tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post2261677253384066860..comments2024-01-03T03:28:48.980-07:00Comments on mugwump Chronicles: Mort and Me Walk The LineMugwumphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01487540636265322556noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-9088811357098875992009-02-09T10:35:00.000-07:002009-02-09T10:35:00.000-07:00Fyyahchild; I think you were correct to let her m...Fyyahchild; I think you were correct to let her move while waiting for your class, no sense in causing a blow up, possibly effecting someone else's horse and then head into the class already in a bad place. BUT that does not mean I am excusing the fact that she won't stand still because that is something she should be doing consistently. ALWAYS do your homework at home, as much as possible and what I mean by that is, if standing still when you want her to, is an issue, work on that at home, not at a show. You can incorporate standing still at the gate, and anywhere else into your mix it up plan and I think you should because this mare should be able to stand quietly anytime, anywhere. If you do your homework, you won't have issues at the shows because you will have made a plan, worked on it and overcome the problem. My rule with my students has always been, if you haven't completed your homework then hold off on competing because the show ring is not the place to school and teach your horse. Mugs and Mort are a good example, and there is a lesson for you and everyone else here, figure your troubles out and work on them at home, work on them until you are consistent and confident and then and only then head back to the show ring; and when you do go back to the show ring, stay in your comfort zone and do what you have worked on, nothing more, nothing less. Don't second guess yourself too much because you will undermine your self. Once you are consistently riding this mare without blow ups by mixing things up and getting her brain engaged, you can gradually reintroduce working on the rail, but I will caution you that this may be a horse who will sour on you all over again if you expect her to only do rail work. This kind of a horse needs to be challenged and kept on her toes. I am not saying you will never be able to do rail-work, I am saying you will always need to plan your rides carefully and keep her engaged. This is not the kind of horse who will willingly go numbly round and round doing endless rail work. Also, part of this is simple discipline which will improve with a consistent plan and consistent work. Don't let being stubborn cause you to turn this into a fight because that will accomplish nothing and do much more harm then good. Good Luck and chat with all of us as you improve (because I know you are going to improve together).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-16011879273733202182009-02-09T09:43:00.000-07:002009-02-09T09:43:00.000-07:00autumnblaze - Yay, on the good ride and good for y...autumnblaze - Yay, on the good ride and good for you for recognizing to get off while the getting was good. :)Fyyahchildhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09680300099730314108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-76646351816081226672009-02-09T09:40:00.000-07:002009-02-09T09:40:00.000-07:00Jailin33 - Thanks. You're are correct and she's g...Jailin33 - Thanks. You're are correct and she's got my number right now. Too bad for her she doesn't know how stubborn I am. :)<BR/><BR/>You're right about changing my plan of attack too. When she's focused she's good and I've been working on changing things up to keep her occupied. Circles, sepentines, figure 8s, leg yeilds, shoulders in, etc. Last week we even trotted the barrels the kids left in the arena and that was good. What happens is when she relaxes I've been taking her back out to the rail to try to get her to go around nicely, and now that I'm thinking about it, that's always when she blows up. I will remember to plan to get off before that happens and see how it goes.<BR/><BR/>Also, once she settled in she was standing tied to the trailer alright. It was when I was on her trying to wait at the gait for my class that she wouldn't stand still. I just let her walk instead of fighting with her to stand still. I took her in their round pen and let her walk or trot as long as it was relaxed and felt productive. It was just inconvenient for me with my injury but maybe it was still the best thing for her just to keep her moving? She stood quietly in line at the end of her classes when it really counted.<BR/><BR/>My biggest problem is now I'm second guessing if I've made the right choice about what to do. Like, is it better to fight about standing when that's what I want, or just keep walking if its safer and keeps her calm?Fyyahchildhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09680300099730314108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-44278925777899185682009-02-09T08:29:00.000-07:002009-02-09T08:29:00.000-07:00Oh and grilled cheese is always a good idea! ;)Oh and grilled cheese is always a good idea! ;)autumnblazehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14261052609848445921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-63900804669746023722009-02-09T08:28:00.000-07:002009-02-09T08:28:00.000-07:00I should also add that it's helpful because our ri...I should also add that it's helpful because our ring is maybe 1/4 to 1/2 of a regular size ring. It's nice to do larger circles and pick up a little more momentum. Plus, he's fattened back up over the winter and it's not as tough on him as the tighter circles. :) <BR/><BR/>I will definitely start trying more maneuvers on the trail. :)autumnblazehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14261052609848445921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-84724957924320913242009-02-09T08:11:00.000-07:002009-02-09T08:11:00.000-07:00autumnblaze, now that I am in here I decided to ha...autumnblaze, now that I am in here I decided to have a grill cheese....on the trail just walk, you can do all those things at a walk and really, walking is very good to get you working together and listening to each other. Go for very short walks and as you get more comfortable make them longer...your field is a good place to start and a great place to do circles, zig zags etc...you lose nothing doing these things at a walk. "In your head" can happen whether you get dumped or not, riding is mental as much as it is physical, and all of us at one time or another hit a brain block. Yup, I have a hard time imagining anyone "running" into anything on purpose but I was afraid someone would read it that way, and gasping in horror! LOL!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-1225986069666360422009-02-09T07:56:00.000-07:002009-02-09T07:56:00.000-07:00jalin33 - Hahahaha. I knew what you meant but I g...jalin33 - Hahahaha. I knew what you meant but I guess you can't be too careful how some people will read stuff. You couldn't pay to me deliberately run a horse into a tree. I've bumped him into the rail to do that. Falling off is bad enough. Falling with the horse at speed and a tree involved... my heavens, no thanks!autumnblazehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14261052609848445921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-19654325359256729202009-02-09T07:53:00.000-07:002009-02-09T07:53:00.000-07:00jalin33 - I'll look into that bit. Thanks for the...jalin33 - I'll look into that bit. Thanks for the advice He's the mouthiest booger alive - not mean in anyway just kisses, nibbles etc. If it weren't so damn cute... he may very well love that. :)<BR/><BR/>I think I'm too chickenshit to do much other than walk out of the ring - and I worry about the footing. I remember the first time I went on a trail with my old instructor (and maybe ever on the trail...)on an bomb proof doll of a mare. She cracked up at me when the mare slipped on a rock a little and says 'They have four feet for a reason, if one slips, unlike us, they have 3 more to catch themselves. Just relax.' I think I need to run that through my head a bit more. He knows the trails we're on and I think is looking for deer to jump up under his nose in certain places (as they have). I'll try and start keeping his brain busier especially there too. In hopes he stops looking for monsters. Transitioning from the ring to his field is helpful. It's getting me used to more uncertain terrain at different gaits but eliminates the worry of bambi's sudden arrival.autumnblazehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14261052609848445921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-85429423674845876062009-02-09T07:49:00.000-07:002009-02-09T07:49:00.000-07:00OOPS!!! I just ran back in from the barn because ...OOPS!!! I just ran back in from the barn because I realized that something I said in my last post needs clarification. When I said I will run a naughty horse into a tree I did NOT MEAN that I "Run" as in canter or gallop them into a tree. How I should have written it was, I will BUMP them into a tree...for example...you are going along and they are jigging, hopping, or looking anywhere but where you are going...when this occurs I will simply allow them to bump their shoulder right into a tree...usually it shocks them big time and gets them focusing on me...how I do it is simply move them closer and since they are not paying attention they bump into it and get surprised every time, then they tend to pay attention. For a jigging/hopping horse I generally will do circles or zig zag through the trees until they relax rather then fight with them or pull on their mouth. Okay, back to poop scooping...I didn't want to come back in and find any gasping people at the prospect of me "running" anyone into a tree.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-29996001328097228312009-02-09T07:16:00.000-07:002009-02-09T07:16:00.000-07:00Good Morning Autumnblaze; I love to hear when som...Good Morning Autumnblaze; I love to hear when someone has a great ride, it sure makes it all worthwhile doesn't it? I use the trail to school horses actually more then the ring, particularly horses who tend to get bored and especially the been there done that guys. What I do is instead of doing exercises in the ring, I do them on the trail, I use everything available to me while on the trail, I zig zag through the trees, I change direction paying attention to my circle, then I change it back, I use every hill I see, going up and then coming down, to build up muscle and keep them engaged, I seek out uneven terrain so that they are paying attention and learning balance (plus it is good for their foot blood circulation), I watch for things like fallen trees to navigate around and over. If I have a naughty horse, I have been known to run them right into a tree to get their attention, not to hurt them (and it doesn't), but it sure gets them focused on me in a hurry. The trail is a great place to work on good turns, riding using your seat, work on good straight stops. Pretty soon the horse is enjoying himself because he isn't going in circles, he has new things to look at, and he has to pay attention because he doesn't know what is next, you are enjoying yourself because you are out in the outdoors and the end result is your horse is relaxed and enjoying himself. Before you know it, you are both so relaxed you can toss out your rein and enjoy the day together. As a matter of fact, I get my youngsters out on the trail ASAP, first ponying them behind another horse, then ground driving (which is great exercise for me)over hill and dale...there is nothing like a changing environment to keep a horse engaged and interested, by the time I hop on they have seen so much and been exposed to so much, it usually is a non event. For your horse wanting to play with the bit, what about an eggbutt with a roller (or sometimes called a cricket), my old dressage horse found that to be very soothing and it actually cut down on his playing and pulling to get the bit where he wanted it. Your horse sounds wonderful, and he is a lucky boy to have someone who pays attention to him!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-33157184068729283092009-02-09T06:40:00.000-07:002009-02-09T06:40:00.000-07:00Bedazzled - You actually made me think of somethin...Bedazzled - You actually made me think of something else he does with boredom - PULL ON ME. He only does it at the walk, and I know he's playing with the bit (being mouthy is his greatest vice - for that reason I think he might actually HATE a bitless bridle). My instructor says he's pulling for more slack to let the bit hang so he can play with it better. Goof ball. I don't want to change bits, in fact he loves his bit (eggbutt snaffle). However, I'd like him to stop yanking me. I just try and not give when he yanks like that. It's not really solved anything fully though...autumnblazehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14261052609848445921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-11984842175212114572009-02-09T06:33:00.000-07:002009-02-09T06:33:00.000-07:00jalin33 - Your post is helpful and actually rather...jalin33 - Your post is helpful and actually rather on target for my boy as well. Yup - in my head. MOSTLY on trails. He's smart and while he doesn't TRY and unseat me, if I let him do his thing mentally, he finds something to do/worry about/fidget about etc. etc. I went out this weekend with a plan and a middle ground, if you will, between ring and trails. His HUGE field. I relax because I know he knows it, its got safe footing and there is such a small change of something spook worthy, I don't even think about it (huge key). However, it is much larger than the ring and should he decide to get frisky, there's a lot more room to be naughty. I also had a plan. This boy gets bored quickly in the ring, he's 15, and has been there done that with showing. He knows the drills and even mixing them up, he can get bored. However, I'm getting better at mixing them and keeping him engaged and focused. When he's focused we're good. He was so yesterday good, instead of hitting the trail once he was done, I called it a day. It had been too great. Next time we'll hit the trail after we ride. I also didn't need a crop (he likes to be goofy at first to TRY and get out of work). We're getting there however I think I need mostly advice on keeping him focused and engaged on the trails. However, I want him to enjoy it and be able to throw the reins out a bit more than during work, ya' know? I haven't come off in awhile now but damn he can teleport when he does spook...autumnblazehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14261052609848445921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-13703013483941622552009-02-08T17:09:00.000-07:002009-02-08T17:09:00.000-07:00Love the picture, and the story. So after that you...Love the picture, and the story. So after that you and Mort tore up the evening events huh?Ginger102005https://www.blogger.com/profile/09382061053971937889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-52262807422881505752009-02-08T16:50:00.000-07:002009-02-08T16:50:00.000-07:00BTW, The one I have is not a Nat Horsmenship rope ...BTW, The one I have is not a Nat Horsmenship rope halter/bridle...it is a true Indian bitless and can be used with any headstall and reins, it is very nicely made and looks really nice with all types of tack.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-37738148542109307152009-02-08T16:45:00.000-07:002009-02-08T16:45:00.000-07:00Bedazzled, I am also not in favor of using bits to...Bedazzled, I am also not in favor of using bits to solve problems. It sound like this boy is a dream and like you two are a real team. Have you ever used an Indian Bitless Bridle? It is like a hackamore but much gentler. You will have sufficient control with it and I bet it will solve your pulling problem. What I am talking about is basically the same as a Dr. Cook but I have one that is much nicer and very gentle (and MUCH cheaper). I use it on old horses who are sour, young horses who are green and naughty horses with the same exact results, they drop their head and relax. The way these are designed gives you a lot of control but they are not harsh at all. I have never had a horse pull in one, even when upset or excited. They are wonderful getting a horse to bend and yield and also to teach a horse to neck rein. I will almost guarantee it will solve your pulling problem.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-14913403227833248162009-02-08T14:24:00.000-07:002009-02-08T14:24:00.000-07:00Is there a why to read the 2008 achives without ha...Is there a why to read the 2008 achives without having to scroll down and hit "older post" button each page?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-22697833242492648052009-02-08T11:36:00.000-07:002009-02-08T11:36:00.000-07:00Mugwump, as usual, your blog is helpful, informati...Mugwump, as usual, your blog is helpful, informative AND entertaining. If you can't keep someone's interest, they don't learn. I learn something from you every time you post. <BR/><BR/>I asked you about my 6 yo green foxhunter and his desire to go up when he can't move his feet. Your answer, to move his feet, reassured me that I was doing the right thing for him. We're hunting and our feet can stay still for longer periods of time. Or maybe he's just tired of me making him move his feet and he had rather stand still! <BR/><BR/>I have a new question, about bits. Baby Boy (although he's getting a little old for that nickname) can be ridden in a halter on a trail ride with no problem. He moves off my leg and seat, stops with my seat, backs with leg motion, I don't have to use reins to do whatever. I can ride him in a small area with only a string around his neck. I can rate his speed in all gaits with no trouble. In other words, I think I have pretty good control. He's actually pretty lazy and I have to be very creative to get him to want to do anything that requires what he considers work. He's way too smart and clever. <BR/><BR/>In the hunt field, I still have the same control with seat, legs, etc., as far as moving his feet. The problem is rating our gait. He has a lovely big walk, really tracks up under himself. He gets up once we start moving at the trot and then pulls until we slod down and he gets calmer. At the canter, he gets stronger, still under conrol, but pulls more. I never feel as if he's running away, no bucks, rears, hissy fits, he just wants to go faster. <BR/><BR/>In an ideal world, we would have a slow field, but we don't, so I have no choice but to ride in the faster group. I know in time, this too shall pass, but in the meantime, I don't want pulling to become a habit. I've ridden him a a snaffle, tender touch, and a Myler C3 bit. No difference in the hunt field between any bit. <BR/><BR/>I'm not in favor of bigger bits to solve a training problem. But the only way to get used to the hunt field is to hunt, nothing else really compares. What do I do? Find a bit that stops the pulling and only use it for hunting? If yes, what bit? Let him pull and wait for it to stop? Help !!!<BR/><BR/>BedazzledAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-89914931498275725922009-02-08T09:07:00.000-07:002009-02-08T09:07:00.000-07:00One More Thing, with regard to the mention that yo...One More Thing, with regard to the mention that your mare would not stand still all day at the show...naughty and spoiled. She should stand quietly whenever you tie her, if she doesn't I would suggest that she spend some time every single day on a "Patience Post". All that is, is a post or a tree to tie your mare to. Start out leaving her tied for a short time, every single day, walk away, don't stand there and talk to her, or brush her, or tell her everything is okay, or to whoa or anything else, just let her stand there and figure out that she has to be quiet and behave herself. I am insistent about a horse standing quietly while tied where ever we are. If you are at a horse show, it is a reasonable expectation to expect her to stand tied to the trailer for however long is necessary between her classes all day long. She should not be manipulating your day that way, so that you feel like you have to entertain her all day long between her classes. Standing quietly when tied is manners 101 and it is the first thing I teach my youngsters. You must have manners and respect.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-76240413736969490942009-02-08T08:03:00.000-07:002009-02-08T08:03:00.000-07:00Fyyahchild your last post answered some questions ...Fyyahchild your last post answered some questions for me, I have been thinking quite a bit about you and your lovely mare. This mare has gotten into your head and she has you figured out. You need to mix up what you are doing with her and get her brain redirected and engaged so she is paying attention to you, and not bored and naughty. I would suggest that you start doing exercises with her designed to get her thinking, do some pattern work-circles, figure 8's, put up cones or buckets and do a serpentine through them at a walk and trot, put up an L shaped backup and make her back through it without touching the rails, put up some other trail obstacles and stop your circle, do the obstacle and then go to doing figure eights, put your western saddle on if it will make you feel more secure and then do everything and anything you can to keep this mares brain engaged and busy, and off of being naughty. She is smart and she is bored. When you are working in the ring do lots of circles but not the same way or in the same spot every time, read Mugs post about circles and try to fine tune yours, do figure eights, zig zag your line, practice turning her off her hind end using the fence as a tool until she can turn over her hind end like a reining horse in slow motion, teach her new things, they will only help her be a better horse, in short, stop doing ring work the normal way you do it, cut her through the center at a moments notice, mix it up, shake it up and get her paying attention to you. There are a million things you can do with this mare and all of them will only make her better. Practice your stops using your seat. Mix up the length of your rides, take her in at first and only ride 10-20 minutes doing some of the exercises I have mentioned, and then get off before she is naughty. If she is good, resist the temptation to push it longer at first. Gradually increase the time, always stopping while she is still being good and keeping your ride mixed up. This mare has your subconscious wigged out, whether you realize it or not,that happens to the best of us. You are waiting for the blow up now, and the mare knows it, she also knows how to unseat you and it has become a game with her. By engaging her brain (and yours) in some new and other tasks, you will break what has now become a cycle and a fight that you can't win, at least not the way you are doing things. With each successful ride you will reclaim your confidence and get her paying attention to you. These are not true "spooks", this is a bored, very smart, very naughty mare....I have used the techniques I have mentioned in retraining more then a few naughty horses for folks, it sounds to me like you have the riding ability to do this for yourself, you just need to rethink your rides. Another thing to do is visualize your entire ride before you get on, every single time, think about what exercises you are going to do, what your goal is for that day, and then stop when you have accomplished it. Good job going to the show, I am sure that was hard for you to do. I would take a break from competing until you have this mare back 100% under your control and keep her in an environment where you can continue to engage her brain. Good Luck!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-66950230370316723362009-02-07T21:36:00.000-07:002009-02-07T21:36:00.000-07:00Thanks everyone. I'm still hanging in there for no...Thanks everyone. I'm still hanging in there for now in hopes I can figure this out. <BR/><BR/>I did feel slightly better this morning and took her to the show anyway. She was good most of the day and nice to ride in her classes. We even got a 5th in English Pleasure so at least I know we weren't dead last. <BR/>Then some horses from our barn showed up for the afternon classes. They went to get a stall and bitchy gray mare wasn't too happy about it so she reared and I fell off AGAIN. At least I didn't get hurt this time and it was pretty low key. Nobody freaked about it, I was fine and she didn't take off running around the show. I really promise I'm a half decent rider and don't lose my seat that often. I think this time I was so afraid of falling on my injured knee I just kinda flopped off onto my back. <BR/><BR/>I'm really paying attention to her and I do think the harder she's working the less trouble she is. In the ring she was a doll. I had a friend hop on her at lunch to school her a bit in the warm up ring since my leg was shot. She said about the same thing. You can feel that mare's mind going a mile a minute. The only time she stood still today was in our end of class lineups. Between classes we had to work or she was a nutcase. <BR/><BR/>I'm SO glad I did it though. Best moment of the day was seeing my sister clap and cry over our 5th place ribbon.<BR/><BR/>Sorry for the long one. My knee hurts so I'm hitting the hay. Heehee.Fyyahchildhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09680300099730314108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-26181308171490920262009-02-07T20:31:00.000-07:002009-02-07T20:31:00.000-07:00I know I've told you how much I enjoy your stories...I know I've told you how much I enjoy your stories before, but I just felt the need to repeat it. <BR/><BR/>It's probably not good for my work ethic that I'll put a design aside to read your blog, but it IS good for my head.<BR/><BR/>Your Mort stories remind me of my favorite lesson horse when I was a kid. He was a quarter horse, wicked fast and wicked wicked. I've never met a horse who could buck like this guy, but for some reason we clicked. That doesn't mean I didn't regularly have to run him into full grown corn fields to stop him from running away with me ... oops :)<BR/><BR/>Also, I need to apologize for never responding to your comment. I'm so glad you liked our recipe! I try to keep things pretty simple; I started writing a food blog for my friends who can hardly boil water.<BR/><BR/>Looking forward to more of your great reads!Austenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13004088333430762406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-31644861173726056382009-02-07T15:22:00.000-07:002009-02-07T15:22:00.000-07:00I am often moved by your writing, but this story m...I am often moved by your writing, but this story made tears run down my face. Dont' have a clue why.Smurfettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02025057533314547558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-79687852736403611382009-02-07T09:44:00.000-07:002009-02-07T09:44:00.000-07:00Fyahchild, nagonmom, autumn blaze, Two words-- neu...Fyahchild, nagonmom, autumn blaze, Two words-- neutral pelvis. Check out Peggy Cummings' work, and Sally Swift, Deb Bennett talks about it, too. Makes a spook easier to stay in the middle of and to ride through and push into forward movement from,and in time you lose your tension about it,ergo it doesn't happen as much. I'm sure Mugwump has some real advice for you. <BR/> Mugwump, I do think you are a true storyteller, and a wonderful, wonderful writer. Thank you for spending the time and effort to give to us all that you do.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01481329820476645742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-82491859085650187512009-02-07T08:26:00.000-07:002009-02-07T08:26:00.000-07:00Growing up, I never had a club to go ride with. I...Growing up, I never had a club to go ride with. It was riding with my neighbors, my sister, mom, or, most of the time, by myself. I would just go through some of the steep hills and explore in the trees and pretend I was lost and finding new territory. I lived too far out in the country to be able to just ride to the local club. I would ride to peoples houses tie the horse up and have a snack with them, then go back home. Besides that, the appy that was my sisters, would scramble in the trailer, so the only way to take him anywhere was to load him in the 2 horse backwards! we got some pretty strange looks from people that passed us! The 4-H club I was involved in had a horse group, but all we did was learn about the horse, no one trained horses or anything like that. But we did have a show ONCE a year for the local fair. They had halter, showmanship, pleasure and trail. I showed in all of them and placed in most of them. After the show, one of the girls that I grew up with in school had a barrel horse so she set up the barrels and schooled her horse. Well my sister and I were watching her and timing her...I think she ran like a 19. well my sister went out there on her 21yr old leapord Appy, Bareback and and ran a 16...man did it piss that other girl off! We laughed all the way home! The other girl always had the advantage of better horses, and we thought it was great that my sisters horse beat her and he has never even done barrels before!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-26392544589348180102009-02-07T07:49:00.000-07:002009-02-07T07:49:00.000-07:00Fyyahchild, like Redsmom, I have given up on my sp...Fyyahchild, like Redsmom, I have given up on my spook-and-dumpster. I don't bounce well at 53, and he was getting better at getting rid of me. (Western saddle) Life is too short to ride ugly horses. Although if my trainer/riding instructor would accept my dumpster (rejected by history only), I would spend the cash. He is so cute!! But I don"t think he sees very well. Or maybe it's his brain....I just got tired after 4 years of putting my health at risk.Can't wait for Mugwump's say on this!!Nagonmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11458275102536540222noreply@blogger.com