Sweet Pea, Jumping For Joy!

Ok so, I am actually the one jumping for joy, not Sweet Pea. 

I am happy because my horse is sweet (hence the name)

I am happy because I am on vacation (thank you easter bunny)

I am happy because I am with Anthony (awww)

I am happy because our wedding invitations arrived (ahhh!)

you get the idea...

In fact, this happens to be the first time I stood up on her as well as jumped off. She is a pretty laid back gal :)

She has great rhythm and stride in all of her gaits.

Another dressage prospect?

Just couldn't help myself from loving on her :)

No reins!

Keeping the beat, 2 thumbs up!

Just sitting around...

Love her movement, seriously!
This horse has the SMOOTHEST gaits ever. Maybe she is part gaited?

Luna Looking Lovely!

 Yesterday we snuck out to the barn for a few hours to work with our horses and take some pictures. As soon as I got there, I noticed I forgot to charge the camera and had a battery sign on. We only had a few minutes each to quickly take pictures of each other, but I think we both succeeded in showing off all the progress our mares have made. Enjoy :)

Ground tie and hoof picking

Luna nice and calm

More ground tie practice

Such a good girl, proud trainer

trot

look at that movement! dressage horse anyone?!

Having fun :)

Anthony has done such a great job with his first mustang, I am very happy to have dragged him into this whole mustang scene! You always feel like you teach them so much when 'un-wilding- them but really they are teaching us too. We have had many conversations about training and approaches that have stemmed from experiences these horses have given us. I am thankful I have a wonderful future husband who shares my love of horses too! Otherwise, who would I be able to talk about horses 24/7 with?!? 

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?