Tuesday I worked Easy in the roundpen with his saddle and bridle in the crazy crazy wind!--Then Rick Binger my farrier came out and trimmed Easy--We worked with Easy for a bit at standing still and he did pretty good! His hooves look awesome too=) Rick has been my natural farrier for at least 6 years now and he is donating his services while I am in the extreme mustang makeover.
Today Wednesday 31st I got up at 5am to get everything done so I can haul Easy to the vet finely! Last appointment I had he wouldn't load into the trailer=( But he has loaded 4 times easily since. Of course he new I was watching the clock so it took 2 hours to load him--I still got him to the vet before his next customer--so he quickly threw us in a stall spent 5 minutes grinding away at the sharp edges-threw us back into the trailer and charged $125! I was a bit peeved but I was also an hour late so?? I need to find someone to do chiropractic work still because I don't want to use this same vet.
Anyways--I brought Easy over to Amy and Steve LeSatz at Bridle-Bit Training and Tack LLC. He has a great stall with a great big run and good company. I would like to work on having Amy longe while I ride at the w/t/canter, work on obstacles under saddle and perfecting his ground work and sacking out. Amy really knows her stuff so I know with her coaching I can really set Easy up with the best foundation! And I look forward to showing off our stuff in June!! Easy deserves only the best for his future.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
3rd week in training
Easy is getting more and more relaxed with me everyday! I can groom him all over, walk all around him, pick up all feet, ask him to move off of pressure.......he is great!
This past week we worked on walking around the property, trailer loading, and longing at walk,trot,canter. And of course I rode him a few times! He is also finely eating oats and supplements!
Sat 27th I hauled him to a Esh's indoor arena just down the road. He loaded excellent and rode tied for the first time wonderfully. Mike took his big draft mare Beauty along for support. I unloaded Easy and we followed Beauty and Mike through the front human door entrance into the arena. He didn't hesitate at all, we walked all around the arena, checked out the cones and misc. obstacles all around. I longed him--which he did okay but still is not round and will veer off of the circle often--especially at the trot,canter.
He was extra aggitated when I put my foot in the stirrup so we worked on that--once it was satisfactory I decided to mount him from a fence instead because he might have some pain in his whithers. I took him to the fence, climbed up and asked him to come over to me. It took about 3 minutes before he learned to line himself up for me and I slid easly onto his back. He was much more happy about it this way.
I only walked him around behind Beauty each direction about 4 times. He did try to take off at a buck but I was able to interupt him right away with one-rein stop and disengaging the HQs.
Sunday I rode in the roundpen in a different saddle (which doesn't fit any better-grr) and the halter with the lead rope tied to both sides. I was able to walk him all around, turn him both directions, stop and back (excellent back on this horse!). He was sweaty and about done so I got off and walked him around the arena with about 5 other horses and riders running all around! He was great except when one of the horses bumped into him and he took off bucking, I held on and tugged and yelled to get his attention. He took me from one side of the arena to the other and halfway back then stopped and looked at me. I was relieved I was not riding!! Can't wait to see what week 4 brings!!
This past week we worked on walking around the property, trailer loading, and longing at walk,trot,canter. And of course I rode him a few times! He is also finely eating oats and supplements!
Sat 27th I hauled him to a Esh's indoor arena just down the road. He loaded excellent and rode tied for the first time wonderfully. Mike took his big draft mare Beauty along for support. I unloaded Easy and we followed Beauty and Mike through the front human door entrance into the arena. He didn't hesitate at all, we walked all around the arena, checked out the cones and misc. obstacles all around. I longed him--which he did okay but still is not round and will veer off of the circle often--especially at the trot,canter.
He was extra aggitated when I put my foot in the stirrup so we worked on that--once it was satisfactory I decided to mount him from a fence instead because he might have some pain in his whithers. I took him to the fence, climbed up and asked him to come over to me. It took about 3 minutes before he learned to line himself up for me and I slid easly onto his back. He was much more happy about it this way.
I only walked him around behind Beauty each direction about 4 times. He did try to take off at a buck but I was able to interupt him right away with one-rein stop and disengaging the HQs.
Sunday I rode in the roundpen in a different saddle (which doesn't fit any better-grr) and the halter with the lead rope tied to both sides. I was able to walk him all around, turn him both directions, stop and back (excellent back on this horse!). He was sweaty and about done so I got off and walked him around the arena with about 5 other horses and riders running all around! He was great except when one of the horses bumped into him and he took off bucking, I held on and tugged and yelled to get his attention. He took me from one side of the arena to the other and halfway back then stopped and looked at me. I was relieved I was not riding!! Can't wait to see what week 4 brings!!
Monday, March 22, 2010
First rides- 2 weeks
Saturday March 20th my good friend, Christy Hawes came out to ride and play with the horses. We both ended up playing in the roundpen with Easy. He had so much energy and he actually was bucking and running a bit! We got him following us all around, saddling, unsaddling,and saddling again! Leading, sending.... all the good stuff I have been working on got better! When we finished up and took him back to his 20X20 pen I got on him bareback and Christy lead him around. He became very relaxed after a while.
Sunday I took him back up to the roundpen and played more games with him! He was much calmer and just seemed ready to ride. So I climbed up on him for the first time in a saddle. Stepping up into the stirrup was the most stressful for him so I waited for him to relax before I went up into the saddle. He was great!! I clucked and directed him with the lead rope--dismounted--remounted and clucked him off in each direction. No trotting or cantering yet but this week will be a lot of fun!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s38l6WpnFp8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9YvvgA5ozA
Third Video: Viewer Discretion--sorry about the undies/lowriders.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsuStg-MW0c
Sunday I took him back up to the roundpen and played more games with him! He was much calmer and just seemed ready to ride. So I climbed up on him for the first time in a saddle. Stepping up into the stirrup was the most stressful for him so I waited for him to relax before I went up into the saddle. He was great!! I clucked and directed him with the lead rope--dismounted--remounted and clucked him off in each direction. No trotting or cantering yet but this week will be a lot of fun!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s38l6WpnFp8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9YvvgA5ozA
Third Video: Viewer Discretion--sorry about the undies/lowriders.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsuStg-MW0c
Friday, March 19, 2010
Day 13--Holy Moley 85 days to competition!!
Today is 2 weeks from the day I picked up my mustang. I am getting antsy again about the competition in 85 days--but just need to remember this is about helping the mustang and the Mustang Heritage Foundation!
Yesterday was another great day with Easy. By time I got home from work the wind was hawling. My good friend, Christy Hawes, came over to lend me a saddle that I could use on my pony horse (Strider). We walked Strider and Easy out to the roundpen. I showed Christy what Easy can do and she gave me some helpful feedback. Then I took him in the arena for the first time, I gave Easy to Christy so I could ride Strider in his new saddle. I watched as Christy played games with Easy--they got along so well it almost made me jealous. She pointed to random obstacles for Easy to put his nose on and he did so with each one perfectly! She pointed him to a barrel--he put his nose on it and started rolling it around. He really started having some fun with this! We both froze out in the cold wind but Easy couldn't have been happier.
Yesterday was another great day with Easy. By time I got home from work the wind was hawling. My good friend, Christy Hawes, came over to lend me a saddle that I could use on my pony horse (Strider). We walked Strider and Easy out to the roundpen. I showed Christy what Easy can do and she gave me some helpful feedback. Then I took him in the arena for the first time, I gave Easy to Christy so I could ride Strider in his new saddle. I watched as Christy played games with Easy--they got along so well it almost made me jealous. She pointed to random obstacles for Easy to put his nose on and he did so with each one perfectly! She pointed him to a barrel--he put his nose on it and started rolling it around. He really started having some fun with this! We both froze out in the cold wind but Easy couldn't have been happier.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Day 12 Yeah he is leading out in the wide open!
I got home from work last night and went right out to work with Easy. I had been a little too nice to him about certain things and it was time to demand a little more attention from him. I hoped that this would help him to look to me and respect me a little more and I believe it did. This was our third day to leave his pen and I did not want him to run off again. I had my big strong neighbor, Jeff Carr, lead Easy with a 22 foot rope and he successfully made the roughly 800' trip to the roundpen! Jeff said that Easy was ready and he didn't once think of leaving! I played with Easy in the roundpen for about 30-45 minutes and led him back to his pen and through the gate a couple of times and back up to the roundpen once more for good measure. He was really trying to focus on me and was great!
I can't wait to lead him out and around the pasture and arena after work today!
Good Boy Easy!
I can't wait to lead him out and around the pasture and arena after work today!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Day 11 Feeling a little behind
All the trainers seem to be in all different phases of training--its really interesting. Some are out riding and some are still gentling--I seem to be in the middle. I have to constantly remind myself the goal isn't to mount my mustang as soon as possible!
Tuesday March 16th I took a sick day at work because it was a beautiful day to bathe,braid/brush, blanket Easy.
Then I reviewed and worked on the following:
Picking up all 4 feet Leading by his front feet with a rope Flex laterally at the poll and lowering head
Moving HQ and Disengage Moving the FQ Leading past me both directions, then disengaging the HQs and driving the front to change directions.
Taking the rope around his hocks to circle following the feel of the rope.
Semi-Circle with my back to the fence, asking him to lead past and around me-stop at the fence-face me and switch directions
Squeeze game with the fence
Then I practiced all of these while sitting high up on the fence
I practiced leading him from all different postions--he still isn't comfortable with me at his whithers asking him to walk forward.
He is excellent and soft at backing up
We have built up to 15 minutes being tied at the innertube tie post.
He is comfortable with the saddle and I am waiting on a dental appointment before I bit him up.
Tuesday March 16th I took a sick day at work because it was a beautiful day to bathe,braid/brush, blanket Easy.
Then I reviewed and worked on the following:
Picking up all 4 feet Leading by his front feet with a rope Flex laterally at the poll and lowering head
Moving HQ and Disengage Moving the FQ Leading past me both directions, then disengaging the HQs and driving the front to change directions.
Taking the rope around his hocks to circle following the feel of the rope.
Semi-Circle with my back to the fence, asking him to lead past and around me-stop at the fence-face me and switch directions
Squeeze game with the fence
Then I practiced all of these while sitting high up on the fence
I practiced leading him from all different postions--he still isn't comfortable with me at his whithers asking him to walk forward.
He is excellent and soft at backing up
We have built up to 15 minutes being tied at the innertube tie post.
He is comfortable with the saddle and I am waiting on a dental appointment before I bit him up.
Finish of week one
Easy and I have been bonding a little more everyday. I still come to the barn to feed him in the morning and he would rather not come up and say hi. So I ask him to move around then yeild his hindquarters and come to me--give him a few scratches on the neck and then head to work.
I led him out of his pen on Friday March 12 and half way to the roundpen he just left, and ran around the pasture looking for freedom. It took about 10 minutes to catch him and take him to the round pen. I felt like an idiot for trying to lead him that far without another horse to pony him--I know better. He did great in the round pen and my neighbor, Sandi, helped me pony him back--which was easy b/c he finds his pen safe.
The next day I brought my gelding down to pony Easy to the round pen but my horse was a little aggressive towards Easy so I decided to walk them both instead of ride. Well dangit, Easy ran off again! And again he was easy to catch. I can't let this happen a 3rd time because then it will be a hard formed habit. I need to acquire the help of a more experienced pony horse/rider Or I will have to trailer him (which wouldn't be a bad thing to teach him now).
I realize just how "rusty" I am as I go through this training process! As you can tell in these somewhat embarrassing and entertaining? videos. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuHtfSp7u3g
I led him out of his pen on Friday March 12 and half way to the roundpen he just left, and ran around the pasture looking for freedom. It took about 10 minutes to catch him and take him to the round pen. I felt like an idiot for trying to lead him that far without another horse to pony him--I know better. He did great in the round pen and my neighbor, Sandi, helped me pony him back--which was easy b/c he finds his pen safe.
The next day I brought my gelding down to pony Easy to the round pen but my horse was a little aggressive towards Easy so I decided to walk them both instead of ride. Well dangit, Easy ran off again! And again he was easy to catch. I can't let this happen a 3rd time because then it will be a hard formed habit. I need to acquire the help of a more experienced pony horse/rider Or I will have to trailer him (which wouldn't be a bad thing to teach him now).
I realize just how "rusty" I am as I go through this training process! As you can tell in these somewhat embarrassing and entertaining? videos. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuHtfSp7u3g
Monday, March 15, 2010
End of Week One
Its been a long week! I think I lost 5 pounds!
Easy is doing geat! He is very gentle and forgiving of me. He has yet to break into a sweat ever!
He is leading, lunging, saddling and I even hobbled him for a few minutes Sunday 14th--he takes it all in stride without blowing up. He objects often but never has blown up or freaked out! I can lean over his back but he is not ready for me to get on him. I am not ready either=)
Week 2 I want to work on obstacles from the ground and more work preparing him for me in the saddle, I want to trailer load, and bathe him (since its supposed to be nice this week). All while continueing last weeks work.
I am also making an appointment for Chiropractic and teeth work. Stinky breath!
I will try to add videos--they are a little embarrassing and maybe a little entertaining. They really show how rusty I am but also show how forgiving and easy, Easy, can be!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuHtfSp7u3g
Easy is doing geat! He is very gentle and forgiving of me. He has yet to break into a sweat ever!
He is leading, lunging, saddling and I even hobbled him for a few minutes Sunday 14th--he takes it all in stride without blowing up. He objects often but never has blown up or freaked out! I can lean over his back but he is not ready for me to get on him. I am not ready either=)
Week 2 I want to work on obstacles from the ground and more work preparing him for me in the saddle, I want to trailer load, and bathe him (since its supposed to be nice this week). All while continueing last weeks work.
I am also making an appointment for Chiropractic and teeth work. Stinky breath!
I will try to add videos--they are a little embarrassing and maybe a little entertaining. They really show how rusty I am but also show how forgiving and easy, Easy, can be!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuHtfSp7u3g
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Day 3 Monday 8th of March.
"Easy" is doing great! I can halter and lead him, send him off in both directions and we even started learning to back up and flex his head left/right/down. I can touch him all over and pick up his front feet and pick up his back feet with a rope (still makes me nervous-but he's probably fine). He did get annoyed after an hour and tried to nip at me--he ran into my elbow instead=)
In my afternoon session with Easy I was able to put the pad and then saddle on him from both sides. He is quite the character and so much fun to play with. I can't wait to get him outside to the round pen!
sorry the pic is from my phone-no one was around to take it for me
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Days one and two
I walked around his 20X20 pen and then introduced him to the bamboo pole and later the rope. This evening I was easily petting and scratching both sides from his shoulders to his ears to his nose. I was able to take off his BLM tags too. I probably could have done more except I feel exhausted from the long sleepless week of anticipation!
I spent an hour with him before I fed at 6am and the rest of the day I was at Amy and Steve LeSatz with my mare Digger for a green horse clinic. It was a great great day! I met lots of wonderful people and found some holes in my training with Digger that I can avoid with my mustang!
Tomorrow (Sunday 7th) I will have the whole day to see what he will do for me! Hopefully I can add pictures soon.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Bridle Bit Training and Tack! Thanks for the cow work lessons!!
Bridle Bit Training and Tack, LLC
970-454-3061
Eaton, CO 80615
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