Magnum the mustang has finished his first 30 days and is about 2 weeks into his second. This previously fractious, nervous boy has settled in so well and really impressed me with his willingness to develop new, more positive relationships with humans. I love how he is seeking contact with my hand now, and becoming more balanced. I love how he decided to show me his extra gear, a pace, he kept hidden until almost the end of the first 30 days. We were riding around and surprise! Suddenly we were pacing. Still some baby bobbles here and there but he tries so hard. He is one cool dude and is being offered for sale! Message if interested!
Magnum the mustang: day 1 - day 21
Magnum arrived with severe scarring from an ill fit saddle and girth, perhaps left on way too long or way too tightly, there is no way to be sure and a bad case of distrust. He was, and still is, very skittish on the ground. Let a rope wrap around a leg and you’re in for a rodeo show. Move too quickly and he’ll jump out of his skin. Funny thing is, if you throw a bag or hoolahoop over him, he will stand perfectly still. Many mistake this for quietness, but the reality is, he’s just learned to shut down and shut out the outside world. He’s frozen in fear. If you bring him back to reality and move the object and his feet, he sets off like a stick of dynamite. 🧨
This horse was sold as child safe and bomb proof. Which is a shame and it is a testament to his kind and gentle spirit that no one has been seriously injured.
The owners main complaint was he would refuse and run backwards under saddle. It’s clear to see why that was his go to - self preservation and no desire to hurt his rider, but with no understanding of what was being asked, that was his easiest option.
Now that he is working on a feel with his ground work, and learning humans can be consistent and fair, moving forward under saddle is coming easily. We are looking for him to find balance and relaxation moving forward with a human on his back. My pivo lost battery before his canter today unfortunately, but we are steadily achieving that goal and soon it will be time to start adding in all of the other fun buttons.
While I don’t feel this horse is likely ever to meet the criteria of child safe and bomb proof, I do think he holds a promising future for a calm and confident rider who is able to understand his formerly feral aptitudes and put in the time to build a solid relationship with him.
Kayleigh and Paisley are gearing up for their first show this upcoming weekend.
I’m so proud of this 4yr old mare. I’ve put a lot of time into her over the last year as her sole rider up until this point and it’s so lovely to see the ease in which she goes around with 13yr old Kayleigh. Doesn’t she just look darling under English tack?! So grateful to also have such a talented young rider in the barn to take the horses in new directions.
Good luck showing this weekend!
A little late in posting but here is Echo’s 60 day video.
This is what we’ve accomplished in that time, starting as a never saddled, barely lunged, 2yr old colt. Basically a blank slate - which is more often than not, the way I prefer them to come.
Not shown in the video is the extensive ground work and desensitizing that took place to lay the foundation for all the fantastic rides we had together.
We start by doing a bit of counter arching, and you’ll see us progress thru the buttons he has started to learn including turn on the forehand, turn on the hindquarters, stopping, backing, transitions, and leg yielding, all while showing off his lovely gaits.
This talented and smart AQHA boy is still available to be your own so message for details and if this is the type of foundation you’d like put on your own colt, we currently have a spot available for training.
2022 AQHA/APHA gelding by IStyle
Idynamic Style “Echo”
This colt is for sale!
Just completed 30 days training, probably about 12 rides total at this point. Will complete at least another 30 days. Smart, balanced, and willing prospect going to make someone very happy!
Enjoying the beautiful weather with Paisley
2022 gelding by BATT MAN out of an ONLY IN THE MOONLITE daughter. This talented colt is less then ten rides under his belt and is a natural. Playful and quiet personality, he has always been simple and easy to work with from the start.
Biggie’s progress over the last 45 days! Biggie was sent to be started in barrels but it was clear right away we had a lot of fundamentals to go over first. He was green and lacking confidence - very little understanding of the aids, no back up, and extremely uncomfortably unbalanced. You’ll notice the first clips are walking and lack excitement. We spent a lot and I do mean A LOT of time just walking circles learning to bend thru the body and learning to relax his head and neck. He is built with a ewe neck so it will always be extra challenging for Bigs to carry himself properly but with slow, consistent and correct engagement I’m sure he will overcome this.
Just over the last week I felt he was well enough along to start introducing barrels to. He’s only got about three, maybe four, days on a pattern at this point and today was his first attempt at a lope thru. Sure, it’s nothing beautiful yet but he’s got a lifetime to get there! And I’m super proud of where he’s gone. From crow hopping from lack of balance, jumping out of his skin at everything, cow kicking at leg pressure, rushing around barely controlled, he’s starting to become a real gentleman now.
Kat 25 rides
We are finally balanced enough to hold our canter on a circle. This mare really struggled in that department but has really impressed the last few rides cantering around much more solidly. She’s also loving her stop button.
Well, since I’ve got a barrel horse here this year I went on a little solo side quest to bring these beauties back to the barn.
As someone that’s been away from the barrel racing scene a good number of years, I am so excited. Nothing is more thrilling than wrapping three cans but it is so difficult to stay relevant when you can’t make it to shows and display your abilities.
With two kids not yet school age and so far with zero interest in horses, i’m not thinking my return will be just yet. But regardless, I am happy to do what I can from home and live vicariously through all the young up and coming talent smoking it in the big pens!
And then there was Dually! He and I have only recently begun our journey but looking forward to seeing it develop.
Clips from miss Paisley’s workout today
Got a quick first ride in on Batty for Moonlite (Battman x Dancin n the Moonlite) and this young feller just could care less about anything. Talk about QUIET!
Some clearer clips from the ride today featuring my belly and 3yr old AQHA filly Our Girls a Mechanic aka Paisley. Look for our improvement videos coming spring 2024!
Paisley deserved her own little hype video for putting up with me. I’m currently 8months pregnant and have only been on horses sporadically the last several months and Paisley is a 3yr old I started under saddle this spring. She gets all the cookies being such a golden child despite not having consistent work lately and me being an off balance potato.
One of my students spent the day shadowing me. Lots of grooming, saddling, lunging, bathing, and plenty of ride time. She wrapped up her day with a mini lesson on Lilly.
This is an opportunity I am happy to provide to any of my students as I am a big believer in promoting good horsemanship for future generations. The days of true horseman are slowly fading and the lifestyle that goes with it is becoming a thing of the past. As a trainer and instructor I feel it’s one of my duties to help foster an environment for learning ALL the ins and outs to good equine stewardship in hopes that the industry will continue to thrive and move in a positive direction.
Our youth is the future, and even if they go a direction away from horses, the lessons they learn in the stable will help them navigate thru life in every aspect. As coaches, mentors, trainers, instructors, we have a unique opportunity to bring these invaluable life lessons to the forefront and provide our youth the occasion to explore personal self growth and discovery.
Cheers to a day well spent and remember to always keep a tight cinch and ride forward! 🤠
My favorite little green bean Piper carrying my 6months pregnant butt around taking good care of me and forgiving my lack of athleticism. We are focusing on the slow stuff for now until after I have my baby but it’s nice that even tho she only has a few months riding under her belt I can trust her to act like a good civilian.
How fun is this?! Thanks to a lovely client we have this goofy guy to play with for a while. Perfect way to spend a chilly day.
Ground work with Hook
Enjoyed a little bit of ground work with my soon to be 2yr old in between painting at my new house. Hook has been feeling a little forgotten with my busy schedule tending to my clients horses and remodeling a house, but even with our sessions limited to about once a week, he demonstrates his willingness to learn. These simple groundwork skills are paramount for any horse and really pay off when it comes to those first rides!
