Reinforce the Horse

22/09/2024

"Much of what we might experience as supernatural is simply natural processes that the current paradigm hasn't embraced yet..."
~Linda Kohanov

Listen on all major platforms 🎧🎤💖🐴

25/08/2024

08/08/2024

No comments needed...

Picture credit: Marjolijn Brian

02/08/2024

We had a great conversation about life and horse from science to the unexplainable, with Point of Balance with Kathy Price

Listen on your favorite platform or link in the comments 💖🐴🎧

02/08/2024

30/07/2024

This about sums up today...
If you know horses, you likely know what's going on here and if you don't, you can simply enjoy what looks like a happy smile from Mr. Codie. Vet visits for horses can be rough. Thanks to all of the amazing professionals out there. 💖🐴

27/07/2024

The House passed a floor amendment yesterday offered by Rep. Dina Titus and co-sponsored by Rep. Steve Cohen and Rep. Juan Ciscomani that urges the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to use additional resources on reversible fertility control methods during its Wild Horse and B***o management operations.

AWHC would like to thank Rep. Titus, Rep. Cohen, and Rep. Ciscomani for continuing to champion the welfare and humane treatment of our wild horses and b***os. AWHC would also like to thank the House for continuing to support and direct the BLM to increase its use of FC to manage our wild horses and b***os.

In fiscal years 2023 and 2022, the BLM had also received funding to spend up to $11 million on wild horse and b***o fertility control treatments through appropriations.

However, the agency has not prioritized this method of population management, spending a mere 37% and 16% of this $11 million in 2022 and 2023 respectively. Rather than humanely controlling populations via fertility control, the agency is opting to round up and warehouse animals.

27/07/2024

22/07/2024

Yup

Or 20 horses…and cows, goats, sheep, chickens, turkeys, peacocks, dogs….

21/07/2024

19/07/2024

New with Rupert Isaacson Long Ride Home The Horse Boy

Rupert is the creative force behind Horse Boy, Rowan is his mentor, teacher and muse. Together all aspects of Horse Boy begin and from there the wider team helps to develop each aspect.

🎧👇
https://www.reinforcethehorse.com/1891007/15286796-58-rupert-isaacson-autism-lightheartedness-indigenous-wisdom

18/07/2024

The Houston Mounted Police Patrol Unit has been gaining global attention recently and is being acknowledged as a leader in the natural horse movement.

The Houston Mounted Police Patrol Unit has been gaining global attention recently for its leadership in the natural horse movement. After transitioning to barefoot years ago, the Unit has now also opted to go bitless.

The mounted unit herd was previously managed in a very traditional manner, however, the officers soon realized that they were frequently faced with hoof issues and other ailments that could be attributed to the use of metal shoes. Metal shoes on asphalt create concussive force that travels through the hoof and up the leg of the horse. In 1984, the Swiss Cavalry at the University of Zurich conducted a study on the effects of metal shoeing. The research revealed that the impact force on a shod hoof on hard ground is 10-33 times greater than that of an unshod hoof. The vibration caused by the shoe in the hoof is approximately 800 hz, a level that is high enough to cause damage to living tissue.

The metallic footwear was impeding the natural flexibility of the hoof under pressure, consequently reducing essential blood flow to the hoof and lower limb.

As a result of these challenges, the unit concluded that it was worth trying something different. In 2004, they decided to experiment by allowing one horse to go barefoot. The outcome was extremely positive, leading them to transition their entire herd (40 horses) to barefoot. They observed a significant improvement in the health of their horses, resulting in a 50% reduction in vet bills. Moreover, they noticed enhanced traction on slippery surfaces, contributing to a sense of safety for both the officers and horses during patrols. It is difficult to dispute the benefits of these changes! Furthermore, the force has recently made the decision to transition to Bitless equipment, which has been met with great success.

18/07/2024

Rico: "my bad"

13/07/2024

💖💖💖💖💖🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴

Horses show us the profound beauty of vulnerability, reminding us that true strength comes from embracing our authentic selves.

In their openness and gentle spirit, they teach us that it’s okay to be vulnerable, that our true power lies in our ability to be genuine and connected.

Let’s learn from these magnificent beings and find strength in our own vulnerability 🐴💫

13/07/2024

Exciting news! 😁🥳
Our beautiful mustang mare, Grace, has found a new home!

If you feel led to help support her upcoming travel expenses, you can "buy Reinforce the Horse a horse" 🙃😉🙏💖🐴👇

https://buymeacoffee.com/reinforcethehorse

Grace has been with us since early last year. She's an amazing horse with an otherworldly demeanor and soul mission. She will be joining Jordana Anawalt's amazing work at CHOICE Tribe CHOICE Horsemanship

We'll definitely keep you updated and will have another podcast session with Jordanna later to talk all about it.

If you'd like to know more about Grace and ways to support her transition, including the fundraiser by her current herd mate, Willow Paints, check out the link below 👇💖🐴🙏

https://jasonreiman.com/grace-grey-wild/

Thank you all so much for your continued love and support for us, our podcast, and of course, our herd!

13/07/2024

Horses help us heal 💖🐴

Sean Hill has been instrumental in advocating for both Mustangs and Veterans - he is an Iraq war veteran who found healing through Maggie, a BLM Mustang. She came from the rugged terrain of the Fifteen Mile Herd Management Area in Wyoming.

But Maggie isn't just any horse; she’s a beacon of hope and healing. For Sean, a veteran navigating the rough waters of trauma, Maggie has become more than a companion—she's a catalyst for transformation. Her wild origins and strength mirror Sean’s journey, inspiring him to move forward with purpose and determination.

Together, they are on a powerful mission to raise awareness about the trauma faced by both Wild Mustangs and Veterans. Maggie’s story is not just one of survival, but of connection and empowerment. She’s teaching us all that through understanding and compassion, we can heal and find new paths forward.

So thank you to both Sean and Maggie for paving the way to a better future. Your bond is a testament to the incredible things that can happen when human and horse come together with a shared mission

09/07/2024

Hear our talk with The Willing Equine 🐴🎧👇
https://www.reinforcethehorse.com/1891007/13422081-35-adele-shaw-the-willing-equine-positive-reinforcement-relationship-spiritually-inner-awareness

Little kid loves horses → Parents enroll little kid in riding lessons → Riding instructor tells little kid that in order to make the horse go they have to kick & spur → Little kid grows up to become a riding instructor who teaches the same thing to their own children. 🔄

And so this cycle will continue...unless a few brave souls are willing to step out and make a difference. 💪🏼

People want riding lessons. They want to jump, compete, etc. They want this because that’s what they are used to, that’s what’s shown on TV, and that’s what their friends do.

Trainers/coaches who are learning about R+ and still need to make money and keep their doors open get stuck between “giving the clients what they want” and doing what they think is best/better and teaching what they would prefer to teach… R+ focused riding lessons/horsemanship lessons.

There’s a fear that if they do what they see as better or what they want, they will not be able to keep the doors open as there isn’t a demand for it. They will lose their clients and not be able to pay the bills. A legitimate fear.

But the general population of horse people only know what to expect because of what the pros are offering and teaching… they don’t know what they don’t know.

Additionally if the cycle doesn’t stop somewhere, we will never see the change we are hoping for.

So, the solution ? Start teaching what it is you want to see change in the equestrian community and show your clients why it’s what they want/need. Meet them in the middle to some extent, but also show them a different way. Make it reinforcing for them, make it something they want and will start to come to expect from all other horse people too. 🐴

Don’t feel like you have to keep training using harsh and punitive methods just to ‘fit in’ or because that’s what’s being expected right now. You can step out and break the cycle.

Change is happening, and you can help it grow. 🤍