bored or lacking stimulation. Penny's philosophy encourages the team to become keen observers, to look beyond the obvious and delve into the potential underlying reasons for these behaviors.

This approach fosters a deeper connection and a more holistic understanding of the animal. It moves away from a purely reactive model of care, where issues are addressed only after they become significant problems (like a noticeable change in coat condition or a decline in riding performance). Instead, it promotes a proactive and preventative approach, allowing the team to identify potential issues early on, often before they manifest as overt physical symptoms.

The success with the tree-eating horse is a beautiful testament to the power of this philosophy. It demonstrates that by truly "listening" to what the animals are "showing" us through their natural behaviors, we can provide more effective and compassionate care, leading to happier, healthier, and more balanced animals. It's a reminder that communication isn't always verbal, and that sometimes, the most profound messages are conveyed through the silent language of behavior.