Fading Hoofbeats

02/14/2025

Good point here. Does Is your horse broke to lead or follow--or both?

QUICK TIP
Broke to lead vs Broke to follow

Often times when we get young horses in that are home grown and started, we run into a leading issue. It’s not a big deal but is often confusing to the owner when we try to explain that the horse isn’t very halter broke. A halter broke horse is broke to LEAD.

When a horse is broke to lead, they follow the leadrope where ever it takes them, it doesn’t matter what’s on the other end. It can be a person, a dog, a horse trailer, a hot walker, etc. The better they are broke to lead, the more they will listen to the leadrope in a difficult situation.

When a horse is broke to follow then they follow a person around and they happen to be wearing a halter and leadrope. Generally when they get startled the leadrope means nothing and they try to drag the person off or they get loose.

So as a c**t starter which one do we want? Well BOTH of course! We want them broke to lead to help them through difficult situations. It makes them safer to lead and ride, and we can keep them from running off and getting hurt. It also helps them be tied up.

We want them broke to follow so that they are easier to catch and we can build a better relationship with them. Horses who follow and willingly choose to be with us tend to have more confidence in people and enjoy being around them.

If you’re raising a young one of your own, get BOTH of these things good! If you don’t know how then call your favorite trainer and get a lesson. They can also check your work if you think you’ve already got it good. 🤠

09/30/2024

Don't they just look so sad, standing there watching me feed all the stalled horses, but not them? I mean, sacks of bones, every one! At least three times a day, they come up from the lush grass to trample the gateway into a morass of mud... and BEG!
(Also, note the order here: Lagertha, Floki, and Kjetil. What an amazing little herd they make!)

06/24/2024

Floki Update: Floki is one of the most sensitive horses that I’ve ever seen. The first time I met him he was so terrified that he ran circles around me rather than back and forth across the farthest end of the huge pen he was in at the time. As I mentioned previously, he was pretty suicidal. Even so, I was sitting in his pen the next day, and a week or so later he was standing beside me (albeit about 5-6 feet away) to act as a wind break when I was shivering like an aspen leaf in a hurricane, and standing behind me for protection when things got chaotic. Still, additional progress has been slow (in my estimation) because the only touches we’ve had are caresses on his nose and chin as he takes alfalfa from me, and the occasional gentle lipping when I don’t get my fingers out of the way on time.
I finally had a trainer start working with him (and me) because he’s quickly getting to the point of needing his feet done, and I don’t want a traumatic situation for him.
In his first session working with Floki, I stood over to the side and kept talking to Floki, trying to reassure him that he was okay. Honest to goodness—that poor horse looked at me (not Jimmy) and I know he was feeling betrayed. I sat with him afterward (our safe activity) and offered him alfalfa, but he only took a couple of bites and then went to stand in his safe corner. I felt so horrible that I almost called the whole training deal off. How can I betray the horse that I love, the one that relies on me for safety and reassurance? But those hooves….
Jimmy (the trainer) made great progress in the next two or three sessions, and today he was able to get a rope (open loop) over Floki’s head, and gently pulled until we got a few yielding steps—three times! I was able to scratch him from his forehead to his nose, and on his neck, shoulder and back with a lunge stick. I was also able to get my hand (holding the lunge stick and scritching) to within six inches of his face before he leaned away. I was so happy that I almost cried! Somehow, it seems like so much less when writing it out, but trust me—it was HUGE!

06/09/2024

🐴 Ready to embark on a 1000-mile horseback journey? 🌄 Check out our ultimate guide for all the prep tips you need! 🐎

🐴 Ready to embark on a 1000-mile horseback journey? 🌄 Check out our ultimate guide for all the prep tips you need! 🐎

06/07/2024

🌟 New Arrival Alert! 🌟Just when I thought my dream of owning mustangs couldn't get any better, nature surprised me! 🌿 Meet Lagertha, my beautiful mustang mare, who recently gave birth to an adorable foal! 🐴💕 Despite hoping for no foals, this little one has brought so much joy and excitement. Follow our journey as we navigate the challenges and heartwarming moments of mustang motherhood. 💖Stay tuned for more updates on Lagertha and her foal! 🌈✨ 🐎🌸

🌟 New Arrival Alert! 🌟Just when I thought my dream of owning mustangs couldn't get any better, nature surprised me! 🌿 Meet Lagertha, my beautiful mustang mare, who recently gave birth to an adorable foal! 🐴💕 Despite hoping for no foals, this little one has brought so much joy and exci...

05/20/2024

🌟 Hydration Heaven for Horses! 🌟 Ensure your horses stay hydrated and healthy with the innovative concept of water buffets. Offering a variety of flavored water options, this creative solution makes drinking more appealing for horses. Dive into our latest blog post to learn more! 🐴💧

🌟 Hydration Heaven for Horses! 🌟 Ensure your horses stay hydrated and healthy with the innovative concept of water buffets. Offering a variety of flavored water options, this creative solution makes drinking more appealing for horses. Dive into our latest blog post to learn more! 🐴💧 ...

05/16/2024

🍏💧 Refresh your horse's routine with our Apple-Mint Flavored Water! Hydrate and delight with this simple recipe. 🐴💦 Perfect for hot days! Read more about the benefits and try it today!
https://fadinghoofbeats.com/apple-mint-flavored-water/

05/15/2024

🐎 Discover the latest in horse training techniques! From to , learn how to build a strong partnership with your equine companion. 🌟 🐴

🐎 Discover the latest in horse training techniques! From to , learn how to build a strong partnership with your equine companion. 🌟 🐴

05/08/2024

🐴🍎 Treat your horse to something special with our homemade Neigh-ly Delights! These oat balls are packed with natural ingredients and are perfect for training or just because! 🌾🎉

🐴🍎 Treat your horse to something special with our homemade Neigh-ly Delights! These oat balls are packed with natural ingredients and are perfect for training or just because! 🌾🎉

05/08/2024

🔥🌽 Ready to elevate your campfire cooking? Try our Trailblazer's Skillet Cornbread, the ultimate outdoor companion! 🏕️ Perfect for any adventure, this easy-to-make cornbread adds a touch of home to your wilderness meals. 🌟🍴

Discover the ultimate campfire treat with our Trailblazer's Cornbread Concoction - a simple, delicious recipe perfect for any outdoor adventure.

05/03/2024

Talk about a glow up-- MG Floki went from Raggedy Andy to Prince Andrew! No more ribs showing through a heavy winter coat; no more cuts and bite marks; no more ragged, patchy coat! The glow up is internal, too. When he arrived, he was scared to death and now he is merely nervous from time to time, but settles quickly. My dear Sir, you are *beautiful*, inside and out, and i love you fiercely! (First photo is today, others are from when he arrived in mid-February.)

04/30/2024

A couple video clips of the new little, licking my knee--or maybe the alfalfa dust off my knee. Sorry for the poor quality video, it was hard to divide my attention between taking a decent video, awwing over the baby licking my knee, and scratching his face, neck, shoulder, and rump.

04/12/2024

For those of you who have been following my progress with my mustangs, Floki had huge breakthroughs both yesterday and today. If you recall when i first met him he was ripping around his pen in terror. Most horses that are wild--or just afraid-- will run back and forth across the end of the pen furthest from a human. Not so Floki. He became suicidally terrified and ran circles around his pen. If i had been a mountain lion.... I actually had to move out of his path. Rather than scare him more i left his pen as soon as he passed behind me.
Over the next few weeks i spent hours each day mucking, talking to him, and sitting in his pen, hand feeding him alfalfa to help put on desperately needed weight and to help ease what had to be a major case of ulcers. He gradually began to trust me, but to me it was painfully slow and I've never seen him with a 100% relaxed face, even when he's sleeping. There's always little tension lines above his mouth and nose, always worry lines above his eyes.
Still, I'm on his timeline, and i know pushing would do irreparable damage to what little trust he has. In spite this, i feel like when we make a certain trust breakthrough he'll be easier to gentle than Lagertha, who has a bit of a bossy temperament.
Yesterday, while i was sitting in his stall, pretending to sleep (my go-to trust developer with him), his knees kept buckling. I knew he wanted to trust me to watch over him while he lay down to sleep, but couldn't quite let himself go. But he did sleep. Deeply, for a standing sleep, leaning against the wall. I stayed longer than i planned because i knew he needed the sleep, and i felt honored that he trusted me even that much. (Sorry the photo is blurry--I didn't want to move to focus for fear of waking him.)
Then today as i sat in his stall after he finished the alfalfa, he was picking up the dropped bits near my feet and i wanted soooo bad the pet his forehead, but i knew that would scare him, so i was still. After a moment, he lifted his head and sniffed my knee. We both dozed for a half hour or so, just a few feet apart, and then he reached out with his nose when i offered a loose fist (something I've been offering from the start), and he actually gave me a gentle fist bump!!! Sadly, i didn't get a photo of that.

03/18/2024

🐴✨ Embark on the incredible journey of Floki and Lagertha, two majestic mustangs from Devil’s Garden, as they find friendship and trust in their new home. 🌿💕

🐴✨ Embark on the incredible journey of Floki and Lagertha, two majestic mustangs from Devil’s Garden, as they find friendship and trust in their new home. 🌿💕

03/17/2024

🐴💕 Day 1 of our journey with the stunning black mustang mare, Lagertha! From cautious first touches to sharing hay and moments of trust. 🌾✨ 🗽🐎

🐴💕 Day 1 of our journey with the stunning black mustang mare, Lagertha! From cautious first touches to sharing hay and moments of trust. 🌾✨ 🗽🐎

03/16/2024

🐴💤 Building trust with Lagertha, the wild mustang, takes patience and subtle cues. From pretend naps to ear scratches for barn cats, every moment is a step closer to a bond. 🌾🐱

🐴💤 Building trust with Lagertha, the wild mustang, takes patience and subtle cues. From pretend naps to ear scratches for barn cats, every moment is a step closer to a bond. 🌾🐱