The importance of letting your horse roll-Messy and Happy

To roll or not to roll that may be the question in your mind when you have a beautiful horse that you would like to keep clean. 

Rolling is very important to your horse emotionally as well as physically. Your horse needs it just like we do when we lye on the living room floor and stretch out our backs. 

One of the most important times is directly after riding before you hose your horse off. This often will make your horse not want to roll after the bath too. Sometimes the horse wants both! 

This is beneficial to the horse's body because he can align his spine and straighten out any kinks that may have been created in his back under the saddle.

I personally find that some horses are happy while being ridden if they have been allowed to roll and run around before grooming and saddling. 

Horses are often happier psychologically and physically even when they look messy to us! Messy and Happy!

Rescue a horse as your first horse! Over 100,000 horses a year go to kill pens in the US and are then transported to Mexican and Canadian slaughter houses...

Rescue a horse as your first horse! Over 100,000 horses a year go to kill pens in the US and are then transported to Mexican and Canadian slaughter houses...

for human consumption in MANY other countries. Horse meat has been found in ground beef in Taco Bell for instance.

Slaughtering horses or selling horses for slaughter has been illegal in Texas since 1949 but several of the nations Kill Pens are in Texas...this is their last stop until they go to Mexico.

There are many advocates working on the legal aspects of this issue.

If you are looking to get a horse this is a great way to SAVE A LIFE and get a horse for under $1000

Most of my students are adult beginners. Women that have always wanted to have a horse but somehow never got to. Most women have stories of someone talking them out of it. Saying it's unrealistic. You have to be rich in order to have a horse. This isn't true.

This misconception is what makes 1000's of horses go to these cruel places to be killed. They are not old ill horses going through these places. 92% are healthy and under the age of 5. These are where breeders send the horses that won't make them $'s .

In my experience there are many great riding horses that would be perfect first horses. There were at least 5 gaited (very smooth movement) horses there in the last month. These horses ranged from 8 years old to 15. The perfect age to enjoy trail riding. There are horses off the track that are 12+ years old that could make a teens life super happy as a jumper.

My horse Remington-who was being sent to slaughter as a baby after he was part of the Premarin Menopause Drug Project

Just to give you an idea about expenses on a horse. Every area is a bit different but in General it is only super expensive if your horse is in full training and you have a groom. You don't have to do it this way. So in Southern California Board ( basic feed, water, and location) is anywhere from $300-900 a month. Farrier (hoof specialist) is around $50-$300 a month (most horses are at the lower end of this spectrum] Some horses need hoof care every 4 weeks/some can be every 6 weeks/and a few can go longer.

Additional feed can be $30-$100 a month (alot of horses are easy keepers and don't need this).

Lessons can be $60-$150 (can take a couple a month or once a week) There are online educational options and many great books written about riding and horse care.

The unexpected veterinary care is what most people are concerned with. There are insurance options for colic surgery that I've heard are around $45/month

I tell people to think about $1000 a month for all your basic horse upkeep bills.


Most times people don't additionally need to go to therapy so you save on that;) The horse is the therapist...Equine Therapy. Why go and pay $300-$25,000 for Equine therapy when you can save a horse and get the therapy straight from the Rescue Horse's mouth:)

If you are interested in private or group lessons in Malibu you can fill out my form below and receive a call or email in return.

Lesson Request Form

Our horses are rescue horses and taking lessons and rides supports their lives.

Make your dream of owning or leasing (responsibility is shared and you can stop whenever you want:) a horse come true!

Powered by Eventbrite

It is important to stay flexible and in the moment when training a horse. There are different methods for different horses. No one way is correct.

Often I hear opinionated horse people saying. I always do such and such. For instances using a stud chain on a horse when going into a trailer. In my opinion this usually is going against the goal of releasing pressure on the front end of the horse and increasing pressure behind the horse. This may work on a less physically sensitive horse (some warm bloods, drafts, quarter horses, etc.) and then not work at all on a very physically sensitive horse (Thoroughbred, Arabian, etc.)

Also with scheduling- While yes keeping a regulated schedule for feeding and chores helps horses feel more comfortable; sometimes if there has been a change like a new horse has entered barn  or weather is different, light is different because of daylight savings, etc. then it is best to adapt to the situation and make the best decision for the horses collectively. Like feeding extra bran mash. Moving horses to where they feel most comfortable in proximity to each other.

Bottom line, Assess in the moment and Adapt.

JUST BE

Working with a baby horse-using food as a reward and an emotional pacifier-slaughter bound rescue

Today I worked with a baby, well he's apparently pushing 2... he is an unhandled baby from the Kaufman Kill Pen in Texas. He was not "halter broke"...dumb term...trained to walk with a halter on his cutie face. Must be bizarre to have someone walk you around by your face if you think about it.

This is my student who rescued him learning to work with him. He's allowing touching.

I wish I had pictures or video of today. We will have to set up a camera. It was pretty awesome though. Took about 20 minutes to get him fairly desensitized to the halter and then I took him to the round pen. Where I then used my student with a feed bucket in the middle behind me as the bait and his job was to put his halter on and then he could get a bit of grain. We did it three times with run around loose equine sanity breaks in between. The third time he quickly shoved his nose through the halter with no fear. It was sweet he was like-OK, I got it-I'm doing it right-now give me the goods:)

There are so many rules where people say never do this or that. For instance using feed in training. There are times for it like this one-where a horse Loves food and has had alot of trauma. It is very helpful in moderation to create the desired result without misunderstanding and added trauma.

There are no cut and dry Rules. i.e. No shoes, only "natural hoof trimming", no alfalfa, no hand feeding, etc. There are times and places for all of these things. Every situation is different.

Horses are no different than ourselves in many ways...If you wonder what your horse feels...think of you in that situation..

So often, I hear new horse owners being bombarded with information immediately upon entering into the world of "Horse Ownership". They become overwhelmed pretty quickly. Barn owners, trainers, equine professionals of all sorts, and opinionated fellow horse loving people all have the Be All End All answers to everything you are experiencing with your horse...given generically in every situation. Answers repeated endlessly from text books written 10 years ago that lists and ailment and a treatment outdated and often ineffective. Very few people stop and assess the situation at hand and make an educated judgement based on their exploration and understanding of the situation at hand.

...And here is just a beautiful video of Jesse's Girl learning to jump. She is a Polo Pony Rescue.

My personal method is to always listen to all opinions and think them over... gauging the likelihood of  the suggested advice helping to improve my horse or my horse's situation. There is something so bizarre about the equine culture. In some ways it can be so stagnant and steeped in "Traditional"  practices it is barbaric in some cases, the pain of a bit against gum tissue in inexperienced hands, spurs that dig in and say nothing to a inadequately negotiated with horse. Does your horse want to be with you in what you are doing with him. I like to call this "High Class Horse Abuse". Jess (The above horse) is from this world. Polo is a fancy, high class, "Sport of Kings. Many of these horses, and many horses in all equine sport disciplines experience an abuse that is painful to them but somewhat ignorable to the humans involved. 

I recall going to the Equine Affair in Pomona California in 2007 or so...I needed to charge my phone so I snuck into the back of a lecture hall of 500 or so people... the speaker was a late in life cowboy of limited scope...he said "Horses do not have emotions"...I literally spit by accident into laughter. Anyone that loves their horse knows that they for sure have emotions...and dramatic ones at that.

"What is good for the horse, is rarely convenient for the human"- Inge Halliday

In conclusion, you will ultimately have to be the one to decide what is best for your equine friend. Basically all you have to do to figure out how your horse feels; is to think of yourself in the same situation. It's that simple. You want freedom. You want Love. You want understanding. You want food. You want water. You want somewhere nice to sleep. You want fun. You want friends. You want peace....and sometimes yer in a shitty mood...if there a difference between horses and humans?

Horse's spines....Why are the backs low? ...why are the whithers high...Think about it...how do braces on teeth work? You put pressure on bone=bones changes.

The horse industry is very reluctant to agknowledge this reality. Most stay stuck in beliefs such as....you must trim feet the way they grow or sugar does not cause cavities...what time period are these professionals living in? Um, horse teeth are made of of the same substances as human teeth and we have come a long way since barbers pulled teeth and hung bloody rags out on a hitching post to dry forming the symbolic red and white barbers pole.

The focus of this is: yes, we definitely affect the shape of a horse's back and spine. Ride from your own thigh muscles...ride like you are riding bareback,.. always!...and you will be riding correctly.

For Group or Private Lessons with Inge C. Halliday please fill out a Lesson Request Form 

Frustrated kids at fancy hunter jumper barns-what happened to just having fun with your horse? oh it doesn't make money...ah yes

I must write this now! This is such a common story, at least here in SoCal. Kid loves horses, kid starts riding, kid goes into full training, kid loses love of horses... What the Fuh? If you don't understand something-follow the money and the ego trail. I just had a concerned father call me and say that his son has been in full training at a hunter jumper barn and they are basically abusive to them telling them their horse is not good enough and that they must buy a $30,000-$50,000 horse.

Be a kid forever-me n my friend bein kids:)

Riding should be fun for you and for the horse. Not just push push push. Win ribbons. Not just for something to brag about to the other parents. Like my kid is a bla bla bla! First and foremost is your kid actually happy with their horse experience. All the kids I've seen here in Malibu with overachieving parents who NEED there kids to be Jumping by month two of their riding whether it's safe for them or not, end up either having injured children or kids that never want to ride again after they were pushed so hard through their formative years. This is something meant to be enjoyed. A relationship between horse and human. Curb the social climbing egotistical chatter and let your kid grow and enjoy horses at his or her own pace.

You don't need a super expensive horse to go far-you have to take the time to really learn to ride. That just takes time and actually just being on the horse.

For instance look at this horse

http://www.horsestarshalloffame.org/inductees/82/snowman.aspx

He was $80

Learn to ride by riding-riding alot -riding bareback-riding different horses-training in the arena-enjoying exploring the trails-try different trainers(I hate the oh no I don't want to cheat on my trainer thing-don't let anyone limit you)-watch videos-use your own judgement-learn from your decisions

When you think your horse is maybe unhappy or lame and your trainer says no keep going you might ask if the trainer gets something out of ignoring that horse's pain. If your kid is unhappy you might ask yoursef what is more important; creating happy memories and experiences or collecting $3 ribbons that will collect dust later.

New Horse owner/guardian? Some of the things you will need from the tack store...

This list is going to be an ongoing project and you can double check with your own power of reasoning and a trusted trainer. Every horse has specific needs that help him to be a happy individual. I am compiling this based on two students that are currently in the process of going from total beginner with no horse to adopting a horse in one week. One got a skinny whinny from a local ranch and another has purchased one from the Kaufman Kill Pen in Texas.

An ongoing evolving list (feel free to comment):

Halter/leadrope (if horse is young and untrained you may want a breakable leather one)

Basic Grooming Supplies:

Brush Box (a plastic or wood tote box to keep all your grooming supplies in)

Soft Brush (face and legs)

Stiffer Body Brush (some horses don't like very stiff brushes)
note: for instance I have a Percheron that you could rub with a metal brush and he would lean into it like it was the best thing ever and on the contrary I have a very feminine T bred that I have to use the softest of stiffer brushes or she looks at you like you are abusing her and she's going to call the SPCA

Curry Comb (oval shaped usually rubber in the US but you can order metal ones)
This is used to bring up dirt and gently exfoliate skin before using the brushes to remove dirt.

Comb or Brush for Mane and Tail ( choose whichever-eventually you will have both;)

Hoof Pick (lots of options: The plastic ones with the brushes on the back are good. No horse head)

Sweat scraper (Used to remove water after a bath-metal or rubber depending on your horses sensitivity and your needs. Some of the metal ones have a shedding blade on one side.)

Towels/shammies (For wiping eyes etc.You can use old clean towels from your house too.)


Products:

Fly Spray (Depending on your region and the time of year-most horses need fly spray-There are chemical ones and natural-get something with Tea Tree Oil if it's natural or it doesn't work)

Fly Mask (a mask to protect eyes from flies getting in corners and laying eggs...yucko!)

Hoof Oil ( Depends on region and time of year-used to moisturize hoves to avoid cracking)

Anti Fungus/bacterial hoof tx (you can use a liquid or a powder/you can use Tea tree oil as a natural alternative too. It's important to have something on hand as horses step in their poop and it rots feet)

Shampoo/Conditioner ( Can use human products, but go more natural to avoid irritation)

Spray in Conditioner/detangler (Show sheen or a more natural alternative you can find)

A first aid kit of sorts:
peroxide, neosporine, large gauze squares, vetwrap (2),neosporine, swat (fly repellent)-Natural alternatives exist for all of this too...Farrier's Wife has a nice product to replace Swat for instance...

More equiptment:

Longe Line and Longe whip (used for exercising your horse, this takes some training to use the longe line so free longing with no line is safer for horse until you get some training with line.

To be continued but this is a good start:)

Remington-Premarin Pharmaceutical Rescue

-German Bit-Less Bridle sold by MALIBU HORSES Reviewed by UK Horsewoman Hilary Bassak -

"A growing number of riders have come to the conclusion that much pain and unnecessary damage has been caused by conventional bridles. There is no justification for using bits when there is now so much evidence available that proves that there is a much better option –  bit-less bridles.

As a riding instructress, I have witnessed many unfortunate horses being ridden by heavy handed riders who have no idea how much pain and anxiety they are causing horses by leaning on the reins to compensate for a poor seat and lack of balance.

 Even light handed experience riders are creating a lot more discomfort than they think.

The good news is that horses are now being ridden up to advanced dressage levels as well as in ceratin bit-less bridles that recreate the best aspects of the action of a bit.

Perhaps you are wondering how it works and whether it would be suitable for your horse.

What a pity horses can’t talk – if they could, I am sure you would be in no doubt about the fact that no horse wants a piece of cold hard metal in his mouth and the painful pressure which is applied to his tongue and sensitive gums!~

How can you have contact with your horse  and put your horse into a "Frame" without a bit? Well, you can pick up contact with your horse through the reins and as you do that-the metal wheels on both sides rotate- the pressure on the horse’s nose creates the leverage that recreates the bit.

This German Bitless Bridle has been specially designed to restrict the energy of the horse's forward movement through the front end, thus the horse’s core lifts and the energy is directed up under the rider-creating balanced movement.

This has a calming effect on your horse.

This superior bridle has been designed, manufactured and tested up to the highest standards that have given German manufacturers their excellent reputation for quality and efficiency.

This is the latest design on the worldwide marketplace.

 Up until now it has taken months for buyers to get these bridles in the U.S.  That can be so frustrating but now - MALIBU HORSES has Stock Available in The U.S.A. so you can get your bridle right away.

The choice of colors is: Brown, black or natural

The Introductory price of the a Leather “snaffle” style with a curb chain is- $139.99 USD (Reg Price $159.99)

For stronger horses that require more pressure (or to have versatility) shanks are available that attach to the wheels to add more leverage

The German Bitless Bridle + Shank Set Grand Opening Price: $187.96 USD – (Reg Price $199.99)

MALIBU HORSES has received testimonials praising the quality and design of these superior bit-less bridles and the service of MALIBU HORSES. Buy yours today! Your horse will thank You!"

WWW.SHOPMALIBUHORSES.COM

What we humans do to horses mindlessly is atrocious -stud chains-This picture is what I call - #highclasshorseabuse

I call this High Class horse abuse because socially no one dare say to these people "What you are doing to this horse is hurting him or her." This is a pic I took a screen shot of off of a racehorse breeder or trainers instagram. I often make comments to try to educate them. I of course get snarky comments back from people who just worship the wealth and prestige that comes with the racing world and either don't notice the pain these horses endure or choose to turn a blind eye. 

I strongly believe that even if it is socially uncomfortable for us as humans to say something to help educate people about what horses feel and to help ease some of the physical and emotional pain horses experience due to us as humans stuck in outdated abusive ways of attempting to control.

This horse here is rearing because of the pressure of the stud chain being pulled tight across his upper gums and teeth. When I made this comment on the instagram photo- one of the fans of page said that no the horse was probably spooking at something and I shouldn't make comments like this on a "Nice" person's picture. My response was I'm sure they are very "Nice" people just steeped in tradition and doing things the way they always have been done. This doesn't change the fact that-while the horse may have spooked-I guarantee you the response of the handler here was to "shank" him hard with the lead rope which tightens the chain on the gums-the chain doesn't release well in this position, so likely it stayed tight. The only choice a horse has to try to get away from the painful pressure is to go up and back away from it.

No matter how uncomfortable or un-PC you are being never stop being their voice-they can't do it themselves!

#BETHEIRVOICE

I think it is important to be conscious of what the pressure of metal does to the hard and soft tissues of the mouth. 

What does the pressure of a bit do to the mouth? Well- Think about it! How do you think BRACES work? 

1. pressure on hard tissue changes its shape over time.

2.soft tissue rips and bleeds and changes shape with pressure overtime too.

~ Inge Halliday- Registered Dental/surgical Assistant /Horse Trainer/Instructor

-----------------------------

If you must use a bit, be conscious of its action and the resulting physicality, including demeanor changes. One should move towards using a NO BIT option more often. We should be riding from our seats! Right?

Give your horse's mouth and and mind a break from the metal bar. Your horse will thank YOU! <3

 This picture is amazing to me, I will have to figure out one that works for my horse Remington..........

                 

                                          INge & REmington

           

                                          Remington

  

LG-Bridle - The German Bitless Bridle - This is the most SUPERIOR Bitless Bridle on the Global Market!

THAT'S RIGHT! NO BIT!

LET'S FACE IT! BITS CAN HURT! HOW COULD A HARD PIECE OF METAL RUBBING AROUND ON SOFT GUM TISSUE LAID OVER SENSITIVE BONE NOT HURT?

Trying to control the horse by creating pain or trying to give the horse the incentive of keeping himself out of pain by complying doesn't work. This picture here is the extreme version of not knowing how to have a relationship with a horse and just trying to control him physically. The horse's level of nervousness just increases or on the other extreme they shut down and numb out to deal with the painful apparatus. 

The horse deals with the pain of raw cracked and rubbed corners of his mouth - even when someone is trying to use a simple "loose ring" snaffle- because most horses are not compliant enough and are not being ridden by a rider with quiet enough hands to not create pinching when the lip gets stuck between the ring and the ring hole. Then there are bits like this below which I'm sure feel awesome for the horse's sensitive mouth tissues-(sarcasm)

A little about my background:

I have ridden horses in all disciplines from dressage to jumping to competitive trail to beginning vaulting for the past 28 years- I have had a successful riding business in Malibu, California for the last 8 years both teaching riding students, training/exercising horses, and leading over 1000 Romantic Couples Trail Rides. I also happen to have a background in dentistry. I was a Registered Dental Assistant for over 10 years. I worked in every specialty of dentistry-General, Periodontal surgery, oral surgery, orthodontics, periodontics, endodontics and pedodontics. I have spoken to many many patients about what they are feeling and....

I am very clear what a human would do if they were not numb and you pushed a piece of metal into their gum tissue onto their jaw bone. THEY WOULD SLAP YOU!

The mouth is one of the most nerve filled and sensitive areas in the body. The pain is extremely sharp and radiates through your head. 

ON THE FLIP SIDE:

 I do understand that the bitless options that have been on the market have not been able to replace the bit UNTIL NOW! 

FINALLY THERE IS A GREAT OPTION !

THE LG-BRIDLE

MADE IN GERMANY! 

How it works: The design is very new and unique! When you pick up contact with the horse through the reins, the metal wheels on both sides rotate. This action puts leveraging pressure across the bridge of the horse's nose causing the energy of their forward momentum to be directed upward into the horse's core balancing the horse in movement. The horse is overall more calm without a piece of metal pressing into their gums. Horses are often non compliant if they are in pain. Is your horse ever non compliant? It could be pain in soft and hard tissues of the mouth and jaw.

The above pic is of an LG-Bridle with the Shank Set attached for more leverage

If you would like to go to our website and see how you can get one for your horse CLICK HERE!

or fill out an ORDER REQUEST FORM   

or Leave a message:

424-235-5567

Prices Starting at $139.99 USD 

P.S. Your trainers may tell you NO that will never work, because most people can't handle change. Be an advocate for your horse, who has no voice! At least try it! I guarantee your trainer will like it!

#BeTheirVoice

Vaulting is so Beautiful. Top Three females.

Stunning Vaulting

I love vaulting. It is such a beautiful sport. One of the hardest sports I think a human can do. I also think it is one of the kindest equestrian disciplines for the horse. FINALLY one in which the human is working harder than the horse. Its about time. 

What a Weaving Horse Looks Like-What can you do?

This is an example of a horse that is weaving. This horse also paws at the air in frustration as well as banging the side walls with his hooves sometimes too. Horses naturally move for many hours a day eating as they walk. To stand idle in a stall can be extremely frustrating to a lot of horses. Especially high strung breeds.

This can be helped by both getting the horse into a larger paddock situation and by creating some type of social situation for the horse that involves exercise. This does not mean with a rider. The feeling of cabin fever the horse is experiencing inside can be somewhat alleviated by massage as well. The way most of us have experienced horses is a very unnatural environment for them. All you really have to do to know what the horse feels like is to imagine yourself in that environment. While also taking into consideration their size to space ratio. A 12x12 stall is a bit like us living in a porta-potty. Please note though that for some horses that have always lived in very small spaces being put in a very large space can be initially overwhelming and anxiety producing. The change may need to happen gradually depending on the individual temperament of the horse. The name of the game with horses or really anything is to be present, observe, and see what the horse or situation is telling you. Adjust according to what is happening that day, hour, or moment.