Wide Open Spaces Ranch

09/11/2024

Ghirardelli is here to learn to be a good equine citizen on the ground! She was part of a 56 horse seizure from a neglect case. She never relaxes her bottom lip/chin so I know she’s not completely relaxed. However, she can now be caught in the pasture and is doing better with her feet!

08/20/2024

Peanut has his new kicks on! He has a wonky front hoof and the rocks here haven’t helped. That’s why he looked “off” in his videos. These Cavallo boots (with bells so he can’t take them off with his forever exploring nose) should help him out. He has on 2 so he’s balanced.

08/14/2024

Lookin’ cute in sunflowers Mr. Peanut! Look at that back leg cocked. The other day when I had him tied and threw the saddle pad on like he was an old broke horse, he lost his mind. Now he’s acting like an old broke horse when I saddle him, even though he’s 4.

08/12/2024

Here are the 1st videos of Peanut! He's learned a lot this week and hasn't put his mouth on me since that 1st session. He has a bit of baby brain but that's to be expected with a 4 yo.

https://youtu.be/KTPl9iLwpnU (groundwork)
https://youtu.be/x5YBA_Iay4k (ground driving)
https://youtu.be/mXjesQ5TLzM (riding)

08/03/2024

Everyone meet Peanut. He’s here for the next month to learn some things. Tonight he learned: nibbling isn’t allowed, walking on a lead rope is required, walking on me isn’t allowed, roundpenning, and how to back up from pressure on the lead. He also did some patience work with being tied. He seems super bright!

08/01/2024

Rym’s 1st visit to Garry Park, 1st time being ponied, and 1st time off-site since I adopted her. Pulled Rio out of pasture after a 6 month sabbatical. Not sure I could be any happier. They were both perfect!

07/25/2024

You guys (and ladies)!!!!!! First time being cinched up with a surcingle!!!! I’m over the fluffin moon rn!!!

07/22/2024

Here’s an update on Rym, my 4 yo Divide Basin mustang. This was her second saddling and 3rd time ground driving. She’s had about 1/10 the work MJ has had but she’s further along because she’s not as “hot” as he is. There are cold horses (deadheaded), lukewarm horses (level headed but still have some snappy movements) and hot horses (very sensitive, tend to blow-up with too much pressure). All of them require a different training approach.

This is my 4 yo mustang mare, Rym (pronounced Rhyme) that I've had for a few months. She's from Divide Basin. I haven't been able to put as much work into he...

07/21/2024

MJ’s update video. He’s still making progress. 🙂

This is his update video to showcase a few of things he's learned. At the end I introduce him to the flag for the first time so you can see how he acts when ...

07/20/2024

So this happened yesterday. She never bucked, just snorted for the first few laps around the roundpen. This mare is exceptionally quiet and easy going. I love her willingness. She’s a 4 yo mustang from Divide Basin.

07/19/2024

Energy: I get asked this question a lot: “Jody, why are the horses at your place so relaxed?” Honestly, I think it’s the energy at my training facility and the fact that they’re allowed to be horses. The bay with the star is a full-blooded Arabian, the palomino is a 4 yo mustang mare, and the paint is an ex-show horse. All different horses with different lineage but they’re all super relaxed. They all get turned out over 60% of the time to interact as a herd and they all know when the halter goes on, it’s time to work. How relaxed is your horse?

07/14/2024

Here are some update videos of MJ! If you read the descriptions on YouTube, I've explained what's going on and how far he's come. He very much needs reassurance when he's feeling afraid. I'm happy to give it in the form of some face rubs with scratches under his jaw. I always get further with him when I take that few seconds to calm his nerves.
https://youtu.be/eG4hwiZSNFY (trailer loading)
https://youtu.be/L6h_Pyef9iY (grooming w/ flyspray)

He's finally good with letting me pick up and clean all 4 feet without losing his mind. I introduced him to the farrier last week but he wasn't sure about it...

07/11/2024

I was working on trailer loading with MJ this morning. After a successful load, I left trailer open and moved onto working other horses at the roundpen. This is Rio after he self-loaded without being asked. It took me 6 hours over 2 days to teach him to load 7.5 years ago. Obviously the lesson stuck with him. 🩷

07/04/2024

Never underestimate the importance of a horse’s personality. While this 4 yo mustang mare has had 1/10 of the work that the Arabian I have here for training has had, she’s light years ahead of him because she’s not a worrier. She’s confident and trusting.

07/03/2024

Nothing like starting the day with a barn full of good horses!!

06/23/2024

He loads in a trailer!!! MJ did it and was so good about backing out when I asked. The patience has paid off with this hot-blooded guy!!

It's the video you've all been waiting for! MJ loads in the trailer COMPLETELY for the 1st (and 2nd) time!!! Patience paid off with this big guy. And look ho...

06/23/2024

We have a new golden boy! Oro joined our team today. He was here 2 years ago for training. This time he’s here as an addition to our lesson program! After thorough evaluation, I’ll start integrating him into the program. So excited to see how this big boy progresses!

06/21/2024

Idk if I’ve ever worked so hard for something. I know it’s a bad video AND he loaded his front feet 3 times (!!!!) and waited patiently for me to back him out. I’m here alone and knowing his explosive nature, I wasn’t willing to be in the 16’ enclosed trailer with him if he lost his mind. I’m so proud rn!!!