Expecting Big Things

Expecting Big Things

Rose became comfortable with the feel of the rope on her legs and back.

With the Program

On Day 4, the reality is settling in that these Flower Girls have endless potential to learn and grow. The focus of the training from the Ryan Rose Horsemanship team turns more and more to sharing the knowledge with the HPAF Team so that the mares can transfer their trust to more people, and eventually to their future adoptive families. 

Likeable Lily

Lily and Emily played together today and continued to prove just how smart horses are! The pair learned to move off pressure and it was a breeze. It’s clear that she is settling into her life in the world of people. Lily was also able to improve on picking up her feet and getting used to things touching her legs. We are certain that she will excel in this challenge with more practice.

Intelligent Iris

After the pieces fell into place for Iris yesterday, she was a whole new horse. Iris and Ryan spent time together and concentrated on becoming more comfortable picking up and handling her feet. She also spent some time with our Equine Care Staff Member, Delaney Ruska, so that she could be comfortable around more people. Overall, she had a great day, and her future is looking very bright!

Rockstar Rose

Rose spent her Day 4 session with Delaney and Ryan. Delaney practiced approaching Rose and helping her to be comfortable with people coming up to her. They also built her confidence with things on her back and around her legs. Ryan came in and offered Rose a sense of leadership which she took to very quickly. We are expecting big things from Rose. 

Productive Petunia

Petunia spent the day with Tyler. She had a very productive day, as she learned how to move off pressure and get more comfortable with humans guiding her. Tyler helped Petunia to gain confidence with touch and halting. Her progress over those past few days has been immense. 

Tomorrow's The Final Day!

We’ll be sharing a wrap up on the horse’s progress, pictures and video clips.

Breakthroughs Galore

Breakthroughs Galore

Iris started out the day bracy, but Ryan helped her to become relaxed and confident.

Grow Where You’re Planted

It’s day 3, more than halfway through Ryan Rose Horsemanship‘s work with the mustang Flower Girls. The mares are all learning to thrive in human company thanks to the work of Ryan’s team and the dedication of the Horse Protection Staff. This is hard work for all involved, including the horses, who are learning how to trust and follow a leader that they have always seen as a predator. It’s truly remarkable to watch as they turn their tragedy into triumph a little more each day.

Petunia

Petunia worked with Ryan and Tyler on haltering and learning follow a feel. She took to it quickly. These were definite breakthrough moments for her. By the end of the session, she was being led around the pen, comfortably wearing her halter and accepting lots of pats and scratches. 

Lily

After the first day, Lily started to make steady progress and show the more social and friendly colors that we had seen around the farm before training began. Today, Lily was the easiest to halter and the most relaxed horse of the day. She worked with Emily for the session and practiced moving off pressure. Lily picked it up in just a few tries and overall had a great day. 

Iris

Iris has started each day with fresh reluctance. Today, as you will see from the video clip,  she was quite braced, but Ryan was able to once more show her that following a feel is a positive experience. She was able to accomplish being led, having her face touched and wearing a halter. Even after Ryan let her go, she willingly followed him for a few steps. 

Rose

Rose had a very relaxed and productive day. She was one of the easier ones to halter in the morning and she got right to work with the Farm Manager, Lisa. They spent time working on allowing touch all over her legs and she even was able to pick up her front feet a few times to prepare her for hoof trimming. Rose ended the session very calm and eager for more attention. 

Tomorrow's Another Day!

We’ll be sharing daily reports on the horse’s progress, pictures and video clips. 

Blooming Flower Girls

Blooming Flower Girls

Petunia calmly regards Ryan on her first day in the round pen.

All Four Came Out to Play

It’s the second day of mustang gentling, and all four of our Flower Girls got some quality time in the round pen with Ryan, Emily, and their assistant Tyler. These mares are mustangs, estimated to be in their teens and early twenties. As you might recall, they were rescued from the recent animal neglect case in Williston involving sixteen horses. To our knowledge, they have lived their lives after the range in a pasture with no training and very little human contact. 

Petunia 

Yesterday, she was happy to be a wallflower at this dance. Today, she came into the pen and Ryan started out by moving her around at liberty. He then was able to get a rope around her that he used to show her how to follow a feel. She was very skittish but made progress quickly. 

Rose

It’s amazing how quickly Rose has come to enjoy human interaction. Today, our Farm Manager, Lisa worked with her most of the day on haltering and being able to touch her all over. With time and patience, Lisa was able to halter her multiple times and even touch her legs. By the end she was leading around beautifully alongside Lisa and soaking up all the cuddles that she had to offer. We truly appreciate how Ryan’s team is actively including us in the training process so that we are able to seamlessly continue with the mare’s education after this week ends.

Iris

Iris started the session today similar to the day before – skeptical to say the least. But Ryan and Tyler made big strides with her today. Ryan moved her around the pen quite a bit, asking for different things to keep it interesting for her. Tyler stepped in and worked with her on being touched all over. She is now able to be led around a few steps and is much more comfortable being groomed and loved on. 

Lily

Lily turned over a new leaf today. Emily worked with her today on leading, and she excelled!  She allowed Emily to give her lots of scratches and attention. By the end of the session, she was much easier to handle and halter. 

Tomorrow's Another Day!

We’ll be sharing daily reports on the horse’s progress, pictures and video clips. 

Day One with the Flower Girls

Day One with the Flower Girls

Ryan with Iris, who made excellent progress on her first day. 

First Steps with the Mustangs

On this first day, Ryan and Emily focused on our mustang flower girls: Petunia, Iris, Rose, and Lily. It was a day of getting to know each of the mares, who have had little to no handling since their adoption several years ago and were recently neglected and starved. The first step was getting each of them separated into a safe pen. Petunia didn’t make it that far today, but she did stick around and watch her girlfriends learn some things.

Rose 

Rose had an amazing day! Since coming to Horse Protection, she has been untouchable. She made massive strides very quickly. Emily worked with her on being led around and giving to pressure. By the end of the session she was walking around easily with Emily while also accepting lots of scratches and rubs. She was willing to drop her head when asked, be pat down with the stick and string and even practiced haltering.

Here she is, getting her first halter.

Iris

Iris accomplished a lot today. She began her session very apprehensive, but was still able to achieve a lot. By the end, Ryan was able to lead her around a few steps with a rope around her. He was also able to walk up and pet her multiple times. 

Lily

Lily surprised us! Of all the flower girls, she has been the most approachable by the Horse Protection Staff. After a short while in the round pen with Ryan, she became quite unconfident, even trying to jump out. Ryan felt that it would be best and safest to work with her further after raising the height of the corral walls.

Here, Ryan explains how he will be working with Lily in the round pen to the Horse Protection staff.

Tomorrow's Another Day!

We’ll be sharing daily reports on the horse’s progress, pictures and video clips. 

Ryan Rose Horsemanship to Partner with HPAF

Ryan Rose Horsemanship to Partner with HPAF

Ryan and Emily Rose operate Ryan Rose Horsemanship Center in Brooklyn, Wisconsin. They are here in Ocala this week and Horse Protection has requested them to assist the horses in two special projects.

Welcome, Ryan Rose!

We are thrilled to welcome a guest trainer to HPAF the week of January 23rd. He will be undertaking some very important, specific natural horsemanship training needs for some of our rescue horses. We’ll be blogging this week as Ryan works, so you can follow along with the progress, and Ryan will be producing a video chronicling the experience. We hope you enjoy watching tragedy turned into triumph in these horse’s lives.

Ryan Rose began his career as a professional horse trainer and clinician in 2005. He has studied with many top world-class horseman, spending four years with Pat Parelli.

Ryan now teaches workshops and clinics all over the world as well as running a comprehensive training program at his farm in Wisconsin with his wife, Emily, also an accomplished trainer. His passion is in creating partnerships between horses and their owners.

His skills in horse development and his teaching set him apart. He also enjoys competing and training horses in ranch versatility.

The Flower Girls Go to School

You may recall this past November when a massive horse neglect case broke in Williston, Florida. We assisted the OTTB Foundation with the rescue of sixteen severely starved horses. Four of those horses were semi-feral mustang mares. We took them in and named them Lilly, Rose, Petunia, and Iris. The lovely “flower girls” have spent the last three months rehabilitating in a large pasture. Now it is time to ensure that they have the basic training they need to ensure their care and safety. Horses that can not be haltered, groomed, trailered or led are at great risk should they need any kind of medical care. Ryan will help us establish that foundation for them over the next week, which we will then continue to improve as their rehab progresses. We are grateful that Ryan shares our concern for these sturdy chestnut mares’ basic safety and will use his considerable skills to help them transition to domestication.

Arnold’s New Adventure

Last Fall, we took in three Thoroughbreds who had been well cared-for and loved by their owner, who passed away unexpectedly without a plan for their care. Anna, Arnold and Gregory are a mother and two sons who have lived together exclusively for over a decade. Arnold will be adopted soon, and Ryan will be helping him and his adopter to develop good communication in the shared language of natural horsemanship. He will also be helping Arnold to transition from his herd to his new life with minimal stress. We are excited to watch this process in action, and to share it with you.

Watch This Space!

We’ll be sharing daily reports on the horse’s progress, pictures and video clips.

Sunny

Sunny

My name is Sunny, and I am a five-year-old, 16’ Thoroughbred. I am a true gentleman. I am one of the nicest horses that you will ever meet. I am kind and I am regal. I have regal Secretariat bloodlines 🐎. I am looking for my forever loving home and am up for adoption at Horse Protection.This video is me with the Head Trainer at Horse Protection, Tiffany Rowe. We had a lot of fun together! Please spread the word for me so that I can find my forever home and please share this post. I will make my adopter very happy as I am a very special boy. Love ❤ Sunny.

Breed: Thoroughbred

Age: 5

Gender: Gelding

Size: 16H

Color: Chestnut

Arrival: 2023

 

To learn more about Sunny, contact our Adoption Coordinator. All of our potential adoptions begin with a conversation.

View our adoption application here:

Donkey Oty

Donkey Oty

Sweet and kind. Gentle, loves people, loads in trailer. Was abandoned but in good health.

Breed: Donkey

Age: 12

Gender: Gelding

Size: tall mini

Color: Gray

Arrival: 2022

To learn more about Donkey Oty, contact our Adoption Coordinator. All of our potential adoptions begin with a conversation.

View our adoption application here:

Companion Horses

Equines that are not rideable, but are suitable to live happily with other horses are offered as companions. Horse Protection evaluates its horses extensively and provides them with natural horsemanship training to give them any basic groundwork skills that may be lacking so they are suitable companions. Each equine is an individual. We encourage you to learn more about our adoption process.

More Companion Horses

Rhett Companion Horse For Adoption

Bri

Paso Fino
Mare

5 Bonnie And Brenda 2

Bonnie

Thoroughbred
Mare

Sweetie

Sweetie

My name is Sweetie, and I am 21 years old. My caregiver surrendered me because I could not have babies anymore. Horse Protection came to my aid and told me that they didn’t care if I couldn’t have babies! They would love me all the same! That was good to hear. I am looking for my forever family to love me too. Might that be you or someone you know? Please say a prayer for me and spread the word about me. Thank you so much for caring about me. Love, Sweetie.

Breed: Thoroughbred

Age: 21

Gender: Mare

Size: 16h

Color: Dark Bay

Arrival: 2022

 

To learn more about Sweetie, contact our Adoption Coordinator. All of our potential adoptions begin with a conversation.

View our adoption application here:

Companion Horses

Equines that are not rideable, but are suitable to live happily with other horses are offered as companions. Horse Protection evaluates its horses extensively and provides them with natural horsemanship training to give them any basic groundwork skills that may be lacking so they are suitable companions. Each equine is an individual. We encourage you to learn more about our adoption process.

More Companion Horses

Rhett Companion Horse For Adoption

Bri

Paso Fino
Mare

5 Bonnie And Brenda 2

Nevada

Mustang
Mare

Sunday

Sunday

Sunday
Zania Horse Protection FL Face

Beautiful dark bay Paso, sensitive mare. Will need experienced rider. This beautiful sweet girl was born at HPAF on a Sunday!

Breed: Paso Fino

Age: 7

Gender: Mare

Size: 14h

Color: Black

 

To learn more about Sunday, contact our Adoption Coordinator. All of our potential adoptions begin with a conversation.

View our adoption application here:

Consider Sponsorship! Horses under evaluation are great candidates for limited time Sponsorship.

Under Evaluation

Horse Protection evaluates its horses extensively and provides them with natural horsemanship training to give them the best chance to find a loving human partner. The horses in this category are undergoing that process. We try to understand each horse well before offering him or her for adoption.
Learn more about our adoption process.

Texas

Texas

Texas Companion horse
Texas Companion horse
Texas Companion

My name is Texas, and I am eighteen years old. I am a Thoroughbred. I was severely starved and seized by the Levy County Sheriff’s Office. I went from being only 600 lbs. to now being very healthy and 1100 pounds thanks to Horse Protection and their care. I am still searching for my forever home and someone to love me. Would you please say a prayer for me? I know that I can make someone very happy as their new horse friend. Thank you for caring about me. Love, Texas.

Breed: Thoroughbred

Age: 18

Gender: Mare

Size: 15.3h

Color: Bay

Condition on Arrival: Starved

Arrival: 2017

 

To learn more about Texas, contact our Adoption Coordinator. All of our potential adoptions begin with a conversation.

View our adoption application here:

Consider Sponsorship! Horses under evaluation are great candidates for limited time Sponsorship.

Under Evaluation

Horse Protection evaluates its horses extensively and provides them with natural horsemanship training to give them the best chance to find a loving human partner. The horses in this category are undergoing that process. We try to understand each horse well before offering him or her for adoption.
Learn more about our adoption process.