Montana Reins of Hope

We’ve been considering temporary fencing for pasture rotation, and this spring—when it was time to pull the horses off the lush green grass—we finally made the leap. Thanks to the Missoula County Department of Ecology & Extension, we were able to borrow a full Gallagher temporary fencing setup through their lending program to test it out. What a great program!

We connected the pigtails, wire, and reel to our existing electric fence, which meant no need for a solar charger. So easy. After a successful trial run, we purchased our own system from a local ranch supply store, and it’s been working great. We are very happy with the set up and have plans to use it in a variety of ways over the summer.

We did have one athletic escape artist who decided to jump the fence, but with a smart suggestion from our extension rep, Natalie Sullivan, we added a second temporary line about four feet out—and that solved the problem (picture of our resident athlete).

What a great opportunity for anyone who is new to horses or thinking about ownership!

Thinking about buying a horse? Or *NEW* to horse ownership? Know someone who is?

This two day class, taught next weekend April 11-12, is a MUST! Not only are you supporting a local non-profit, but what you will learn the most critical horse ownership skills to…

- prevent vet visits and disease
- prevent degradation of your property
- prevent unnecessary overspending
- and gain some very knowledgeable mentors!

Register now by emailing [email protected] or calling 406-264-5300!

What an amazing day at Montana Reins of Hope - we love showing future clinicians the powerful benefits of incorporating horses into treatment. Horses bring something truly special to the healing process, and it’s always a joy to help University of Montana students experience that firsthand. This week they explored both Eagala—an experiential, ground‑based model using horses to support emotional growth—and hippotherapy, where the horse’s movement becomes a powerful therapeutic tool.

Dante and Sweet Pea helped demonstrate Eagala in action, while Cherry and Ava showcased hippotherapy. And Adonis… well, he soaked up nearly two hours of nonstop grooming and was clearly living his best life.

Mark your calendars for the Equus International Film Festival September 11-14 in Missoula. In addition to the films, there will be Q&As with the film directors, various speakers and a keynote from Dr. Temple Grandin, titled “Animals, Autism, and Emotions: The world needs all kinds of Minds”. Dr. Grandin will also be doing horse demonstrations at the Big Sky Horse Park. Thank you Horse Haven Montana Rescue & Adoption for putting this on! It’s going to be amazing!

We are in search of wild horses- in Ecuador! Yes, Ecuador. About a 90 minute drive outside of Quito, we arrive at Tierra del Volcan, a hacienda on the outskirts of the Cotopaxi National Park, known for its world class rock climbing and volcano. In and around the park there are several herds of wild horses, called párameros because of their adaptation to the extreme, tundra-like environment called the paramo.
Introduced by the Spanish conquistadors, these horses have adapted and survived at 4000-5000 meters (13,000-16,500 feet) but unlike the wild horses in the United States, they do not experience the population explosions. Like the United States however, they have very few predators here but we are told that things just grow slower at this altitude and that seems to be enough to slow the population growth. It is also interesting to note that the tundra is more swamp like and offers no rocks or abrasion to keep the horses hooves trimmed.

When we arrive at the Tierra Del Volcan, we are greeted with some delicious cheese-filled empanadas, and some hot tea. The addition of Trópico an alcohol said to help with altitude sickness, is optional.

We then get ready for the journey by putting on some very heavy wool chaps, a wool poncho and our helmets before heading out to pair with our horses. The horses here are of no particular breed, they are smaller in stature and all of them have adapted to live at this high altitude. Our guides, Maria Jose and Gabrielle, give us an overview of what to expect on the journey up the mountain and how the weather changes constantly at that altitude. Although it is warm now, it will get cooler as we ride up the mountain, and the heat from the horses will be caught underneath our wool ponchos and keep us warm. We also have rain ponchos when it will undoubtedly rain.

Riding up the mountain, feeling the movement of the horse, taking in the air, the views…simply exhilarating. True to the words of our guides, we did in fact experience a wide variety of weather patterns. The view of the Cotopaxi volcano was shielded by a storm and just as we spotted the wild horses, the weather turned and our guides said it was time to head back. But we spotted them!

Once we were returned, we were met with warm, refreshing towels, and sat in the Hacienda by the roaring fire to have some more tea. After that, some lunch with only incredibly fresh and local foods like trout caught from the rivers nearby, tomato soup simmered with volcanic rock from the volcano, and huckleberry crisp. Wait, what? Huckleberries? We thought these were only grown in Montana and Idaho. But no, we saw them growing wild as we were riding up the mountain. What an incredible experience.

And the Tierra Del Volcan has more adventures!

With the Spanish conquistadors and the horses, also came the introduction of cattle. There are hundreds of cattle kept on the mountain side and three times a year the cattle are rounded up, with the same horses we rode, and brought into the corrals for health checks, and some being separated for sale. Chagras, meaning Indian cowboys (Indian referring to pre-Incan) come from all over the area to participate in the rounding of the wild “bulls”. The Chagras have been doing this for generations. In fact, the family owners of the Tierra Del Volcan say they have been doing this since they were six years old (and so have their children). It is a dangerous adventure that is part skill but mainly requires having trust in your horse. The horses know exactly what to do.

If you are feeling up for an adventure, you can visit their website for opportunities to participate as an observer or a rider. And if you choose to be a rider, you will want to follow the ways of the Chagras and drink lots of Trópico beforehand, since it is also the drink of bravery!

An article about the experience can be found in the comments, as can a link to their website.

How do you know if your horse enjoys being with you? If one indication is that they freely run to you when you call them, then that's a pretty good indication. This is what I saw when I visited Pauline at Whispering Horse - Clicker Training Equines training in Melbourne, Australia
It was such a fun and informative day learning about her work using positive reinforcement training for horses and donkeys. She demonstrated how she “jackpots” her horses and how she trains them without the use of whips, sticks or other props. Only her hands and audible cues. It was incredible to see from someone who has mastered it. We know her horse, Mercedes enjoyed the session because she didn’t want to leave the arena.

Learning new ways of working with our horses can seem dauting, especially if the concepts are foreign and are contrary to what we’ve learned prior. One of the things she says to people who are just beginning the +R journey is to give yourself some grace if you don’t get it right at first. Take your time, it’s just as much an art as it is a science and everytime we do it, we are one step closer to giving our horses a more compassionate learning experience.

Now, I know there are some who are reading this shaking their heads, saying it doesn't work, you're creating a "treat monster", you need to show them who's boss...and if you are one of those people, I encourage you to have an open mind and dig a little deeper. +R is used with so many animals: dogs, birds, dolphins, zebras, camels, etc., etc. and it's used because it works to train them. We even use positive reinforcement with children! So why do we have such resistance with horses? Is it because we don’t fully understand it?

If you’d like to learn more about +R, you can find some great information on Whispering Horse’s website www.whisperinghorse.com.au. The website is full of information, covering the basics to advanced +R and includes very practical strategies (along with videos) on how to change some of the challenging behavior we may have with our horses. You can also follow her on facebook and YouTube.

Just an FYI- I wish I would have gotten some more photos, but apparently I was in the moment and absorbing the experience! 🤗

While this is not horse related, it does fit with our mission of healing humans and habitat.
We are offering an opportunity to develop leadership skills, while also learning wilderness survival skills.
This course is for you if:
• You want to learn how to lead a team.
• You want to learn survival skills from instructors who have traveled, explored and taught around the world.
• You want to experience the rugged beauty of Montana.
• You want to grow personally or professionally

If you have been following us for a while, you will notice that one of the instructors is our very own, Susanna! While you have seen her on our page training horses and know her as the owner of Aspen (DG mustang), you may not know that she is an avid outdoorswoman who enjoys backcountry skiing, ski mountaineering, alpine climbing, and paragliding. She also leads hiking and climbing trips around western Montana and bow hunts in the mountains of western Montana. She is a certified Wilderness First Responder and a trained Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician.

She will be joining polar explorer and instructor, Antony Jinman (from England) and Ben Ryder (also from England) Leadership Consultant for a one week Leadership Expedition, August 11-15, 2025. Initial training will take place on the ranch, followed by 2 days in the wilderness of western Montana. You can learn more about the course on our website www.montanareinsofhope.com and register for the course at
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/expedition-leadership-a-montana-experience-tickets-1108789823209?aff=oddtdtcreator
If you have any questions, feel free to email us at [email protected]. We hope to see you there! Please share!

The new year often brings resolutions for personal growth: healthier diets, increased exercise, and deeper connections with loved ones. But what about our equine companions? Are we equally committed to their well-being?

The horse world is undergoing a significant transformation, and it is exciting to see. A growing emphasis on science and equine welfare is challenging traditional training methods. Equine neuroscientist Dr. Steve Peters helped us understand the horse's brain and the science of horsemanship in his book, Evidence Based Horsemanship (written with Martin Black). Influencers like Milestone Equestrian and Whispering Horse are sparking crucial conversations, and sometimes controversy, about the emotional and psychological needs of horses, while teaching us how to do better. Educators like The Willing Equine and Emotional Horsemanship by Lockie Phillips are shedding light on the intricate emotional language of horses and its profound impact on learning. And there are numerous social media pages dedicated to fostering compassionate training techniques to wild horses. There are many, many other organizations on social media and around the globe who are advocating this change. As our understanding of equine behavior deepens, our training methods must evolve accordingly. When we know better, we do better. At least that is how it is supposed to work.

Many of us who own wild mustangs are driven by a desire to help, to be part of the solution and to provide a better life for these magnificent creatures. However, many of us entered the world of wild horse ownership with limited experience, eager to learn but perhaps lacking a foundational understanding of equine psychology, physiology and horsemanship. It's time for horse owners to become active participants in this evolving landscape. We can do this! We have a vested interest in how our horses are trained. As compassionate and science-backed techniques emerge, outdated practices must be critically examined and replaced.

This shift for owners can be challenging, though. Confronting a seasoned trainer with questionable methods can feel intimidating, especially when met with resistance like, “Oh, so you’re the horse trainer, now”, or “I've been doing this for ___ years", or “Do you know how many competitions I’ve won...”. However, experience does not always equate to the most effective or ethical approach. If you're currently working with a trainer and feel hesitant to advocate for change, remember that it's not too late. Knowledge is your greatest tool. Educate yourself on the principles of ethical horsemanship and set clear boundaries regarding acceptable training practices. Initiate a dialogue with your trainer about incorporating more compassionate techniques. Have that difficult conversation. Every conversation plants a seed and helps create awareness.

Stay true to what you know is right and find a community of like-minded owners and trainers. I am eternally grateful for the community of horse owners we have here at Montana Reins of Hope. As owners, we can support and encourage each other. We can educate ourselves and support the trainers who do train compassionately. Even if we are not trainers ourselves, we can be a part of this critical movement.

Compassionate horse training is not a fleeting trend; it's a fundamental principle of ethical animal care. Horses are not merely tools or mounts or competition winners; they are sentient beings deserving of respect, kindness, and a fulfilling partnership that honors their being. By actively engaging in the training process and advocating for compassionate methods, we can ensure that our horses thrive both physically and emotionally. Our horses deserve it.

So.....what are your 2025 goals for your horse's well-being?

Well, it’s been quite a week! On Wednesday, Missoula was hit with quite the thunderstorm. Wind gusts were clocked at up to 109 mph! So many downed trees-probably over 100 for the ranch! We have been busy clearing roads on the ranch, repairing fences, cutting and hauling trees.

We have much to be thankful for though, given the magnitude of the storm. We are happy to report that no horses, cows, or people were injured at all…and the porta potty is still standing!!!

Things look a little different, but hey…..we were ready for a remodel anyway. 😉

(We are still doing evening trail rides!)