Wide Open Spaces is a full service training facility with approved ungentled BLM mustang/burro pens
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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!
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.
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.
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)
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!
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!
You guys (and ladies)!!!!!! First time being cinched up with a surcingle!!!! I’m over the fluffin moon rn!!!
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...
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 ...
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.
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?
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...
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. 🩷
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.
Nothing like starting the day with a barn full of good horses!!
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...
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!
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!!!
My neighbor thought he was dead the other day. Nah, just napping. 😂 This “wild” mustang has very readily adapted to domestic life.
MJ update videos! He’s really starting to come around. I’m aware his progress is slow. My goal is a minimum 1% improvement each time I have a training session with a horse. That way, I know we aren’t going backwards. If I get discouraged, I think back to where he was the first time I met him and I realize he’s light years ahead of where he was.
https://youtu.be/EMEZqJ_w5Bc
https://youtu.be/CplOlWnIGq0
This is an update video on New Kid (aka MJ). It shows how far he's come with his feet being handled, how patiently he stands tied, and how he now takes fly s...
This young man goes home today. He came in with no ground manners and acting like an a$$hat. Now you can lead him with no halter/leadrope, he knows how to stay outside your personal space, cross-ties, stands tied like an old broke horse, and is a joy to be around.
When I teach them how to load, they stay taught to load. Even if they aren’t asked. 😂
Where we started (pic) and where we are (link to video). He’s also now letting me clean both front feet. As long as he’s making a 1% improvement each time we have a session, I’m thrilled. This guy used to lose his mind and you couldn’t “bring him back” until the next day. Now if he gets upset, he can be brought back within a minute.
https://youtu.be/PlysGjO6gYY
Romeo came here about 10 days ago to learn to be a good equine citizen. This 10 month old gelding was described as an a$$hat. He’s come a long way!
Last week and this week! This is an exercise I do to start teaching horses to follow me into tight areas (like horse trailers). It’s a small step up but enough so he has to lift his feet. He did go all the way across today without any silliness. He’s trying so hard for me!
Oh Rym…you’re a derp!
So this is big progress for this young man! He’s come so far!
New Kid aka Rock update week 3! He’s doing so much better and he’s so much quieter than he was. He still freaks out about things but he comes back to the thinking side of his brain quicker. Super happy with his progress!
https://youtu.be/nyTfwCqkGm8
Update on Rock! Week 2 and we are making big progress!
This is "New Kid" aka Rock at about 2 weeks. This was a big week of firsts, including letting my halter him with whatever halter I want, being tied, letting ...
Rock aka “New Kid” is killing it in training! He had his first tying lesson today. He’s letting me rub up and down both front legs with my hands, he’s learning to yield his hind and forequarters, he will let me halter him with whatever halter I want, and he’s learning to roundpen! Oh yeah, and I can catch him in the pasture! I’ll try to post a video of his floaty trot tomorrow.
355 Elaina Lane
Bertram, TX
78605
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You guys (and ladies)!!!!!! First time being cinched up with a surcingle!!!! I’m over the fluffin moon rn!!!
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.
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. 🩷
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!!!
My neighbor thought he was dead the other day. Nah, just napping. 😂 This “wild” mustang has very readily adapted to domestic life.
This young man goes home today. He came in with no ground manners and acting like an a$$hat. Now you can lead him with no halter/leadrope, he knows how to stay outside your personal space, cross-ties, stands tied like an old broke horse, and is a joy to be around.
When I teach them how to load, they stay taught to load. Even if they aren’t asked. 😂
Romeo came here about 10 days ago to learn to be a good equine citizen. This 10 month old gelding was described as an a$$hat. He’s come a long way!
So this is big progress for this young man! He’s come so far!
This is Mocha at the walk 03/14/2024. When I tell people she’s “forward” I think they believe she has to be on a short rein. You can see how loose my reins are in this video. We’ve been working on getting her to manage her own feet so a short rein isn’t necessary. This mare leaves my 16 hand gelding in the dust! Yep, she’s still looking for her next partner! More pics posted in comments! https://youtu.be/OHg2KjqvKk8 https://youtu.be/3XekcaGnEdw
Zorro and Boo-coo played this game for 5 minutes yesterday! 😂 Psyche, you can’t have my feed!
And sometimes the cow joins in on lessons. 🙄 this is a great testament to just how quiet Eko is.
Busted! Oh Zorro…you are a chunky a$$ already. You don’t need unfettered access to the square bales!
Her first trot! I’m so proud of her! She started lessons not ever thinking she’d feel safe enough to get on Eko and now look at her go! #success
This is a game changer! Rock crushing done and now we have a fabulously sandy riding area!!!
At the beginning of the lesson my student was afraid to trot on Charlie. At the end, we have this! So proud of this young lady! And yes, that’s me running the barrel pattern. 😂 #progress
Call goes home tomorrow! He came in with the roughest trot I think I’ve ever seen. He learned how to manage his feet and move more correct under saddle, thus his trot smoothed out significantly. He’s going to be missed!
Another Revvy update! This is her 5th time I’ve tried to ride her in the pasture. Every other time she’s had to be ponied or led as she gets super opinionated about moving. When she gets opinionated, she also chooses violence. Today she made fabulous choices! I’m so proud of this mare!!!
National Saint Bernard Rescue Foundation
Cowboy Lane
