Our Extreme Mustang Makeover Experience

Awards Ceremony & Auction

2009-10-28T17:46:00.000-07:00

On Sunday they had an awards ceremony to present awards for each division and event. We got awards for every event! We got a tenth place ribbon for body conditioning, an eighth place ribbon for in-hand, a sixth place ribbon for horse course, and a 3rd place award for stall decorating.

Baja and I wore all of our ribbons when we rode through the auction. We had to go fourth because his hip number was 4. The auction was very sad because the horses were going for really low prices and some of the trainers were really sad to be giving their horse up. I had steeled myself to not cry, but it was hard not to get choked up when telling the crowd what a great horse he was. His bid only went up to $375 and I was a little disappointed he went so cheap.

After the auction, his new owner came back to see him and take him home. One of the first things she said was that she had prayed to get a good, calm horse. I knew right away that she was the right person for him and that God had arranged for him to get a good home. We had prayed that he would get a great owner and I think God placed him in the right home. I told her all about him and then helped her load him up to go to his new home.

The Results

2009-10-28T17:17:00.000-07:00

Thankfully they told us the results after all of the top 10 did their routine. We were trying to watch all of the routines after ours and keep a mental tab of where we were placing. They brought us all back into the arena and gave out our finals ribbons. We placed 7th!!! I thought that was great considering we had to go first and I'd never even seen an EMM before. I think that if I had executed our routine a little better, we could've been right with the top finishers. Baja did such a great job and I was very proud of him!

The Finals

2009-10-28T16:46:00.001-07:00

The top 10 for the Idols division got to compete in a freestyle finals on Saturday afternoon at 4pm. We got 4 minutes to perform a routine of our choice, we were required to perform certain maneuvers including walk, trot, and canter, canter circles each direction showing a lead change, 360 pivots in each direction, back up, and halt.

Baja and I had practiced at home so that we would be prepared in case we made the top 10. Our routine used beach music and a beach umbrella and frisbees. I felt like we were ready after we did a little practice with the fribees and umbrella on Saturday morning. Then I found out that we had to go 1st. Yuck!!

All of our supporters were ready with their signs and hot pink t-shirts on that we had made. We were ready to go. We entered the ring, our music started and we were off!

Our routine went pretty well, our canter lead change wasn't precise, and I felt rushed to make sure I fit everything in and stayed with the program. I did catch both frisbees, and we didn't have any problems with the umbrella. Our pivots were kind of rushed, but overall we did everything we needed to. The crowd wasn't really into it yet, and when the judges gave their score they were kind of low, I think they weren't loosened up yet either. That's the hard part about going first!

The Horse Course (Riding)

2009-10-28T14:47:00.000-07:00

We got to have a little warm up time before doing our riding course on Friday afternoon. Our draw had us going 8th, which was a little better than 2nd! I was ready to get it over with. I had more confidence in our riding that the in-hand, so I felt we would have a good chance at making the top ten at this point. When we entered the ring, we had to do a 90 second freestyle, then go through the obstacle course. Our freestyle time went well, we did canter circles, our flying lead changes, backing, trotting, and 360 pivots. He was a star going through the course, he is so good at obstacles, stood for mounting, trotted and cantered on cue and didn't run out of his canter circle. Backing up through the turn was a little close, but we didn't hit a pole, we went over the bridge with no problem, trotted right over the W poles, did our 360 and left the ring. I felt we did well.

The youth in-hand was after that, they made us wait until after the youth competition was over before they finally announced the results of the top 10 idols who would be in the finals! We were dying to find out, and when they announced it, all of our supporters erupted in cheering!! We made the top 10!!! Yay! Actually we placed 6th in the horse course, and our combined score placed us 5th overall.

The In-hand Course

2009-10-28T14:41:00.000-07:00

The competition started at 8am on Friday with the Idols division in-hand course. Our draw had us going 2nd out of 34 horses! Oh well, we would get it over with quickly at least. Baja did well when we went in the ring. He stood well for saddling and picking up his feet. When we got to the trailer, he loaded his front feet in and backed out twice before going into the trailer. His only other bauble was when we did the catch and release pen, he didn't want to leave me! I had to shoo him away 3 times! With that over with, I got to relax and watch everyone else. I didn't feel so bad about our performance once I watched a few of the others go and saw the troubles they were having getting their horses to stand still, trot, etc.

They posted the results after everyone went through and we were in 7th place after the in-hand course!! (later changed to eighth place?!?)

The Competition

2009-10-28T06:56:00.000-07:00

Well, we arrived in Murfreesboro with no problems. I was a little worried about getting Legacy into the trailer and down there, but she loaded okay and we got down there with no incidences. Once we got there, they got there hip numbers painted on and then we got them settled into their stalls.

The first order of business was to get them both familiarized with the arena. The facility at the Miller Coliseum is really nice, with covered stalls, a covered breezeway to the arena, and the warm-up area and arena are both indoors. I took Legacy out first and took her into the arena. They had obstacles set up that we could practice on, and I was most anxious to practice with them on loading in and out of the stock trailer. We do not have a stock trailer, ours are ramp-load, so I wanted to get them some practice stepping up and down out of it. Legacy went in right away, but scared herself when she backed out. The second time I took her in she would not back out, she got on her tippy toes but would not go back, so I had to turn her around and lead her out. She didn't mind most of the other obstacles and I walked her all around so he could look at everything. After that, I saddled up Baja and took him in. As I walked him all around the perimeter of the ring, I quickly found out that he didn't like the banners hanging on the railing. So we took our time, checking each one out. The rest of our practice went pretty well, he was a little hesitant at first, but warmed into everything.

After that we had our trainers meeting and I decorated Baja's stall. The youth club had made a sign for his stall and we used beachy decorations to stick with our beach theme. I had dyed the tips of his mane hot pink earlier in the day and he was certainly getting noticed!

The Final Days

2009-10-20T05:40:00.000-07:00

GOODBYE BAJA!!!

Well, we are down to the final days before the competition. I am ready to go and get it done. It will be a little sad seeing my little buddy go, I sure hope he gets a great home. Baja is such a sweet heart and good little guy. If I had the room here and the need to keep him, I would in a heartbeat. He is a great little horse.

I have been riding him consistently and am happy with his training. His laid-back attitude has really been a great asset. He is riding well, his advanced maneuvers are not all that slick, but I think we can do all right in the competition.

He's Actually jumping OVER the jumps now!!!

These last days will be spent reviewing our obstacles, practicing for our freestyle routine, and spiffing up his appearance. I also need to get everything together that we need to take with us for 4 days away from home. I think the competion will be really fun and a great experience. We got our t-shirts made and they are really cute, the youth club has stall decorations ready and my finals music and props are ready to go. Off to Murfreesboro!!

2 weeks to go!!

2009-10-10T18:33:00.000-07:00

Well, we've just been riding, riding, riding, these past couple of weeks. Nothing much exciting or interesting to report. I did fall off one day when we were chasing the big ball and Baja got his foot caught on it and we both fell over. It was an easy landing since we were in the indoor arena where it is soft. We both just got up and brushed it off.

Baja did get body clipped and braided this week. It has really helped to improve his looks. He was getting really fuzzy and would get reaaly hot when I worked him. He looks alot better and isn't getting so sweaty now when I ride him. I'm hoping braiding his mane will help it lay over. If not, I will have to try something else with it.

We have been planning out our freestyle performance. We will have to do a 4 minute freestyle if we make the top 10. I have the music ready and we've been practicing what we'll do. Next week we'll be working on obstacles again just to refresh him on them and make sure we are ready. Our spins, stops, and lead changes are passable, but not that great. Noone ever said I'm a reining trainer!

Baja goes to a show

2009-09-27T18:46:00.000-07:00

We went to a show in Cadiz, KY yesterday and I had decided we would take Baja along for his first outing. He was his usual cool self and took it all in stride. He rode in the trailer well, stood tied for 7 hours (with his haybag and buddies), was very nonchalant about all of the commotion, vehicles, people, horses, storm, kids, etc. He was so good!! I took him and walked him around in the ring before the show and he was checking everything out, but was very calm and easy to handle. We had a big storm blow over, with lots of wind and then cooler temps, I was worried because it was right before I was supposed to get on and ride him during intermission. Well, besides him not wanting his pink saddlepad put on (his usual routine, he doesn't like the pink pad), he just acted like he'd been going to shows all his life!

I got on and rode him during the intermission, then we did a Mustang Exhibition featuring him and BooBoo since it was National Adopt a Wild Horse Day. I had written up a 5-minute presentation and we rode them around in the arena while the announcer read the script. He did great! I couldn't have asked for him to behave better on his first outing. Especially with the showgrounds being so packed and the crazy storm blowing through. I was very pleased.

My husband videoed our presentation, so if I can, I'll get it uploaded. I don't have any pictures of it, it was dark by the time I got to ride him.

One Month to go...

2009-09-24T05:56:00.001-07:00

Quick Update...

2009-09-17T18:14:00.000-07:00

Baja and Legacy both got their feet trimmed on Tuesday. Baja got all four done and seems to be less limpy now, farrier said his bars were probably the problem. I have been doing flexing and bending work with him the last couple of days to soften him up. Still having to work on left canter lead. I also trimmed him up a bit today. He is getting better with the clippers, he let me trim his bridle path, and I also pulled his mane and trimmed his tail. I'm hoping the rubbed part of his mane will be long enough to fold over by the time of the competition.

Busy! Busy!

2009-09-14T11:21:00.000-07:00

Wow!! I have been really busy lately with trail rides and shows! It has been a while since I posted an update, and Baja has continued to make great progress. He is riding well, walk, trot, & canter, getting his left lead most of the time now. his steering has gotten pretty good and he has learned to move off of leg well. He backs, bends, turns on the forehand and haunches, and does obstacles like a champ! This is one of the best horses I've worked with as he is so laid-back and cool about almost everything. He will make someone a great trail horse.

I set up obstacles in the indoor arena last week and the first time at them he just went through like he'd been doing it all of his life. Saturday I loaded him in and out of the trailer, walked him into the garage, up onto the front porch, through the swingset, into the feed and tack rooms and pavilion, through a squeezey tree, etc. He even went around the trampoline with my son jumping up and down on it! He is definitely Mr. Cool. The only thing we are having to work on is getting him used to the clippers.

I gave him a full bath last week as he was stinking really bad! He was good for that and smelled much better afterwards. He is really shedding right now, which I am really happy about because I'm hoping he'll grow in a new, shiny coat before the competition. He is supposed to get his feet done tomorrow, I'm hoping to get shoes on his front feet so we can start going more places (tender feet).

Legacy is doing well, her condition looks great right now. She has really filled in and gotten slick and shiny. She is leading well, lunging, has been ponied, started tying, and gone through the obstacles. She has finally gotten over her fear of the big ball and was actually playing with it on her own today.

Progress and Teeth

2009-09-03T10:32:00.000-07:00

Well, I rode again yesterday, started out in the roundpen, then in the indoor arena, and then we went into the outdoor arena for the first time. His feet seem to be getting better about being on the crushed limestone footing. His cantering got better and he actually took his left lead for the first time. He was good out in the big outdoor arena and we worked on moving hips and shoulders over, leg yield, and backing.

Today the vet came and he floated Baja's teeth. He did really well, flinched a few times, but no drama. He looked so cute when he was drugged up! I will give him the day off from riding, but will probably do some ground work with him later.

We Cantered!!

2009-09-01T12:10:00.000-07:00

Yay! We cantered today. I did alot of riding work, cantered both directions in the round pen. He is going to have some trouble with his left lead as he never wants to take it, lunging or under saddle. I'm loving this cooler, less humid weather. Great for riding!!

Lots of Ponying

2009-08-31T09:45:00.000-07:00

Hey All!! I have been a little busy this past week, I was gone to the (Saddlebred) World Grand Champoionship Horse Show. Last week Baja and I spent alot of time ponying and desensitizing. Early last week I rode him, and he was still just a nervous wreck about my feet touching his shoulder and he was still very reluctant to go forward. So, I did a whole lot of ponying and worked up to being able to put my toe on his shoulder while he was walking alongside BooBoo.

He has gotten alot better and I've ponied him all over and out in the field/woods. I also started putting boots on his legs which was hilarious the first day as he was high-stepping it when he walked. He was picking his back feet up almost as high as his hip!!! I also added a breastcollar onto the saddle.

One day last week, I rasped all four of his hooves, he was a very good boy for that. Today I lunged him, did rope work, ponied again and then introduced the clippers to him. He did really well ponying today after having several days off, I even got him to do 360 degrees of a spin each direction! Yay!!

I hope to get more riding in the rest of this week and really get him moving... His favorite speed right now is Whoa!!!

Riding, Riding, Riding

2009-08-19T13:16:00.000-07:00

We have been working on riding all week. We have a pretty good routine, grooming, pick feet, saddle up, lunge, do up-high work until he is OK with it, then do mounting. I have had someone leading us off every day so far, just so we don't have any problems, then we go solo after a while. He is riding pretty well now, but I am still cautious, we have done walk, trot, fig 8, serpentines, trotting poles, cones and circles. I am about ready to start venturing outside. He still gets a little squirrely now and then, but today I figured out that it mostly happens when my foot brushes his shoulder, so we will work on that.

He is ground tying well, I can groom and saddle him without tying him up, and today in the arena I was able to park him and walk all over and around without him moving. I was also able to pick up his feet today out in the arena without tying him up. I have been hosing him off every day, which he is doing well with, and putting hoof conditioner on his feet. I think we will work on more obstacles, ponying, and desensitizing to objects later in the week.

Oh! Legacy is haltered and grooming now and starting to lead!! Yay for Legacy!!!

First Ride

2009-08-17T05:31:00.000-07:00

I finally got a video clip to load! This was from this past weekend, you could call this our first official ride, off of the lead rope, riding astride. Baja is making alot of progress with his riding now. I think he has decided that I'm OK on top of him, I'm still pretty cautious though. I just loved the commentary from my 6 year old son, Nate, who was taking the video!

Today I had him walking and trotting and doing circles under saddle. He also let me pick out his back feet today, which was a big step!!

For those of you who have been wondering about the yearling filly we got, her name is Legacy. She has been more high energy and afraid than Baja, but she is starting to come around now. Also, Erica (her youth trainer) has not been putting the time and consistency into her that she needs. So, myself and some of my customers have been working with her some to get her gentled. She is accepting contact now and we can brush her all over. I'm guessing we will have her haltered and leading by the end of the week. Here she is with Marion:

One Month!!!

2009-08-16T15:40:00.001-07:00

I can't believe one month has gone by since we brought the mustangs home!! It has been a good month, and I am proud of the progress Baja has made. I am really ready to start putting in lots of riding miles, he is doing well with all of his groundwork and handling. This past week I have been working on riding, getting him used to carrying my weight and seeing me on top of him. He is really OK with the weight, he has just been very concerned with me being above him. So, I've been doing lots of up-high work around him, on the mounting block, walking back and forth on the arena wall while leading him, etc. He is finally getting better about it. I did alot of aside riding this week until he would walk calmly with me riding aside, both being led and alone. Last night I went astride and after a short fit, he settled down to being led with me astride.

We have also worked this week on standing tied (which he is OK with), picking up his feet (we have made progress with the fronts, still have work to do on the hinds), and he is good with hosing, grooming, fly spray, and brushing his tail. I also braided his mane and trimmed his bridle path. He seems to really enjoy being a more "domesticated" horse, he looks forward to feeding time, has been staying in a stall at night, and likes to "meet-and-greet" anyone who goes up to him. He is a very people-friendly horse. Today I had him out while there were alot of other people in the barn and he wanted to check everybody out. Then we walked out and did some obstacle work, he went over the bridge like a champ! He was a little worried about the plastic barrels, but he is so curious he gets over it quickly!

Here he is waiting to be let into the barn:

His feet are still pretty tender when he walks over the rocks. I am trying iodine on the bottoms for a couple of days and if that doesn't help, I may try a product called Sole-Guard which helps protect the bottom of the barefooted hoof.

I've tried to load some video, but the file is too large, so I'll keep posting pics unless I can figure out how to compress video.

Day 22

2009-08-07T08:28:00.000-07:00

I kept wondering how Baja's water tub is getting dirty so quickly. I am having to dump it out every couple of days and it always has tons of dirt and gravel in the bottom. Well, yesterday I found out why...

I was out cleaning his pen and he walks over to the water tub, picks up his hoof, and starts dunking his foot up and down in the water. He procedes to wash both front feet in the tub!! Now I see... He thinks it is his own personal footbath!

Today I cleaned out the tub and then he came over to investigate. I started spraying the hose at him and he just stood there, lapping the water with his tongue. He is such a character!

Oh! and I forgot 2 steps to my saddle-breaking procedure... start having them move off while my weight is on them, and then start having someone lead (or pony) with me hanging on the side of the horse until I can ease my other leg over. Unfortunately, I got in a hurry and skipped those steps, my bad... Now I remember why I'd rather train and instruct rather than break horses for a living!!!

Day 20

2009-08-05T09:42:00.000-07:00

Hey!!

Well, Baja is getting really close to being ready to ride. I'm sure he will have his first ride within the next day or two. Although for the competition it may not be the best thing to be getting such a slow start on actually riding him, I feel it has been the best way to do things for him and me. I like to have the horse pretty well broke before I get on them. Broke to all the ground work, broke to the saddle and bridle, ground driving, standing next to the mounting block, the mounting routine, putting weight in the stirrup and hopping up and down, putting weight on their back, moving the saddle and fenders around, rubbing them all over from the opposite side, bearing all my weight on each side. That's where I am with Baja, so now it's time to ride!!

Day before yesterday (Day 18), I went through the entire grooming routine, adding currying first all over (he stood rock still for that), body brush, hoof picking, combing his mane, face brush, and fly spray. He was really good with the spray which surprised me. He even let me spray his nose! Then he made faces about it, but let me spray him all over including his legs and belly. We went for a walk again all over the place and out in the pasture, then went in the indoor and did trotting in hand, lunging, stepping over the jumps, and playing with the big ball. Later in the day I hosed him off with the hose!

Yesterday was really hot and humid, plus he had been limpy on the rocks the day before, so I turned him out in a grassy paddock to give his feet a break and let him eat some grass. He is already so chunky that I don't want him to eat too much grass and get chubby, so he is back in his pen at night. I may start putting him in a stall at night so he can get used to that.

Today, I took him in the barn for his grooming/saddling routine, and he was really good. Then I took him out to the roundpen and worked on lunging, groundsteering, mounting routine and mounting block. By the end, he was standing still with me on the mounting block (talking on the phone) with my foot in the stirrup, elbow on the seat and all of my weight on him. Sounds like it's time to ride!!!

Day 17

2009-08-02T16:33:00.000-07:00

Well, today was a good day. I cleaned Baja's pen earlier in the day and he was his usual curious, mischievous self. He was trying to drag the manure bucket around by the handle and dump it. This afternoon I groomed him, and then saddled him up. I guess with all the surcingle work, the saddle was a non-issue to him. I worked on the mounting block on both sides with him, having me above him is his biggest issue right at the moment. After letting him wear the saddle around for awhile, I went back in and put the bit and reins on him, did some bending and steering work with some ground-driving. Then we worked on the mounting block/high up stuff again until he started accepting it better.

After that I took the saddle, bit/reins off of him and decided it was time for him to get out of the pen and go for a walk. Getting him through the gateways/doorways was the biggest challenge, otherwise, he was really good. He just was real hesitant at going through them. I took him in and walked him around in the indoor arena first, then we visited Chester at his stall, went out through the far hallway to the outdoor arena, back in and up the back hallway, across the concrete to go visit Angel at her stall, and then out the front and back to his pen. He was really very good, curious, and a little hesitant when things were close in. I think the biggest riding issue we will have once I get him over the me high-up thing will just be getting him moving. He tends to be low energy.

Also, he was a bit limpy again today after a hard day of ponying yesterday, so please continue to pray for his legs/feet.

Day 16

2009-08-01T15:37:00.000-07:00

Hey! Yesterday I started ponying Baja with BooBoo. He was very resistant at first and we had to take it one step at a time. I had him walking beside BooBoo by the end. We also did more bitting and sacking out work.

Today I did the same thing, working more on his resistant right side. I had him trotting, but he is still a little resistant at times. I also have been working on picking up his feet, grooming him all over every day, wearing the surcingle and bit every day, and jumping up and down around him. Today I started working on the mounting block around him, he didn't like me being up high, but finally started getting used to it. I think I will put a saddle on him tomorrow and we will start getting out and about soon. He is leading pretty good now, moving off of me as we turn, backing, yielding hindquarters, etc.

Day 14

2009-07-30T19:05:00.000-07:00

Well, tomorrow will make 2 weeks with the mustangs. I have been very busy the past 3 days and it has been crazy rainy. Between rain, camps, lessons and going to Lexington yesterday I have only been able to fit in a little time with Baja. I have still tried to have contact with him every day, and today I was able to go through the grooming, haltering, saddle blanket/surcingle, leading, and lunging routine with him. I left him with his equipment on for the afternoon again, and it POURED rain on him. This evening I put very loose sidereins on him for a little while so he could get used to them and start to learn about bit pressure.

Now that camps are over, I should be able to start spending lots of time with him and really make some progress towards riding!!! If only this dang rain would quit...
I may have to get him into the indoor arena.

Sorry no pics today.

Day 11

2009-07-27T09:19:00.000-07:00

Well, yesterday (Day 10) was a recovery day from showing. I worked with Baja in the evening, mostly on accepting the saddle blanket. I also brushed him, put the halter on and off, and did a little leading. He was having a little bit of a pushy day, he tried to nip at me a couple of times and then was advancing into my space, I nipped that at the bud and made him do a little work.

This morning we started with brushing, haltering and leading. Then I added the saddle blanket and surcingle, did more leading and worked on picking up his feet. After that I put a regular halter on him that had bit snaps on it and then added a big egg-butt snaffle in his mouth. We worked on leading a bunch more, and getting him to move. Then we worked on lungeing in small circles on both sides. After that, I turned him loose with the surcingle and halter/bit to wear for the rest of the day.

Day 9

2009-07-25T12:34:00.000-07:00

Today I managed to fit in a session between lessons and horse show. It was a good day! I start out each day by cleaning the pen, so Baja can get used to me just moving around in the pen. He is so curious, he went over and started nosing the manure bucket, pulling on the handles and trying to turn it over!

I started out by brushing him all over today. He stood like a champ for that! Then I introduced the halter and leadrope, and a saddle blanket. We had to work awhile for him to accept them. I have to work more on his right side, which is his protective side. By the end of the session, I was able to put the halter on and off of him and led him a little in small circles each direction!

I also took his number tag off his neck and now I have a new "necklace"!

Day 8

2009-07-24T17:32:00.000-07:00

Well, I feel good today!! We had a very successful day and I feel like the work I have put in this week is paying off. This morning I worked with Baja for about 2 1/4 hours and by the end I was able to rub him all over with my hands. I also introduced the brush, brushing most of his body, and then I worked on getting him to move his hips and shoulders.

Later in the day, I offered him grain out of my hand and he learned how to eat from my hand. Then this evening, I was out in the pen watching him and my husband came in the pen, walked right up to him and petted him! Baja just stood there and let him, I was shocked. Okay, so maybe the training is working...

So then I brush him all over on both sides to solidify the brushing lesson in his mind. My husband comes back in the pen, picks up the brush and starts brushing him! He is certainly enjoying the fruits of all my hard work! Then Hannah (a student) decides to give it a try, comes in the pen and pets him, then Tina (another customer) decides to get in there and pet him too. He was so good. Let everyone walk right up to him like it was no big deal!!

Baja is such a sweet horse, very good-natured. I think he will make someone a great horse!

We have been blessed with great weather all week for which I am very thankful. It has been nice to be able to put in long training sessions without worrying about the heat. Please pray for healing for his leg and continued safety for both of us. If you would like to see more pics, I will post some on my Webshots.

23 July 2009 - Day 7

2009-07-23T10:28:00.000-07:00

Today we started with the pool noodle-on-a-stick, then went to noodle in the hand, then to just the hands scratching him. I found several good itchy spots on him and helped him shoo away some flies. He was standing pretty well and I succeeded in rubbing him all over his entire body several times covering every square inch except for his hindquarters. He is still alert to new movement and noises, but has settled down a whole lot.

I have about decided to name him Baja. As you can see, he is a pretty good size for a mustang and fairly thick-bodied. He is very inquisitive in nature, with a kind eye, and a fairly low energy level. He looks to have smooth gaits. He is eating well and is of a good weight. He has developed a little bit of a limp and looks like he may have a splint on his left front which may have come from all the fence-running he did on the first day. We'll see how it does, I may just have to take it slow for the first couple of weeks.

I'm happy with his progress and feel like we're getting somewhere now that I can get my hands on him!

22 July 2009 - Day 6

2009-07-23T10:27:00.001-07:00

Now we're making some progress...

Today is rainy and I finally find a dry hour to go out and work with him. I put a pool noodle on a pvc conduit and start working on touch desensitization. Yay! Success... by the end of the session, he is letting me scratch him on the neck!

21 July 2009 - Day 5

2009-07-23T10:26:00.000-07:00

Okay, I've decided I need to be realistic and let him work through it on his own timeframe.

After Yesterday, I decided he needs more desensitization and touch work before he will accept me and the halter, etc. We did not have our horses haltered at the pick-up site, so we are working towards doing everything from scratch.

Today is a busy day for me, so I decide to work on object desensitization with him. I start out by adding some objects to his pen in the morning. Saddle, Bridle, Halter, rope, poles, cone, tarp, mounting block, Wal-Mart bags, towels, big ball, noodles, etc. He is very curious and wants to check everything out!

There are alot of people around today as well, also tractors and other commotion, so it is a good day for his brain to process things.

20 July 2009 - Day 4

2009-07-23T10:25:00.000-07:00

I want so bad to get him leading!

We start with the rope work again which he is accepting, and he is joining up esily when I enter the pen. I try looping the rope by twirling it around his head and start pressuring him into a few leading steps. He still won't let me touch him anywhere but on his nose, but I get one brief touch in on his shoulder at the end of the session!

19 July 2009 - Day 3

2009-07-23T10:24:00.000-07:00

I'm ready to go at it again and really want to get him accepting me.

We review the previous days movements, and today I add rope work. I am moving him off by swinging the rope at his haunches, and when he turns in and stops, I swing it close up and down each side of him and over his head. He lets me get closer and closer with the rope until it is touching him all over and I can throw it over his back and all over his haunches while he is moving. He is also coming up and snuffling me all over while I am in the bent over position (sounds bad!), and follows me off for a few steps.

18 July 2009 - Day 2

2009-07-23T10:23:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day we will work with the horses. I am anxious to get to work with mine, but have to wait until after lessons are over.

We work on moving off , stopping, and turning in.
He is a little scared at first and crashes the fence and gets his legs over the top once. Thankfully, the fence held and we progress to milder reactions. By the end he is moving around the pen in a calm and controlled manner, stopping, and turning in. Each time getting a little bit closer until... He touches me with his nose!

17 July 2009 - Day 1 - Mustang Pickup

2009-07-23T10:02:00.000-07:00

Today was the day we have been anticipating for several months... Mustang Pickup Day!!!

We have the pens prepared and we are ready to go. Several of the youth club members are going with us to join in on the excitement and see the mustangs. I picked up the stock trailer from the Co-op this morning, and we are ready to go.

When we arrive and check-in, the crew is out to lunch. So, as we wait, we go around and look at the horses. They are all milling around in their pens. I find out which number mine is and we set out to find him! There he is, in pen number 2 with another horse. They are two of the biggest horses at the holding facility. He is a solid Bay, #8371. Here is his BLM mugshot:

Here he is in the holding pen:

They can't find Erica's number on the list, so we have to wait 'til the staff comes back from lunch. Once we find out her number, she runs to the pen to see her horse. In amongst the yearlings, she spies the number on a tall bay in the back. It's a filly! Erica says "WHAT?!?" She is expecting a colt... She is cute with a small star and is clearly the biggest yearling out there.

We go and get the trailer backed up to the chute and they start to get them separated. When the filly comes down the chute, she has a HUGE trot! We yell "Look at that trot!" Dressage horse material...

They get loaded without incident and the trailer ride is an easy hour to home. We get here and back up and unload the filly first, then the gelding. They trot around a little and then start to settle in.

He is a little anxious and is pacing the fence, so I put my old mustang, BooBoo, in with him to keep him company.

A Diving-inspired Endeavor

2008-02-12T09:12:00.000-08:00

When we went to watch Road to the Horse in March '09, we got to see and hear about the Extreme Mustang Makeover and the fact that it would be held in Tennessee. It really hit me then that I wanted to try my hand at it. I checked out the EMM booth they had there and all of my customers who were there with me encouraged me to sign up for it.

After returning home, I came up with a million reasons why it would not be a good idea for me to sign up for EMM and I had about talked myself out of it. However, I kept having a nagging feeling that it was something God was urging me to do. It was coming up on the closing date for applications and I got a reminder e-mail from the Mustang Heritage Foundation. Well, I decided at the last minute to send in my application and go for it. The very same day, Brandi Lyons came to do a clinic for our barn and really gave me great encouragement and confirmation that I was supposed to be doing the EMM. She had judged and been a participant, so she was able to give me alot of insight and a better confidence about competing.

So... here we go, God has a plan here.