tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post3073095548228609702..comments2024-01-03T03:28:48.980-07:00Comments on mugwump Chronicles: What I Can't Do.Mugwumphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01487540636265322556noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-4164270233957287472008-11-07T11:47:00.000-07:002008-11-07T11:47:00.000-07:00Fugs- no, he's not single. But I'm old enough to l...Fugs- no, he's not single. But I'm old enough to leer at young cowboys no matter what their status.At this point in my life it's more about art appreciation than actually drawing the picture.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-54882267858707895242008-11-06T23:26:00.000-07:002008-11-06T23:26:00.000-07:00"OK, I really don't know much about him and have o..."OK, I really don't know much about him and have only met him briefly. But he is really hot."<BR/><BR/>Hahahaha, you are gonna start a stampede! Is he single???fuglyhorseofthedayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-1884207602770692672008-11-06T17:18:00.000-07:002008-11-06T17:18:00.000-07:00kel,I also thought of the thyroid.I'm no expert, b...kel,<BR/>I also thought of the thyroid.<BR/>I'm no expert, but I wonder what would happen if you stopped drilling and reining work for awhile and gave him sort of a horsey vacation? As in, go on trail rides only. Not forever, but for awhile. Could it be that he's burned out?<BR/>Just a thought...rockymousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06099036313507359888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-91381307942512536152008-11-06T17:12:00.000-07:002008-11-06T17:12:00.000-07:00Laura...I think your writing is wonderful. I haven...Laura...<BR/><BR/>I think your writing is wonderful. I haven't been reading much in the last couple of years, used to read alot, but was having trouble finding something that "fit". Your books are just the ticket. <BR/><BR/>I do the over and under thing and it does work. But you have to do it often. And lord knows, I am not the most coordinated when it comes to doing the over and under. I always feel like I am off in my timing when I get to whacking him with my reins. I remember when I was a younger rider, I had it down, now it seems foreign. I am going to work on it though. It is a viable option.horsegeneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08614136458074519322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-38382857480284460512008-11-06T16:45:00.000-07:002008-11-06T16:45:00.000-07:00kel, Thanks for the nice "review" of my books. Gla...kel, Thanks for the nice "review" of my books. Glad you like them so far.<BR/>So, I have a thought for you. I've known other horses who didn't respond much to spurs and responded real well to being "over and undered" ie whipped. Why can't you use either the rommel if the horse is in the bridle or the ends of the reins if you're still in split reins and over and under him to get some go? That's what I'd do, and it sounds like he'd respond well, from your experience with the whip. Once he was moving out to that, you'd only have to threaten him with it and he'd jump out. What do you think, mugwump?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-20868424532852373422008-11-06T15:33:00.000-07:002008-11-06T15:33:00.000-07:00Thanks Mugs. I'm glad to know Larry at least seem...Thanks Mugs. I'm glad to know Larry at least seemed good when you talked to him. I'm also glad you're only posting the trainers whose methods you know well. I am not in cutting or reining yet (or showing at all) but would love to learn someday. I rode a son of Reminic who was trained by Jon Roeser once and he was such a blast! I love horses who seem to read your mind and "do your thought" right when you start thinking about it.<BR/><BR/>P.S. I'm glad to see Russell Dilday on the list. I have only seen him compete at the Mag 7, but he really should have won that event this last time. And his horse always looks happy.Original Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08503068909740890309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-30710332108222125112008-11-06T14:04:00.000-07:002008-11-06T14:04:00.000-07:00kel:Hmmm....very interesting, indeed. I can't wai...kel:<BR/><BR/>Hmmm....very interesting, indeed. I can't wait to see what Mugs has to say.Charhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11901638136431043360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-256366136003620262008-11-06T11:59:00.000-07:002008-11-06T11:59:00.000-07:00char...I have tried the 3 cues, ask with my leg, a...char...<BR/><BR/>I have tried the 3 cues, ask with my leg, ask with spur, kick his butt. The problem is he doesn't care if you kick his butt, you can really gig him with a rock grinder spur and then go back to the ask, and he still will grunt at you. That is why the whip intriges me so. You don't have to beat on him, you just have to have it.horsegeneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08614136458074519322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-33098017059331688012008-11-06T11:55:00.000-07:002008-11-06T11:55:00.000-07:00This is extremely true. Maybe I just intuitively ...This is extremely true. Maybe I just intuitively knew that any and all advise given should be taken through that prism. It's like the Sonita post where you took her to Garden of the Gods and 'let her go'. That's how you figured something out with her. It surely isn't the way for everyone to figure things out! <BR/><BR/>I agree I'm glad mugs posted trainers she like and not bashing those she didn't. That's classy. More than that I agree about training your own horse or at LEASt being very involved with the trainer who is. Even the best trainers don't mesh with certain horses and can end up trying methods (tack... bits) out of frustration that may not be acceptable to you. It's still YOUR horse and while you're paying them to teach what they know it's extremely advantageous to be involved. If I'm lucky enough to do so, I'll be a thorn in a trainers side I'm sure. However, it will be for all the right reasons.:)autumnblazehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14261052609848445921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-14790405865979467422008-11-06T11:50:00.000-07:002008-11-06T11:50:00.000-07:00char... Thanks for the thought. The funny thing ab...char... <BR/><BR/>Thanks for the thought. The funny thing about this boy... on his laziest day when he makes you feel as though you just worked his little legs off (worked a good lather and had him breathing hard several times), you cool him out, put him out in his paddock/pasture and he will go tearing off, bucking and running like a fool (not just a little, ALOT, rolling back off the fence, sliding to a stop, whirling around). Almost like saying "F.U. look at what I can do".<BR/><BR/>It has occured to me that he just hates reining and maybe some other discipline would suit him better.horsegeneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08614136458074519322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-29956151472832784132008-11-06T11:49:00.000-07:002008-11-06T11:49:00.000-07:00Didn't mugs do a post on horses not responding to ...Didn't mugs do a post on horses not responding to cues etc.? Three step approach to get 'em moving? I feel like that would help kel.autumnblazehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14261052609848445921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-10670667296625216642008-11-06T11:21:00.000-07:002008-11-06T11:21:00.000-07:00Hey jamie, from my perspective, I never minded bei...Hey jamie, from my perspective, I never minded being told what a horse was like in the owner's experience. What could be irritating, was when owners told me what to do about it... <BR/><BR/>When I ran a livery yard, that happened a LOT. I'd get a long list of instructions about rugs, supplements, turnout, feed, tack, boots, flyspray, homeopathic medicines, channels they liked on the radio, you name it, but they'd frequently forget to mention other things. Like: "Doesn't tie up," "Bites when you do rugs up," "Absolute bastard to worm," "Kicks nine bells out of other horses," "Feed possessive - broke his last groom's arm," "Has to be sedated to shoe," "Throws herself over backwards when she sees a lungewhip," "Stress colics after every hunt meeting." <BR/><BR/>These are all REAL examples of things people 'forgot' to tell us about their horses, so in comparison, the ones who made a point of telling me, "He hates lorries," or "She's very ticklish and spooky, you need to be gentle," got <I>listened</I> to and major consideration points.FDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01485030894416936129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-47002878041078036702008-11-06T11:01:00.000-07:002008-11-06T11:01:00.000-07:00Kel:I'm no pro, and Mugs will probably have the ex...Kel:<BR/><BR/>I'm no pro, and Mugs will probably have the exact right answer.<BR/><BR/>However...<BR/><BR/>I once new a yound gelding that was exactly like the one you described. They tried everything from motivational objects to changing the feed. Finally they had a blood panel done and found out that he had a thyroid problem and that's where alot of the laziness stemmed from.<BR/><BR/>Just though I'd put that out there.<BR/><BR/>Good luck!Charhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11901638136431043360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-66431279119631759262008-11-06T10:57:00.000-07:002008-11-06T10:57:00.000-07:00Someone once told me that the more you know, the m...Someone once told me that the more you know, the more you know you don't know. It is so true! <BR/><BR/>When I was younger and rode horses all day every day during the summer, I thought I was one of the best riders out there! Granted, I was also a teenager and therefore knew everything and rocked everything, but that's beside the point. I could jump 4' jumps bareback, I could swim with my horse, I could gallop down twisty trails and never lose my seat, I could tear around the pasture bareback with just a halter and lead rope. <BR/><BR/>I have always had great balance and the "feel" that you talk about for horses, it just came naturally to me. But as I got older, I was introduced to things like collection (not just your horse tucking it's head!), bending, moving hips and shoulders and rib cages, horses stepping under themselves and reacting to the slightest move of my leg or seat instead of hauling off and booting them for go or ripping their head around for steering. I learned about feeding and supplements and keeping horses at a good weight, about shoeing and vaccinating and worming and doctoring. Wow! I never knew how much I didn't know! <BR/><BR/>It is always hard to tell what level people are really at because back then, I would have said I was a very experienced rider. Now, I might classify myself as intermediate. I have tons of hours in the saddle, have started a few horses and "trained" a few others, but I know that there is SOOO much out there that I just don't know. And I can admit it.<BR/><BR/>On that note, I admire your ability to write about things in a way that should make sense to people at any level that would be interested in what you write about. I also like the fact that you set ground rules and put it out there that hey, just because you say you're an expert, doesn't mean you're an expert in my book! Some people just don't know how much they don't know. <BR/><BR/>Anyways, I LOVE your blog Mugs. It's entertaining, very informative and makes me think about different things and how I go about business with my horses. You just make sense to me! :)Patcheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08302479323000079386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-45427408113643001572008-11-06T10:19:00.000-07:002008-11-06T10:19:00.000-07:00Thanks :) I know it's the best thing to do for hi...Thanks :) I know it's the best thing to do for him, but it is hard. I am excited to learn and see what he learns. I think it will be an amazing experience for us both. <BR/>I'm wondering too if it's "ok" to let the trainer know what does and doesn't work for your horse? I understand that I am sending him there because his expertise is much greater than mine, but my knowledge of my horse is greater at this point. However, I don't want to offend the trainer.. I think my example would be that for my horse, making the wrong thing difficult and the right thing easy, takes very little. He is sensitive. High energy or a lot of pressure, gets him emotional and he quits learning. Is that the sort of thing that you appreciate a client telling you? <BR/>I'm still laughing about the person taking their horse home over Christmas carrots :) I'm also on the wait list for one of your books! Your writing is awesome!!Jamiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02753872713429510955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-29975148080800167732008-11-06T10:10:00.000-07:002008-11-06T10:10:00.000-07:00I guess I missed the hugs and kisses parts of Clin...I guess I missed the hugs and kisses parts of Clinton's stuff-I distinctly recall watching an episode with a big TB mare that he smacked the crap out of w/his elbow ever time she got in his space. LOL It cracked me up-he rationalized it by saying, "Another horse kicking her would've used 10 times the force I just did-It didn't hurt her. She'll live!"<BR/>That was part of why I liked him.barrelracer20xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03696922169023358714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-9507662549147111832008-11-06T10:08:00.000-07:002008-11-06T10:08:00.000-07:00O.K. so for my question...I have a 4 year old quar...O.K. so for my question...<BR/><BR/>I have a 4 year old quarter horse that I had started by a trainer in his two year old year, 90 days, then I sent him back out to pasture. I brought him back in the summer of his 3 year old year and I trail rode him and worked on the basics myself. Sent him back to the trainer last fall to work on reining for 7 months. She did a great job. The problem is he is LAZY, LAZY, LAZY. He always has been. Even as a 2 year old, you could put leg on him and he just grunts at you. You put a spur on him, and he grunts at you, you really put a spur on him and he grunts at you. He will move, but there is no "try" there and he just can't wait to stop. And stop he can! He stops nice, his transitions from fast to slow are awesome, but getting to the fast or turnarounds, etc is ugly and lazy. No energy at all. The trainer said that I needed bigger spurs and only use them if I really meant it and then really mean it. I bought a pair of rock grinders and did just that, it gets him going for about 20 seconds. Then you can just feel him deflate and the energy just fades away. So the other day, I had enough. He hates to be smacked with the reins. Smack him with the rein even lightly just gets him moving and he really doesn't like it. So I picked up a dressage whip and ask him to move out with my legs, when he didn't I gave him a couple of light taps to get him moving out in big circles and he thought he was dying. He had so much energy and just carrying the whip kept that energy level that made riding him a sheer pleasure. I stuck the whip in the back of my pants and worked turnaround and I only needed to put my leg on and he would go. I was so darn excited. I told the trainer to see what she thought and she said it is great that I found something to make him have some try, but that it isn't a viable solution because you can't show carrying a whip. When you carry the whip you can use light legs aids and he responds quickly and willingly. <BR/><BR/>So my question is, how do I transfer the energy from the whip to my legs (preferablly without the use of rock grinders)? <BR/><BR/>I do notice if I start out carrying (and I swear you only have to carry the whip, don't have to smack him) and then put it down, he seems to maintain the energy. I am kind of stuck, I don't want to do anything that is going to make him duller or lazier, but doing drills and working him can really try my patience. I hate that I have to constantly get after him and work the snot out of him to get the manuver that he knows how to do, done right.horsegeneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08614136458074519322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-9790152168446886312008-11-06T09:56:00.000-07:002008-11-06T09:56:00.000-07:00I was plum tickled to see that 2 of your reccomend...I was plum tickled to see that 2 of your reccomendations come from my part of the country! LOL I have to say, (Somewhat sheepishly) that it was watching Clinton Anderson that gave me the guts to work with my 5 yr old and my weanling filly after I had my son. I hadn't rode in almost 2yrs by the time I bought my 5 yr old, and had zero confidence in the abilities I USED to have. My husband expected me to pick right up where I had left off with my super broke barrel horses I'd had when we first started dating....wow. I was glad that he wasn't underestimating me, but I wished that he didn't have so much confidence in me SO SO SO many times. My 5 yr old was "Cowboy Broke"-all he'd ever done was be a ranch/feedlot horse. I bought him for a barrel horse prospect, and then realized---"Oh, crap! I don't have the guts for this..." Anway, I did get to watch Clinton's TV show from time to time, and I picked up little stuff that helped me get back in the groove without wetting my britches and crying like a baby!barrelracer20xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03696922169023358714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-71384765656880568672008-11-06T09:39:00.000-07:002008-11-06T09:39:00.000-07:00jamie- Not the NMS as far as I see. It's realistic...jamie- Not the NMS as far as I see. It's realistic expectations for your horse. It is also hard to send them off. <BR/>If you are unhappy you can bring him home. Nobody can force you to leave your horse. I had a horse leave two weeks early because I didn't feed carrots on Christmas day. I didn't get mad, it was their choice. I didn't refund them any dough either.<BR/>The best part of going to a trainer like you are is that you're going to learn so much!<BR/>Ask why he does things, how he does things and if you get a chance watch him ride other horses.<BR/>The best way to get good enough to train your own is to ride with the person who already is.<BR/>When you see your horse settle in you'll feel better. <BR/>Be excited and glad you found a trainer you trust.Have fun.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-20146704730727531552008-11-06T09:01:00.000-07:002008-11-06T09:01:00.000-07:00Mugs ~ I've been so conflicted about sending my 3....Mugs ~ I've been so conflicted about sending my 3.5 year old to a trainer in the Spring, but finally decided to do it. I've backed him many times and he's been great, other than a wiggy moment or two, but I really feel like it would benefit him so much to have a professional "show him the ropes" in a more clear and confident way than I think I can. I love the trainer that I've chosen. He is honest, straight-forward, I agree 100% with his training methods, he INSISTS on owner participation and frequent visits, and all of his horses are amazing. So why do I pratically start bawling whenever I think about sending him "off" for 30-60 days? Part of me feels like I'm abadoning my horse and that he trusts ME, so I should be the one to take him through these critical stages. But I also know that it would be a great experience for him, and that he can learn a lot more in less time from the pro. Maybe it's just the New Mom's Syndrome that Cathy was talking about on the VLC?? :)Jamiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02753872713429510955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-89251946562613796382008-11-06T04:35:00.000-07:002008-11-06T04:35:00.000-07:00What you can't do? H'mm.One of the first things I ...What you can't do? H'mm.<BR/><BR/>One of the first things I noted about your blog Mugs, was the tagline at the top, "I strive to be fair," and as far as I can see, you do. I like your willingness to open a dialogue and the thoughtfulness behind it. It makes me think about what I do. As far as I'm concerned, you're as advertised. ;)<BR/><BR/>As for people wanting advice on specific situations...<BR/>I've found over the years that people (especially those not raised with horses) often get, <I>clingy,</I> regarding advice and trainers, and won't do this or that unless it's part of the method, or the trainer tells them so.<BR/><BR/>I like that your advice actively encourages people to try things, to do something different, to pay attention to what's happening rather that what 'ought' to be happening, and that the stories you tell illustrate a life spent looking for other ways to do stuff. <BR/><BR/>And the point that impresses me most about the advice you give is that you don't tend to say <I>"This is what you <B>should</B> do,"</I> you say, <I>"This is what <B>I</B> do."</I> I like that.FDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01485030894416936129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-21604322228665689292008-11-05T23:11:00.000-07:002008-11-05T23:11:00.000-07:00Todays blog is entitled "What I Can't Do" but I wa...Todays blog is entitled "What I Can't Do" but I wanted to thank you for "What you DON'T do" - curse a lot! <BR/><BR/>Seriously, I appreciate it. <BR/><BR/>It's my favorite blog and you've got me checking for new entries everyday. (And if you are writing a book - I'll buy it!)BarnHaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10108412668127977598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-27601255309153692032008-11-05T21:38:00.000-07:002008-11-05T21:38:00.000-07:00I'm crazy about my horse's care too. Even though m...I'm crazy about my horse's care too. Even though my facility provides full care, I'm there 7 days a week. It helps that I'm a mucker/groom, I can personally insure that Fame is being cared for appropriatly and R knows I'll bug him if I have questions about the horse's care. He's real good at adressing those concerns or making me do it as a member of the managment team.<BR/><BR/>If I had the option to keep horse on my own property I would but for thoses of us who have to board, you should have a facility that is willing to work and communicate with you.J. Hatchetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05413206937627361674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-30994142923066976852008-11-05T21:29:00.000-07:002008-11-05T21:29:00.000-07:00I have not been exposed to many clinicians and ver...I have not been exposed to many clinicians and very few trainers. I have seen John Lyons and he was good, and it was like watching paint dry. Not that that is a bad thing. He does break things down into very many little steps. He made sense that day. <BR/><BR/>I also saw Clinton Anderson. It was interesting to me that his suggestions were the same as the ones my own trainer has drilled into my head, the main one being, ride your horse. <BR/><BR/>CA talked about the fact that these animals were designed to move miles a day. Most horse owners (especially in So. Cal) have their horses in stalls. They are surprised when their horses are spiffy when they come to the barn once a week to get the poor things out. Makes total sense. <BR/><BR/>I have a lot to learn, so I'm always looking for information. Mugs, the books you listed some time back are on a list of "to gets" for me. <BR/><BR/>Not much to add I guess. Just throwing my very limited exposure out there.Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00977898784588176802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-65971302814528278552008-11-05T19:36:00.000-07:002008-11-05T19:36:00.000-07:00original- I like Larry Trocha. When I first starte...original- I like Larry Trocha. When I first started training reining horses I got a bunch of his tapes. I've only talked to him once, but he was straight forward and had a lot of good information. His stuff really spoke to me because he is also a Monte Foreman grad, so I understood his methods.<BR/>When I got into cutting I got some more of his tapes. I didn't list him because I don't know him as a trainer. I also don't know enough about cutting to know if he's good or not. He seems to place well in the shows.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.com