Weekend stuff

Again not much new to report. We are plugging along still taking baby steps. Everyday we do some in hand work which consists of leading over poles, trotting in hand, some backing, picking up feet and some round pen work. Each day things get alittle bit better. Picking up those feet over the poles will take some time to understand. He did not race me while trotting in hand this weekend and we progressed into some turning while maintaining the trot. Still a long way to go in hand but getting better. I got on him Fri, Sat and Sun. He moves out nicely with pony horse Fred in the lead which is a start. Sunday I took Fred out of the round pen and Samson didn't like that much. Managed to get a few steps forward and several decent turns and a few steps back before I decided it was enough. This is such a great little horse-friendly,attentive, willing to learn, his "fight or flight" response is not nearly as extreme as some of our other mustangs. He does get "frisky" and stubborn at times - after all, he is just a youngun. He will be great as he matures. It will be difficult to let this one go.

Plugging along

Well not too much exciting to report. Samson and I continue to work mainly on our ground work. Our training hours are really being hampered by this heat and no rain in weeks. We have started to work on directional back up on the ground. This is difficult for a horse but he seems to be grasping the concept. He has begun to think that our trotting in hand is quite fun and wants to be the leader!!! We will correct that today. He is showing himself to be quite intelligent as he continues to gain security in his environment and our schedule. Once he grasps a concept- it really seems to stick.

Yesterday I began to send him over obstacles - one of which is a big log. He was praised lavishly when he began to jump this log well and without hesitation. He certainly figured that out quickly--I then began to have him lope around me on the lunge line right beside the log-he thought if he jumped that log again I would let him stop and he would get somemore of that praise. He surprised me by veering off and leaping over that log without being sent and then stopped and looked at me expecting his reward!! I was so surprised I did not respond correctly. I laughed-not good!!

Samson has definitely gotten over his fear of the water hose. The heat accomplished what I was having trouble doing myself. When I turn on the hose now- here he comes- he stands there happily while he is soaked down.

My goal this weekend is to spend some time in the saddle. After the first few mounts I realized I needed to spend alittle more time on the ground cues, softening, etc. We have done that- so-"riders up".

June 22

For the last few days we have continued to work on lessons learned and added a few new ones. With alittle advice from my friend Lauren - he now has the idea of backing up. He gives all 4 feet pretty easily at this stage of the game. We put the trailer in his arena and let him trailer himself for the day. He showed alot of curiousity about it and got in to investigate several times. He seemed quite proud of himself and would run around the trailer prancing after he got out. We try hard to do things the easy way if possible. I will send him into the trailer tomorrow. He will trot in hand alittle-just alittle though- that is a great start. We've been walking around cones, over obstacles, learning some basic reining on the ground, finally accepted the water hose which was an important thing as the extreme heat continues with no relief in sight. Basically what we have been doing is cementing our relationship. Yesterday, on Father's Day, with my husband Terry and pony horse Fred helping out- I mounted and dismounted a few times-tried a step or two. Can't really call it a first ride-but good enough for day 7 !!!! Samson was pretty much unconcerned about this person on his back. We could have gone further but are faced with a rolling saddle no matter how tight the cinch. Low withers and a round back are a challenge to fit!!

This is an amazing little horse. He is calm, curious, learns quickly and very willing. He enjoys attention from people which makes things so much easier. I am so pleased with him. Today I let him rest- he has earned it.

Out on the trail June 18

Today we practised leading , front feet and the "stand" command. worked some on back up- this is proving to be difficult for him. Needing a change of pace, I took him off the property onto some trails- ponying him with my best bud and only assistant Fred. He was slightly concerned about leaving his comfort zone but did better that I expected-showing more curiousity than fear. Upon arrival home- I stood up in stirrups a few times and he was not concerned at all. He is ready to mount- I just have to wait for a human assistant. I am well pleased. I am also astonished at the number of people already riding their horses.

June 16-17

Not much new to report for past 2 days. Just reinforcing first lessons and catching up with the other horses. Met up with some monsters today in the form of a plastic bag (even though tarp was a piece cake). Water hose was also a monster. I ended up soaked which was fine with me in this oppressive heat. Tomorrow we will saddle up and start ponying around with my equine assistant in preparation for first ride.

The Beginning

Arrived home safely from Paul's Valley with my new charge on June 13,09. He travelled well, unloaded without incident and spent a quiet night . No name yet. Solid black.



Day 1 June 14.

Well we got off with a bang today. After a quiet night resting up- everything changed. After feeding our 8 other mustangs-they took off at a run. This new fellow decided he needed to go with them of course and took down 2 six feet gates on his way out. At this point he was free in our training arena- but not out in the fields- YET! By some miracle he ran into the round pen!! That was good-but not good enough as he thought he might try to escape that too. I was now forced into accomplishing in one day what we normally take quite a few days to do. I had to gentle this guy down-now. It took all day in the blazing heat with alot of help from my husband but we got it done. By end of day one he is allowing us to stroke him over most of body, pick up front feet, some elementary leading, lunging on the line with change of direction, whoa and yielding hindquarters. When we felt he was settled and safe, and repairs were complete-we led him back to his pen. No name yet.



Day 2 June 15

After trauma of yesterday we had quiet day just reinforcing lessons learned . We all needed a rest after the rough start. Spent alot of time brushing all over, leading around and generally just being together. Introduced tarp all over body, blankets, ropes all over. Minimal problems. He is very calm now and was released into small grazing area with his companion for the next 3 months- our invaluable pony horse named Fred who has helped us train our 8 other mustangs. This horse is worth his weight in gold as I train alone most days-he is my assistant. We have named this new mustang Sampson.