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 Answers repeated endlessly from text books written 10 years ago that lists and ailment and a treatment outdated and often ineffective.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?

-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