tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post6128124211506906735..comments2024-01-03T03:28:48.980-07:00Comments on mugwump Chronicles: I Can Feel Every Pair of HandsMugwumphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01487540636265322556noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-84367031230702360302011-08-11T09:13:53.899-06:002011-08-11T09:13:53.899-06:00I'd been wondering how that colt of yours was ...I'd been wondering how that colt of yours was coming along...interesting series of events. If anyone could get their horse back, it would be you~gtyyuphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02402170522183324256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-88776372492177307342011-08-04T03:39:29.993-06:002011-08-04T03:39:29.993-06:00Oops, that's right. He belonged to the builder...Oops, that's right. He belonged to the builder, and Sleipnir became Odin's stallion.Accendorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17921488611107115464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-83319475134666065522011-08-04T01:24:21.909-06:002011-08-04T01:24:21.909-06:00Essentially, Loki had to stop Odin's stallion,...<i>Essentially, Loki had to stop Odin's stallion, Svaðilfari, from being able to work, so he turned himself into a mare in heat and seduced Svaðilfari. Eleven months later, there was an eight-legged steed. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleipnir</i><br /><br />~blinks~ <br /><br />That's incorrect. <br />Sleipner's sire belonged to a giant that had been hired by the gods to do some work. Definitely not Odin.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-19505314715259761302011-08-03T16:16:01.405-06:002011-08-03T16:16:01.405-06:00I like the name Odin. A very fine Norse god to nam...I like the name Odin. A very fine Norse god to name your horse after. ... I can't resist mythological trivia here, though. Loki the god did actually give birth to a horse, and it was named Sleipnir. Essentially, Loki had to stop Odin's stallion, Svaðilfari, from being able to work, so he turned himself into a mare in heat and seduced Svaðilfari. Eleven months later, there was an eight-legged steed. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SleipnirAccendorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17921488611107115464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-7981409824535975102011-07-30T18:58:57.498-06:002011-07-30T18:58:57.498-06:00Love the title and I know what you mean. I am my ...Love the title and I know what you mean. I am my horse's only rider, but I notice what you described if I get on another horse, especially a lesson horse. I can feel the horse shifting all over like he is surprised that my leg stays there and my hands stay here and my seat sits on him and then he starts to feel more and more like riding my horse, but not quite. ;) Sometimes the lesson horse will do something like press into my leg, which I respond to with a fairly sharp tap of the whip, no hesitation. Usually they snort and relax after that, content to follow my lead. Glad you won your horse back and better than ever.Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-51722412823562476032011-07-30T10:50:43.059-06:002011-07-30T10:50:43.059-06:00Mugs, you said "maybe just one more"... ...Mugs, you said "maybe just one more"... Can it be my colt??? <br /><br />Ahh, if only you were closer! I am still looking for a trainer with views like yours (since they align well with mine)!<br /><br />Loved the post. Makes me want to run out to buuy another horse... one old enough to ride!TalkTekehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01791356436341920460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-48545427760702864152011-07-29T11:17:52.522-06:002011-07-29T11:17:52.522-06:00Mugs, thanks for your answer. I've always used...Mugs, thanks for your answer. I've always used that method before, and it was the first thing I tried with this colt. It worked twice. Then I tried other methods, more like Kel's (thank you too). Then I thought of other things, like teeth, but even a vet and dentist can't get in that mouth without tranquilizers. Lots of them.<br /><br />Today I decided to go back to the beginning and do as you said. I took the browband and the throatlatch and the reins off the headstall. I used a rubber bit. I did it after I rode him, with a rope halter on, in the round pen where I wouldn't be flung against a wall (yeah that's happened). I didn't make any noise, say anything at all, or let up on the pressure until I had the bit in his mouth. Then I praised him and took him in the barn. He was mouthing the bit quite a lot, so I left it in while I hosed him off, and that seemed to take his mind off the bit. He was very good about putting his head down, and opening his mouth for me when I took it off. It seemed to take 2 hours, but I think it was only 45 minutes. I hope tomorrow's a little better. Thanks again.<br /><br />I need a shower.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-92116117535538266872011-07-29T10:22:35.618-06:002011-07-29T10:22:35.618-06:00Mugwump, I loved this post. I love reading about h...Mugwump, I loved this post. I love reading about how you try to understand the horse and find the best ways to train/teach, given the horse's mind. Your thoughts and observations are very inspiring. Although I don't train horses, I do work with my horse to learn new things/patterns/accomplishments and like you, I try really hard to take his inner world into consideration. Thank you for your thoughts and writing!Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00141033474195269489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-78522222768738972422011-07-29T08:33:03.283-06:002011-07-29T08:33:03.283-06:00I love how you put your "training brain"...I love how you put your "training brain" into words. So how to teach a horse to recognize between riders, some of which will be good, some of which will be otherwise? It really makes me appreciate my daughter's former horse, who instantly calibrated his behavior under saddle to the rider's ability. Wonder if this is trainable or an individual horse's gift?nagonmomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-90952042645990176142011-07-28T21:57:08.972-06:002011-07-28T21:57:08.972-06:00When I saw "Odin" I wondered if he's...When I saw "Odin" I wondered if he's Loki's colt ! Perfect.Heidi the Hickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00639479864903922047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-50197349480450348112011-07-28T20:58:00.528-06:002011-07-28T20:58:00.528-06:00Redhorse- Any chance he needs chiro work to adjust...Redhorse- Any chance he needs chiro work to adjust his TMJ, or poll?<br /><br />I would do it pretty much how Mugwump outlined. Ignore the bad, stick with them and remain calm and clear, praise when the proper response is achieved.<br /><br />If you want to try to do a "super positive" approach, recondition him with items he likes... Insert a carrot like it's a deworming tube. Insert carrot like a bit, asking him to open with your thumb and supporting carrot below his lips with your fingers.<br /><br />Get him to like applesauce/syrup, etc. Syringe him with those 'til he comes to find your requests for opening his mouth are beneficial.Bifhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07648037666735227722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-90365226736331638912011-07-28T17:08:23.859-06:002011-07-28T17:08:23.859-06:00You've really taught me something about smokey...You've really taught me something about smokey I hadn't thought of. Love to see you writing.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13104422629934443842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-41879044269370121122011-07-28T16:38:51.647-06:002011-07-28T16:38:51.647-06:00Congrats Mugs - must feel absolutely fantastic to ...Congrats Mugs - must feel absolutely fantastic to have your colt back! :)Shansterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04397551985965117012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-3375291344662974182011-07-28T14:33:56.729-06:002011-07-28T14:33:56.729-06:00BTW- Leland just wasn't working for me. Kidlet...BTW- Leland just wasn't working for me. Kidlette had named him, I never liked it.<br />His mother's name is Loki, so Odin suddenly seemed obvious. <br />It suits him.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-2546589065349128762011-07-28T14:31:11.438-06:002011-07-28T14:31:11.438-06:00Redhorse...you probably don't want to know wha...Redhorse...you probably don't want to know what I do...but I'll tell you. <br />I just put the bit on. I wade in with a ring snaffle on a bridle with the browband and throatlatch off. I mak the bridle a little big so the bit is hanging low, just so it's easier to get on.<br />No good boy, no bad boy, I just stick my thumb in his mouth and get in on.<br />If he flips his head I hang on with my arm over his poll and my hand over his nose.<br />Yes I've been flung, I just go back at it. <br />The horse isn't tied, so I often get dragged around.I don't yell, cuss or beat rthem but I don't praise them either.<br />once it's on I praise him, rub him and take it off again. then I put him up.<br />If he's being ridden I ride with a sidepull and put the bit on as the last part of our ride.<br />That way it's only about bridling, not about riding too.<br />Probably not the most tainerly way to go about things, but it works.<br />I'd go with Kel's advice if I were you, it makes a lot more sense.<br />Heidi- I'd try it. When you get what you want, get off. It blows their minds.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-57828551782672063232011-07-28T13:14:39.409-06:002011-07-28T13:14:39.409-06:00@redhorse: What about rubbing his poll, above his ...@redhorse: What about rubbing his poll, above his eyes, cheeks, etc till you get a lick & chew, then approach him with the bit (just in your hand, not in a headstall). When he gives it a good sniff without jerking his head away, give him a "good boy" and a scratch. Gradually introduce him to the bit in the headstall but without trying to put it in his mouth -- just reward him for putting his nose to it. Eventually you should be able to rub it on his lips without a head jerk reaction. Rub his bars with a finger to get him to open his mouth, tickle his lips with the bit but don't put it in. Then work up to massage bars to get an open mouth, then slide in bit.<br /><br />I had to do something similar with my horse after he associated a bit with the vet sliding in the speculum for a float. I had to remind them that they're two separate things!Kelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16825932056960506820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-59443535070041904172011-07-28T13:02:14.219-06:002011-07-28T13:02:14.219-06:00Fantastic! This post just made something click in...Fantastic! This post just made something click in my brain too. <br /><br />I"ve been thinking that when my gelding The Plug is so slow he almost quits, I'll ask once nicely with my calves then get after him with the motivators until he picks up the pace and does a decent walk. (Holy cats he can be lazy. Plus we're both out of shape.) When he's moving for real I let up on him. It's exhausting. And really frustrating when I have to teach a lesson while holding the ol' magic motivating stick. <br /><br />I"m thinking if I do that once and get the right response maybe I'll untack him again. <br /><br />He tends to be a spoiled brat and resents having to actually work. He prefers the grooming and fussing part of the riding lesson! <br /><br />I like the name "Odin" and I have been wondering what he's been up to. I love that feeling when it clicks. I'd like to have more of that. <br /><br />Also. "Beauhunk." That's great. Now he can stand there in his cowboy boots and be hunky and admired rather than ride your colt. heh heh heh.Heidi the Hickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00639479864903922047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-27874685488184126342011-07-28T11:53:53.721-06:002011-07-28T11:53:53.721-06:00Mugwump is back! I am happy. Out of curiosity, why...Mugwump is back! I am happy. Out of curiosity, why the name change?Accendorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17921488611107115464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-61484837037279893142011-07-28T11:11:15.274-06:002011-07-28T11:11:15.274-06:00I'm with Becky, I think sooner or later they a...I'm with Becky, I think sooner or later they are going to try something. <br /><br />I also have a "colt" who's now 5. I also believe (swear) this will be my last colt. Ever. I'm not kidding. I've had him since he was weaned. I also thought of him as an experiment. I wasn't going to handle him beyond leading and picking up feet until 2 1/2. Then a hunter decided to shoot him. I had to handle (manhandle)him and treat his wound for months. Thank god he survived and wasn't lame.<br /><br />He was "supposed to" be about 15h, an average horse, like his mother. Not a very challenging horse. He turned out to be 16h, very strong, and very athletic, and sometimes a butthead. And, I had almost turned him into a Fluffy in my concern for his wound. I've been riding him for over a year. I never felt like we clicked. I felt like he tolerated me, but he wasn't really into it. I finally got the nerve to take him on the trails, and the second time I felt the click. What a feeling.<br /><br />I have a question/problem for your Mind Meld. I spent so many months poking him and doctoring him, and shooting meds in his mouth, when I want to bridle him he gets very tight jawed. I've been riding him in a side-pull and would like to switch to a bit. I've been playing with his mouth and putting fingers in it, and I can get him to open his mouth. When I try to put anything else near his lips he flips his head in the air and clamps his teeth together. Any ideas of where to go from here? Before anyone asks, it isn't his teeth. Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-30517169715699319962011-07-28T10:43:30.680-06:002011-07-28T10:43:30.680-06:00LOVE the new color!
By the way, I don't know ...LOVE the new color!<br /><br />By the way, I don't know why you're surprised he found his butthead side... you named him after the God of war/death. It's a good thing that Odin was also known for wisdom and poetry, or you'd be in for a real mess!<br /><br />I don't know - I could be wrong - but I think that regardless of whether someone else rode him you would have eventually gone head to head with him... it just seems like every animal goes through a rebellious phase. Puppies who were previously well-trained suddenly forget what "sit" means when they're 14 or 15 months old... teenagers start talking back, etc, etc.<br /><br />On the other hand---it's really interesting that he connected the bad riding from his back and was able to apply it to the shoer. A lot of horses seem to have two different mindsets when it comes to people - lazy, friendly horses who are great on the ground are spastic when you ride them, and I have met quite a few trail horses who are borderline dangerous until you managed to crawl up on them. So it seems like your experiment turned out a colt who reacts the same to people whether they are on his back vs on the ground - he understands they are one and the same?Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03664511837713972115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-55645065188173858662011-07-28T10:03:56.032-06:002011-07-28T10:03:56.032-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09544884349722760099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-29353128623115043492011-07-28T09:52:28.457-06:002011-07-28T09:52:28.457-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09544884349722760099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-74382459447644269662011-07-28T09:28:21.736-06:002011-07-28T09:28:21.736-06:00I'm so glad you got your colt back :)I'm so glad you got your colt back :)JJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07876732061083507317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-59074175861140423832011-07-28T08:31:53.697-06:002011-07-28T08:31:53.697-06:00jeni- the interesting thing for me was to see the ...jeni- the interesting thing for me was to see the huge progression in my colt after we straightened things out.<br />Was it the processs of having to work through our setback?<br />Did having a different rider or two help him sort out what I was doing, or was it as simple as I had to whack him around and we reached a new level of respect?mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-54173247717094186772011-07-28T07:21:34.470-06:002011-07-28T07:21:34.470-06:00SO true about feeling other people's hands on ...SO true about feeling other people's hands on your horses... and their butts in the saddle too. It can be frustrating when you know that having your horses exercised, or even just letting a friend hop on for a fun ride, may mean that your horse will no longer quite be an extension of your own body. It can definitely take a few rides to get that back!jenjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.com