tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post8213176467125472355..comments2024-01-03T03:28:48.980-07:00Comments on mugwump Chronicles: Just StuffMugwumphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01487540636265322556noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-75007275707048450552009-05-28T16:07:18.378-06:002009-05-28T16:07:18.378-06:00Just re-reading, that was not meant snarky.
That ...Just re-reading, that was not meant snarky.<br /><br />That was meant for anyone headed down that path. <br /><br />It SEEMS in THEORY like a great job.EveryoneThinksThey'reGoodDrivershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12942588333982718335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-78075651806104862502009-05-28T16:05:57.305-06:002009-05-28T16:05:57.305-06:00"I'm telling you, horse training is one sucky prof..."I'm telling you, horse training is one sucky profession."<br /><br />Amen and you'll never know it until you are really doing it.EveryoneThinksThey'reGoodDrivershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12942588333982718335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-34930564630101608512009-05-20T10:44:27.072-06:002009-05-20T10:44:27.072-06:00quietann - Very cute pic.
Soft eyes don't make hi...quietann - Very cute pic.<br /><br />Soft eyes don't make him not spook ever. He still spooks. I don't always know when he's going to spook. Usually, if it's REALLY spook worthy I don't have a clue until we're a stride or two into it.<br /><br />I was however on edge more not utilizing the soft eyes which made him spook more often because it put him on edge. Lord, he still spooks but I've learned to roll with it, stay calm, settle him and just get back ot business. It doesn't unsettle me for the rest of the ride anymore and so far I haven't made any unscheduled dismounts. I majorly adjusted my attitude regarding spooks too. That's the Ben Cartwright thing... I just sucked it up.<br /><br />I usually turn him to the spooky object instead of away if I notice it before or when he does and make him check it out (well except deer). Gator is pretty experienced and I can make him face it, check it out and I'm calm he realizes he's being a big dork. Then the next time he knows it's not anythign to worry with.<br /><br />Mugs - Okay, I'm glad I'm not that only one who's a little unsure what exactly is going on with half halts. :)autumnblazehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14261052609848445921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-13410856142697826882009-05-20T10:30:16.653-06:002009-05-20T10:30:16.653-06:00Mugs, I know of a mare who is REALLY having a trai...Mugs, I know of a mare who is REALLY having a trailer-loading issue. I tried your method last night (and it would've possibly played out better if I had experienced help with me), and although we almost got her inside, she just wouldn't commit to the final few steps. We even tried sedation, but she just wasn't cooperative. About 3 1/2 hours after we started, a big burly neighbor guy was allowed to intervene. He decided to "muscle" her in and ended up injuring the mare. I know you said your method always worked for you, and I'm wondering if any of the horses that you had success with had experienced any previous trailering traumas. This poor little mare is truly terrified. Thanks for any help/insight that you can provide!lopinon4https://www.blogger.com/profile/00413859466329003832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-84700084824282214342009-05-20T10:09:56.392-06:002009-05-20T10:09:56.392-06:00quietann- I love it. "Look honey, there's somethin...quietann- I love it. "Look honey, there's something for you to spook at! Really, I mean it's right there...."mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-43440999292290798122009-05-20T09:54:19.006-06:002009-05-20T09:54:19.006-06:00The one thing about soft eyes that "gets" me is th...The one thing about soft eyes that "gets" me is that yes, maresy is happier and less likely to spook if I'm soft-eyed, but I can't trust her 100% not to spook, given her general personality, and "came out of nowhere" spooks are pretty terrifying for me.<br /><br />I have gotten pretty good at knowing when she *might* spook, and turning her head slightly away from the spooky object. But I have to know about the spooky object to do that.<br /><br />OTOH -- here is a funny photo of *me* thinking she might spook at something, while she is totally nonchalant about it. (When we first went past it, the other way, she danced a little bit and stared at it. This was on the way back...)<br /><br /><A HREF="http://annsrats.com/horses/feronia/may19_2009/white_sign.jpg" REL="nofollow">Scary White Sign, Oh Noes!</A>quietannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05710112022047395861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-72405158842580051492009-05-20T09:43:08.443-06:002009-05-20T09:43:08.443-06:00autumnblaze-We're going to need input from some of...autumnblaze-We're going to need input from some of the real dressage people on the half halt. I don't really get it either, but we have plenty of good horsemen who show up around here who can explain it. When you're ready we'll get a good discussion going on it, because I'm interested too.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-48863142361858018892009-05-20T09:02:19.013-06:002009-05-20T09:02:19.013-06:00mugs - It is funny how sometimes things work out a...mugs - It is funny how sometimes things work out afterall. <br /><br />Oh, I still use 'eagle eyes' too. I just don't need to often for my purposes. I think they both have their place. I would see especially in cow work and the like the necessity of focus. It was just something that say, out on the trail was a big big deal for us to STOP focusing. I was focusing on each thing around us... he felt that and decided I was hawking for scary stuff even when I thought I was pretty relaxed. He became spooky. I had problems. It made me even less relaxed. He spooked more... vicious cycle. I also am handling spooky situations better... that's the 'Ben Cartwright' though ;)<br /><br />I am still having trouble wrapping my brain around the half halt. I don't have a well formulated question though and plan to talk to my instructor about it next lesson. I'll probably get back to you on that...autumnblazehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14261052609848445921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-13744316514785744392009-05-20T08:15:47.472-06:002009-05-20T08:15:47.472-06:00Autumn Blaze - Hurray! Keep us posted. I just love...Autumn Blaze - Hurray! Keep us posted. I just love the way the world works sometimes.<br />Here's one of those twists that keep horses interesting. In Reined Cowhorse, and cutting for that matter, we zero in on the part of the cow we want our horse to head for, or block. So it's pretty much "eagle eyes" for us.<br />The Big K very deliberately stopped my use of "soft eyes" when I started riding with him.<br />I had to learn to use the weight of my head and my direct focus to guide my horse.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-47258146506047143052009-05-20T08:10:10.034-06:002009-05-20T08:10:10.034-06:00HorsesandTurbos-That's why you have to use kittens...HorsesandTurbos-That's why you have to use kittens - you can't get the loft you need with full grown cats. And if I have a bag of peeing cats I certainly would want my full range of motion.<br />Red Horse-let me think about this and post tomorrow. It's a big subject.<br />Londoner-That's my primary objection to the term "natural horsemanship." There is nothing natural about what we do with these horses, from the second they allow us to place a hand on their shoulder.<br />Anon,- 1.yes 2. yes. 3. yes, except I would drive forward with my seat also. If I just deepen my seat the horse will slow, but not necessarily move into the bit 4.Hopefully the transitions help with the horse not needing to stick his head in the air, but this will apply to Thursday's post. So tune in!mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-22231960641786309502009-05-20T08:04:12.603-06:002009-05-20T08:04:12.603-06:00P.S. I should say I haven't figured out *all* my f...P.S. I should say I haven't figured out *all* my faults. That sounded really arrogant. I can now *feel* when something isn't right and am better at correcting most things. My trainer and I have a lot of work to do yet.autumnblazehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14261052609848445921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-25458193261788245322009-05-20T08:02:26.673-06:002009-05-20T08:02:26.673-06:00Londoner - The Sally Swift 'soft eyes' was HUGE fo...Londoner - The Sally Swift 'soft eyes' was HUGE for me. Everyone said look up, just not how. I am actually aware of what my body is doing now. Almost to the point of annoying myself. I've figured out all my faults and want them all fixed. Now. Gator has been pleased with my progress. He's very sensitive and seems to read my mind when I'm relaxed. I'm still far from where I want to be but when I first came on here, all my questions were 'OMG he's spooking what do I do?'. We're a far cry from that now. <br /><br />Oh and Mugs, I have a job interview Friday... if I get this job, Gator's mine. :) I think have a great shot too. Shorter commute and a raise. Horse ownership here I come...autumnblazehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14261052609848445921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-30766317974031307002009-05-20T03:15:41.719-06:002009-05-20T03:15:41.719-06:00Hey Mugs,
Could you clarify a few things for me p...Hey Mugs,<br /><br />Could you clarify a few things for me please? Sorry if these questions sound too stupid and i if i ask too many or if they sound too direct, i'm not the best conversationalist (is that a word?).<br /><br />When you say activate your seat, do you mean rock your pelvis back and forward a bit? <br />When asking your horse to walk faster do you cue it by bumping your legs in a faster tempo until the horse matches it?<br />Downward transitions, when you deepen your seat, that drives the horse forward into your hands, right?<br />At this stage do you bother doing anything if the horse is sticking his head in the air? Or does all the tranitioning keep them reasonable?<br /><br />Thats 'bout it. Hope your little holiday was excellent, you deserve it!<br />Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-54782335767806285352009-05-20T01:42:06.651-06:002009-05-20T01:42:06.651-06:00It makes sense that if a horse uses their outside ...It makes sense that if a horse uses their outside hind to canter, that stringing themselves out at a fast trot would make it harder to canter because of the weight on the forehand.<br /><br />Talking of that trot, who here groans when they hear someone say: 'oh he looks so beautiful and natural in the field...that's how all horses should look ridden.' no it isn't!! A horse in the field is invariably hollowed out, his head is flung up and he is trotting heavily on his forehand. Horses don't automatically assume the best position for themselves when they're out, they're just trying to get from point A to point B. It's like us running for a bus - nary a thought to running technique. My running consists of jerkily flying legs and arms accompanied by a strange grimace on my face - it's obvious I've never been taught how to move. just like a horse! I shudder when I think my main selling photo for my horse was her in the field, doing an extended trot that depicted her dragging her back legs behind her as she powered off in front. <br /><br />still, at least I've learnt from it - lack of interest from buyers tends to do that, hehe. <br />and glad you liked our sneaky conversation Janet ;)<br />Jackie - I went on to Sally Swift's website, that thing about 'soft eyes' is genius! That coupled with Janet's 'silver line' has really helped my approach to fences. However, I'm still not sure about Jane Savoie's mental techniques - I'm pretty sure that if I continuously repeat: 'I'm going to ride in the Olympics', people will think I'm a nutter-butter. <br /><br />Georgi xLondonerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12528596710261907229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-24805440074837158372009-05-19T23:55:28.263-06:002009-05-19T23:55:28.263-06:00Hey Mugs, great post! The mental image of whacking...Hey Mugs, great post! The mental image of whacking your horse about the neck with a bag of kittens is priceless... and about how I felt after my ride today on my little mare tonight. ;) I'm wondering if you've done or can do a post on bracing against the bit. I ride a lot like it seems like you do, and have been bringing my mare along slow. We ride in a snaffle, and she has a terrible habit of hollowing her back, lifting her head (not tossing or throwing), and bracing against the bit. This has recently come up as I've started asking for her face a little bit. It mostly happens through transitions, but both up and down. I've tried riding her forward, slowing down, stopping, pulling her around (like you recommended in a previous post, quick and dirty), but I just feel like she's either not understanding or I'm missing a step in her training that makes it hard for her to sit down and use her butt to power up. Friends are recommending draw reins or a running martingale, but I feel like that would just be a shortcut that would backfire later. Thanks in advance for any tips!RHFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02513212465360292806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-54246312398680031792009-05-19T18:44:58.551-06:002009-05-19T18:44:58.551-06:00Tonight I rode again. Janet...I didn't have a ba...Tonight I rode again. Janet...I didn't have a bag of kittens to use, so I grabbed some of my cats and shoved them into the pillow case. Did you know you can fit 4 adult cats in at once? Anyway, I found that it was hard to mount with them all in the bag yowling and clawing...how do you mount with them? The bag in your hand? Or in your mouth so you don't bump your horse with the bag and use your hands in the normal way to mount? And dismounting was hard, too. My arms also got very tired holding the bag out so they wouldn't bang Starlette until I wanted to. The over/under was a little tough...just managed to wack her shoulders without wacking her in the ears. Also, do you know that mad/upset cats pee all over the place in the bag? <br /><br />HeeHeeHee...sorry, couldn't resist...<br /><br />Actually, I had a great ride tonight. Starlette was so good...she went right into canters, sped up when I asked, slowed down when I asked, so I quit cantering for the night and worked on trotting/walking transitions, turning on the forehand (she gets real good with the whip touching her hip!) and turning on the rear. I actually got to work on my canter seat she behaved herself so well, instead of focusing on getting her to go forward!<br /><br />JackieHorsesAndTurboshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03607758320356759231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-89381702923210145382009-05-19T18:19:13.896-06:002009-05-19T18:19:13.896-06:00Ok...I see where I went wrong...I am so used to pu...Ok...I see where I went wrong...I am so used to pushing them through the turn(roll back)when I am working cattle, so its a habit to push with my leg. I must have been doing that even though I was "trying" to just sit on him and allow him to turn. Thats what half my problem is when I ride. I either do too much, or not enough. Today we worked him on the flag, but before I went to step up to the flag, he had me walk him in circles and driving him into his face and make him follow his nose and go where "I" wanted him to go...not where he wanted to go. And thats where the pulling him around in circles when he trots too fast to get him to slow down..but when I do it, he wants me to drive him into his face and make him bend, not get stiff and lean on me. (Does that make any sense? I am not as good as you are at describing what I am supposed to be doing)this horse still has some steering problems. No one really taught him to go where you point him. He leans his ribs to the outside of the circle, so he is not underneith me or between my legs at all. He is a totally different horse now than when I got him. he steers a whole lot better, but I still have to "help" him when he puts his head to the outside of a circle. When I got him, they were riding him 2 handed and unfortunatly for the past 3 years, I have been riding a young horse, so I fell right in the habit of riding 2 handed until my trainer started helping me with getting him ONE handed since that is what we have to do in the show pen when you go to cut a cow!! I have shown him and do well with driving the cattle out now that we have been working him one handed most of the time.<br />Sorry, I am rambling...thanks for the clarification...maybe I will try that next time I ride by myself.slippinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-85828705485100003512009-05-19T18:11:04.495-06:002009-05-19T18:11:04.495-06:00slippin- I just reread your comment and then my ol...slippin- I just reread your comment and then my old post....it's the roll back thing. I'm definitely not executing any kind of maneuver, simply pulling them around with one rein. I'm not rocking them back, they're usually dumped in front because I simply pulled them around with no warning.<br />I also am willing to do this for as long as it takes. Ted, the horse I posted about took at least an hour before I got that first step. But I got it. <br />As usual though, I can't reccomend going against your trainers advice.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-57029681421281155392009-05-19T18:00:32.203-06:002009-05-19T18:00:32.203-06:00slippin - There is a moment after the turn when yo...slippin - There is a moment after the turn when your horse will slow,(or through the turn) you have to release with your hand and body in that stride. <br />Then the horse will be able to figure it out.<br />Is it possible your horse was picking up a "go" cue from you as she came through the turn?<br />I went through this with Sonita on her run downs, but finally realized I was releasing as she blew forward.So I was telling her to run.When I was able to release for the first slow step (as she gathered) she finally figured it out.<br />I will back a horse as punishment, but not when I'm trying to show them something. <br />The roll back isn't punishment, nor is it a roll back, it's pulling them around with one rein, no leg and no finesse. That's what gets them to walk a few steps so I can release them.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-18181201320617893642009-05-19T15:51:36.531-06:002009-05-19T15:51:36.531-06:00Welcome back, Janet. The cat joke was funny - I g...Welcome back, Janet. The cat joke was funny - I got it! No show Saturday as we got rained out. <br /><br />I haven't mastered over and under while also hanging on for dear life. At least I don't hit myself with the rein ends (most of the time) anymore!Redsmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03473393390441394419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-6784707418025646872009-05-19T15:21:18.196-06:002009-05-19T15:21:18.196-06:00Mugs,
Glad you were able to get away and see...Mugs, <br /> Glad you were able to get away and see family. I just got back from seeing family in California. I had alot of fun seeing old friends and family...<br /> Anyways I was reading your post about "slowing down the hot horse" because as you have heard, my horse is the same as t_orchosky...always on the verge of a trot. I have tried trotting small circles with him, but my trainer said that it was causing me to be in his face all the time, so he told me that when he speeds up, pull him in the ground and make him get underneith me. I do that and it works pretty well, but the other day he was wanting to do the death trot and not slow down, so I tried the roll him back into the fence like you said. I was just playing with him and the trainer was not there, thats why I did it. LOL...but I started to roll him back each time he sped up, and he would really sit down and do a really nice move, but then just go faster...so I rolled hm back again....still faster, I tried it for several minutes but he kept getting faster and faster and his legs were flying everywhere, so I picked him up and nicely asked for the stop and then grabbed his nose(not a jerk, just pulled his nose to my knee)and made him walk forward into my hand in a small circle until I felt him slow down and relax, then I would slowly drop the rein and allow him to trott off. I took about 5 or 6 times of me doing that and he finally melted down into a slow trot and was really starting to listen to me. I just thought that it was interesting to me with how my horse reacted to rolling him back into the fence. Maybe I wasn't doing it right. Who knows with me! LOL <br />It cracked me up about the kittens in a bag thing....slippinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-2360406490726747482009-05-19T14:04:00.000-06:002009-05-19T14:04:00.000-06:00Welcome back! Thanks for more things to think abo...Welcome back! Thanks for more things to think about, and a few chuckles.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-82458564841029603362009-05-19T13:54:00.000-06:002009-05-19T13:54:00.000-06:00Thanks! I can't wait to get home and try it out! I...Thanks! I can't wait to get home and try it out! I know this horse has lots of potential, I just have to find it.t_orchoskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10620506043178406118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-31136481581506388102009-05-19T13:40:00.000-06:002009-05-19T13:40:00.000-06:00Great post! I don't have a problem getting a lope...Great post! I don't have a problem getting a lope out on the trail, but in the ring it's really hard, I think she's really backed off in the ring. And then when I do get the lope it's really hard to maintain due to lack of balance. Ugh, why did I want to start ring work again? :)<br /><br />So glad you were able to take a few days off Mugs, hope you enjoyed it!mocharockshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13611067866943319570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-47850219074722744212009-05-19T13:23:00.000-06:002009-05-19T13:23:00.000-06:00t_orchosky - yup!t_orchosky - yup!mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.com