Diamond Mill Iron Horsemanship

03/05/2024

It's as simple as that to make progress....

29/04/2024

The history of the rope halter is a tale of gullibility.

We were gullible to the marketing gimmicks of clinicians then, and we’re gullible to the fear-mongering now.

We really need to start trusting ourselves and our horses more, and the words of others less.

The original knots on rope halters were not placed intentionally to affect the nerves, they were just there to create the shape of the halter.

The additional ‘nerve knots’ that were added don’t even work as marketed.

A dissection photo is only so helpful in informing us…

Seeing the effect in 3-D on a live horse is paramount.

The ‘IF’ label in the pictures is the infraorbital foramen, where the infraorbital nerve emerges.

This shows how we can map that area, and that, with this particular fit, it’s bridging over that sensitive area.

There’s a big difference between a drawing that places the knot directly over the structure, and actually mapping it in person and seeing how difficult it is to pressure this area during handling.

Most knots don’t even set over the major nerve areas, they bridge over them, and in application, it’s nearly impossible to get the knots to engage on the face unless we’re deliberately sawing the noseband back-and-forth.

The reason rope halters are more effective is simply because of their increased PSI, which is why we should use them with care. (For tying, I always suggest a wrap technique or tie ring until the horse is a confirmed tier.)

But it is precisely this thinner, lighter construction that makes a lot of horses prefer a rope halter.

The problem with the modern horseman is often, we have more theoretical knowledge than we do experience, and we’re trying to use that to guide us, and we’re trying to use that to judge others.

The fearmongering, shaming, and virtue-signaling around rope halters is not it.

Don’t get me wrong, some of it is well-intended, but we have to do our own homework, be our own scientists, and believe what our own horses are telling us.

There’s so much variation between halter types and horse anatomy and horse preference that we really need to fit and determine suitability on a case by case basis.

I like the rear knots to fit in the groove under the poll/C1, with the throatlatch branches behind the jaw/mandible to redistribute pressure off the poll, and the front knots sitting above and/or below the infraorbital nerve.

Many manufacturers make the cheekpieces too short, causing the knots to impinge on the facial crest and the facial nerves.

With a good fit, the knots generally don’t have any action on the face, unless there’s a lot of pulling from the side… for instance, when lunging, where the nosepiece and knots can slide, which is why I often use the ‘cowboy cavesson’ conversion inspired by Josh Nichol Relational Horsemanship to address that, as well as to correct any inverse rotation it causes in the poll.

I was pretty opposed to the 4-knot style, believing it to be too harsh, until I ended up having to use one in a pinch, and noticed the horses preferred it. Less sliding of the nosepiece, and it worked better for the conversion, as well.

Knowledge must always be informed by experience.

25/04/2024

Wednesday Wisdom⁠!

24/04/2024

Hey all! Doing another Merch drop soon. Please let me know soon if you’d like to grab something!

Hoodies: $60
Quarter Zips: $60
Tank Tops: $30
Long sleeves: $35
Richardson Hat: $40
NEW* Trucker Hat: $40

All apparel will have my brand on the front and my logo on the back.
Hats will have my brand on the front with abbreviated name.
Excuse my well loved apparel pictures, yours will be brand spankin’ new I promise. 😉🤣

28/03/2024

Have you ever worked for someone who constantly criticized you?

You might have done hundreds of things right in a day, but you never seemed to receive any praise for those things. You only heard about it when you did something wrong.

At the end of the day, you left work feeling defeated and unappreciated.

Now, think about your horses…

This is exactly how they feel when all you do is micromanage their every move.

When a horse is young and learning new skills, we are often quick to reward even the smallest effort in the right direction.

But, as a horse gets further along in its training and our expectations get higher, we often forget to reward them for doing the small things correctly.

We begin to nitpick their behavior and overlook the skills they have mastered.

We rush through the things that they do well so that we can spend more time on the things that they struggle with.

We think that, by focusing on their weaknesses, we will progress them through their training faster.

But, that’s not how it works…

If all we ever do is work on our horses’ weaknesses, they forget what it feels like to have strengths.

They start to feel like their efforts are unappreciated and unrewarded.

And, after a while, they lose their willingness to try.

Horses need positive affirmation. They need to know that their efforts are valued.

Don’t forget to remind your horses that they are doing a good job.

18/11/2023

Who remembers mustang Two-Socks??

If you don’t Two-Socks is a 3yr old mustang I adopted out from the Devils Garden herd along with Mustang Maui in March of 2022! From his goofy and sweet personality to his want to learn and great demeanor he will forever be a seed in my soul.

Boy oh boy do I miss this little guy! He is one of those horses that is just one in a million.
LOOK AT HIM NOW!

Two-Socks went to his forever home this last spring and I could not have asked for a better home! Now known as Spirit he is BEST FRIENDS with a little boy and I’m sure, same as me, you can tell they are inseparable! It truely is moments like these that I get that make it all worth it!
Thank you Katrina for giving him the best home with you and your family. 🤍

05/05/2023

Just a baby Flynn post.
She loves her scratches especially butt scratches! She picks up all fours is just happy to be around.

Although I don’t have many pictures of Lester, dads foal. He is an onery fella. He wants every bit of your undivided attention ALL the time and if you’re not paying attention he will bite to get that attention. Such a pest. LOVES to run.

Plus a picture of Auntie Quinney and the babies.

04/05/2023

🤍

Wednesday Wisdom 🐴

05/04/2023

Mustang “Creek” day 36.
Third saddling, second day ground driving and first day learning a turn around off ground drive.
Really starting to like this 2yr old. 🤍

02/04/2023

Bit had 6 puppies yesterday! 4 males and 2 females!
If you’re wanting a great working dog, or adventure buddy message me!

25/03/2023

I like living someplace where a horse matters.

There is just some country where horseback is the only way to get the job done. Places where the four-wheeler is a poor second, not to mention a noisy, track-leaving unnatural conveyance. Besides, it’s hard to throw a rope from.

Helicopters can spot and scare, if that’s what you need, but it’s helpless when you have to doctor a calf. It is a great feeling to be pushing a cow out of a mesquite thicket, packing a dude down the Grand Canyon or tracking a mountain lion on a high ridge, knowing you’re on the perfect tool for the job.

You look at a horse different when he’s on the payroll.

I like being a person to whom a horse matters.

It puts me in such good company, Robert E. Lee, Teddy Roosevelt, Rudyard Kipling, Ray Hunt, Queen Elizabeth, Jerry Diaz, Casey Tibbs, cowboys, Mongols, Gauchos, teamsters, Lipazzaners and vaqueros of all kinds. Granted being a horse person doesn’t make me easier to get along with, better at spelling or richer. It simply gives me a direct connection to one of the most ancient, mutually beneficial interspecies relationships on the planet.

Winston Churchill said, “There is something about the outside of a horse, that is good for the inside of a man.”

I like being there when a horse matters.

When you can’t do the job alone; a cow in the bog, a race against time, a boulder to move, a detour to take, a mountain to cross, a crevice to leap, a war to win, a sweetheart to impress, or...when you’ve gone too far to walk back.

Shakespeare’s King Richard III said when fate hung in the balance, “A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!”

I’ve also come to believe that you either are a horse person or you aren’t. Many who are, never know it because they never have the chance. It’s a primitive acceptance, often mutual. A lack of fear. You see it in some children when they are first introduced to the horse. It always gives me a sense of wonder to be there and help them make their acquaintance. I believe the horse can sense the child’s innate trust. It is the beginning of a natural bond.

I count myself very lucky that I get to be a part of the wonderful world of horse sweat, soft noses, close calls and twilight on the trail.

I like living a life where a horse matters.

"A Horse Matters"
By Baxter Black

21/03/2023

Devils Garden mustang #8774 now known as “Creek” is finally starting to come around!

After just 2 weeks with her I decided to take her halter off due to rub spots.
Today marks day #20; we have made so much progress in just the last few days. Spent all our time yesterday just working on taming those crazy fairy knots. She is starting to meet me closer to the gate and haltering very well, we are leading fluent, and had our first tie lesson! We still don’t like anything hand fed.

She still has a pretty sensitive face and poll but she is a percentage better than the day before and that’s all that matters. Still working on revealing that coat of hers, mud season is only beginning so I’m sure this will be a long road. 🤣

21/03/2023

Aspen did not dissapoint this morning!
She foaled a pretty cute buckskin FILLY on this beautiful morning! So excited to have this filly out of my little Aspen can’t wait to watch you grow!

04/03/2023

The secret is out of the bag!

I had no intentions of adopting out of the Devils Garden gather this year but when this mares photo came to my eye something told me I was going to get her.

I’m all for everything happens for a reason and every horse has a specific purpose in your life weather you are training it or you bought already trained.

Although she’s been a tougher cookie than my two last year boys I’ve got high hopes for her. Day 4 this morning and her tag came off with ease. Although im super excited the snow is melting I’m anxious to get this mud off her already. 🤣 Guess she needs a name now, no longer tag #8774.

Coming 3yr old
Bay Roan
Mare
14 hands
Forest Service mustang from Devils Garden.

28/02/2023

Whew I am not good about posting on this page. So sorry for all that follow! TONS to update you guys on!

First off Morghan is riding now! She’s is such a soft and willing mare, really wants to please. She’s going to make someone a really nice mount.

“Dali”, our 12 yr old Ranch horse and our kid horse, “Poorboy” both found their new home. Dali is off to become a breakaway and heel horse in Sioux Falls, South Dakota while Poorboy went off to a loving, pleasure riding home in Delta, Colorado. Excited to watch them on their new adventures!

15/12/2022

So true!

Give thanks where thanks is due.
Every day I’m thankful for these two.

14/10/2022

7 months out of the wild and you’re onto your new adventure.
This horse has been the most rewarding horse to date I have ever trained on. He has taught me so so much! As much as I love him and as much as I cuss him for running new horses through fences I will miss this big guy.
Took Maui to the big town today to meet with his new people. Has never been in town, never been in an arena, never had anyone else besides me work with him either and he never batted an eye. Go make me proud big guy!

I am so beyond happy that my best friend/big sister will get to love and work him on her ranch. I am so excited to watch you two bond and excited to see what you accomplish! I could not have asked for a better match. Best part about this is I will get to visit my big Maui quite often. Thank you, Kendra for trusting in me and trusting Maui. Have fun with him!

13/10/2022

As cow camp starts dwindling down, snow starts to fly and cows start leaving to lower country thought I’d post some pretty cool colts I got the priveledge of starting and teaching how to be a ranch horse this summer.

-2yr old dark bay gelding (Roger): started by me, owned by Sam A Boles

-7yr old black gelding(Maui): started and owned by me.

-4yr old brown mare (Coco): owned by Olivia Hammer and Taylor Hammer

-6yr old blue roan mare (Smokey): Owned by Keith and Kendra Scott

-3yr old dark buckskin mare (Brownie): Owned by Caleb Helm

-3yr old bay mare (Quinney): started and owned by me.

-2yr old buckskin gelding (Two-Socks): started and owned by me.

Thank you to all that send me colts this summer! It was a blast watching them retain everything being taught!