tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post1548348362883893958..comments2024-01-03T03:28:48.980-07:00Comments on mugwump Chronicles: Having Time To ThinkMugwumphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01487540636265322556noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-25818987612620778342009-09-04T21:05:58.717-06:002009-09-04T21:05:58.717-06:00Coming in late here but this is what I do when my ...Coming in late here but this is what I do when my horses get herd squirrelly. <br /><br />My mustang mare decided once, right prior to a ride, that there was an invisible line in the road that she would not pass. <br /><br />Rather than fight with her, we just went home and cantered 50 meter circles for a while and then headed back out. <br /><br />When the invisible line became an issue, I didn't fight, I just went home and we did some more circles and figure eights.<br /><br />EVENTUALLY she figured out that home was too much work.<br /><br />Lather, rinse, repeat. It works every time.<br /><br />I've also gotten off and lead a horse past the invisible line; re-mounted and tried again. If it didn't work, I dismount, lead, re-mount and ask for forward motion.<br /><br />I don't get mad and I don't fight. <br /><br />Consistence and persistence, that's the key.anniebananniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00176242022055891984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-83373047600881068192009-08-28T10:17:18.577-06:002009-08-28T10:17:18.577-06:00I absolutely agree that slower is better...and eve...I absolutely agree that slower is better...and even though I'm going slow, I feel like I'm taking Colt too fast!<br /><br />We hadn't worked cows since the Grant County show 2 weeks ago and I went yesterday to Bob's. I'd been trail riding and doing some arena work. Colt worked cows with and intensity that he didn't have before! It felt great!<br /><br />I think too much repetition and pounding on the horses body and brain just wears them out mentally and physically. Colt's half brother was at the Grant County show and he looked like an old worn out ranch horse...and he's only 4. The light and sparkle in his eyes was gone. My heart is really heavy on that~~gtyyuphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02402170522183324256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-76947263191192436912009-08-27T16:33:15.763-06:002009-08-27T16:33:15.763-06:00Nice - and I needed to hear...
It's what I...Nice - and I needed to hear...<br /><br />It's what I've been doing with the OTTB gelding. 'Member I took him to a trainer for a couple weeks - brought him home and then in about a month, he began to mess with me. Dumped me twice... first time I gave him benefit of me being "stoopid" - 2nd time I quit riding him without supervision cuz I don't need him beginning a crappy habit.<br /><br />He is pretty o.k. up at my trainer's barn and we've had 3 sessions with him at home where he is worst... I really think it's a behavioral - "no! I wanna be with my herd!" thing when he's being a butthead.<br /><br />Man - we lunged the SNOT outta him... first time took 6 times of me getting on, him being a pill, me jumping off and lunging his butt... next time it was a few times less... next time a few times less. <br /><br />He is STUBBORN... that horse has sweat spewing from his eyeballs and pooling 'round his hooves by the time he submits and will walk off nicely. Makes me feel like he's never gonna get it.<br /><br />Trainer tells me he will - he's just young and going thru his crappy young horse stuff but he's smart, has a nice temperment and he'll figure it out. I am trying really hard to squash the nay-sayer in my head and give completely and totally to the "don't worry so much, it will get fixed". <br /><br />Gotta tell ya tho - it sure has messed with my confidence, trust and thinking I knew anything... uck.<br /><br />This was a really nice post to read and I sure hope I get my confidence back with Rosso one o' these days.<br /><br />I got a bit too squirrely in the head so I'm having fun on my mare to get the feeling I know a tiny bit and that horses are supposed to be F-U-N ... cuz it hasn't been so much fun lately... <br /><br />Nuff rambling already - yeesh? Cheers! ShansterShansterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04397551985965117012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-36116436585176749812009-08-27T09:49:30.147-06:002009-08-27T09:49:30.147-06:00Hi Mugwump!
I just wanted to give you an update on...Hi Mugwump!<br />I just wanted to give you an update on pluggy Tucker. Thanks to your advice he is no longer a plug!! He still drags a bit at the trot (we are working on that) but, has decided that cantering is much easier and it is now his preferred pace! It's unbelievable the change that has occured in him from this time last year. The first time I "test-rode" him before buying, they had to chase behind him popping a lunge whip to get him to step into a trot. Now all it requires is a tiny squeeze or a cluck. I am so grateful for all your help, he's a blast to ride now. I forwarded you a copy of our barn's newsletter so you could see him in action if you were interested. We're the boarder of the month. :)<br /><br />Thanks so much for your blog. We're also working on barn sour issues too. We'll try your advice for Nancy C.Little Bird Lucyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03643938680756705575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-1767265012608852072009-08-27T08:27:40.327-06:002009-08-27T08:27:40.327-06:00It's so sad that Performance Horse folded. I ...It's so sad that Performance Horse folded. I loved that magazine, but haven't read in a few years. Great post, thanks for the tips on engaging the hind end - I was just thinking last night that I need to work on that with my own horse right now. I used to love trotting hills back when I lived in PA - unfortunately not many of those in my area now. Thanks for the post!Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09290776916085658669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-85447142450253544352009-08-27T06:06:46.848-06:002009-08-27T06:06:46.848-06:00I just want to say thank you for this blog. As a n...I just want to say thank you for this blog. As a new horse owner and being almost new to horses in general, it helps to read how you walk through each step of training. I have adopted some of your methods that have worked wonderfully with my horse. <br /><br />This post was a wonderful read! Thank you!RachelLynnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03499894323172618678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-6716985535607009702009-08-27T01:46:36.812-06:002009-08-27T01:46:36.812-06:00Thanks for your description of Pete and engaging h...Thanks for your description of Pete and engaging his butt end. I think this could be helpful w/ my leaning brat boy. I don't know why I didn't think of doing a roll back to engage him. Gonna try tomorrow.Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00977898784588176802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-88242297689320516502009-08-26T23:10:28.195-06:002009-08-26T23:10:28.195-06:00I'm bummed about Performance Horse, too. It w...I'm bummed about Performance Horse, too. It was far and away my favorite magazine. I loved the articles and the photography-- a high quality production about my favorite subjects. I chose Quarter Horse News to transfer my subscription over. I haven't received that one before, so here's hoping it has some of the spark of Performance Horse.<br /><br />It sounds like your ponies are doing well. I love the feeling when one finally gets it and steps up underneath, rounds his back and lifts his shoulders while just hanging his head out there on a soft neck. My current pony isn't there, yet, but I *remember* what it's like. :-)InTheBridlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11338014652082782671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-13704580436833533612009-08-26T20:03:03.860-06:002009-08-26T20:03:03.860-06:00:( I'm sad to hear about Performance Horse! I...:( I'm sad to hear about Performance Horse! I didn't have a subscription but that was definitely a magazine I looked for whenever I hit a bookstore/airport. I was planning on subscribing. I liked the quality and the focus. That's sad.Wayfarerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00666719531216701030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-7881216733537313992009-08-26T18:01:41.323-06:002009-08-26T18:01:41.323-06:00Slow is good.Slow is good.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-43102751095920023332009-08-26T16:08:11.949-06:002009-08-26T16:08:11.949-06:00Nancy C- Your mare is probably needing a confidenc...Nancy C- Your mare is probably needing a confidence boost as much as you are.<br />I would make short excursions out. Just a little past her (or yours) comfort zone. You can be on her or off, whatever makes you feel best. <br />Every time you get comfortable go a little farther. If you can, go out with other riders as often as possible.<br />I would take her out after a good work out in the arena but before she is really tired.<br />It will get better faster than you realize.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-59573191931805233402009-08-26T15:17:08.333-06:002009-08-26T15:17:08.333-06:00Yay for Pete! Sounds like he is 'getting it&#...Yay for Pete! Sounds like he is 'getting it'.<br /><br />Question... As a reminder, I am just getting back to riding after 2 years off for back surgery. (I have confidance issues now,too)<br /><br />My mare does GREAT in and around the barn. When we leave and ride along the outside of the pasture, or down the road she starts looking for spooks. <br /><br />Before I stopped riding she would go any where I asked no problem. We could stop dead along a trail in the woods and let everyone else race off, she didn't care.... she had me to protect her.<br /><br />I am wondering about hand walking her, and working her on the ground untill she quits getting stupid. Then when she is ok with that, riding out. Our only places to ride are along roads unless I haul out, so not wanting to deal with being on her and working it out of her.Nancy Cnoreply@blogger.com