Horse & Halo

Horse & Halo Horse & Halo is a recognized 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

🌟 Our little fella is off to start the next step to being a grown-up! 🌟Astro left for training yesterday with Butch Mowd...
11/02/2024

🌟 Our little fella is off to start the next step to being a grown-up! 🌟

Astro left for training yesterday with Butch Mowdy eqkindergaten, and we couldn’t be prouder. This little guy was born here in March, 2023 and is so well-loved by everyone who knows him, and we’re all cheering him on as he takes these important steps in his journey.

There has already been interest in adopting Astro, but we feel strongly about every horse leaving here with a solid foundation. With Butch’s guidance, Astro will develop the skills he needs to thrive in a future home.

Thank you to Chris Fout for being our transport and to all who have supported Astro and Horse & Halo along the way. We can’t wait to see him grow and thrive! 🐴❤️

🚨 SOS: We’ve Lost Our Beloved ATV! 🚨RIP to our trusty Horse & Halo 4-wheeler, who faithfully zipped through chores until...
10/29/2024

🚨 SOS: We’ve Lost Our Beloved ATV! 🚨

RIP to our trusty Horse & Halo 4-wheeler, who faithfully zipped through chores until its very last gasp. 🫡 She might’ve been older than dirt, but wow, could she haul it! Now… we’re down to wheelbarrows, grit, and a whole lot of cardio. 💪🏼😂

Want to be our hero of the year (or century)? We need a reliable replacement! Age doesn’t matter, but it needs to run—preferably without one wheel in the grave. We’re on a super-tight budget (we’re a nonprofit; hay’s expensive!), so if you know of a retired ATV that’s looking for a new life full of hay-hauling and poop-scooping, send it our way! 🙏

Drop us a line or tag someone who might have an ATV looking for its next adventure. 🐴💨

UPDATE: Thank you, everyone! Thanks to your incredible support, we now have a few cozy blankets for this sweet filly. Sh...
10/26/2024

UPDATE: Thank you, everyone! Thanks to your incredible support, we now have a few cozy blankets for this sweet filly. She’s the third foal from the Twin Falls horses, with 2-3 more little ones on the way. Our team isn’t exactly thrilled about having foals this time of year (hello, cold weather!), but we’re so grateful for this community rallying together to help us today. 🥰

Special shoutout to a wonderful adopter who brought straw on their way out this morning, a volunteer who picked up a blanket, and another who dropped off a few extra sizes. You all are the best! Thank you for being part of the Horse & Halo family! 🙏🐴💙

10/22/2024

⚠️ WARNING: This post and linked news article contain graphic details and video regarding animal abuse that may be upsetting to some.

🚨 IMPORTANT UPDATE ON ONGOING ANIMAL ABUSE CASE IN TETON COUNTY, ID 🚨

An update on a recent heartbreaking case of animal cruelty in Teton County: A horse was brutally abused—restrained, kicked, beaten, pulled, and whipped—for over 30 minutes despite the horse clearly being in distress. This horrific act was caught on video and reported to law enforcement on October 6, 2024.

📅 TIMELINE OF EVENTS

🚨 October 6: The incident was reported to county dispatch. However, due to being "overwhelmed with other calls," law enforcement response was delayed by 48 hours.

🚨 October 8: The alleged abusers, Roger Reiley and Tori Tropf, were arrested. Law enforcement removed one horse from the property but left the other animals behind.

🚨 October 16 - 21: Horse & Halo and the Idaho Animal Rescue Network are urging law enforcement and the prosecuting attorney to re-evaluate the charges, as they do not reflect the severity of the abuse, and to remove the remaining animals from the alleged abusers' care.

✊ HOW YOU CAN HELP PUSH FOR JUSTICE

📚 Educate Yourself: Review Idaho’s animal protection laws (Title 25, Chapter 35 - Animal Care) to understand the gaps that exist in enforcement and legislation and why cases like this are so urgent. You can find more details here: https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title25/T25CH35/ 🔗

👥 Attend Court Hearings: Your presence is powerful. Attend the court hearings for cases CR41-24-1026 (Roger Reiley) and CR41-24-1025 (Tori Tropf) to show your support for holding those responsible accountable. Stay informed by tracking case details through the State of Idaho iCourt Portal: https://icourt.idaho.gov/ 🔗

🗣 Speak Up: If you have any information related to this case or other instances of animal abuse in the past year, please contact the Teton County Sheriff's Office at 208-776-8200. You may choose to remain anonymous.

🤝 Support the Prosecutor: The prosecutor plays a vital role in pursuing justice. Show your support by writing to the prosecutor’s office or consider getting involved in local government to help create a lasting impact.

📢 Raise Awareness: Share this information to help drive change. Your voice can help ensure incidents like this are never repeated. Together, we can make a difference.

🐴 If you would like to join the advocacy efforts for stronger animal protection laws, please contact:

Horse & Halo
Phone: 208-505-8772
Email: [email protected]

Idaho Animal Rescue Network
Phone: 208-352-0620
Email: [email protected]

We were truly honored to host the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) and their amazing group of law students at Horse & Ha...
10/17/2024

We were truly honored to host the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) and their amazing group of law students at Horse & Halo! We can’t express enough how grateful we are for their interest in the work we do and their passion for animal welfare. Every opportunity to share our horses' stories and celebrate their resilience fills our hearts with gratitude. 💙🐴 "

Viewer Discretion is AdvisedAfter much consideration, we’re sharing this important video to bring attention to a heartbr...
10/15/2024

Viewer Discretion is Advised
After much consideration, we’re sharing this important video to bring attention to a heartbreaking issue—the abandonment of deceased animals. While we won’t disclose the location publicly, we have provided all relevant details to the authorities. One of the major challenges we’ve identified is the cost of euthanasia and proper disposal, which can be difficult for some to afford. If you ever find yourself in a position where you are unable to provide your animal with the final act of kindness and proper removal, we’ve listed helpful resources in the comments below.

Meet Malcom, our incredible 20-something rescue Thoroughbred 🐴💙 This morning, something truly special happened. When Mal...
10/12/2024

Meet Malcom, our incredible 20-something rescue Thoroughbred 🐴💙 This morning, something truly special happened. When Malcom’s foster mom Hallie went into labor, her doula encouraged her to go outside for a walk and some fresh air. As soon as she stepped outside, Malcom met her at the fence, gently placing his head on her shoulder. He stood there with her, quietly offering comfort for over 20 minutes while she focused on her breathing and calming her mind. At one point, this sweet old soul even rested his head on her baby bump, as if to reassure her that she wasn’t alone. 💫
Malcom’s heart and gentle spirit were right there for his foster mom when she needed it most. Thank you, Malcom, for being more than just a horse—you’re a true friend. 🐎❤️

10/04/2024

Thank you, Beth ❤️

🌟 Meet Jackson, our sweet Standardbred superstar! 🐴✨ He's come such a long way, and we’re beyond excited to share that h...
09/26/2024

🌟 Meet Jackson, our sweet Standardbred superstar! 🐴✨ He's come such a long way, and we’re beyond excited to share that he's stepping into his next chapter with Skip, who’s also a proud Standardbred! 🥰 Skip recently lost his long-time buddy and has been feeling a little blue, but we’ve got just the remedy. Say goodbye to the blues, Skip—Jackson is here to bring the sunshine back! ☀️💛 Here’s to new friendships, new adventures, and brighter days ahead for these two! 💫

This is great information.
09/20/2024

This is great information.

"New HORSE Syndrome”🆕🐴

Yesterday, I wrote about a new term I have coined called “New Home Syndrome.” The post has gone viral, and I am really glad about that because what horses experience when they move homes is incredibly significant and poorly understood. It sets off a pattern of behaviour due to the psychological and physiological impact of completely changing their environment and routines.

I wish to introduce you to my next term, which I hope is also accepted as widely because it is just as significant and goes hand in hand with “New Home Syndrome.” The term is “New HORSE Syndrome,” and it is to bring recognition, respect, and appreciation to what can happen to many PEOPLE when they get a new horse. I personally got stuck in the vortex of “New HORSE Syndrome” for nearly eight years after I bought a flashy young warmblood. I believe if I had known about “New HORSE Syndrome,” things could have been very different and I would have been better at identify better help and solutions.

I am calling it a syndrome because the psychological turmoil, loss of confidence, and sense of hopelessness that can manifest in an individual connected to the event of getting a new horse are common and predictable. The things that resolve “New HORSE Syndrome” are also predictable.

Let me explain.

When you get familiar with something, you perceive it as predictable and reliable. Your nervous system down-regulates, and you can relax. Familiar things are all part of our comfort zones. Familiar places, people, activities, and tasks are easy to be around, engage with, and navigate. The familiarity of these things makes you feel a sense of certainty and hence security.

Think about a horse you got on with really well. It might not have been perfectly behaved, but you were familiar with them, so you found them predictable.

If you are like me, before I got my warmblood, I was the typical amateur rider. Horses were my hobby, and although I had ridden for most of my life, it was only on a very small number of horses. I was always surrounded by people that helped me out, and the small number of horses I experienced were kind and, as I discovered, forgiving of me.

When my flashy young warmblood was delivered by the trucking company after a four-day trip across Australia, I had no concept of what he was being confronted with. I gave him a single day off before I eagerly jumped on board.

As soon as I got on him, I felt weird. He was taller than the other horse I had been riding and moved differently. His movement was so big and ground-covering. This is significant for our nervous system and proprioception, as the movement of horses we ride regularly gets locked into our proprioceptive circuits. If we don’t ride many horses, as I didn’t back then, feeling a new horse is confronting to our sense of balance in the saddle. Not only this, but I vividly remember him abruptly stopping and turning his head right around as if to eyeball me. It was most likely because I was hanging onto his mouth and giving him go-stop aids at the same time. He would have been completely confused and confronted by how I was communicating with him and how unbalanced I was on his back. It felt like he growled at me; what I probably felt was his tension lift. He then proceeded to spook and shy around the arena because I had just added an alarming and uncomfortable experience to what he was already dealing with. I had never had a horse spook so many times over nothing. It was not fun. After a week of this spooking and shying, my nerves were shot, and I started dreading getting on him. And so began my seven-year battle with “New HORSE Syndrome” as I became obsessed with trying to fix my “sensitive,” unpredictable, and unreliable horse. It took me that long to identify that I was causing him trouble. But when you are stuck in “New HORSE Syndrome” you cannot see this.

What is “New HORSE Syndrome”?

I define “New HORSE Syndrome” as what happens to a person when the way a new horse behaves, responds, and feels is different from what is known or expected. This difference and shattering of expectations creates a sense of distrust and lack of reliability and safety. The rider then becomes overly preoccupied with risk management, emotionally monitoring the horse, and finding solutions to fix them. When efforts to resolve the behaviour or gain a sense of harmony in encounters continue to fail, feelings of guilt, shame, and a sense of hopelessness can be overwhelming.

This can lead to the person experiencing anxiety and a destruction of confidence as a rider; prone to lashing out aggressively towards the horse; riding recklessly in an effort to push through fear; or creating excuses or distractions to avoid riding altogether.

Sometimes the horse might be sold and another new horse acquired, where the same issues will surface. However, other times to resolve the discomfort caused by the conflict between their desire to ride and their fear, they might change their expectations and activities with the horse, opting not to ride it for various reasons. This reframing is a coping mechanism that helps them deal with the perceived failure and alleviates the psychological discomfort of not feeling safe riding their horse.

“New HORSE Syndrome” can be overcome.

It can be solved by helping people understand how to help a horse adjust to a new environment, routines, and rider. By showing people how to introduce themselves to the horse's mind and body through imprinting what I call their signature. Everyone is a different height, weight, and will do things slightly differently. Therefore, the horse has to learn about you and be given time to develop and practice responding to how you handle them and ride. This includes how you sit, hold the reins, use your leg, and communicate direction and transitions. You need to allow your and the horse’s mind and body to adapt and grow proprioceptive circuits to allow the physical connection between horse and rider to feel familiar, for the communication to be familiar, and for the routines to become familiar. All so everyone feels a sense of security and healthy stress regulation can occur. It is important to respect that a sense of trust is built by time and experience, and it needs to be strategically approached.

“New HORSE Syndrome” may be a transient hiccup when the horse and rider can adjust to each other and trust is built. But for others, it can be a long suffering that is mentally, emotionally, and financially devastating. Not to mention all the horse accidents that happen when non-trusting riders make bad choices with non-trusting horses.

If this has struck a cord with you, please ask for some guidance, there are those of us out there that understand this very common yet poorly understood experience of what is really going on❤

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Please hit the SHARE BUTTON to spread the idea if it resonates with you. ❤

‼However, please do not copy and paste and plagiarise my work as it happens all the time and it is really not cool. ‼
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Ordinarily, our older horses spend the rest of their lives with us at Horse & Halo, but sometimes, fate has other plans....
09/14/2024

Ordinarily, our older horses spend the rest of their lives with us at Horse & Halo, but sometimes, fate has other plans. 💫 It was love at first sight when Oso (32-34 yrs old) met Margaret at our open house a couple of months ago. 🥰 Oso has always been a favorite here, but just like all our horses, if they have a chance to find a human who’s dedicated to just them, we’re more than willing to make an exception.

Of course, every horse needs a sidekick, and that’s where Penny (21 yrs old) comes in. 🐴 Penny lost her lifelong partner, Princess, about two years ago and hasn't truly bonded with another horse since. We knew that a one-on-one connection with both a horse and a dedicated human is what Penny needs. Thank you Margaret Graban Carrico for offering these two so much love and kindness.

We couldn't be happier for Oso and Penny as they embark on this beautiful new journey together! ❤️ Remember, even if a horse is past its riding days, a companion horse brings just as much joy and love as a riding horse. 🌟

09/13/2024

📣 ATTENTION HORSE OWNERS! 📣

Horse & Halo is expanding to Meridian, and we're excited to offer EXCLUSIVE FULL CARE BOARDING at our second location, opening October 1st!

Enjoy premium care for your horse with access to:
➡️ 🏠 Indoor & outdoor arena
➡️ 🔒 Secure code-locked tack rooms
➡️ 🛋️ Private common area
➡️ 🐴 Live stall webcams 24/7 monitoring
➡️ 📝 Personalized weekly health updates
➡️ 🌾 Daily turnout spaces
➡️ ✨ AND MORE!

Don't miss out! Limited boarding spots available—fill out the interest form today!
👉 Linked here and in our bio: https://forms.gle/c83aGrxZdiguqvKv9

Check back NEXT WEEK for our full announcement with all the exciting details!

🐴 Urgent Call for Action: Welfare of Working Livestock Used by IOGA Licensed Outfitters 🐴One year ago, Two Socks a horse...
09/03/2024

🐴 Urgent Call for Action: Welfare of Working Livestock Used by IOGA Licensed Outfitters 🐴

One year ago, Two Socks a horse that had been used for outfitting and guiding was discovered on Forest Service land in a state of severe distress—emaciated and dehydrated. When concerns were raised, the horse's owner, a licensed outfitter under the Idaho Outfitters & Guides Association (IOGA), dismissed them, saying, "He is in retirement."

This heartbreaking situation highlights a grim reality: Idaho is the only outfitter licensing board in the Pacific Northwest that lacks rules to protect livestock—horses, mules, and donkeys. Currently, the IOGA's licensing standards do not include any requirements addressing the care and treatment of these animals. While many outfitters already provide excellent care for their livestock, establishing these rules is crucial to ensure a consistent standard of care across the state.

The existing licensing regulations focus on the equipment used by outfitters and guides, such as fishing gear, hunting tools, and watercraft, but remain silent on the minimum standards for the care and treatment of the animals who work alongside them.

But the story doesn’t end there—because we refuse to forget the horses and mules left behind a year ago.

At a recent public town hall meeting, Horse & Halo asked for the inclusion of essential language addressing the care of working livestock. The response? “Maybe that should be addressed next year.” But we know the urgency of this issue cannot wait, and neither should you.

That’s why today, Horse & Halo submitted specific amendments requesting immediate consideration. These proposals are important in the upcoming rule changes—this is our moment to make a difference.

If you believe that these animals, who give so much, deserve better, we need your voice. Please consider copying and pasting the message below and sending it to
[email protected].

Together, we can set clear standards for the welfare of working livestock in Idaho.
----------------------------------------------------
Dear Members of the Idaho Outfitters & Guides Association Board,

I am writing to express my strong support for the inclusion of specific standards for the care and welfare of working livestock—horses, mules, and donkeys—in the rules governing outfitters and guides. These animals play a critical role in the industry, and their health and well-being should be explicitly addressed in the regulations.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Sincerely,

🚨 Warning: Graphic Content 🚨As the Animal Health and Welfare Chair for the Idaho Horse Council, I have a profound ethica...
08/22/2024

🚨 Warning: Graphic Content 🚨

As the Animal Health and Welfare Chair for the Idaho Horse Council, I have a profound ethical responsibility to share this critical information with our community.

The purpose of this post is to inform and prevent further harm to horses, as well as to assist those who may have suffered injuries that aren't immediately visible. This is firsthand information: I personally traveled to the county, requested inspections of other horses, and advocated for the suspect to be prohibited from working with horses until the case is resolved through the judicial process. Although the individual has been charged and is no longer employed at this establishment, he continues to solicit horse riding and training services on social media, which remains a serious concern.

The images below depict the heartbreaking and irreversible damage inflicted on three horses (others are confirmed). Their tongues have been mutilated—one hangs limply, while the other two are missing half of their tongues. These horses also suffer from severe saddle sores (these pics are 2-months old) and acute lameness. Tragically, they will never be able to eat, drink, or be bridled in the same way again.

These injuries occurred under the care of an individual responsible for working, riding, and training horses at a feedlot. Given that this individual has worked at multiple feedlots across our state, it is possible that he may have ridden your horse, a friend’s horse, or others you know.

Here’s a brief account of what transpired: A knowledgeable horse owner and equine health professional entrusted a friend of a friend to exercise his horses at a feedlot. Upon visiting the feedlot to check on them, he was horrified to discover that his horses had massive saddle sores and experienced significant weight loss. The individual riding them casually suggested, “I think they need their teeth done.” The owner immediately took them home and scheduled dental appointments. When the equine dentist examined them, she was shocked—two of the horses were missing the majority of their tongues, and the third was significantly injured. These horses entered training whole and came back broken.

While I have chosen not to reveal this individual’s name publicly, I am sharing a photo to raise awareness. If your horses have been under his care, you will recognize him. If you have observed injuries in your horse—such as extreme head shyness, severely torn or missing tongues (go and look), saddle sores, head injuries, or acute lameness—please contact your veterinarian immediately. If you are looking for a trainer, please keep this information in mind as a reference.

If you suspect your horse has experienced similar treatment or injuries, please speak up. If you are not comfortable going to the authorities, reach out to a rescue organization, an animal advocate, or The Idaho Horse Council. Together, we can ensure the safety and well-being of our horses.

While these events are deeply disturbing, I urge that this platform not be used for diagnosing, speculating, or offering advice. The judicial system is handling this case, and I am confident that justice will be served.

Wow, The Scout Guide Boise and Treasure Valley and The Scout Guide we're absolutely thrilled and honored to be featured ...
08/22/2024

Wow, The Scout Guide Boise and Treasure Valley and The Scout Guide we're absolutely thrilled and honored to be featured in your top six non-profits! 🎉 Thank you so much for this incredible recognition—your support means the world to us and the horses we care for. 🐴💖 "

08/20/2024

Lila, Ginger, Jackson, and Mando have officially settled into their foster home! 🏞️ Watching them enjoy the wide-open space to just be horses is such a beautiful sight.

08/16/2024

**Update on Cinnamon:** This resilient little mare from the Twin Falls herd has come a long way. After being confined to a tiny space for over 3 years, she developed contracted heels and a misformed coffin bone. Her prognosis was initially guarded, but thanks to the dedicated care of our farrier and veterinarian—and a little help from Mother Nature and Father Time—she’s made incredible strides! 🌟 Not only is she growing stronger each day, but she now enjoys the freedom of being out and about like a horse should—for the first time in her life. 🐴💪

Address

85 South Robinson Road, 837687
Nampa, ID
IDAHO

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