Mackenna’s Mustang Challenge

08/08/2022

Overdue update!
After a lot of time and thought, I’ve decided to keep Six as a long term project! I want to be able to give him the extra time he needs to be the best horse he can be without him shutting down.
That being said, we are moving from the riding division to the in hand. I don’t want to rush him to be ready now that I am keeping him ❤️

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27/07/2022

First ride prep!!
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Today I spent some time working above his head on the panels getting him comfortable having me above his head and moving and making noises on the saddle from both sides
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I did find a few goosey spots with things coming at his sides so after that is worked through in the next few days it will be time for the first ride!

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25/07/2022

Today Six got to hang out with the baby we have at the barn and did great! He corrected him when necessary but let him hang out and play too!
I also washed and braided his mane as it’s going to be in the 100°s all week and he was getting pretty warm under all his hair

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14/07/2022

I’ve been missing Six while I’ve been out of town visiting family. Before I left, I spent the weekend auditing a Warwick Schiller clinic, which was absolutely amazing.
I can’t wait to get back and start working with everything I learned ❤️
Very thankful for the people back home taking care of my ponies while I’m gone

08/07/2022

Life has been a little crazy between going out of town for clinics and family events, but once I’m back its time to get him riding and ready to go!
In the time I’ve been able to spend with him since the last update, he’s really settled in a lot more and relaxed into domesticated life.
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I’ve been spending a lot of time doing the jeffries method with him, getting him relaxed and comfortable seeing me on his back from both eyes and getting whats left of the jumpy out of him.
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He’s started to really show how comfortable he is and relaxed he feels. He’s been laying down and letting me hang out with him while he lays down. He’ll interact with me while he lays down and I’m glad he finally feels comfortable to do so ❤️

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14/06/2022

Clinic weekend!
Due to the weather, I wasn’t able to put first rides on Six. The roundpen was too wet and we decided it was better to wait until it was dry so it could be a good experience.
We spent time working above his head and spent some time on the jeffries method instead.
I did get to put first rides on my c**t before our roundpen got soaked which was great!

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10/06/2022

It’s been quite sometime since an update, and there’s been quite some action since.
Last Tuesday, Six was saddled for the first time. He was pretty textbook at the start. After soaking in the saddle and getting used to it for about 10 hours, he was still struggling to accept the saddle and feel comfortable. On this night he wouldn’t let me touch him and wouldn’t look at me.
After a few days he finally got comfortable enough with the saddle where he wasn’t waking up, goosing himself with the saddle and bucking.
He has been saddled everyday since the initial saddling and it’s night and day difference. He should be ready for first rides this weekend at the clinic!
After our session today, he left his grazing to come hang out with me and even picked up a stick and left it with me.
It felt like a big fall back in progress after the first initial saddling, but there’s always going to be something which each horse, and its okay for him to feel the way he did. I’m grateful we have our connection back and are ready to continue moving forward ❤️

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29/05/2022

Raffle tickets!!
I am selling raffle tickets to raise money for Teens and Oregon Mustangs and to help support Six!
Tickets are $10 a ticket and you do not need to be present to win! Winner will be chosen during the competition in September

28/05/2022

*UPDATED DATES*

Lareigh Stables presents: Red Horse Ranch & Versatility - Mustang Challenge C**t starting clinic! June 11-2, 3pm
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Join us for Six’s first rides! He’s been taking all the steps and prepared for first rides over the last 3 weeks and will be ready for riding!
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This clinic will show off our method and process and show how ground work connects under saddle.
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There will be snacks provided and plenty of time for questions
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Audit only, limited to 20 people. $25/day. Pre pay to reserve your spot.
Contact us: [email protected]
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**tstarting

27/05/2022

Today we spent some time desensitizing to the plastic bag and he cared less than most of our domestic horses that come in for training
When I desensitize, I do it until the horse is showing signs of relaxation (licking and chewing, lowering their head, cocking a foot) after they are standing still
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25/05/2022

Today I turned Six out in the arena by himself for the first time and he chose to come hang out with me and follow me around on his own! The last few days have been spent developing more of a relationship, so I love the difference in seeing he’s chosing to hang out with me ❤️

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18/05/2022

The last two days have been a lot of time spent in the round pen working on his lope, developing cadence and consistency. He also was curious about the saddle so I let him hang out with it on the round pen and be curious and explore

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17/05/2022

Someone decided he was ready to get back to it in the roundpen yesterday! He has started leading much more confidently and his personality is really starting to come out some more

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13/05/2022

Today we went for a little walk to introduce the arena and do some grazing. He’s been doing very well in his stall and adapting to his new domesticated life

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13/05/2022

We’ve had some pretty nasty weather this week, so I decided to move Six out of the roundpen and into a stall a little early. He was giving to pressure and comfortable enough I felt that it was okay to get him out of the stall. Plus he got to meet a new friend! He got to spend some time meeting Murray, one of our training horses at and they are across the aisle from each other ❤️

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10/05/2022

No more neck tag for 6786!
After a long session last night, today has gone really well taking both the neck tag and the halter with the drag line off! He is starting to really enjoy scratches and his little personality is starting to come out some more. I can rub him all over with the stick and has really made some growth over the last 3 days!

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09/05/2022

Today was two good sessions with lots of relaxing! We started our first session with round-penning, he did exceptionally well turning in to face me. After a few hours of a break we did some desensitizing with the lariat rope. Between the two sessions there was lots of releasing and relaxing ❤️
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07/05/2022

He’s home!! Can’t wait to start working with him!

04/05/2022

06/04/2022

06/04/2022

Hi everyone! My name is Mackenna and I’m competing in the 2022 Teens and Oregon Mustang Challenge! I have a 3 year old Stinking Water mustang gelding that I will pick up May 7th to train and compete with in September!
I’ve been around horses for longer than I can remember, working with trainers and currently own two of my own. One is my older gelding Chance, who was my first horse that I’ve had for almost 5 years now. My second horse is a coming two year old gelding named Rebel who I bought back in 2021.
I currently work with my trainer and board my two horses at Lareigh Stables Boarding Facility boarding facility.
Thank you for following along with our journey and I can’t wait to share progress when I pick up my mustang on May 7th!

06/04/2022