tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post33460995048149179..comments2024-01-03T03:28:48.980-07:00Comments on mugwump Chronicles: Thinking our Situations ThroughMugwumphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01487540636265322556noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-6954107967509102642009-07-15T09:57:34.168-06:002009-07-15T09:57:34.168-06:00See now I am laughing.. I work my horses by moving...See now I am laughing.. I work my horses by moving them "away" from my hand.. when they are loose, I cluck and raise a hand towards their hind quarters and they move away. I work them in the round pen the same way.. from behind, raise hand move forward, when in front, raise the hand and they stop and/or reverse.. works well.<br />Until you mount up and they see your hand up high out of the corner of their eye (so, like oh when your cell phone rings for the first time and you answer it bringing your hand up to your face).. guess what? They tense up and try to move away from that hand.. and when you stop them with the reins, it makes them turn instead of going forward. They are doing exactly what they have been taught to do on the ground.. and I guess you could use it as a basis for a spin, but for now, all I am doing is walking around getting them used to me up there.. so now I gotta get them used to hands not being used to move them.. I have created more work for myself!! Yay!<br /><br />It will work through.. it did however teach me that when I get them very very light on the ground, I better watch out what I am doing cause they are going to be very very light in the exact same way under saddle (if I am lucky!)<br /><br />Great blog as always!<br />FrannieFrancishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18030821849160346167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-546965536739960092009-07-13T19:30:35.523-06:002009-07-13T19:30:35.523-06:00I'll put my hand up and admit that I consider ...I'll put my hand up and admit that I consider long reining (what we call it in England) a really useful tool, but not one I've used much, mainly because I've not the confidence in my own ability. Which is daft because I'll happily lunge with two reins.<br />I guess I just don't have it in my head as a go-to kinda tool? I'll have to think some more about it.FDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01485030894416936129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-2238661039236928612009-07-13T08:12:06.311-06:002009-07-13T08:12:06.311-06:00Amy how deep is the sand you're schooling her ...Amy how deep is the sand you're schooling her in as an arena? If it's really loose and deep it might be really hard on her legs? The trails likely aren't deep? Just a something to consider along the lines of pain and such.<br /><br />In the ring my boy, when not feeling like working, would sometimes bite my left boot. He's learned that I don't react much especially with the reins just push him forward... oh, but that left boot apparently kicks lazy/grumpy horse noses that get too close and miracously the biting at it dissappeared pretty much immediately...autumnblazehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14261052609848445921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-38760350852389745812009-07-12T02:46:07.492-06:002009-07-12T02:46:07.492-06:00Well, I have had her since last November. She was ...Well, I have had her since last November. She was broke out at 4, and she is 6 this year... no she hasn't been heavily shown, or even drilled that much. I had issues with her where she would throw a fit at any work and I was too scared to push her through it... we're past that now, but it resurfaces in the arena. I'm reasonably sure it's not a pain thing, otherwise why would she be willing on the trail and not in an arena? But I will def work on what you said. I would eventually like to do local shows, our local show even ahs a "horse in training/not judged" class just for the experience.<br /><br />Thanks! I hope you realize how helpful this blog is, and apparently to quite a few people!Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13919593643799649732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-77391141597335497202009-07-11T10:56:46.830-06:002009-07-11T10:56:46.830-06:00Amy- How long have you had her? Is she a horse who...Amy- How long have you had her? Is she a horse who has been heavily showed? She could be arena sour, an easy situation to be in.<br />I would reverse my work-outs on an arena sour horse. Work hard on the trail, school on the trail and rest in the arena. Dismount and losen her cinch in the arena. <br />See what I mean?mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-34978452048586075082009-07-10T23:54:37.366-06:002009-07-10T23:54:37.366-06:00So what do you do with a horse that is good on tra...So what do you do with a horse that is good on trails but bad in the arena? My crabby mare has been going so good out on the state land... I even was brave enough to gallop her the other day, and when I lost my balance a bit she simply slowed down like an old pro so I could fix my seat... but in the arena (or the round area of sand I use as an arena that is) she is a monster... tail swishing, ear pinning, bucking, even turning to bite at my leg... although that habit is appearing with less and less frequency as it is the one thing I lose my temper at... if she offers to bite, she gets ripped in the mouth and beaten about the neck and shoulders while I yell profanities at her... <br /><br />So why am I getting respect on the trail and a rank POS in the arena? Just because trails are fun to her and the arena is work? Is it okay to work her, say out on state land or in a big field? I know I'll have to tackle the arena thing sooner or later but I also know I'm doing it backwards, so I'm not sure how to do it...Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13919593643799649732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-43366541811761663012009-07-10T17:27:19.330-06:002009-07-10T17:27:19.330-06:00Ahaha! That's funny because I sing Patsy Clin...Ahaha! That's funny because I sing Patsy Cline to stay calm. Too funny. My red boy tolerates my singing. My "free not really mine" boy likes any singing. He's a little off that one.Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00977898784588176802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-68824766175917827872009-07-10T17:18:50.907-06:002009-07-10T17:18:50.907-06:00Mugs-I'm following you on that.
Fyyahchild-Ni...Mugs-I'm following you on that.<br /><br />Fyyahchild-Nice going...but I wouldn't feel bad selling her. My friend bought this horse that was perfect at the owner's barn. He got to Nancy's place and everything went downhill from there...and Nancy is a competent rider. She took the horse to her trainer, and she put 5 years into that horse...they NEVER did get it right together, and she did all the right things in my book. He dumped her numerous times. Many times I was there to witness. She finally decided to sell him and found a buyer. Those people have never had a lick of trouble with him...they love him to death and even let their grandkids ride him.<br /><br />With your horse, the next person will probably be "his" person. Yes, be up front with your issues. My friend Nancy was and it didn't deter those folks from taking the horse. Happy ending.<br /><br />My theory is that life is too short to ride bad horses.gtyyuphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02402170522183324256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-33375287904126206152009-07-10T17:18:21.784-06:002009-07-10T17:18:21.784-06:00Haha Mugs! Mine's Hank Williams Jr. but I thi...Haha Mugs! Mine's Hank Williams Jr. but I think you knew that. ;)Fyyahchildhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09680300099730314108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-55233763028476873322009-07-10T15:09:04.767-06:002009-07-10T15:09:04.767-06:00gillian- my whole goal when I train is to do as li...gillian- my whole goal when I train is to do as little work as possible. It would be too much effort to hold my arm out, not to mention it would lead to mocking.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-33631087089191732372009-07-10T15:07:15.654-06:002009-07-10T15:07:15.654-06:00joy- I sing to prevent that butt clencch. I was si...joy- I sing to prevent that butt clencch. I was singing Roger Miller at the top of my lungs as I rode my Loki mare. I don't know why, but his songs are the only words I remember when I'm trying not to freak out.Although I think my singing makes my horses clench theirs.<br />fyyah-Life's too short. You've proven you can ride her, now find a horse you actually like.<br />As long as you are honest about her issues there is nothing wrong with selling her. She might click with another rider.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-55042982274647295662009-07-10T15:06:17.217-06:002009-07-10T15:06:17.217-06:00Ah ok. I had this vision of you holding your arm s...Ah ok. I had this vision of you holding your arm straight out, parallel to the ground to guide horsey around the circle. I was quite sure that I'd misunderstood but I just couldn't shake that image.gillianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12116128687769268871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-22491202658133498052009-07-10T14:37:20.513-06:002009-07-10T14:37:20.513-06:00It's kinda bittersweet, ya know? I learned to...It's kinda bittersweet, ya know? I learned to ride her pretty well (heh...still haven't consistently put the english saddle on or started jumping more than a little cross rail), but I still don't think I'm ever going to like her.Fyyahchildhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09680300099730314108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-74897449443003652972009-07-10T14:23:58.490-06:002009-07-10T14:23:58.490-06:00"my kindly, grandmotherly advice on this blog..."my kindly, grandmotherly advice on this blog" <--- That made me giggle. I love the thought of you competing in AQHA as an amateur. That's awesome.<br /><br />Kel had a good point I think about remaining calm out on trail. I know that if I so much as slightly clench my butt cheeks when my horse is about to react to something, it came make him come completely unglued. But if I can sit like a sack of potatoes in the saddle, 99.9% I get a hugely positive response from him. Just a thought.Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00977898784588176802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-32741245238375855282009-07-10T14:16:21.870-06:002009-07-10T14:16:21.870-06:00Fyyachild - Woohoo!
Gillian - Yes.My arms aren'...Fyyachild - Woohoo!<br />Gillian - Yes.My arms aren't clamped to my body just loose, so my guiding hand is slightly in front of my horse's nose.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-57026417777079090862009-07-10T13:38:53.747-06:002009-07-10T13:38:53.747-06:00"I use the same direction whether I'm lon..."I use the same direction whether I'm longing them with a line or free in the pen.<br />It's not complicated. I just point where I want my horse to go, then I make it happen."<br /><br />So, when you're longing a horse, are you pointing with your hand in front of them a bit to direct them there; or am I taking this too literally? Sorry if its a silly question, I just want to make sure I understand because I think this is a very important concept and definitely absent from my methods. (not on purpose, just hadn't thought of it, thats all)gillianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12116128687769268871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-68946097677731427502009-07-10T11:53:50.178-06:002009-07-10T11:53:50.178-06:00fyyahchild...
WAY TO GO!
Congrats.fyyahchild...<br /><br />WAY TO GO! <br /><br />Congrats.horsegeneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08614136458074519322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-194575798546854102009-07-10T11:35:31.811-06:002009-07-10T11:35:31.811-06:00Timely once again. The BGM was back in full force...Timely once again. The BGM was back in full force last night. We walked the field behind the barn. The ranch down the way pulled the calves from the herd and the moms were raising hell. BGM had a bucking, crow hopping, head-shaking fit. I stayed on. She decided she wouldn't go forward and almost backed into a barb wire fence. I made her turn and got her moving forward slightly. I got her to stop and stand still(ish) but she was still prancy and ready to explode. I got off, smacked her dumb butt and walked her until we were safer (away from the wire). I got back on...which was a miracle in itself. I'm 5'1ish and haven't been able to haul my fat bootie onto a 16H horse without a block since I was a kid. But I finally did it thanks to the recent strength training and weight loss. I took her back to the arena and rode her hard as long as I could. We trotted patterns, we half passed, we cantered tiny circles until she was sweaty and tired. She boogered and bucked and had her fits the whole time but I stopped during a good stretch. AND I stayed on the whole time...thank god for that western saddle. I'm proud of myself. <br /><br />I also finally realized no matter how nice she is when she's good I don't really want a horse that I can't trust not to freak out randomly. I was ok when I was a kid but I’m old and breakable and I have responsibilities. I mean, I think I can keep riding her and if she doesn’t get any breaks eventually she’ll calm down more. I think I can show her and probably do pretty well but I'll never feel relaxed. I'll always be waiting for the next time she has a fit. On the other hand I don't know how to sell her to someone else the way she is. I don't want someone to end up with her who can't handle her. So that's my dilemma for the day.Fyyahchildhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09680300099730314108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-78956015093311126592009-07-10T11:29:25.135-06:002009-07-10T11:29:25.135-06:00Mugs - understand completely, can't say that I...Mugs - understand completely, can't say that I blame you one bit. You have a gift for being able to explain techniques with words, in a way that the rest of us can 'see' them. Thanks for doing that! Please keep it up!nineisenuffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16197249441117718765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-41501314041746239982009-07-10T11:07:04.349-06:002009-07-10T11:07:04.349-06:00nineisenuff- Thanks, but at this point in my life ...nineisenuff- Thanks, but at this point in my life I'm a retired trainer (some would say arm chair) trainer. I'm very carefully staying out of the horse biz. In exactly 2 years, 2 months and 21 days I will be able to compete in the NRCHA amateur classes. In 4 years, 2 months and 21 days I will be eligible as an ammie in AQHA. <br />I sit around rubbing my hands and cackling at the thought.<br />So the only instruction I can give any more is my kindly, grandmotherly advice on this blog.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-13367276894842360642009-07-10T10:44:42.432-06:002009-07-10T10:44:42.432-06:00This has been some great stuff lately - thanks! O...This has been some great stuff lately - thanks! One of these days, I'll be able to sit down & really dig through it, and apply it to my bunch. My only questions is - how soon until I can sign up to spend a week riding with you?nineisenuffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16197249441117718765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-12467001277781880232009-07-10T10:24:17.756-06:002009-07-10T10:24:17.756-06:00I think that when you just "expect" your...I think that when you just "expect" your horse to do something they will more than often do it, bad or good. <br /><br />Sarah took her new horse and expected it to work out and it did. She set up a perfectly positive scenerio and didn't let those "walls" creep in and fill her with doubt. She had a sucessful ride that built trust between her and her new horse. <br /><br />Something that I remind myself all the time is, the same action gets the same re-action. If it doesn't work the first couple times, and you keep doing it, don't expect the outcome to be different.horsegeneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08614136458074519322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-61610213005789120962009-07-10T10:04:16.256-06:002009-07-10T10:04:16.256-06:00Ah- the joys of losing your temper. I especially l...Ah- the joys of losing your temper. I especially liked the description of the barn owner. I have seen similar looks on the faces of some fellow boarders when I've let my temper get the best of me. <br /><br />The part about walls rings very clearly to me. I have a "you're going through that RFN" sort of attitude. It's worked so far but then again my horse has a lot of trust in me as she's never gotten hurt when I've insisted that she go somewhere real sceery. She was real convinced one time though that llamas must be the hounds of hell and she wasn't going within 100 yards of their hairy butts.onetoomanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10214176281189135507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-46219383166390937432009-07-10T09:50:54.425-06:002009-07-10T09:50:54.425-06:00I'm really glad to read this post, because hon...I'm really glad to read this post, because honestly, I've been extremely blessed to never have a horse that had serious trail issues. My mom (main riding buddy and reason for my horse addiction)has told me time and time again that it's because I'm a confident rider, but I knew it had to be more that that! I mean, we're talking TONS of horses and mules, too! It's nice to hear that I'm starting out right, and to have information to file for future issues.<br /><br />Mugs- I really appreciate your straightforward way of writing. You get to the point clearly and concisely!<br /><br />I, like you, have at times gotten off my horse and smacked him around a bit (not always professional, I know)- but it made a point in dangerous situations- if he acts up enough for me to feel I need to dismount, there's gonna be hell to pay, and I'm just going to get right back on him!ReRidernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-43273644305456772852009-07-10T09:23:51.815-06:002009-07-10T09:23:51.815-06:00Sarah - I envy you for having good friends with sa...Sarah - I envy you for having good friends with sane horses to ride with. If I had that I seriously 99.9% believe that I'd have nearly zero problems. He's always had a buddy before and would supposedly go through fire with a trail buddy, so I've been told (I have never had that luxury). I hope someone at my new barn wants to go out... it'd settle MY nervous energy if nothing else. It is an excuse though... but as it was said an excuse for me, not him. If not we'll keep working on us both being more confident on our own. It's not a matter of if we can, it's more a matter of if we'll let ourselves or if I'll let us...autumnblazehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14261052609848445921noreply@blogger.com