tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post4926168444862197982..comments2024-01-03T03:28:48.980-07:00Comments on mugwump Chronicles: Scared or Mad/Cupcake2Mugwumphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01487540636265322556noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-23617480631362235972010-02-28T15:07:17.965-07:002010-02-28T15:07:17.965-07:00Becky- I lived under the willful gaze of that bulg...Becky- I lived under the willful gaze of that bulgy eye for years. You can too.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-91508856665820873642010-02-26T11:01:33.156-07:002010-02-26T11:01:33.156-07:00Thanks for the answers. Darn. I guessed as much,...Thanks for the answers. Darn. I guessed as much, but I was hoping for something else. Actually, what I was really hoping was that you'd say something like "Feed them two-parts A&M mixed with 3 carrots and two neck scratches and they'll be cured." Oh well!<br /><br />There are two big issues getting in the way of us asking questions: #1, you’ve got us all afraid that any question we ask is going to detract from your free time to finish the stories we’re all jonesing over like a bunch of heroin junkies. <br /><br />The second reason is that while I may know in my head that there are no dumb questions, Sonita’s giant, judgy eyeball you’ve got as your profile pic doesn’t seem to know that. She looks like she’d nip me if I asked a stupid enough question. Don’t get me wrong--- I love the pic you’ve chosen. It’s VERY appropriate for your blog. Unfortunately, it’s also very effective at making me feel like a wayward colt. That mare you had has the art of giving others the stink-eye down to science.Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09544884349722760099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-24797673492950763232010-02-25T21:43:22.372-07:002010-02-25T21:43:22.372-07:00BTW- Ask away...if these stories don't start g...BTW- Ask away...if these stories don't start generating some conversation I just might go back to lecturing(yawn).mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-4226734627241651932010-02-25T21:42:33.433-07:002010-02-25T21:42:33.433-07:00Becky-Wish I could be more helpful, but no. It tak...Becky-Wish I could be more helpful, but no. It takes patience.<br />Sometimes a horse like the second one can simply be ranch broke.<br />If he started his life like many ranch horses, he was roped, snubbed, saddled and broke. <br />Not mean, not friendly, just business.<br />He gets so he understands it. He gets roped, a saddle slapped on his back, he works, he gets turned loose.It's the way it is.<br />Then he gets sold at a sale and bought by someone who wants to love him, longe him, be nice to him, maybe round pen him and HE IS HORRIFIED!<br />Some horses may leap into the love offered to them. I've seen many a mustang do it.<br />But others are freaked out by it and get all wonky.<br />If they are afraid on the ground and not in the saddle then it's a man-made fear, guaranteed. Therefore, it takes months. Because the horse can't believe your good intentions. They've been lied to before.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-6852137830440066182010-02-25T20:03:05.774-07:002010-02-25T20:03:05.774-07:00So I almost don't want to ask this question be...So I almost don't want to ask this question because I'm scared it will get in the way of whatever installment you're planning next--- it doesn't matter where you go, I'm hooked on all of them.<br /><br />Still, the question has been plaguing me for some time and it kind of ties in to the your scared/mad stories.<br /><br />Are there any quick fixes for horses that are great under saddle but terrified of people on the ground? Two horses come to mind that I've known: One was my TB--- I sent him off to be trained and he came back completely abused. When I would lead him he would walk at the very end of the leadrope (six feet long), setting his weight back tentatively against the rope. He'd move at a snail's pace, and any attempt to try to get him to hurry up or get any closer to you would result in him exploding with fear (think panicked horse setting back when tied.) It took about 2 months before I could convince him to lead normally, and what I did was just quit worrying about it and let him realize that I wasn't going to eat him. It worked, but it was a REALLY annoying two months (everywhere I led him he walked at about 10% of the speed of a normal walking horse. It was really weird and ANNOYING after the first few weeks.)<br /><br />The other horse was one of the string horses we had on a dude ranch---Stubby. FANTASTIC under saddle--an absolute blast to ride, and completely calm/brave, he was a total nutcase when you dealt with him on the ground. You couldn't tie him and you had to move at a snail's pace doing everything or he would explode. Saddling could take up to 30 minutes (which is a long time with a well-trained horse!) I tried to toss him in the round pen a couple of times to see if I could get him to connect with me but it never worked. He ran in a measured, terrified gallop round and round and never once noticed me in the middle of the ring. Although he would spin if I stepped in front I could tell he had completely checked out. <br /><br />Aside from loving on a horse and treating them well until they decide to trust you on their own, is there anything you can do to...well, hurry the process up? It's a terrible question, I know, but it felt like I should have been able to DO something with both horses that could have helped them learn I wasn't out to get them a little faster. (I know I sound impatient but keep in mind, I was working/interacting with these horses every day of the week. Months seemed like a really long time waiting for results!"Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09544884349722760099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-55759224819928039982010-02-25T13:57:31.465-07:002010-02-25T13:57:31.465-07:00Yeah, this is like the Sonita stories. Gobble it u...Yeah, this is like the Sonita stories. Gobble it up too quickly, then pout because I have to wait for more. It's not fair that Mugs brings out this type of bad behavior in me....<br /><br />And, Mugs, TAG...you're it! http://lopinon4.blogspot.com/2010/02/ive-been-tagged.htmllopinon4https://www.blogger.com/profile/00413859466329003832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-26440656217899166102010-02-25T13:24:43.607-07:002010-02-25T13:24:43.607-07:00I also like the story-teaching.
OT Mugs, how many...I also like the story-teaching.<br /><br />OT Mugs, how many posts have you done on Leland? I want to refer someone to them but I can only find the initial one in which you explained one-shot training.Heilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10115300526657295504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-82695507807790357702010-02-23T22:15:23.064-07:002010-02-23T22:15:23.064-07:00I'm still amazed at the owner for keeping him ...I'm still amazed at the owner for keeping him locked up in the barn for so long.<br />What the heck could she possibly have been thinking?! If I were to have a youngster out of my beloved old mare I'd sure as heck be doing something besides keeping him locked in a dark barn.cdncowgirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09055181472294995601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-73676743909458892842010-02-23T18:28:42.402-07:002010-02-23T18:28:42.402-07:00Poor guy. Aghh cliffhanger D:Poor guy. Aghh cliffhanger D:Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14523660446608394720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-4137714559986024342010-02-23T13:10:34.470-07:002010-02-23T13:10:34.470-07:00Sometimes righteous anger is a good thing, and let...Sometimes righteous anger is a good thing, and lets you act more instinctively. Sounded like you were having one of those flashes, and it gave you the adreline and confidence to face Cupcake down.<br /><br />But still...wow.stilllearninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15917159268881119376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-29833655873549350072010-02-23T13:03:03.856-07:002010-02-23T13:03:03.856-07:00Becky said "And for the record, I think your ...Becky said "And for the record, I think your method of "story-teaching" us on how you train your horses is helping the lessons sink into my brain faster than it would if you flat-out told me what I should do."<br /><br />Ditto.AKPonyGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02969589711581884433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-90604143139379789912010-02-23T13:00:30.148-07:002010-02-23T13:00:30.148-07:00okay, where is the rest of the story and how long ...okay, where is the rest of the story and how long do I have to wait????<br /><br />I am really looking foward to how this plays out! When you get a book published, I will be first in line to buy it. that would be awesome..Short stories/chapters on each horse, mort, sonita, and your ones in for training.crochetyoleladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10558947029662564330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-59539927920552636132010-02-23T11:31:03.765-07:002010-02-23T11:31:03.765-07:00Aaarrgh.
As I do not have any finger nails left,I ...Aaarrgh.<br />As I do not have any finger nails left,I am on to my toes now. <br />My back really can't stand it Mugs, so have mercy on your middleaged readers and post that follow-up NOW!HorseOfCoursehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15907659164579327290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-70363484100096793992010-02-23T11:00:20.514-07:002010-02-23T11:00:20.514-07:00Can I pre-order that book?Can I pre-order that book?Jackelopettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15858048308702774982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-45056892141769912852010-02-23T10:55:09.565-07:002010-02-23T10:55:09.565-07:00WoWza...I sure hope I never meet up with a horse l...WoWza...I sure hope I never meet up with a horse like Cupcake. <br /><br />Humans...sometimes they're the stupidest things on the planet. That owner is unbelievable...how could she let that poor horse get that bad. And treated as he was by her, how could he not be mentally unstable?gtyyuphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02402170522183324256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-5838697368421224942010-02-23T10:01:52.378-07:002010-02-23T10:01:52.378-07:00Looking forward to the rest of the story too. I ag...Looking forward to the rest of the story too. I agree with the poster that said you could put these stories together in a book and people would read them. I, for one, would buy that book.wilsonchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18085470527006328839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-71193729574534209502010-02-23T09:33:30.839-07:002010-02-23T09:33:30.839-07:00Sounds like a very interesting horse. I'm look...Sounds like a very interesting horse. I'm looking forward to hearing how things progressed from here.<br /><br />You know, at some point you'll be able to put these stories together into a book and people will totally want to read it. I reckon you could sell nearly tens of copies at the very least.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-29325710086601979432010-02-23T09:16:40.127-07:002010-02-23T09:16:40.127-07:00Have mercy on us, Mugs.....don't make us wait ...Have mercy on us, Mugs.....don't make us wait TOO long for the rest of this story!!!Diane I.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03974015139325247643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-20839279879105576642010-02-23T09:02:27.785-07:002010-02-23T09:02:27.785-07:00Melissa- Some of my old students and clients will ...Melissa- Some of my old students and clients will tell you I'm scary.<br />Of course they are the same people who felt perfectly comfortable saying,"Shut up Janet!"mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-44991123290064471712010-02-23T09:01:00.101-07:002010-02-23T09:01:00.101-07:00still learning-I lost my temper. To be honest I wa...still learning-I lost my temper. To be honest I was mad at my boss for putting this on me.<br />My decisions in training are not always good ones.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-65843284331544537632010-02-23T08:40:40.688-07:002010-02-23T08:40:40.688-07:00Yowza! Can't wait for more. I was glad ther...Yowza! Can't wait for more. I was glad there was a second or two of progress and softening in his eye...Shansterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04397551985965117012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-72109572672699907482010-02-23T06:05:46.905-07:002010-02-23T06:05:46.905-07:00Again, wow.
No one would have blamed you for walki...Again, wow.<br />No one would have blamed you for walking away from this one.<br /><br />Were you that sure that you could handle him (when you told your friend to let go of her rope), or were you just mad?<br /><br />I think the best horseman don't always think first. Usually, but not always. Sometimes there's just not time to think.<br /><br /><br />I think way too much.stilllearninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15917159268881119376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-9187027050178153452010-02-23T03:38:04.307-07:002010-02-23T03:38:04.307-07:00OMG! I know it must have been the hardest thing f...OMG! I know it must have been the hardest thing for you to go through, but all I can do is feel sorry for Cupcake. Why, why, why, not geld (and geld early).TnTConnecthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02868281033919053366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-16214706672801680222010-02-22T23:27:57.586-07:002010-02-22T23:27:57.586-07:00Holy crap. Knowing how even handed you are with yo...Holy crap. Knowing how even handed you are with your animals, that must have been one messed up little colt. Hope the butt-kicking did him some good.<br /><br />Also, remind me not to run into you in a dark alley. Especially if you're armed with lead ropes.Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03123088409163215102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-40808396140271598862010-02-22T23:17:58.845-07:002010-02-22T23:17:58.845-07:00Wow.
Brutally captivating.
And for the record, ...Wow.<br /><br />Brutally captivating. <br /><br />And for the record, I think your method of "story-teaching" us on how you train your horses is helping the lessons sink into my brain faster than it would if you flat-out told me what I should do. <br /><br />Amazing work, Mugs. Thanks.Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09544884349722760099noreply@blogger.com