| Extreme Mustang Makeover 2008! |
June 13, 2008
Today we head to Pauls Valley, Oklahoma to start this new adventure with three brand new mustangs! Wow, yes, I said
three. Tomorrow I am picking up my 3or 4 year old mare or gelding mustang to start under saddle for the competition,
but my husband, Ryan Branham, and my apprentice, Joanne Thompson, are picking up there mustang yearling's for the
Mission impossible 007, yearling ground work challenge. So we are coming home with three wild mustangs!
This morning, I took a moment to reflect on last years make over with Joshua. He quietly nuzzled me with his soft nose
and wrapped his neck around my waist. His hugs are still overwhelming to me as I have never had a horse give his
heart and soul to me like Joshua has. I am so blessed to have him in my life as a friend and companion. He is doing
amazing in his training and is becoming quite the little reining horse. Last years competition was awesome, yet very
disappointing too. So I look forward to a "do over" and try to get my part right and keep the pattern straight at the
competition in September. It is a little daunting to think about starting over with a fresh, wild, natural mustang, but
exciting too! Over the next three months we have allot of early mornings and late nights to spend with our mustangs.
Hard work is the key to success!
MMM... had to take a MickeyD's break and get Joanne and I a iced mocha! Ryan got a Oreo Mcflurry, he just doesn't
know how awesome coffee is!! I asked the two of them if they had a game plan for there mustangs. I suggested what
could be possible and Ryan just looked at me, smiled and said, "Get mine caught!" That is a great place to start!! All
three of our mustangs are going to be available for adoption. I am looking for someone who would like to share this
journey with me and observe the training process with my new mustang and then go down with me to the competition
and be the highest bidder at the adoption. Just imagine this October you could be staring into your very own mustangs
eyes as he or she nuzzles you with it's soft nose. IT COULD BE YOU! ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!
June 14, 2008
We are heading back from Pauls Valley with three new horses! I have been praying God would choose the right horse
for me this year. I have prayed for the right horse that God wants to share his story through me, through this horse.
Well, for a long time I have thought about what this horse may be like. Last year I specifically prayed for disposition and
not a real big one as I was very injured from my horse accident, and still recovering. This year I thought what if I get a
horse not just like Joshua? I figured maybe a good name would be "Moses", being that Moses was the leader that
Joshua took over for, I thought it would be cute. However, Moses and God tangoed allot through Moses's lifetime. He
openly argued with God and refused God's will and God made it impossible to say no to Him. It is amazing to me though
that Moses is listed as a man after God's own heart and God personally buried him and did his funeral personally. God
used this unlikely candidate to lead His people to the promised land out of the slavery and bondage of the Egyptians. He
lead them across the Red Sea, he performed miracles, he received the ten commandments, he was a mighty warrior for
God Numbers 12:3 says, "Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men on the face of the earth."
Meekness: a personality trait of gentleness and humility, the opposite of which is pride. Meekness does not refer to
weakness or passivity, but to controlled power.
When the BLM agent today pointed out to me my mustang, I saw a big black very scared horse trying to climb out of the
pen away from the men on horseback sorting him to the shoot that would lead to my trailer. His large black eyes were
bulging from his head as fear gripped his natural state of mind. He leaped into my trailer only to panic when he realized
he was trapped in there. My heart went out to him, as I understand fear and want him soon to know that he does not
need to fear me or the plan that is set out before him. I said out loud, "I think I got my Moses!" So welcome home
Moses the Mustang! I am sure when God first approached Moses of Israel at the burning bush and told him what his
plan for Moses was, that Moses was gripped with fear also. God was able to set Moses' path before him helping him
grow into the heroic and meek leader God made him to be. I am preparing myself for some arguments and frustration,
but I will first understand that Moses is only going to do what comes naturally to him and that is my obligation to build a
trusting partnership with him teaching him first to trust, and then educate him in what he will need to know and
accomplish 100 days from now and on into the future that his life will have for him.
Ryan and Joanne got to adorable bay yearling geldings. They are still deciding on names for them, but Ryan says our
three horses are now "Moses' band on there way to the Promised Land!"
June 16, 2008,
Its day three in training our mustangs and it has been hard work, but exciting. Many of our friends came out to meet,
Moses, Still water(Joannes colt) and 1215 (Ryan hasn't named his yet) Saturday night after we got home from Pauls
Valley. Moses didn't appreciate the company, but everyone said Moses was amazing! He is very tall and maybe even
has Fresian roots in his background, by looking at him. He is very afraid and unsure of his new home, but is being
smart about his surroundings.
Day One: Consistent forward movement was my goal and he moves out nicely so that wasn't to hard. Next outside
turns and he learned them quickly. I somewhat expected him to think outside of the round pen more and try to climb out,
but he seems very sensible about it and hasn't tried to. As soon as I had him understanding outside turns, I stopped my
feet and backed out of his line of site. He did well and learned to face me.
Day Two: Continued to work on previous lessons and started teaching him a "Come to me Cue". He is doing well,
extremely well and seems very smart and looking for a friend. However, he would prefer me not in his space. Two feet
from me is his comfort zone. I worked him until he accepted my touch with the Lariat on his face and head. He did let
me rub his face and head with my hand, wow! Very Cool! He still seems very scared and lets me touch him, but doesn't
like it.
Day Three: Today he is a little more flighty. We cruised along so quickly and well the first two days, we were bond to
argue a little today. I am pretty sick with a virus and conjunctivitis of my eye, so not at my best, but I worked him
anyway, only have 100 days total, cannot take a day off. It was so awesome to touch him yesterday, however today he
decided he would prefer not to be touched at all. We did allot of laps around the round pen, and he did come around, but
would prefer me touching him with the lariat, instead of my hand. I am trying to be patient as I want to just rub him all
over and help him not be afraid, but it has to be his choice. I do not want to trap him by roping him. I want to use my
round pen to control his feet and use it to help him make the choice to stay with me and allow me to touch him. I must
be able to touch him from the nose to mid neck on both sides before he will stand for me to halter him. I hope to have
him in the halter by Friday. Trust is most important to me, so that when I teach him what I want him to know, he will be
willing to learn. Then maybe, just maybe, we will knock everybody's socks off in Fort Worth! We have a long ways to
go!
Ryan, I think is cheating. No, not really! He has always been good with horses, and he got a great draw of a horse. His
little yearling likes people already and Ryan can get 1215 to come to him and touch him all the way to his shoulders. He
will be ready for the halter soon. Joanne is doing great with her colt, as he is somewhat of a non-mover and a little
aggressive. However, he is eating out of Joannes hand and she can touch him from the nose to should also. She is
right on track and is going to do a great job!
June 23, 2008
We have just returned from Iowa! Eyes barely open, we arrived home last night at 12:45am, went straight down to the
barn and worked with our mustangs. I think I am addicted to training! Moses acted as if he had not met me before and
Ryan's colt was happy to see him. I am starting to get jealous over Ryan's great progress with his colt. I look over into
his stall and Ryan is picking up his colt's front feet! Wow! I wanted to kick his butt! No, really his colt is coming along
nicely and is a great match for him. Moses slowly realized it was me and was nuzzling into my chest, however he is
still very afraid and we have allot of work to do.
Day Four: Last Friday
Moses is challenging me and having a hard time believing I am trust worthy. Two and a half hours later I have Moses
in a halter made out of my lariat and he is giving to pressure, but still does not really like my touch. He prefers the rope
to my hands. Another hour later and he finally is smelling me and relaxing in my presence. He nuzzles into my chest
and sighs a big sigh of relief as if to say, "I am tired of being afraid." I walk away sweat- ed from head to toe, thankful
for the progress, but reminiscing how wonderful Joshua is!! Moses is going to be amazing, but we have a long ways to
go. He gets two days off now.
This morning was officially Day Five, as last night I just got him to come to me and accept my touch. He was quicker to
come to me than last night, but still allot of resistance. After I asked him to come to me, I slipped the lariat over his
head and worked him on pressure and release. Pressure when he left me, release when he disengaged his hip and
looked at me, then I worked him with pressure to come to me when I pull. After touching him from head to shoulder and
he again nuzzling into my chest, I was able to slip the rope halter on him and again work on the pressure and release
lessons. He did good and is progressing well. He is so powerful and I look forward to our future together. He reminds
me of a Trojan war horse with his magnificent upright stride and powerful shoulders. He should be a show stopper!
June 26, 2008
It has been a busy week. My friend Lizzy and her horse Murphy have been here from Iowa to learn and grow together in
training. Trying to fit in all that my life is demanding from me is sometimes difficult, but I am having fun with my friends
and there horses. The progress of my students and there mounts is so uplifting and is one of the main reasons I do this
for a living. What a blessing my clients can be to me! It is Friday and I look back at this week wishing I had spent
more time with Moses, but grateful for the quality time we had together. He is really starting to trust me, however he
has a loud and clear "I am still a wild horse" look that comes across his eyes, but instead of spooking and fleeing away
from me, he spooks and stays with me or starts to leave and immediately comes back. We are making progress!!
Day six:
Moses was difficult again, immediately leaving when I approach. He has not yet made the choice that to be with me is
better than doing laps. It took a while, but I was able to get him to come to me and accept my touch and get a halter and
lead on him. He was OK until he realized he was trapped with the rope and would leave me. Unfortunately my leg still
does not have the strength to dig in and hold, so he figured out pretty quickly he could get away. I had to improvise by
getting him to allow me to move around back by his hip and then sending him off, so that I had more leverage to get him
to disengage and stop. The halter was not enough pressure, so I skipped straight to the bit. I had already spent time
desensitizing his mouth so he accepted the bit well. The extra pressure was enough to start to get control, but his
strength and size is a little daunting. We ended on a good note, but I hurt from head to toe for three days, from being
jerked around so much. At least I am one step a head as he will accept a bit already.
Day seven:
I gave him Wednesday off as my schedule did not allow me to work with him. I was pretty frustrated on day seven
because I walked out of the house and realized I left my knee brace at R&D Ranch. All I could do was work the come to
you cue and pet him. I did not realize at the time that this was the best thing that could of happened. I worked him free
of any leads or ropes. I rubbed on him and got him to give me his nose both ways and then waited on him to make a
decision to approach me or some people call it "join up". I would pet him and then turn away from him and wait for him
to smell me. When he did I would turn and pet him again. By the end of the lesson he was following me all over the
pen. I had hoped this was a breakthrough but would not know again until the next lesson.
Day eight: Today
Wow! Finally he has decided that being with me is better than laps! In fact now I had a hard time getting him to leave
as now he understands that pressure on him will be released when he comes to me, so he wants to walk right into my
lap. The lesson yesterday was built entirely on trust and he, no we needed it. I now have to get his forward motion
away from me and teach him to stop with his hip. I had to use a plastic bag on the end of my whip, but by the end of the
lesson he was moving around the round pen, attached to my lead rope and disengaging and stopping when I asked.
Then he would come right to me as if to say, "Where have you been all my life!" Trust is growing between us and I am
glad to see the distance between us going away. Thanks to God for the progress as I needed a pick me up today!
July 3, 2008
It has been a roll-a- coaster of a week. I don't think I have ever been so busy in my life! It is exciting to see the
business growing, but hard to keep up with my mustang, two barns(home and R&D), and my family. We had a great trail
ride clinic at R&D and then a beautiful trail ride last weekend! I am so excited as I spent all of Tuesday and Wednesday
filming my first DVD, but did not work Moses for two more days. This morning when I entered the round pen, Moses
again said he preferred to do laps then be with me, but after getting him caught he made great progress. His go forward
cue is getting better and he is stopping well. I am anxious to move him to R&D ranch, so that I can work him more often
during the day. He needs more consistent training as I feel a little behind on him. I hope to spend the majority of this
weekend with him. He needs time to trust, so I have to make more time for him. It still amazes me how he is learning
to trust and gives me warm fuzzy feelings when he nuzzles into to me. I really enjoy those moments, but this is allot of
work and I need more energy! Soon, he will greet me when I enter his pen, I look forward to that day!
Monday, July 8, 2008
Well, I really don't know what day of training it is anymore! So I will just put the date and tell you how it is going. Moses
and I had a long, very long day Saturday July 5. I did not work him on the 4th, so he had a day off between work outs. I
was hoping to walk into the round pen and he at least recognize me, but nope he left and he ran for twenty minutes or
so. We stopped and worked the come to you cue, but he refused to be touched and it felt like we were starting over!
Over the next three hours, I yelled, cried, and then prayed. I said some nice things to, but I did get frustrated. It is a real
reminder to me that these horses do not have a time line, even though we would like them to. I ended on a good note
and went in to have lunch. "Moses" maybe I cursed myself naming him this, as Moses and God, well he was aware of
God in his life, but did allot of running away from God's plan before he finally submitted to God's will and direction in his
life. I am not trying to say I am God, I am far from it, I am much more like Moses, running from God's will, only to realize
that to be with God is so much easier and beneficial to me. After lunch I went back out with somewhat of a plan, I was
going to stay with him until he made a heart change. I didn't need him to change completely, but I needed him to accept
me, not just tolerate me. Three more hours later and he is really making progress. He has a "Go forward" cue on both
sides and is leading well, I can touch him everywhere and he stays with me. He still has not given me his heart, but is
definitely accepting me more.
Sunday was a test to see if we made progress. I actually cheated a little and caught him in his stall. He was a little
nervous, but better. He responded well in the round pen and definitely retained what he learned on Saturday. It is
progress. I only worked him a half hour or so, but it was enough.
Today was much, much better. When I entered the round pen, he immediately walked away, but didn't run. I asked for a
couple of outside turns and then the come to you cue. He stopped his feet, licked his lips, and gave me the look of "you
can catch me now!" It was five minutes, instead of twenty....that is progress. He is learning well and seems to of had a
break through in his thought process. This is definitely a choice on his part to accept me and then be willing to make
himself vulnerable and trust me with his heart and soul. I have to be on his time line and be as consistent as possible.
Trust is growing between us every day. I look forward to tomorrow.
July 20, 2008
Next page
Today we head to Pauls Valley, Oklahoma to start this new adventure with three brand new mustangs! Wow, yes, I said
three. Tomorrow I am picking up my 3or 4 year old mare or gelding mustang to start under saddle for the competition,
but my husband, Ryan Branham, and my apprentice, Joanne Thompson, are picking up there mustang yearling's for the
Mission impossible 007, yearling ground work challenge. So we are coming home with three wild mustangs!
This morning, I took a moment to reflect on last years make over with Joshua. He quietly nuzzled me with his soft nose
and wrapped his neck around my waist. His hugs are still overwhelming to me as I have never had a horse give his
heart and soul to me like Joshua has. I am so blessed to have him in my life as a friend and companion. He is doing
amazing in his training and is becoming quite the little reining horse. Last years competition was awesome, yet very
disappointing too. So I look forward to a "do over" and try to get my part right and keep the pattern straight at the
competition in September. It is a little daunting to think about starting over with a fresh, wild, natural mustang, but
exciting too! Over the next three months we have allot of early mornings and late nights to spend with our mustangs.
Hard work is the key to success!
MMM... had to take a MickeyD's break and get Joanne and I a iced mocha! Ryan got a Oreo Mcflurry, he just doesn't
know how awesome coffee is!! I asked the two of them if they had a game plan for there mustangs. I suggested what
could be possible and Ryan just looked at me, smiled and said, "Get mine caught!" That is a great place to start!! All
three of our mustangs are going to be available for adoption. I am looking for someone who would like to share this
journey with me and observe the training process with my new mustang and then go down with me to the competition
and be the highest bidder at the adoption. Just imagine this October you could be staring into your very own mustangs
eyes as he or she nuzzles you with it's soft nose. IT COULD BE YOU! ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!
June 14, 2008
We are heading back from Pauls Valley with three new horses! I have been praying God would choose the right horse
for me this year. I have prayed for the right horse that God wants to share his story through me, through this horse.
Well, for a long time I have thought about what this horse may be like. Last year I specifically prayed for disposition and
not a real big one as I was very injured from my horse accident, and still recovering. This year I thought what if I get a
horse not just like Joshua? I figured maybe a good name would be "Moses", being that Moses was the leader that
Joshua took over for, I thought it would be cute. However, Moses and God tangoed allot through Moses's lifetime. He
openly argued with God and refused God's will and God made it impossible to say no to Him. It is amazing to me though
that Moses is listed as a man after God's own heart and God personally buried him and did his funeral personally. God
used this unlikely candidate to lead His people to the promised land out of the slavery and bondage of the Egyptians. He
lead them across the Red Sea, he performed miracles, he received the ten commandments, he was a mighty warrior for
God Numbers 12:3 says, "Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men on the face of the earth."
Meekness: a personality trait of gentleness and humility, the opposite of which is pride. Meekness does not refer to
weakness or passivity, but to controlled power.
When the BLM agent today pointed out to me my mustang, I saw a big black very scared horse trying to climb out of the
pen away from the men on horseback sorting him to the shoot that would lead to my trailer. His large black eyes were
bulging from his head as fear gripped his natural state of mind. He leaped into my trailer only to panic when he realized
he was trapped in there. My heart went out to him, as I understand fear and want him soon to know that he does not
need to fear me or the plan that is set out before him. I said out loud, "I think I got my Moses!" So welcome home
Moses the Mustang! I am sure when God first approached Moses of Israel at the burning bush and told him what his
plan for Moses was, that Moses was gripped with fear also. God was able to set Moses' path before him helping him
grow into the heroic and meek leader God made him to be. I am preparing myself for some arguments and frustration,
but I will first understand that Moses is only going to do what comes naturally to him and that is my obligation to build a
trusting partnership with him teaching him first to trust, and then educate him in what he will need to know and
accomplish 100 days from now and on into the future that his life will have for him.
Ryan and Joanne got to adorable bay yearling geldings. They are still deciding on names for them, but Ryan says our
three horses are now "Moses' band on there way to the Promised Land!"
June 16, 2008,
Its day three in training our mustangs and it has been hard work, but exciting. Many of our friends came out to meet,
Moses, Still water(Joannes colt) and 1215 (Ryan hasn't named his yet) Saturday night after we got home from Pauls
Valley. Moses didn't appreciate the company, but everyone said Moses was amazing! He is very tall and maybe even
has Fresian roots in his background, by looking at him. He is very afraid and unsure of his new home, but is being
smart about his surroundings.
Day One: Consistent forward movement was my goal and he moves out nicely so that wasn't to hard. Next outside
turns and he learned them quickly. I somewhat expected him to think outside of the round pen more and try to climb out,
but he seems very sensible about it and hasn't tried to. As soon as I had him understanding outside turns, I stopped my
feet and backed out of his line of site. He did well and learned to face me.
Day Two: Continued to work on previous lessons and started teaching him a "Come to me Cue". He is doing well,
extremely well and seems very smart and looking for a friend. However, he would prefer me not in his space. Two feet
from me is his comfort zone. I worked him until he accepted my touch with the Lariat on his face and head. He did let
me rub his face and head with my hand, wow! Very Cool! He still seems very scared and lets me touch him, but doesn't
like it.
Day Three: Today he is a little more flighty. We cruised along so quickly and well the first two days, we were bond to
argue a little today. I am pretty sick with a virus and conjunctivitis of my eye, so not at my best, but I worked him
anyway, only have 100 days total, cannot take a day off. It was so awesome to touch him yesterday, however today he
decided he would prefer not to be touched at all. We did allot of laps around the round pen, and he did come around, but
would prefer me touching him with the lariat, instead of my hand. I am trying to be patient as I want to just rub him all
over and help him not be afraid, but it has to be his choice. I do not want to trap him by roping him. I want to use my
round pen to control his feet and use it to help him make the choice to stay with me and allow me to touch him. I must
be able to touch him from the nose to mid neck on both sides before he will stand for me to halter him. I hope to have
him in the halter by Friday. Trust is most important to me, so that when I teach him what I want him to know, he will be
willing to learn. Then maybe, just maybe, we will knock everybody's socks off in Fort Worth! We have a long ways to
go!
Ryan, I think is cheating. No, not really! He has always been good with horses, and he got a great draw of a horse. His
little yearling likes people already and Ryan can get 1215 to come to him and touch him all the way to his shoulders. He
will be ready for the halter soon. Joanne is doing great with her colt, as he is somewhat of a non-mover and a little
aggressive. However, he is eating out of Joannes hand and she can touch him from the nose to should also. She is
right on track and is going to do a great job!
June 23, 2008
We have just returned from Iowa! Eyes barely open, we arrived home last night at 12:45am, went straight down to the
barn and worked with our mustangs. I think I am addicted to training! Moses acted as if he had not met me before and
Ryan's colt was happy to see him. I am starting to get jealous over Ryan's great progress with his colt. I look over into
his stall and Ryan is picking up his colt's front feet! Wow! I wanted to kick his butt! No, really his colt is coming along
nicely and is a great match for him. Moses slowly realized it was me and was nuzzling into my chest, however he is
still very afraid and we have allot of work to do.
Day Four: Last Friday
Moses is challenging me and having a hard time believing I am trust worthy. Two and a half hours later I have Moses
in a halter made out of my lariat and he is giving to pressure, but still does not really like my touch. He prefers the rope
to my hands. Another hour later and he finally is smelling me and relaxing in my presence. He nuzzles into my chest
and sighs a big sigh of relief as if to say, "I am tired of being afraid." I walk away sweat- ed from head to toe, thankful
for the progress, but reminiscing how wonderful Joshua is!! Moses is going to be amazing, but we have a long ways to
go. He gets two days off now.
This morning was officially Day Five, as last night I just got him to come to me and accept my touch. He was quicker to
come to me than last night, but still allot of resistance. After I asked him to come to me, I slipped the lariat over his
head and worked him on pressure and release. Pressure when he left me, release when he disengaged his hip and
looked at me, then I worked him with pressure to come to me when I pull. After touching him from head to shoulder and
he again nuzzling into my chest, I was able to slip the rope halter on him and again work on the pressure and release
lessons. He did good and is progressing well. He is so powerful and I look forward to our future together. He reminds
me of a Trojan war horse with his magnificent upright stride and powerful shoulders. He should be a show stopper!
June 26, 2008
It has been a busy week. My friend Lizzy and her horse Murphy have been here from Iowa to learn and grow together in
training. Trying to fit in all that my life is demanding from me is sometimes difficult, but I am having fun with my friends
and there horses. The progress of my students and there mounts is so uplifting and is one of the main reasons I do this
for a living. What a blessing my clients can be to me! It is Friday and I look back at this week wishing I had spent
more time with Moses, but grateful for the quality time we had together. He is really starting to trust me, however he
has a loud and clear "I am still a wild horse" look that comes across his eyes, but instead of spooking and fleeing away
from me, he spooks and stays with me or starts to leave and immediately comes back. We are making progress!!
Day six:
Moses was difficult again, immediately leaving when I approach. He has not yet made the choice that to be with me is
better than doing laps. It took a while, but I was able to get him to come to me and accept my touch and get a halter and
lead on him. He was OK until he realized he was trapped with the rope and would leave me. Unfortunately my leg still
does not have the strength to dig in and hold, so he figured out pretty quickly he could get away. I had to improvise by
getting him to allow me to move around back by his hip and then sending him off, so that I had more leverage to get him
to disengage and stop. The halter was not enough pressure, so I skipped straight to the bit. I had already spent time
desensitizing his mouth so he accepted the bit well. The extra pressure was enough to start to get control, but his
strength and size is a little daunting. We ended on a good note, but I hurt from head to toe for three days, from being
jerked around so much. At least I am one step a head as he will accept a bit already.
Day seven:
I gave him Wednesday off as my schedule did not allow me to work with him. I was pretty frustrated on day seven
because I walked out of the house and realized I left my knee brace at R&D Ranch. All I could do was work the come to
you cue and pet him. I did not realize at the time that this was the best thing that could of happened. I worked him free
of any leads or ropes. I rubbed on him and got him to give me his nose both ways and then waited on him to make a
decision to approach me or some people call it "join up". I would pet him and then turn away from him and wait for him
to smell me. When he did I would turn and pet him again. By the end of the lesson he was following me all over the
pen. I had hoped this was a breakthrough but would not know again until the next lesson.
Day eight: Today
Wow! Finally he has decided that being with me is better than laps! In fact now I had a hard time getting him to leave
as now he understands that pressure on him will be released when he comes to me, so he wants to walk right into my
lap. The lesson yesterday was built entirely on trust and he, no we needed it. I now have to get his forward motion
away from me and teach him to stop with his hip. I had to use a plastic bag on the end of my whip, but by the end of the
lesson he was moving around the round pen, attached to my lead rope and disengaging and stopping when I asked.
Then he would come right to me as if to say, "Where have you been all my life!" Trust is growing between us and I am
glad to see the distance between us going away. Thanks to God for the progress as I needed a pick me up today!
July 3, 2008
It has been a roll-a- coaster of a week. I don't think I have ever been so busy in my life! It is exciting to see the
business growing, but hard to keep up with my mustang, two barns(home and R&D), and my family. We had a great trail
ride clinic at R&D and then a beautiful trail ride last weekend! I am so excited as I spent all of Tuesday and Wednesday
filming my first DVD, but did not work Moses for two more days. This morning when I entered the round pen, Moses
again said he preferred to do laps then be with me, but after getting him caught he made great progress. His go forward
cue is getting better and he is stopping well. I am anxious to move him to R&D ranch, so that I can work him more often
during the day. He needs more consistent training as I feel a little behind on him. I hope to spend the majority of this
weekend with him. He needs time to trust, so I have to make more time for him. It still amazes me how he is learning
to trust and gives me warm fuzzy feelings when he nuzzles into to me. I really enjoy those moments, but this is allot of
work and I need more energy! Soon, he will greet me when I enter his pen, I look forward to that day!
Monday, July 8, 2008
Well, I really don't know what day of training it is anymore! So I will just put the date and tell you how it is going. Moses
and I had a long, very long day Saturday July 5. I did not work him on the 4th, so he had a day off between work outs. I
was hoping to walk into the round pen and he at least recognize me, but nope he left and he ran for twenty minutes or
so. We stopped and worked the come to you cue, but he refused to be touched and it felt like we were starting over!
Over the next three hours, I yelled, cried, and then prayed. I said some nice things to, but I did get frustrated. It is a real
reminder to me that these horses do not have a time line, even though we would like them to. I ended on a good note
and went in to have lunch. "Moses" maybe I cursed myself naming him this, as Moses and God, well he was aware of
God in his life, but did allot of running away from God's plan before he finally submitted to God's will and direction in his
life. I am not trying to say I am God, I am far from it, I am much more like Moses, running from God's will, only to realize
that to be with God is so much easier and beneficial to me. After lunch I went back out with somewhat of a plan, I was
going to stay with him until he made a heart change. I didn't need him to change completely, but I needed him to accept
me, not just tolerate me. Three more hours later and he is really making progress. He has a "Go forward" cue on both
sides and is leading well, I can touch him everywhere and he stays with me. He still has not given me his heart, but is
definitely accepting me more.
Sunday was a test to see if we made progress. I actually cheated a little and caught him in his stall. He was a little
nervous, but better. He responded well in the round pen and definitely retained what he learned on Saturday. It is
progress. I only worked him a half hour or so, but it was enough.
Today was much, much better. When I entered the round pen, he immediately walked away, but didn't run. I asked for a
couple of outside turns and then the come to you cue. He stopped his feet, licked his lips, and gave me the look of "you
can catch me now!" It was five minutes, instead of twenty....that is progress. He is learning well and seems to of had a
break through in his thought process. This is definitely a choice on his part to accept me and then be willing to make
himself vulnerable and trust me with his heart and soul. I have to be on his time line and be as consistent as possible.
Trust is growing between us every day. I look forward to tomorrow.
July 20, 2008
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| Check this pic out! My camera went ghostly on me, but this was Ryans first touch with his colt and the colt is see through in the pic so you can see Ryans had feed the hay through the see through horse! The previous two pics show the progress. |
