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!

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

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?

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

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

The truth about Hooves-Empower yourself and know what is possible!

So often I hear that there is no ability to change the shape of a horse's hoof by way of trimming or shoeing. 

I ve asked certain farriers their methodology...what they are going for...what they believe is possible by shoeing or trimming. The responses are either I don't know, or I just do what the client asks for, or I trim the hoof the way it grows. 

When I tell people it IS possible to affect and change the hoof shape, size, and angles I feel as if I'm telling people the world is Round for the first time after the general population has fully accepted the notion that the Earth is flat(I hope you know, what I'm referencing here).

I guess I should say why it is important to change and monitor the way the hooves are on a horse. It is important because if you have a part of the hoof that is Blocking the movement of the horse, the weakest part that is involved in that movement will start to break down( i.e. Joint, ligaments, tendons, etc.). As horse people all know there are endless leg problems with horses that are actively being worked and in some that aren't as well. This is no mystery. It just takes some deductive reasoning, observation, and an openness to looking at the horse as a whole; an ever changing being in motion.

I am going to compile as many before and afters of the cases I have collaborated with my farrier Dawn Jenkins on. Even she said you just trim the hoof how it grows. I disagreed. I have a background in dentistry and one of the specialty offices I worked in was orthodontics. This is all about moving bone with pressures. You move teeth over by creating relief(space) on one side and putting pressure on the other. Osteoclasts break down the bone and Osteoblasts build bone on the newly created space. 

Physiology works with it's environment moving and changing as it has to because of environmental pressures.

The reason we have to do this through essentially equine podiatry is because they don't live natural lives of running at top speeds breaking away the feet naturally. We keep horses in extremely unnatural environments so we have to recreate optimum health to the best of our abilities. 

I'm not a person that thinks that all horses should just be wild again. It's not realistic. There are downfalls to that too. Like dying on the range. Our domesticated horses are far too thoroughly bred to handle the conditions. Besides, the blm and nps would round them up for horse meat anywho.

I have been loving and studying horses for 28 years. I have been riding and teaching professionally for the last 15 years. One thing I see over and over is that the client, the horsey mommy(or daddy) usually has a gut feeling about what is happening with their horse or how their horse should be treated and it is canceled out by the supposed professional; trainer, farrier, vet, etc. so the intuition of the person who knows the horse best is disempowered. The one person that has the horse's best interest in mind and is not jaded by income in relation to that horse is shut up. I would like to empower the horse advocates that speak up for horses personal rights; that speak up for new and innovative ways of doing things.