tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post1415562138293882047..comments2024-01-03T03:28:48.980-07:00Comments on mugwump Chronicles: Sonita - an ode to Ray Hunt, 8/31/29 - 3/12/09Mugwumphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01487540636265322556noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-6730070953489433022009-03-20T17:58:00.000-06:002009-03-20T17:58:00.000-06:00Deered:your horses probably didn't like a full che...Deered:<BR/>your horses probably didn't like a full cheek without keepers because without keepers the bit can twist/shift and poke themEsquaredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11430866656336769601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-53441561464834606052009-03-19T11:11:00.000-06:002009-03-19T11:11:00.000-06:00fyyahchild~I was going to suggest a Kimberwick whe...fyyahchild~I was going to suggest a Kimberwick when I saw your comment on the Tom Thumb bit.<BR/><BR/>I know this isn't probably what most trainers might do, but it's worked for me. I've progressed my horses from the snaffle to the Kimberwick to a curb bit.<BR/><BR/>The first Kimberwick I bought didn't have the slots, it just had the D-ring that the reins attached to. It also was a solid mouth vs the jointed mouth. So, I don't have a comment about the use of the slots, but can see how they can be used to progress the horse.<BR/><BR/>I like the Kimberwick because I can still use the direct rein if I need to without the bit going crooked in the horse's mouth and it does give a lil' bit more of a bite than the snaffle, but not too much.<BR/><BR/>Then I move the horse on to a curb bit that has a D shaped ring at the side of the mouth as well as the ring at the end of the shank...I can progress the horse in that curb from the upper D to the end of the shank.<BR/><BR/>I think bits are all about the horse though...what might work for one, may not work for another. Try borrowing some bits before you spend a bunch of money on bits that don't work for you.<BR/><BR/>So, that's my 2 cents worth on that.gtyyuphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02402170522183324256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-4969424218854691772009-03-19T10:57:00.000-06:002009-03-19T10:57:00.000-06:00Yep, will do. I did order Cutter because I like to...Yep, will do. I did order Cutter because I like to go in order too ... and was able to get it from amazon. I'm excited to have a new series!Kathrynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16303402943682539859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-67075732086656464082009-03-19T10:54:00.000-06:002009-03-19T10:54:00.000-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Fyyahchildhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09680300099730314108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-89986960615996567892009-03-19T10:51:00.000-06:002009-03-19T10:51:00.000-06:00Deered - The first bit you show isn't what I was r...Deered - The first bit you show isn't what I was referring to as a Tom Thumb. See pic at the link below.<BR/><BR/>http://equisearch.com/horses%5Friding%5Ftraining/tack%5Fapparel/bit%5Fgallery/tomthumb/<BR/><BR/><BR/>Anyone have experience with a Kimberwick like the one pictured here:<BR/><BR/>http://horses.about.com/od/choosingandusingtack/p/loosering2.htmFyyahchildhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09680300099730314108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-63379345461263796922009-03-19T10:43:00.000-06:002009-03-19T10:43:00.000-06:00t-orchosky--Thanks for your interest. My website i...t-orchosky--Thanks for your interest. My website is http://www.lauracrum.com I think if you click on my name in the comments, you will go right there. The first book in my mystery series is "Cutter", which is usually available from Amazon or your bookstore may be able to order it. If you go to my website, you can read the first chapter of Cutter (and my other books) to see if you're interested. Thanks again. Oh, and Janet has reviewed a lot of the books here on mugwump chronicles, so that's another way to check them out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-5478837488942743882009-03-19T08:30:00.000-06:002009-03-19T08:30:00.000-06:00Laura - do you have a website, or a list of books?...Laura - do you have a website, or a list of books? I hate to read a series of books unless I start at the beginning and I really like the sound of your books!t_orchoskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10620506043178406118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-53111578697209162522009-03-19T07:44:00.000-06:002009-03-19T07:44:00.000-06:00Wow what great stories! Thank you!I am just learn...Wow what great stories! Thank you!<BR/><BR/>I am just learning (still) so please excuse any dumb questions...<BR/><BR/>Longtrot -- can you tell me what Ray Hunt meant by "ride the line", and how you did it?<BR/><BR/>Mugwump -- If you had thought Sonita was just being dominant instead of fearful about new things would you have taken a different approach? What would you have done instead?<BR/><BR/>Also, I am wondering if you have any insights on my (kind of related) problem.<BR/><BR/>I have an 8 year old mare. I will tell you a bit about her in case it helps. I have had her for 4 years. She is well trained. She is aloof, fights all other horses ( never backs off and has multiple scars from this) doesn't have or want a human or horse friend, will snap/bite when being groomed, will try to strike or bite when being blanketed. We always tie her for anything like this cause you can't trust her otherwise. Had her vet checked numerous times for physical issues -- nothing.<BR/><BR/>She has an aloof personality for people and horses. If another horse likes her she doesn't seem to liek them back.I have never seen her in a grooming session with another horse. <BR/><BR/>She will "test" you on a ride (pin her ears and swish her tail and ignore or try to delay a response to a cue) to see how much work she has to do. <BR/><BR/>You might wonder -- what is good about this horse? Well she is fearless on a trail ride, could care less if other horses are panicking around her, neckreins like magic with the softest touch and has the worlds nicest smoothest gaits. <BR/><BR/>But what to do about the bad manners? I have tried the tough-line method of slamming her one (to put it awkwardly) if she snaps or bites and she will stop and reluctantly behave. But you can tell she is stewing and a bit pissed that she had to stop, and maybe just waiting for her next chance?<BR/><BR/>Is there a Ray Hunt type approach for this? Or is the tough approach the right one?<BR/>She is super nice AFTER a ride and grooms without snapping , although she once gave me a good bruise for doing up her blanket.<BR/><BR/>I feel sorry for her that she has/wants no friends, and would like to get a mutually respectful relationship going. I would like her to like me. I suspect she just doesn't respect me and really doesn't want to be having to do this riding thing, but she will tolerate it. She acts the same way with other riders and my trainer - and we all use the same method to correct her. It works (for a day, or week) but she never stops trying - just like she never stops feuding with other horses.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your insights!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-35774759881609039382009-03-19T00:20:00.000-06:002009-03-19T00:20:00.000-06:00Ahh, today has cleared up something for me - I won...Ahh, today has cleared up something for me - I wondered why people said Tom Thumbs were harsh - this is what I think of with a tomb thumb - it's got smuch shorter cheeks than a full cheek (or fulmer as we call them) snaffle, and I have seen them on small ponies mostly.<BR/>http://tinyurl.com/dy888k<BR/><BR/><BR/>I think our full cheek snaffles are the same, http://tinyurl.com/cvdqy7<BR/>However I have really only seen them (And used them with the keepers. Both horses I used them on started chucking their heads if when ridden without keepers on the bits.<BR/>http://tinyurl.com/d3l4ygDeeredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09598240463885095790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-49616310645170423142009-03-18T23:10:00.000-06:002009-03-18T23:10:00.000-06:00Thanks for the article. Geeze louise, now I feel b...Thanks for the article. Geeze louise, now I feel bad for riding Buzzy in it. Gotta talk her mom into going to a snaffle since Buz doesn't neck rein and doesn't need anything more complicatedFyyahchildhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09680300099730314108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-56655465523205585152009-03-18T21:09:00.000-06:002009-03-18T21:09:00.000-06:00Hey Mugs! I'm a relative newbie to your blog and I...Hey Mugs! <BR/><BR/>I'm a relative newbie to your blog and I gotta tell you I'm enjoying it tremendously! It is wonderful to encounter a group of people with similar interests and goals, such as doing right by their horse. Don't know what your readers are like offline, but on they seem real sensible and share a common desire to improve their horsemanship skills, for both the betterment of their horse and themselves. <BR/>I may be putting myself out there but it's also very refreshing that the language used is genuinely polite and well-mannered. Is so depressing to read some of these blogs were people get so hostile and the language used degenerates into something you would hear in an R rated movie. <BR/>Anyway, thanks Mugs for your wisdom and your willingness to help people solve their equine problems. I know I am learning much and thinking more. <BR/>Hope you have continued success in all your future endeavors.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-57008729702179859312009-03-18T18:00:00.000-06:002009-03-18T18:00:00.000-06:00I love how the Sonita story is evolving. And thank...I love how the Sonita story is evolving. And thank you, Kathryn, for ordering my book. I am always interested in feedback, so let me know how/if you like it.<BR/><BR/>I am desperately trying to finish book number 11 by the end of the month so am swearing off blogs for awhile. I'll be back when I'm done. Happy trails.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-67900702450284150472009-03-18T16:15:00.001-06:002009-03-18T16:15:00.001-06:00I haven't seen the tapes but I've been thinking ab...I haven't seen the tapes but I've been thinking about buying them so here is what I know. One is all about colt starting (its called colt starting). There are two others, one of which seems at least semi focused on colts but the other two appear to be just a bit more general purpose and philosophical in their descriptions.Esquaredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11430866656336769601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-73436890367711632072009-03-18T16:15:00.000-06:002009-03-18T16:15:00.000-06:00Sonita's stories always make me laugh. She and my ...Sonita's stories always make me laugh. She and my Crabby Old Bat were clearly separated at birth! Although Sonita sounds more scared/defensive whereas Buffy just scopes you out right away and figures out what she can get away with.fuglyhorseofthedayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-46349833546385208812009-03-18T15:42:00.000-06:002009-03-18T15:42:00.000-06:00Lovely tribute to Ray Hunt. Thank you. I never saw...Lovely tribute to Ray Hunt. Thank you. <BR/>I never saw him in person, but his teachings have changed my life with horses.<BR/><BR/>sagebeasties.blogspot.comOldMorganshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03468535860419630648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-51196279152989848342009-03-18T15:31:00.000-06:002009-03-18T15:31:00.000-06:00mugs and laura crum, just wanted to tell you I ord...mugs and laura crum, just wanted to tell you I ordered my first laura crum book today! I like horse fiction and mysteries but wasn't aware of the books until this blog ... and partly I'm hoping it will slow down my frantic checking of blog for a new entry ...Kathrynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16303402943682539859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-74978779801503887372009-03-18T14:16:00.000-06:002009-03-18T14:16:00.000-06:00Fyyachild - I am not a fan of Tom Thumb bits. To m...Fyyachild - I am not a fan of Tom Thumb bits. To me they are a poor combination of a snaffle (direct rein) and a leverage bit (neck rein) the only problem is, they don't really do either.<BR/>They do however, cause quite a bit of discomfort.<BR/>The short shank gives the horse very little "pre-cue", but twists and pokes around as soon as the rider engages her hand.<BR/><BR/>It's true a longer shank gives the rider more "torque", but it also creates more warning between a raise in the rein hand and a pull.<BR/><BR/>Personally,my usual progression is a ring snaffle, hackamore then curb with a solid mouth. Although I have used broken-mouth curbs and correctionals, I prefer a longer shank and usually favor a solid mouth piece.<BR/><BR/>There's a good article by Mark Rashid that explains Tom Thumbs better than I can. http://www.todayshorse.com/Articles/TroublewithTomThumb.htm<BR/>I'd check it out.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-10842622960850624622009-03-18T14:00:00.000-06:002009-03-18T14:00:00.000-06:00Lovely tribute... wonderful read. Thanks!Lovely tribute... wonderful read. Thanks!Shansterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04397551985965117012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-41691446660460995652009-03-18T13:41:00.000-06:002009-03-18T13:41:00.000-06:00Mugs - Sorry for the loss of someone you respected...Mugs - Sorry for the loss of someone you respected. I'm not familiar but with him but I know the name. I'll be doing a little research myself. Some of those phrases he used sounded familiar from somewhere... :)<BR/><BR/>Longtrot - I love that some good advice crosses all disciplines. What a wonderful story.<BR/><BR/>Hey, good news. I've been riding my mare in a western saddle and staying on even when she has acted up, but the acting up seems to be decreasing now that I'm staying on her. I knew I could do this but she did have me doubting it for a minute. <BR/><BR/>Question for Mugs, if you know the answer which I'm sure you probably do. I'm thinking about trying my gelding in a Tom Thumb for trail riding. I've never ridden in anything but a snaffle on my horses except the curb I used when I was a kid and didn't know anything about anything. The quarter horse I ride uses a jointed Tom Thumb. I feel like it provides a bit more leverage without being too harsh. Am I correct? Do I need to do anything special with my gelding to switch from my D-ring to the Tom Thumb? Any help is appreciated.<BR/><BR/>I'm looking forward to the post on clinics. I've never been to one but I've always been curious.Fyyahchildhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09680300099730314108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-3620182806574420342009-03-18T12:10:00.000-06:002009-03-18T12:10:00.000-06:00manymisadventure-http://www.rayhunt.com/ will help...manymisadventure-http://www.rayhunt.com/ will help. There isn't a lot. I have his and Tom Dorrances book. I haven't seen his videos, but I thought of him as more than a colt starter. It was more of a philosophy.He didn't sell tapes, reins, rutabega sticks or anything else. He just showed up, got a lot of people riding better and moved on.<BR/>So I can't vouch for his tapes, they came later, after I had been at his clinics.<BR/>Maybe somebody else out there knows more.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-9112573170248309262009-03-18T12:00:00.000-06:002009-03-18T12:00:00.000-06:00I know Mugs.... If I thought I was having a "do I ...I know Mugs.... If I thought I was having a "do I really want to do this" moment after congress, its nothing compared to now.... <BR/><BR/>Spent the weekend listening to "I want clumps of hair on your spurs when you get off!", and other such things.... if this is the way to the top, maybe Im better off at the bottom!Justaplainsamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15399124494395034612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-23494002264085102492009-03-18T11:49:00.000-06:002009-03-18T11:49:00.000-06:00I like your strategy for getting Sonita used to ot...I like your strategy for getting Sonita used to other riders. <BR/><BR/>I've just started doing something very similar for Pandora, though she doesn't get violent with other riders - just very anxious. I work her hard, then have my mom hop on and cool her out. It worked very well last night...she was very mellow and relaxed. My next step is to have a couple PCers whose riding I trust get on and do the same thing. After that, we'll see about people doing something other than walk around on a long rein.<BR/><BR/>I feel like I've missed out on the Ray Hunt boat. Is there anything I can go watch or read to find out a little more?manymisadventureshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00269126419483167938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-68574846239314193982009-03-18T11:21:00.000-06:002009-03-18T11:21:00.000-06:00gttyup- I'm going to go out on a limb a little. I'...gttyup- I'm going to go out on a limb a little. I'm going to post on clinicians and cinics in general, I'm guessing tomorrow.<BR/>HorseofCourse-Yes, she's my yellow horse. She is running rampant on pasture for the first time in her life. I am riding Pete until he's sold, so her education is at a standstill for now.It's all right though, the break is good for her and I'm looking at the aged events for her, so it doesn't matter if I'm slow getting to her. It would only matter if I went too quick!<BR/><BR/>Longtrot- You have more with him than I. I observed a few clinics and had a few conversations.I don't know if my story is particularly interesting, but his impact on me was huge.<BR/><BR/>justaplainsam- I understand, I went through the same thing when my friends got hurt. But <BR/>I never thought I shold quit. I just knew I had to re-evaluate what I was doing. Which is why I'm where I am now.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-25673637710705550222009-03-18T10:14:00.000-06:002009-03-18T10:14:00.000-06:00Great story, and a great man. Seems like its been ...Great story, and a great man. <BR/><BR/>Seems like its been a bad week for horse people. Along with Mr. Hunt, in our area we just lost a young girl to a horse accident, and another older lady was hurt badly, they still dont know if she will regain the use of her legs.<BR/><BR/>Makes ya wonder why we do this some days....Justaplainsamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15399124494395034612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-29975883887783860082009-03-18T08:01:00.000-06:002009-03-18T08:01:00.000-06:00Longtrot, great story!Longtrot, great story!Redsmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03473393390441394419noreply@blogger.com