Mary Gates

http://extrememustangmary.blogspot.com/

2011-06-07T13:49:00.001-06:00

2011 Extreme Mustang Makeover blog site

Digger is SOLD

2011-04-04T12:03:00.001-06:00

Diggers first experience Mounted Shooting:CHANCESRIMAGOLDDIGGER-4-Sale

2010-10-20T12:29:00.001-06:00

Remember to click on photos to make them larger!

I didn't get any good pics=( Just a few stolen off of my friends camera phone. The clinic went from 10-3 and by the end I was shooting the balloons off of Diggers back! She was excellent as always!

Digger stopped to try and pop the balloon with her teeth-This mare is a laugh a minute!

warming up-getting ready to pop some balloons-1st with sticks

Diggers first horse show ever!

2010-10-20T12:13:00.000-06:00

Digger and I went to our first ASHA ranch versatility show Oct. 15, 2010. Unfortunately Digger was kicked by another mare a few days before and was not wanting to pick up her right lead very well. Instead of showing her in all 4 classes as planned (reining, cow work,trail,pleasure) I only took her in the trail and cow work (minimal canter work). Hopefully I will get the cow work pictures soon! She placed 6th out of 11 other green horses and worked exactly how she does at home!!

drag log in figure 8

Gate

serpentine at trot

side pass

Backing around and thru the barrels

Bridle Bit Training and Tack, LLC

2010-09-24T14:44:00.003-06:00

Horsemanship Clinic this Saturday, Sept 25, 9 a.m.-12 noon (afternoon session is canceled) = $85.00

Cow Working Clinic this Sunday, Sept 26^th - 9-4 – ½ day (a.m.) = $85.00 or full day = $150.00

Pre Christmas Sale!!! 30-75% off in-stock items storewide!!! Custom orders are discounted also! Shop now while the selection is at its best!

SOLD-For Sale – Rojo Cowgirl….call or email for details;amy-steve@bridle-bit.com

970-978-9724 - cell

970-454-3061 - phone/fax

SOLD-For Sale: Mayata ;call or email for details;amy-steve@bridle-bit.com
SALE PENDING

Updates on Digger

2010-09-17T12:23:00.004-06:00

CHANCESRIMAGOLDDIGGER 2006 APHA mare $4000
Digger is being ridden 3-5 days a week since mid June at Bridle-Bit Training and tack-Eaton CO.
I ride her in "group lessons" every Tuesday and Thursday in the arena then on Saturday and Sundays in clinics or trail rides or in the arena some more. She gets better everyday and still comes to greet me at the gate!
Digger is a very forward (yet not hot at all) mare--she gets bored and needs something to do/explore. I think this is a great thing because she is eager and ready to learn--but she is not a horse you can take out of pasture after 2 days off and just mozzy around on in a boring arena. She had ten days off and I was easily able to saddle her up and get right on her and put her right to work in the arena---she didn't need to be roundpenned or run around. She was eager to walk out and keep busy--not eager to sit around and relax. This is another reason why I think an intermediate to advanced rider is best for her.
We are working on her canter--she picks up her leads but is a bit lazy about keeping the canter going in the arena. We are also working on hobbling-she is doing great in the arena and I will work on hobbling for longer periods of time. Good stops, turns, backing up, giving to the bit, sidepassing, two-tracking, working on walking and trotting at different speeds and transitions.

Digger sorting a cow out of the rodear 10/3/10

Bridle-Bit Training and Tack Cow Working clinic

2010-09-15T12:03:00.001-06:00

There is a cow working for horse and/or riders that have NEVER worked cattle, this Saturday, Sept 18^th from 1-4 and Sunday, Sept 19 from 9-12. There are 2 spots left in this clinic….call or email for more info. I also have an opening for a private lesson on Sat (Sept 18) at 10:30.

The weekend of Sept 25-26 is the Smorgasbord clinic weekend, Horsemanship I and II and Cow Working I and II. Ride in one or all of these 3 hour sessions!

FOR SALE--GREAT PRICE--AWESOME MARE!

2010-08-16T11:12:00.003-06:00

Digger on left 12/2009

click on images to enlarge!

02/10 riding around in the pasture

Team sorting 8/7/10

8/8/10 trail ride

CHANCESRIMAGOLDDIGGER-2006 APHA tobiano mare. $4000!! check her out on dreamhorse--link below.

team sort

8/10 team sort

8/10 swim on Digger

8/10 we both got a little wetter than planned!

Digger on left with pasture mates

Digger on the right camping 2009

2006 APHA mare FOR SALE $4000

2010-08-09T15:26:00.002-06:00

http://www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php?form_horse_id=1583140&share_this=Y
Check her out on dreamhorse!!!

8/5/10

7/24/10

2009 camp trip

competition pics

2010-06-18T11:08:00.000-06:00

http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/email/newsletter/1410345285

Champion and his new owner-click on link for story.

And its all over=(

2010-06-18T10:38:00.000-06:00

What a ride this has been! We had a great great time at the competition, met a lot of really great trainers, horses, and people. I am so thankful for Amy LeSatz my coach, Mike Kramer my fiance and my best friend Christy Hawes who all stayed by my side and gave so much help and support (and they all shed tears with me throughout the weekend). And tons of other neighbors, friends and family!! I had the biggest cheering section ever!

I am extremely happy with our results--we got 14th overall!! I was nervous and blew the trial pattern and some of the cow work we could have done better, but the reining class was the best Easy had performed! I was very happy with him all weekend. He sold to a great family for $2500 (top 7 sales) and I was envited to come see him anytime!
I am really excited to start training part time with Amy LeSatz--she picked up Lanny and Logan Leachs mustangs-- and you can bet we will be doing this again next year. These are great animals and they deserve more than just a number in a holding pen!!

Ken McNabb coaching us!

I want to thank the Mustang Heritage Foundation and BLM for putting together such a great event!!! I can't imagine how many "Easy's" are out there just wasting away in a holding facility.

Weeks 11 and 12

2010-05-27T14:20:00.000-06:00

2 weeks left to go!! Oh boy! We are ready so bring it on!! LOL! Easy is so great we are progressing in training every day!

Our latest accomplishment is High Plain Paint Horse Open Breeding show at the Ranch in Loveland last Sunday (23rd). Showmanship, Trail, Western Pleasure, Western Horsemanship and gymkhana events! Easy acted as if he'd "been there, done that"! Nothing rattled him all day. We even received High-Point champion novice and Overall High-Point for the show!!!!

EMM Schedule

2010-05-27T14:08:00.002-06:00

^{June 10th (Thursday)}

^{8:00 AM - 4:00 PM}

^{Mustangs Check-In}^{at BW Pickett arena stalls Fort Collins, Colorado}

^{5:00 PM - 8:00 PM}

^{MANDATORY Trainers Meeting and "draft"}^{in arena. *Dinner provided*}

^{Trainers will be placed on teams by the "Draft" held after trainer check in. Ken and Al will flip a coin to decide who gets first pick. Then trainers will enter the arena in hip # order. Trainers will enter the arena on foot and give a 30 sec. personal bio then will mount and perform a 90 sec. freestyle routine. (No props - only "tools" or items that are used or typically carried on a saddle.)}

^{June 11th (Friday)}

^{7:30 AM - Noon}

^{Coaches Workout}^{- Teams alternate. One team works on Reining from 7:30-9:30 in the competition arena, while the other team works on trail obstacles in the practice arena. Then the teams switch.}

^{1:00 PM}

^{Individual Competition in Reining and Trail Courses}

^{7:00 PM}

^{Westernaires Performance, Fan Favorite Smack down}

^{and "Extreme Team Competition"}

^{^{*All trainers will compete in the team competion.}}

^{June 12th (Saturday)}

^{7:30 AM}

^{Coaches Workout}^{- Teams alternate. First team practices cow work from 7:30-9:30 then second team from 10:00-Noon. Outside practice arena open and available all day.}

^{1:00 PM}

^{Individual Competition}^{in Cow work}

^{7:00 PM}

^{Top 10 (Individual) Finals Performance and Team Finals}

^{(Top 6 from each team)}

^{June 13th (Sunday)}

Adoption of all competing mustangs.

8. All events will take place at the BW Pickett Arena at the CSU facility.

The address: 701 South Overland Trail, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523.

weeks 9 and 10

2010-05-14T16:00:00.000-06:00

Time has really flown by! Easy and I have been progressing daily! Riding everyday and practicing for the competition.
Sunday May 9th we went to Mt.Margrett with my friend Christy and about 8 others. We mostly trotted and cantered this 4 hour ride! Went thru water, mud, hikers and loose dogs the size of a big bear! All but the later were okay for Easy, i decided to get off and walk him past the big scary barking dog! Easy may be the perfect horse for endurance--he loved moving out the whole ride and didn't even break a sweat! Not bad for his 31st time under saddle!!
Thursday May 13 my farrier Rick Binger came out to trim the horses--I brought Easy back to my place for this. Afterwords I rode Easy and Mike rode Beauty out at "marys place" for a nice 2 hour trail ride.
It was a beautiful ride with rolling hills to climb, deer and antellope, water crossings, and zig zagging through trees and brush. Easy loves this stuff and is all go still!
Today is Friday the 14th and we rode at Amy LeSatz Bridle Bit training and tack llc..
It was a group lesson with 6 other riders and fresh cattle that were just picked up yesterday!!
Easy and I worked the gates and went out to round up the cows to the arena, then in groups of three we had to coordinate working a small group of cattle through obstacles in the arena! It was really fun!
Sorry no new pics or video=( Maybe I can get some this weekend?

Week 8

2010-05-03T11:34:00.001-06:00

Tuesday April 27 was Easy's 20th ride and we trailered out to Pawnee Grasslands with Amy and 4 other riders. I pointed Easy to the wide open and he walked out and passed everyone else, Just as Amy hollard at me to let him go if he needs to go, he started trotting towards the trail heading up the hill, then he picked up the lope and away we went!! I stopped him at the top of the hill and waited on the group. Easy was so much fun to trail ride! He was forward and happy and completely under control the whole ride! What a nice ride he is!
We did a lot of boring arena work the rest of the week, he improves everyday. We are at the stage where I need to learn how to finish him for the competition, so we are learning this together! I have never competed in any of these events, (reining, cow work, and trail) although I have been through several trail courses in my day.
Sunday May 2 we went to the Spring Fling Horse show at CSU (where the EMM competition will be) Easy had no problem being in the arenas or standing at the trailer! I took him in the halter geldings and showmanship class for the exposure, we placed last in each one but expected that since we haven't worked on any of that stuff.
I also entered him in Walk Trot Novice horse and we got first place! yeah! He was spectacularly wonderfully behaved!
Then we went through the novice trail course and got first as well!! woohoo! the judge commented that Easy was a very handy horse!!! click on pics to enlarge

Look how shiney he is! He has not had a bath! This is all from his nutrition! ADM/moorman feeds moorglo and healthyglo and mineral block provided by Amy and Steve LeSatz at Bridle-Bit Training and Tack!! Give them a call and get your horse some of what he is missing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EapxM_cItU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAgbLGIvGxI

Bridle-Bit Training and Tack Sponsorships--Thanks so much!

2010-04-26T14:47:00.000-06:00

Contact Amy at Bridle Bit Training and Tack LLC for all your equine needs!! http://bridlebit.wordpress.com/

If you need the best in western attire for you and your horses (Check it out Mustang trainers) this is the place to shop! Amy set Easy and I up with a very classy look and we are going to stand out against the competition in June! The judges will notice.
Amy is also donating Easy's supplements and boy does he look and feel great--inside and out!! I had him on a different supplement that just wasn't doing anything for him after 3 weeks. When I switched to Amy's MoorGlo and Natural Glo products I saw the difference within days!! Starting with the gash across his forehead from before I picked him up--The hair started growing back and man did it shine! Most of his dull winter hair is shedding out into a really silky soft and shiny hair coat!! I can't wait for the rest of his coat to shed out!
Another thing I notice is his muscles developing, his hooves are strong and his energy is perfect. He is not tiring out and he is not going crazy with too much energy. He is bright eyed, allert, and quick to learn!
Here is what he is getting:
MoorMan's Grostrong Minerals quadblock: Unique blend of nutrients promotes optimum performance in working horse.
MoorGlo: A very palatable, pelleted, low-starch, high-energy supplement made from the three best fat sources for horses, stablilized rice bran, Soy Shine soybean lipids and Omega Flax processed flaxseed.
Click on the link to find Bridle Bits information
http://bridlebit.wordpress.com/

week 7

2010-04-26T13:17:00.000-06:00

Rode Easy everyday except Wednesday this week. The weather sucked but we worked through it anyway. Sunday was finely a decent day and Amy LeSatz had a cow working, stockmanship, horsemanship II clinic. We were signed up for Saturdays level I clinic but got rained out. Really glad she let me ride in Sundays because Easy did Fabulous! Everyone was very impressed with him!! He really knows how to work a cow--better than me too! Couple of great turns on his own, never got panicked or worried. I am really considering selling my poco bueno mare so I have the money to bid on Easy! I would really like to find him a great home though. I keep telling myself I don't need another horse--nor do I have time or room for another. hahaha! we'll see!
I decided to finely check out Amys tack store!! Wow, she really has a great selection of tack and clothing and misc. Really nice stuff--the nicest stuff I've seen around CO and that is no BS!!!. Amy and Leanne helped me choose an outfit for the competition--Easy and I are going to be smokin!! Thanks Amy and Steve LeSatz once again for another donation!

Week Seven

2010-04-23T15:30:00.001-06:00

I have been working with Easy everyday still. Saturday the 17th was an all day clinic taught by Amy LeSatz and was in Longmont at Windy Creek Ranch. We started in the outdoor arena, worked our horses briefly on ground work, mounted and worked on a lot of good stuff--such as--transitions,transitions,transitions, change of direction, starting collection, backing.... Second part of the day we ended up in the indoor after it started raining pretty good! We worked a lot on cantering on the correct leads, transitions, excercises that helped with picking up leads and transitions! Easy did very well! Better with his leads after some chiro work so we worked on keeping the canter going--he has a great stop and reads my mind before i actually ask for it!
I worked him a little on circle arcs and other things on Sunday and Monday--by Tuesday he was sick and tired of arena work and would not willingly come to me when I got to his stall as he usually does=(

No worries we got to learn to track cows this day and he is again having fun and comes right to me to get haltered! Relationship restored through cow work at Amy LeSatz Bridle-Bit Training and Tack!! Pics show how excited and into it he was!!

Vote For Me As Your Favorite EMM Trainer!!! Link posted below!

2010-04-19T13:07:00.005-06:00

http://helperwidgets.com/widget.cfm?WIID=76A748B7-9CC1-9B58-907514F96D7E18B6
vote for me in "favorite trainer" voting brackets.
You can vote more than once and have until the 26th for the first round.

Week 6 under saddle

2010-04-16T15:56:00.001-06:00

It is Friday April 16th--42 days into training our mustangs. I rode easy everyday this week and he is advancing well! Rode by myself most the week but yesterday we had a group lesson with Amy LeSatz and this time Easy was much more relaxed and paying attention to me more! Yesterday was our 11th ride--I can hardly believe it!

5th week in training

2010-04-12T15:12:00.001-06:00

It is April 12th already, we have had 38 days with our mustangs and there are 60 days before competition begins!
I am very happy with our progress and excited to see how he does this week (week 6) with more pressure under saddle.
Last Thursday we had a group lesson with Amy LeSatz and 7 other riders--Easy was pretty uneasy about the whole deal but he delt with it well! In the lesson we did some ground work that prepared our horses for the riding, then we mounted did a few more exercises to prepare the horses. Easy didn't want to stand still--I think we were both a little nervous with all the new people and horses. We will get over that!
We walked and trotted, moved the HQs and FQs preparing us for turning with cows, did some two tracking and straightness exercises, then rode down the rode and back to the arena. Easy stayed pretty nervous so once everyone left --me, Amy and Leanne went back in and laid Easy down. Amy coached me how to work the lariat and Leanne stayed by my side and held Easy's lead rope. It went well! I am very please with how he has been under saddle since!
Friday I rode Easy around the outside of the roundpen while Amy and Leanne worked their horses in the round pen. When they finished I rode back to the barn with them, gave him a little break, then headed out to the arena. Easy was very mellow and willing! He had more whoa than go so I used that to get a good stop and some transitions worked on! His circles are getting rounder too! I did some sacking out from his back--taking my jacket off and waving it all around. He was great!
Saturday Amy let me ride in the arena while she was giving a lesson, once again we worked on picking up the correct leads, circling, figure 8s, turns and half turns, yielding, stops....Then the 3 of us took our horses out to the pastures and rode for another hour, working on passing eachother and some more cow-work turns/manauvers! Easy as I always say is just Fantastic! Lots of energy and character, but not whacky at all!
That night we did some chiropractic work on him so Sunday he had off. sort of.

Sunday I hauled him back to my place--or my neighbors arena anyways--He tied to the trailer while I played with my other horses.

Week 5 already!

2010-04-05T19:50:00.000-06:00

Well I was right about Amy at Bridle Bit! We are going to accelerate much faster with her their to support and coach me! She checked for holes in my training so far and couldn't find any! hiphiphooray! I rode in the big arena again today. Walk trot and some cantering. Steering--Turns, circles, obstacles are all getting better. Then Amy and I rode down the road to the mailbox, rode around the house then out the gate and down the service road. He is one heck of a horse! HesaEasyBoy

Can't believe we are on the fourth week already!

2010-03-31T19:59:00.000-06:00

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.

3rd week in training

2010-03-29T15:13:00.000-06:00

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!!

First rides- 2 weeks

2010-03-22T11:24:00.002-06:00

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

Day 13--Holy Moley 85 days to competition!!

2010-03-19T12:00:00.000-06:00

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.

Day 12 Yeah he is leading out in the wide open!

2010-03-18T11:41:00.000-06:00

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!

Day 11 Feeling a little behind

2010-03-17T09:47:00.002-06:00

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.

Finish of week one

2010-03-17T08:55:00.004-06:00

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQehKYK5yqI

End of Week One

2010-03-15T11:30:00.004-06:00

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

Day 3 Monday 8th of March.

2010-03-09T10:00:00.000-07:00

"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

Days one and two

2010-03-06T21:09:00.001-07:00

We picked up our mustangs yesterday (March 5 2010)! 5 of us drove down to pick up 3 of our mustangs and they are all really great horses! My mustang is smaller, maybe 14h, 4 year old gelding. Bay with 4 white bands and a star. He is really sweet right off the bat!
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.

Bridle Bit Training and Tack! Thanks for the cow work lessons!!

2010-03-03T10:19:00.001-07:00

I would like to thank Amy and Steve LeSatz at Bridle-Bit Training and Tack, LLC! Amy's lessons and coaching will be fundamental for my success in the competition!

Bridle Bit Training and Tack, LLC

Amy-steve@bridle-bit.com

970-454-3061

Eaton, CO 80615

I had so much fun learning to track a cow on my paint mare yesterday!! Digger's grandsire is Poco Bueno and it shows! I will continue my training for the mustang challenge with Digger and then with the mustang when he is ready. Amy you are a great coach I have no doubt we will do great in the EMM!!

Thanks to my two sponsors so far!

2010-02-23T11:56:00.001-07:00

My farrier, Rick Binger at spotted fever ranch, has donated two of his wonderful hand made rope halters plus all of my farrier work for free while I am in the EMM!!
My neighbors Sandi and Jeff Carr at RottnPaint Ranch for the use of their indoor barn to start my mustang in!!!!
Click on their links on the left under my sponsors to check out their websites and services!!
Thank you!

Extreme Mustang Makeover: Fort Collins CO

2010-02-15T15:47:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to have been chosen as a trainer in the Extreme Mustang Makeover!!! I get to pick up my mustang in Canon City, CO on March 5th! I can't wait to meet him--I already know he is a four year old gelding-yeah!
This is going to be a huge learning experience for me and I can't wait to see what I can accomplish!