Altair Kaimanawa Horses

My goal this summer once I have been able to rehome the Kais that need to find their forever homes … to just be a better rider and partner for all my horses 🥰

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZEvu7MBisR/?igsh=MXhmdTFobmZxYzk3dQ==

Do you even ride horses? ........ . Sometimes. This has been a real issue for some of the humans I help with their horses. Particularly at stables where there is a make it happen culture. I am so lucky to live in our little pond where we can practice and be who we want to be with our horses. Play on the ground, in the saddle, on the trail, and spend time doing what we love with horses. ❤️ To anyone feeling pressure, even if it's self (guilt) or pressure. Here the opportunity to let it go. And enjoy the time ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ #horsemanship #warmblood #bridleless #ilovehorses🐴 #travers

Lining myself up for something here maybe.. or not (may be more people who agree with me than I realise) … but someone needs to share this around all the pony clubs.

Especially the one I made a complaint to recently that responded to me like I didn’t know what I was talking about when I let them know I wasn’t happy with how I had seen horses being over ridden and just not treated respectfully on their grounds …

To show kids and their parents it’s time to do things differently! I’m not saying everyone should ride bridleless, but they should know how. And it should be accepted as a safe way to ride too. Horses deserve better.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZEEhfYAT2w/?igsh=bDY2bmZ5bTl0OHZ0

I had to juxtapose some of the clips of Lynne Macleod and Hermes from th @britishbridlelesscompetition because it was such an incredible example of a Grand Prix level dressage test with some of the fewest conflict behaviours I have ever seen. Modern dressage often consists of tests on incredibly tense horses who often are swishing their tails near constantly, teeth grinding, mouth gaping and otherwise engaging in a variety of stress behaviors. It is so prevalent that it has largely become “normal” to see horses behave this way, and many people excuse it. Seeing how a horse behaves in a competition setting during a dressage test when equipment like a double bridle is removed paints a pretty vivid picture of how much influence the way people ride can have on horse behavior. Competition could be so much different, and I truly believe that we need to move towards a competition industry that prioritizes using the least amount of equipment possible and heavily discouraging, highly aversive equipment and training. The horses have been trying to make it clear with their behaviour for years and have largely been ignored. The more we can compare how horses behave when they are left to their own devices more and when less restrictive equipment is used, the more we can honestly look at what changes we need to make in the industry. This isn’t to say that bits are always bad, but there is clear need for reflection and overhaul on what we normalize as normal horse behavior. High stress in competition is far too prevalent. Thank you to @miarodley1 & @britishbridlelesscompetition and all who have made this possible to set such a clear example of the direction that the Horse industry could head in terms of what we normalize in competition.

Cruiser, just four weeks out of the wild. And his new human mum Lisa haltering for the first time. Pretty special!!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DY8wnS8vZZO/?igsh=MThvMTFoNG1lMGlmeQ==

Cruiser just four weeks out of the wild, and his amazing new human mum Lisa. Haltering for their first time. Such a special moment :) #wildhorsesofnewzealand #kaimanawalegacyfoundation #lovehorses #nzhorses #nzequestrian

Cruiser (rising 3 year old c**t) just cruising through becoming a domestic horse!! Four weeks out of the wild and just a super star!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DY6dTCMPqwl/?igsh=MXdpOHMxNnZhYXFkMw==

Cruiser - getting closer to being able to go home to his new family. Just four weeks out of the wild. Love this one!!! #kaimanawalegacyfoundation #lovehorses #nzhorses #nzequestrian #wildhorsesofnewzealand

How cool is this!! A bridless competition in the UK

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYzCM6YudEh/?igsh=czFrZWhxcjJoNDJt

It’s time for change ✨ THIS Sunday 31st May, at Merrist Wood Arena, the UKs first bridleless competition! If you can’t be there in person, you can watch it on live stream on @horseandcountry_uk 🥳 #britishbridlelesscompetition

Such a lovely wee moment between Cruiser and his owner, Lisa. 💛

Lisa was helping Cruiser through a brand new stage in his training … introducing the halter and moving it up, around, and over his neck. Moments like this are all about timing. We ask the horse to work through something new and worrying, then choose the right moment to release all pressure, step away, and give them space to process and think.

What makes this clip so special is that Lisa released at exactly the right time. She gave Cruiser plenty of space to work it out for himself, and very quickly he decided, “Oh… that wasn’t so bad after all.”

Even though it was hard for him, he chose to come back to Lisa, still curious about her and what she was asking him to do. That willingness and try from these horses is something really special.

I just love what these horses teach us, and what they are willing to do for us in return.

And to think Cruiser has only been out of the wild for three weeks.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYyyefAPTeW/?igsh=aXBubXNjbTY3YmMw

Such a lovely wee moment between Cruiser and his owner, Lisa. 💛 Lisa was helping Cruiser through a brand new stage in his training … introducing the halter and moving it up, around, and over his neck. Moments like this are all about timing. We ask the horse to work through something new and worrying, then choose the right moment to release all pressure, step away, and give them space to process and think. What makes this clip so special is that Lisa released at exactly the right time. She gave Cruiser plenty of space to work it out for himself, and very quickly he decided, “Oh… that wasn’t so bad after all.” Even though it was hard for him, he chose to come back to Lisa, still curious about her and what she was asking him to do. That willingness and try from these horses is something really special. I just love what these horses teach us, and what they are willing to do for us in return. And to think Cruiser has only been out of the wild for three weeks. #wildhorsesofnewzealand #kaimanawalegacyfoundation #lovehorses #nzhorses #nzequestrian

RIP Jools Topp - was a privilege to have met you.