Rides of March

This weekend Anthony and I headed to Reno for an endurance ride. It only took 6 hours to get there in the dark with 2 mustangs, Dixie and Luna (Anthony's new Extreme Mustang Makeover mare) where we unloaded, fed and watered, and then settled in for the night. Anthony and Luna did the LD (limited distance) at a leisurely pace, and had a blast. Luna was exposed to people, horses, trailers, rv's, vet checks, riding alone and with a group. She handled everything so well! People were absolutely amazed she had only been 'unwilded' a month and a half! He even had people asking to take a picture with her :)

Dancing Dixie and I took a shot at our first 50, and completed! I am so proud of my little stang! Since her hairy coat was covering her brand, people regularly asked what breed she was... no one guessed mustang! We heard thoroughbred and saddlebred the most often due to her muscular body and long back. She was pretty tired Sunday and walked to the pasture slower than normal, but by the end of the day was running around again. Talk about a fast recovery! I, on the other hand, am really sore and will not be running around any time soon! 

Beautiful landscape and great weather...

Don't worry, little Sweet Pea was not forgotten! She stayed home and relaxed Saturday and Sunday we took a ride to Willow Tree Stables in Novato for a great relaxing trail ride with some fabulous folks we befriended earlier. It was so gorgeous and the horses all behaved like angels... what a great way to end the weekend! 

Luna and Anthony

Of course, I couldn't leave out sweet Luna and Anthony. They are also making great progress towards Norco. Luna is willing and sweet, Anthony has done a fabulous job with his first mustang! If only she was taller, he is 6'2'' so a 13 hand horse is a little short ;) Contact Anthony for more info on Luna.

Sweet Pea, halfway in!

Being in the middle of March, I think we are somewhere near halfway into this. It is fun to think back on all the huge progress our horses have made. This week was the first time Sweet Pea and I could casually walk the obstacle course instead of nervously jumping or rushing through the courses. She is developing confidence and I am so proud of her. In the pen as a 'wild one' that was her huge issue... passing through obstacles. Now that she is riding through them, I couldn't be happier. Every horse will have something that is no big deal to one and life changing to another. Luna never seemed to overly mind about passing through objects in the same way. Of course, she has overcome many other major obstacles with Anthony just in a different nature. 

Sweet Pea in her first obstacle experience

After a few walks, it was not an issue again (total time between pictures= 5 or so minutes)

The pictures above shows Sweet Pea reacting to the tarp by trying to jump it, you notice she didn't refuse the obstacle...just tried to leap over it (I think she may have preferred not to go over it though without my encouragement, lol). After she stepped on it, she decided it was not a horse devouring alligator and was able to walk, trot, and stand all over it. 

As soon as something (obstacle, trailer loading, leading, whatever) is conquered, the horse grows from the experience. I saw a positive change in her confidence as a result of working on these types of challenges. 

Sweet Pea is about 13.1 hands and will not doubt make someone a fabulous partner. We have spent time in the arena working on walk, trot, canter. The obstacle course has included tarps, hanging noodles, jumps, plastic pits, and tire pedestals. We have also gone on the trail at Skyline Park. 

I will continue to build up her repertoire of skills for as long as we are together. If YOU or anyone you know if interested in this amazing horse, please contact me for more details. I am very interested in getting her a home where she will be loved, appreciated, and continue to be ridden.

 

Wylene Wilson Horsemanship Clinic

What a huge success. Wylene has changed the lives of quite a few people in Northern California this past weekend. People learned how to overcome their fears and push themselves (and their horses) out of their comfort zones. Everyone left with a big smile on their face and asking me "When is she coming back???" 

Click here for a link to over 200 pictures on Snapfish (it is free to sign up).

If you are interested in joining us at the next clinic, please send me an email to be added onto the contact list at mustangadoptions@gmail.com

Madison overcame her fear of the scary ball and learned it was actually a fun game!

Learning how to mount from a fence

Misty conquering the obstacle pattern

Some of our fabulous auditors

More excitement in the obstacle course!

Nancy and Sparky in the 'pit of despair'

Mike on top of the world!

Ever learn how to fall off properly? Wylene taught everyone how!

Before: "I don't like to jump" 

Sara and Dixie looking great!

Melanie did great on the downhill jumps!

Luna

Anthony and Luna have come such a long way, I just wanted to share a few pictures. She was a really tough one to work with and even though he was calm and persistent, he could just feel that she was still scared. Here you can see her energy changed completely and Anthony just felt it... how cool is that? 

Fast forward!

Once a snow ball starts rolling, it becomes hard to stop. This has been my metaphor for training mustangs. Once they begin learning, they have huge leaps and bounds in their progress. Everyone who has seen these horses more than once have commented that they are transformed into calmer and more confident horses with each and every day! De-sensitizing has paid off, my mare was really scared and spooky so I spent lots of time reassuring her and working to show her 'people stuff' is not too bad after all. I clipped her face and brand, brushed her all over, hoof picked, saddled, bridled, and jumped up and down all around her.  Anyone that has spent time training a horse knows progress happens with lots of hard work and time. Since I have been slacking on keeping the blog up to date, I will narrate with pictures... hope you enjoy!

Lunging Sweet Pea in the round pen for the first time. She is sooooo laid back! 

She had virtually no reaction to the cooler... I guess that means I have been doing a good job de-sensitizing her!

Same with the fly mask and shipping boots... 

Anthony and Luna on their first walk... how cute!

Saddle and 1, 2, 3...

Up!!!

Visits with friends, anyone want to take me home?!?

My first ride, what a great feeling. There is no much that really compares to the moment when you are up for the first time! 

EMM 2013 update

Here are a few photos from the beginning of our journey. 

'Sweet Pea' took quite a while to get a name. She was so nervous at first I wanted to what her personality was like once she trusted me. I could see right from the get go, even though she was scared, she wanted to work with me. Her face wore so many different expressions, I have never seen a wild horse go through that many emotions during gentling. She would get 'sticky feet' and freeze, almost going into a 'play bow' like a dog when she wasn't sure where to go. Once I asked her to move, she was able to relax. As I began to work my way towards the first touch, she licked, chewed, chattered (like a baby would to a stallion) and even thought about nipping (which she never did). She would lean her neck towards me like she knew being scratched was a reward, yet her eyes would not be able to look at me for more than a second. She had to fight a lot of instinct to give me a chance, and I am sure glad she did. 

Anthony's mare, Luna is a very different personality. She moves very freely and you can easily see the Friesian influence in her HMA Flannigan. She is incredibly curious and was following him around the first day. 

Once Sweet Pea gave me a chance, the real fun began. She let me switch halters and play with a saddle pad on her back. I am truly impressed with her willingness to learn. 

She has been leading well and always wants to be reassured with a scratch or two. 

After picking up her feet, leading her around, and playing with the saddle pad, I wanted to see if she was ok with the saddle. I showed it to her, lead her around, and plopped it on her back. She had almost no reaction, which was great! You all know what the next step means...

I wanted to leave you with a 'teaser' picture so be sure to check back soon. There will be some great photos to follow...