Just as there are no shortcuts to having healthy horses, there is no secret sauce to creating good health in humans. There are guidelines, just like making sure your horse has clean water and quality forage.
This is the roadmap by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. It’s not expensive, but it does take time to be mindful of your choices and develop good habits. Do you make sure the aisle is swept at the end of the day? Of course you do! Do the same with your own health. The most important pillar is nutrition, so be sure to take a look at Kimba’s (Kimberly Maloomian’s) articles on the HorseGrooms’ Guide to Nutrition to get started!
1. Whole Food, Plant-Based Nutrition
2. Physical Activity
3. Stress Management
4. Avoidance of Risky Substances
5. Restorative Sleep
6. Social Connection
Sign onto the HorseGrooms Community to download as a PDF.
Michele Hollis, MD, is a physician certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine who has been caring for equestrians with minor medical complaints and injuries since 2013. Based in Wellington, Florida, during the winter show season, she provides mobile medical services for equestrians through her HollisMed LLC and offers virtual consultations year-round. Michele also serves as a medical coordinator for major shows near her Virginia home, including Upperville, Capital Challenge, and the Washington International. A lifelong equestrian, she believes health care should be accessible to everyone and is passionate about helping grooms prioritize their own well-being. As she explains, “Horse grooms are marvelous caretakers for horses but often fail to remember to care for themselves. I want to help provide resources that make it easy to find answers to simple medical questions.” Michele welcomes inquiries through the HorseGrooms Community or via her website at hollismed.com.
