Drumroll please...

I am very excited to announce that I was selected to compete in the 2012 Norco Extreme Mustang Makeover!

The last time I competed, Neo Noir did well adopting for $2500 and finding one of the best homes ever (thanks Priscilla!) I know the Mustang Heritage Foundation has set the goal for this year to find 4000 mustang's homes. Since Neo, I have trained and adopted out another 6 and found a breed that is truly amazing to work with.  As for the competition, this year a few rules have changed... Instead of geldings, we are working with mares. Trainers also had the choice of taking one or two mustangs to gentle, train, and compete with in 90 days. Obviously, I chose two! I have no doubt this will be tons of work but cannot wait to get started. In the meantime, my 3 other mustangs I am still working with weekly will be keeping me on my toes as well as the amazing friesians I work with in Sonoma. The mustangs are coming from the Litchfield Corrals and are assigned randomly so I have no idea what size, color, or temperament. I am planning on keeping the blogs as current as possible, stay tuned for pictures and bios. I head up on Friday and will be bringing the girls home Saturday. I will probably recruit some photographers to help document this adventure. If you haven't already, sign up for my blog by typing in your email address on the top bar that reads 'email address' and hit submit. It sends you an email when I post a new blog (no spam, promise!) 

Summer: Riding & Lunging Outside!

The pictures do the talking, Summer is progressing and learning everyday.  Today we spent some more time in the saddle and also took time learning to lunge in the big arena (around the mud of course)! She also took a few small jumps, which she seemed to enjoy. She has a lot of 'spirit' as I am sure anyone who saw her at the barn today would confirm. It was nice to see her truly act like a horse that wants to learn and work! And when we were all done, she wanted kisses and a nuzzle.  

Enjoy the pics, I sure enjoyed making them!

Sunday=Funday

The days seem to fly by when you drive from one barn to the next! This weekend alone I have spent more than 10 hours riding, giving lessons, and ground work with some amazing horses. I was getting spoiled with all of the dry weather, and now the rain has finally started to pour! Good thing we have indoor arenas:) That means the pictures/lighting is not that great, but the progress was!

Summer and I had our first ride today! With the support of Glen on lead rope, we casually walked around the indoor arena. Not one bit of hesitation from Summer, it was really nice to see how quickly a young, smart, and willing horse will progress!

Remy is also taking huge steps, he is able to lead and hoof pick in the front. A very big sign that he has enough trust in me to give me his hoof. He is quite the handsome boy, and looks a little but like a giant fuzzy teddy bear with his winter coat!

2012 update

Well the new year has brought a surprise... Summer! She was the little 2 year old mustang I took in June 2011. Her owner contacted me and sadly through no fault of Summers, had to find her a new place to live. I said I would take her back immediately! So, that means that after working with 5 horses at 2 barns yesterday, I then went to wait at another barn near my home for little Summer to arrive. When she got there, she had been pretty stressed out and no one was able to halter her (she was free loaded into the trailer). It was sad to see my sweet little friend look so upset so I waited a minute and then climbed into the trailer with her. We stood there for a few minutes while I talked to her, telling her she was with me now and that meant nothing but good food, good training, and a good start to the new year. Then I slowly reached my hands around her neck and put on a bright and shiny brand new purple halter. We opened the trailer and she hesitantly jumped out but after a few circles, I think she recognized the place! I walked her to her stall and she sniffed around. Having the wonderful support friends, Summer had grain, hay, and a nice fluffy stall waiting for her. She wasted no time and ate some grain, sniffed the hay, and then rolled in her stall. I am hopeful that she will be finding a new home as soon as possible!