Mustang Challange
for more information, email
jen@saddleuphorsetraining.com
jen@saddleuphorsetraining.com
Old Mustang News
Work on the mustang has started.... During the first several days I have spent hours in the
horse's stall getting aquainted. While getting to know one another I started grooming and
desensitizing the horse to halters, ropes and flags. We've also spent some time learning to
lead and to lunge. The horse is very sweet and quick to learn but very afraid of other
strange people ativities. 1/13/08
horse's stall getting aquainted. While getting to know one another I started grooming and
desensitizing the horse to halters, ropes and flags. We've also spent some time learning to
lead and to lunge. The horse is very sweet and quick to learn but very afraid of other
strange people ativities. 1/13/08
Arrival: January 9, 2008
50 trainers were selected to participate in the Midwest Mustange Challange. I am proud
to be selected as one of these trainers. During the event the trainers accept a mustang
(chosen by random draw) to train for 3 months. Then we will compete against the other
trainers at the Midwest Horse Fair in Madison, WI.
to be selected as one of these trainers. During the event the trainers accept a mustang
(chosen by random draw) to train for 3 months. Then we will compete against the other
trainers at the Midwest Horse Fair in Madison, WI.
Marli has accepted a bridle and saddle. We are working on lunging, leading and following
the bridle 1/15/08
the bridle 1/15/08
Marli and I moseyed into the indoor arena to work today. Everything was strange and
new. We repeated all of the grooming and desensitizing. Then I saddled and bridled him
and turned him loose to explore. I brought in three of my young horses to keep him
company. They were fun to watch. 1/16/08
new. We repeated all of the grooming and desensitizing. Then I saddled and bridled him
and turned him loose to explore. I brought in three of my young horses to keep him
company. They were fun to watch. 1/16/08
The past several days have seen many repititons. We have lunged in the round pen. We
have walked up and down the barn isle (with horses in residence) and in and out of the
arena. We have spent time watching others ride and time grooming and saddling.
Todays temp was -12 deg F when I went to the barn. 1/20/08
have walked up and down the barn isle (with horses in residence) and in and out of the
arena. We have spent time watching others ride and time grooming and saddling.
Todays temp was -12 deg F when I went to the barn. 1/20/08
We have been working hard in the round pen. I have been approaching Marli with flags,
saddle pads, saddles, etc. After being saddled and bridled, I tied his head to the side.
Then I spent some time, after slipping and falling in the snow, (why are we doing this in
January?) jumping up and down and lying accross the saddle. 1/22/08
saddle pads, saddles, etc. After being saddled and bridled, I tied his head to the side.
Then I spent some time, after slipping and falling in the snow, (why are we doing this in
January?) jumping up and down and lying accross the saddle. 1/22/08
After more round pen work we tried out the indoor arena, again, today. Marli ran loose
with some other horses for a bit. Then I tied him in a corner while I rode another horse.
Once the other horse was put away, I took my time working with Marli. We went
through the routine leading, grooming, lunging, saddling and bridling. I also tied his head
from side to side. Finally, I tried ground driving - which turned out to be way too much.
I am sure that it looked like classic slapstick comedy as the driving rein whipped around
one of my ankles and flipped me onto the dirt. sigh. After I caught the runaway, we
went back to tying his head to the side, while I picked up my other gear. 1/25/08
with some other horses for a bit. Then I tied him in a corner while I rode another horse.
Once the other horse was put away, I took my time working with Marli. We went
through the routine leading, grooming, lunging, saddling and bridling. I also tied his head
from side to side. Finally, I tried ground driving - which turned out to be way too much.
I am sure that it looked like classic slapstick comedy as the driving rein whipped around
one of my ankles and flipped me onto the dirt. sigh. After I caught the runaway, we
went back to tying his head to the side, while I picked up my other gear. 1/25/08
Sunday is generally a day of enlightenment. Marli did great today getting ready and
lunging. So, I proceeded to lean over the saddle and then sit in the saddle. He was
pretty baffled as to what I was doing up there. I was unable to convince him to take any
steps by himself so I enlisted some help to lead him a couple of steps. 1/27/08
lunging. So, I proceeded to lean over the saddle and then sit in the saddle. He was
pretty baffled as to what I was doing up there. I was unable to convince him to take any
steps by himself so I enlisted some help to lead him a couple of steps. 1/27/08
Marli learned to cross the bridge this morning. I was amazed at how little time it took to
encourage him to step up and over the bridge. In the afternoon, Marli learned to pony
off of another horse. It took a bit of time to find a good personality match to try the
ponying. Some horses were too mild for Marli and my lead mare is too agressive.
Anyway, we accomplished some ponying work and I was able to work on rubbing his
face and head from the saddle. We also started working on the trot off of the halter - it's
not there yet....... 1/29/08
encourage him to step up and over the bridge. In the afternoon, Marli learned to pony
off of another horse. It took a bit of time to find a good personality match to try the
ponying. Some horses were too mild for Marli and my lead mare is too agressive.
Anyway, we accomplished some ponying work and I was able to work on rubbing his
face and head from the saddle. We also started working on the trot off of the halter - it's
not there yet....... 1/29/08
Marli learned to cross a tarp this morning. He only took 15 minutes to make it all the
way across. After that, there was no hesitation crossing. I also introduced him to loud
music in the indoor arena. Then I sat on him. We were able to take a couple of steps.
1/31/08
way across. After that, there was no hesitation crossing. I also introduced him to loud
music in the indoor arena. Then I sat on him. We were able to take a couple of steps.
1/31/08
Over the past several days we have been working on tying and desensitizing. I have
been working on his head and face as well as scary milk jugs and blankets. Yesterday I
left him in the round pen with empty, plastic milk jugs tied to his circingle. He was quite
sure (for about 5 hours) that he should be able to kick the darn things off. He has also
been getting lots of loving attention from the ladies at the barn who were just dying to pet
him. We have been logging time ponying from another horse. He also cross-ties like a
champ. 2/5/08
been working on his head and face as well as scary milk jugs and blankets. Yesterday I
left him in the round pen with empty, plastic milk jugs tied to his circingle. He was quite
sure (for about 5 hours) that he should be able to kick the darn things off. He has also
been getting lots of loving attention from the ladies at the barn who were just dying to pet
him. We have been logging time ponying from another horse. He also cross-ties like a
champ. 2/5/08
Marli had some room to run in the indoor arena this morning. After the first rush of
steam had gone, I saddled and bridled him. Then I tied the milk jugs on. With the better
footing he looks like a reiner! He did some great sliding stops and rollbacks! 2/6/08
steam had gone, I saddled and bridled him. Then I tied the milk jugs on. With the better
footing he looks like a reiner! He did some great sliding stops and rollbacks! 2/6/08
Yesterday the temp was -7 deg F going to the barn. I can't believe how awful the winter
weather has been this year! Today Marli taught himself to jump. He really really wanted
to be in the pasture with the other horses. In the afternoon, we had a lot of success
ground driving. Still baby steps but they were great baby steps. 2/11/08
weather has been this year! Today Marli taught himself to jump. He really really wanted
to be in the pasture with the other horses. In the afternoon, we had a lot of success
ground driving. Still baby steps but they were great baby steps. 2/11/08