Horse First Initiative

04/26/2026

04/26/2026

Learn everything about horses. If you love them, they deserve that effort 💙🧡💛

04/09/2026

Oh gosh, yes I’ve been guilty of this. We love them so much we want to touch them, but it’s good to learn appropriate touching. 👏🏻

INAPPROPRIATE TOUCHING

I'm reading an amazing book called Amphibious Soul by Craig Foster, the Academy award winning documentary film maker of "My Octopus Teacher".

If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it, it is simply profound.

In the book he says "As a rule, I never touch an animal unless they touch me first".

In my work building relationship with horses, I do this too. Most times a horse will touch you with their nose/muzzle first, and matching that greeting (versus labelling the horse as a biter) is a game changer.

But there's a phenomenon I have noticed going on with people trying to build relationship with their horses that I have labelled "inappropriate touching", and it looks a bit like the photo below.

This picture was taken at a horse expo in Pennsylvania recently, where I worked with a demo horse who has a "biting issue". He would reaching out in a way that his owner was termed as nipping, whereas I interpreted as him saying hello, similar to reaching out to shake hands with someone.

When he reached out I would greet him with a flat hand that he is able to to nuzzle, lick or even scrape his teeth on. After doing this a while his snappy acting motions got less so, and he was no longer needing to say "hey, pay attention" , but was more "hey, how's it going". I was explaining to the audience that I was meeting him in the way that he was meeting me (with his muzzle) and that it's not an invitation to touch other parts (yet).

I then said that it's many people's default to reach up and rub a horse between the eyes, whether that's what they are offering or not, and that if you do, it's inappropriate touching and it gets in the way of connection. It doesn't meet their needs, and is all about yours.

With the horse in the picture, he'd been engaging me with his muzzle, and I said to the audience "watch what happens when I try to rub him between the eyes". As you can see in the photo, he has raised his head up and is clearly indicating "No, not there, on my muzzle".

We had a Connection And Attunement retreat here at the Journey On Ranch a week ago, and I used my wife Robyn to illustrate this point to the participants. I said "imagine I'm at a gathering and meeting Robyn for the first time". We walked up to each other in that way people do when they see someone new and they can tell an introduction is shaping up, Robyn reached out with her hand to say hello and instead of me reaching out to shake her hand, I gently reached up and lightly brushed a wisp of hair from her cheekbone and tucked it behind her ear.

The participants all gasped and the ick factor was high.

Even though it was caring, and gentle, it was inappropriate at that moment.

Now Im not saying you can't rub your horse on the forehead. I'm saying if your horse has a disregulated nervous system around humans because they don't feel seen (and safe), try to meet their needs first, before trying get get yours met.

I recently saw an instagram post from a University in the UK, and the professor was explaining that they were doing studies on horses to determine levels of stress. In the background a horse was standing with his head out over a Dutch door. While he was explaining their investigations on stress, a female student (or maybe another professor, I don't know which) walked up to the horse. The horse reached out with his muzzle to greet her.

She ignored this and reached up to rub the horse between the eyes.

He turned his head 90 degrees to the left to communicate that wasn't what he was offering.

Her hand followed him and kept rubbing.

he then turned his head 180 degrees to the right, saying "No, not like that".

Smiled, gave him another pet between the eyes, and walked of camera.

While the professor was saying that they are doing experiments determining the amounts of stress horses are under, someone in the background was actually creating stress, without either of them even knowing it.

Once you understand how sentient horses are, and how subtle their communication, you can't unsee it.

04/02/2026

AI is actually quite good at determining all kinds of things, including how a horse is feeling based on scientific measures you can apply to pictures and video. I love this idea and I think it should be applied to all horse sports and maybe we could open some eyes about stress behaviors that horses are exhibiting and equestrians are ignoring. I truly believe that most equestrians have the best interest of their horses at heart but when it comes to horse sport, they get clouded by their own goals and they’re not clearly seeing what the horse is communicating in all cases.

Adding new movements to Big Tour tests, reviewing snaffle use in CDI3* Grand Prix, and exploring AI in judging were all key talking points at the FEI Sports Forum.

Stakeholders also addressed judging clarity, collective marks, and how to modernize a discipline that remains under close scrutiny.

Read more via the link in comments.

📸 Dirk Caremans / Hippo Foto

03/28/2026

🤞🏻💝

Welcome to the world, little one. You certainly didn’t make it easy on us.

I knew something wasn’t right when Kee laid down again and again after her water broke… and there was no white sac. Normally, that pale, almost translucent membrane appears first — it’s the sign everything is progressing the way it should. But instead, what I saw stopped me cold.

A deep, dark red sac.

For those who haven’t experienced it, a red bag delivery is exactly what it sounds like — the placenta detaches too early and is pushed out ahead of the foal, appearing as a thick, red membrane instead of the normal white amniotic sac. In that moment, the foal is no longer receiving oxygen from the mare. Every second counts. It turns from a waiting game into an all-out race against time.

Red bag deliveries are often linked to Placentitis — an infection or inflammation of the placenta that can weaken its attachment and cause it to separate prematurely. It’s one of those complications breeders dread, because it can escalate so quickly and without much warning.

The second I saw it, instinct kicked in. There was no time to hesitate — I had to cut the sac immediately to get that foal breathing. At the same time, we had our vet on the phone, walking through everything step by step to make sure we did it exactly “by the book.”

We’ve been through a red bag once before, and I was alone that time. I still remember how terrifying that felt. This time, I had a whole team beside me and a vet on sp*ed dial… and somehow, it was still just as intense. Maybe more — because you know exactly what’s at stake.

But we got her out.
She’s here.
She’s alive.

And that’s everything.

That said, we’re not out of the woods yet. Foals born from red bag deliveries — especially those associated with placentitis — can face complications in the hours and days that follow. We’ll be watching her closely, doing everything we can, and hoping she continues to fight just as hard on the outside as she did to get here.

If you can, please send all the positive thoughts, and good energy our way. This little filly has already proven she’s a fighter — now we just need her to keep going. 🤍

03/27/2026

He looks like a spitting image of his mama. So relieved they are back home. We’ll write up a case study soon so you can hear all the behind-the-scenes thoughts that his owners had during this process  

THEY ARE HOME!!!

03/27/2026

Yayyy! Thank you to everyone who shared and donated so little Hardy and his mama can head back to MBS. We’d still like to raise a little bit more money to cover the veterinary fees that we paid out of pocket. Every little bit matters. Thank you for your support 💙

Yesterday and today, Hardy was a little quieter than we would have liked to see, and if we’re being honest—it had us worried. Anytime there’s even a small change, your mind starts going to all the “what ifs,” especially with everything he’s already been through.

To be safe, we had the vets rerun his bloodwork today and do a full check on his hydration status. Thankfully, everything came back looking good. No red flags, no concerns from a medical standpoint, which was a huge relief.

Right now, the working assumption is that this is more about adjustment than anything else. Nursing on his own and being responsible for feeding himself is a big step, and it’s likely just a bit tiring for him as he figures out his new routine. It’s a lot for a little guy, and he’s still learning.

But the best news…

He got the green light to COME HOME. 🤍

Hardy is officially en route, and we couldn’t be happier to have him back where we can keep a close eye on him.

That does mean we’re currently in the process of evicting Easy from her “estate” (aka her luxury setup that she’s gotten very used to 😅). We’re converting it into Hardy’s new space so he can be monitored closely with cameras while he settles in. It’ll be stripped, cleaned, and fully disinfected before he moves in—VIP treatment only.

And yes… that means Hardy will be making his YouTube debut very soon 👀

Thank you all for worrying alongside us, checking in, and loving this little guy as much as we do. We’re so excited to have him home.

⸻

03/27/2026

The latest on Hardy. 💙 We stand ready to help Meadow Brook Stables with that vet bill as soon as AVC gives him the green light 🚦 to come home. 🤞🏻

Hardy Update

This morning Hardy had his nasogastric tube pulled, which feels like a big step in the right direction. He’s been nursing really well from HollyB… maybe a little too enthusiastically, as he’s keeping her pretty busy.

He’s still not the best at consistently following mum just yet, but we’re hopeful that will come with time as he continues to connect that mom = food, comfort, and safety.

This afternoon he’s been a bit quieter than he has been, and they haven’t seen him p*e recently, which they’re keeping an eye on. At this point, they still think he’s likely good to come home—but he’s not quite 100% back to a completely normal foal yet. We’ll get another update in the morning to confirm whether he’ll be coming home or staying a bit longer.

On another note, I just want to say how incredibly grateful we are. I’ve been having a hard time keeping up with all the messages and comments, sending Hardy love — but please know I see them, and they mean more than I can put into words. The love, encouragement, and kindness you’ve all shown us during this has been overwhelming in the best way.

For those who have asked about helping financially, there are a few options:
Fundy Veterinarians (our home vet)
📞 902-758-3180
• Atlantic Veterinary College (where Hardy is currently)
📞 902-566-0950

You can call either clinic and put a deposit on Hardy’s account. Please know how incredibly grateful we are for the support—it truly means the world to us during such a stressful time. That said, please don’t feel any obligation to donate, and only do so if you’re in a position where it feels right for you.

• There is also an option to donate through The Horse First Initiative if you’d prefer not to deal with long distance charges or worry about exchange rates—I’ll share that link in a separate post

Thank you again for standing behind Hardy and our whole crew. Your comments, questions and love help me keep going during this tough time - I’m striving to learn more to teach you move. Let’s hope the little man can come home soon. 🤍