tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post7743327081899026189..comments2024-01-03T03:28:48.980-07:00Comments on mugwump Chronicles: Sonita/Chapter13Mugwumphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01487540636265322556noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-41920936341934385132008-11-07T17:58:00.000-07:002008-11-07T17:58:00.000-07:00I just started reading your blog and I LOVE your s...I just started reading your blog and I LOVE your stories! I read all the Mort stories yesterday (was sad when I got to the last one) and now am at the end of these. *sigh I was never good at being patient, but I guess I'll have to. <BR/><BR/>Oh- just so you know, I love the ENTIRE blog- I've read it all. Every spare second of yesterday and today was spent catching up, and now I'm sad I'm all current! More please! :)Saryannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09918163523860394766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-73205396828332134562008-11-06T22:12:00.000-07:002008-11-06T22:12:00.000-07:00"heila-The dressage folk get their hackles up when..."heila-The dressage folk get their hackles up when we compare our patterns to theirs. The reining and cowhorse patterns are made up of maneuvers we would use working a cow. Fancier of course, but essentially an emulation of the dance between horse, rider and cow.<BR/>Autumnblaze- good for you.It was fun wasn't it?"<BR/><BR/>Well, the dressage folks are fools. I'm from an english riding background, however I had exposure to a couple of people who rode ropers in the NZ rodeo circut and reiners. Dressage translates to "training" and I have seen western horses working their patterns with more true collection and impulsion than a lot of "dressage" riders will ever get, and some of their horses enjoy it more! I learnt from teh western riders how to neck rein better - then used to stun the "dressage riders" at how eaisly I taught my horses to do some basic dressage moves - neck reining helps alot - and for showjumping and eventing - So I nearly lost my reins over a drop... I can still ride with my seat and neck rein while holding the buckle of the reins to make my horse change direction.Deeredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09598240463885095790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-91881768549806027762008-11-05T07:48:00.000-07:002008-11-05T07:48:00.000-07:00I don't even know if I should admit this...The clo...I don't even know if I should admit this...<BR/><BR/>The closest I ever got was the day a groundhog ventured across the pasture. My hyper-attentive little half-Arab gelding locked onto it and I let him go after it. Whooo freakin hoooo It was fun but at the same time I felt so damn silly!!! Honestly though, every time the rodent veered off in a different direction, he was right there. <BR/><BR/>So yeah... that was my big moment. I never did get to try him on cattle.<BR/><BR/>Mugwump, all of your Sonita stories have blown me away. This one almost made me weep. And that's impressive because the meds I'm on have dried up my tears.<BR/><BR/>(thanks for the link too!)Heidi the Hickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00639479864903922047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-84491908380564441712008-11-04T11:14:00.000-07:002008-11-04T11:14:00.000-07:00Some of the best cow horses are the ones that are ...Some of the best cow horses are the ones that are afraid. Although the easiest to train are the ones who go right to them, if you take your time and let a fearful horse find out they can control a cow, they are often the best. It's the indifferent ones I'd rather not mess with.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-37658174010760118392008-11-04T10:43:00.000-07:002008-11-04T10:43:00.000-07:00I just spent the last two weeks reading your blog ...I just spent the last two weeks reading your blog from the beginning! I'm HOOKED!<BR/><BR/>Reading your posts, and your answers to questions, gave me a new perspective on how I want to ride my horses! It also made we wish you were still training, I lived closer, and I had the money to pay for it. *sigh*<BR/><BR/>I was inspired to climb on my fat, out of shape, ADD appy mare and goof off in the arena. She was finished out as a WP horse when I bought, and though I've ruined her for THAT discipline, she still remembers the basics. She moves wonderfully off my leg and seat and we had a blast!<BR/><BR/>I would LOVE to put her on cows. Her sire competed in cutting in Texas. However, she afraid of cows.. Just my luck!Karen Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03905570178257490375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-52660596839595160642008-11-03T19:34:00.000-07:002008-11-03T19:34:00.000-07:00That was great to read. I was totally there with y...That was great to read. I was totally there with you!<BR/><BR/>Your stories do make me want a cow horse...too bad I'm at capacity!fuglyhorseofthedayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14748297520774828265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-12468631455697613902008-11-03T17:35:00.000-07:002008-11-03T17:35:00.000-07:00Well actually I'm a dressage rider and I hardly th...Well actually I'm a dressage rider and I hardly think I'm arrogant enough to get my hackles up comparing that to dressage, thanks. I find it very similar, essentially, and I've always wanted to try it. <BR/><BR/>I love reading your stories; keep up the great work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-60211506034437896712008-11-03T11:15:00.000-07:002008-11-03T11:15:00.000-07:00ANOTHER great Sonita installment.. Brings goosebum...ANOTHER great Sonita installment.. Brings goosebumps to my body! I cant wait until I can actually write of MY experience with my version of "sonita!"crochetyoleladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10558947029662564330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-37119804489541993112008-11-03T11:12:00.000-07:002008-11-03T11:12:00.000-07:00Oh, and great photo. Sonita's expression (and your...Oh, and great photo. Sonita's expression (and your posture) are so expressive. I bet it was a wonderful turn.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-3117787659141086642008-11-03T10:44:00.000-07:002008-11-03T10:44:00.000-07:00Oh well, I'm a beginner dressage rider so I still ...Oh well, I'm a beginner dressage rider so I still have an open mind!Heilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10115300526657295504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-90124517325444561022008-11-03T10:00:00.000-07:002008-11-03T10:00:00.000-07:00I'd love to see two separate books from you, one a...I'd love to see two separate books from you, one about Mort and one about Sonita, so I could read their stories from beginning to end. Another great chapter. Like some others said, you have such a way with expressing what you were feeling at the time. i love your stories!Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00977898784588176802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-57513051386511153982008-11-03T09:55:00.000-07:002008-11-03T09:55:00.000-07:00I am a dressage rider and I must say that your "co...I am a dressage rider and I must say that your "cowhorse" patterns scare the crap out of me. Dressage may do fancy foot work, but cowhorse patterns definitely have the "need for speed" on their side.<BR/><BR/>One thing that never changes regardless of the riding style, "The harmony between horse and rider". When you achieve that, everyday becomes a success story on horseback.Kim Headleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02703952777934787135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-88572339175197967462008-11-03T09:52:00.000-07:002008-11-03T09:52:00.000-07:00Wow--that was fun. Took me right back to my showin...Wow--that was fun. Took me right back to my showing days, which are about twenty years in the past. Only I was never that good.<BR/><BR/>I have one little point for you--just for fun. That short hard stop..."like a roper". Actually, though some rope horses do stop like this, we tended to train ours to do what I call a "shuffle stop", sort of melt into the ground and shuffle their back feet down, rather than slide or park it. It worked out a lot better, overall. Easier on horse, cow and rider. Of course, we were all a bunch of jackpot ropers, not competing in the big time...not at rodeos, where you really need to be quick. Consistency over the average was the goal.<BR/><BR/>Yes, couldn't you write a Sonita/Mort story a day? You know we want/need a fix. (Just kidding--I for sure know what it takes to turn those out. They're beautifully written.) Good show...in more than one way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-54853653203094927452008-11-03T09:26:00.000-07:002008-11-03T09:26:00.000-07:00mugs - Absolutely! Oh and by the way this was a g...mugs - Absolutely! Oh and by the way this was a great Sonita installment. I should have said more about it. :) And thanks for your thoughts, your readers thoughts and giving me a place to vent a little.autumnblazehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14261052609848445921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-30055861855168749692008-11-03T08:44:00.000-07:002008-11-03T08:44:00.000-07:00c'mon Sydney, you know as well as I do some things...c'mon Sydney, you know as well as I do some things happen just because they're cool.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-73223980799657203132008-11-03T08:35:00.000-07:002008-11-03T08:35:00.000-07:00Awesome mugs, write another please? Soon!What abou...Awesome mugs, write another please? Soon!<BR/><BR/>What about a spin? What on earth would a spin be used for? Whirl around in circles and confuse the hell out of the cow? No seriously I never thought of that before and I have ridden many a reiner.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14523660446608394720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-54615971233362708182008-11-03T08:11:00.000-07:002008-11-03T08:11:00.000-07:00God, you're an awesome writer.I was so stressed ou...God, you're an awesome writer.<BR/><BR/>I was so stressed out as you were getting ready to show... you really put your feelings across to the reader.all-canadianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10011595102635178557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-5019167096837017142008-11-03T08:00:00.000-07:002008-11-03T08:00:00.000-07:00heila-The dressage folk get their hackles up when ...heila-The dressage folk get their hackles up when we compare our patterns to theirs. The reining and cowhorse patterns are made up of maneuvers we would use working a cow. Fancier of course, but essentially an emulation of the dance between horse, rider and cow.<BR/>Autumnblaze- good for you.It was fun wasn't it?mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-70557785638454400742008-11-03T07:22:00.000-07:002008-11-03T07:22:00.000-07:00:D Good way to start my week. Actually had a go...:D Good way to start my week. <BR/><BR/>Actually had a good weekend riding too. My trainer was having the week from hell so I told her we were okay for another week. We were actually way more than okay. I decided out to be more comfy on the trails trotting/cantering I need to go ride him in the big fields - they're are fenced so there's that little comfort but while I know the footing is safe, it's defitely not 'arena perfect'. There is room to let him go (the ring is pretty small). I let him get fast and only slowed him with my seat and turning. I never wanted to throw up on his neck. The deer were out and moving and we didn't care. We're going to do more of this for awhile. It was the perfect interum. <BR/><BR/>I had a blast and he had fun too. I thought you might like to know I felt like I had a little victory with my own nerves, which I had asked for help with. :)autumnblazehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14261052609848445921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-50371272356933745232008-11-03T07:17:00.000-07:002008-11-03T07:17:00.000-07:00WOW!! I love it, I just LOVE IT. Oh what I would ...WOW!! I love it, I just LOVE IT. Oh what I would give to ride like that! It really must feel like flying. <BR/><BR/>Janet, I envy you very much.SOSHorseshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04060612555090353297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-19767213866114463522008-11-03T06:45:00.000-07:002008-11-03T06:45:00.000-07:00BEAUTIFUL - love Sonita stories she's so exciting!...BEAUTIFUL - love Sonita stories she's so exciting!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-90448891397632003952008-11-03T05:45:00.000-07:002008-11-03T05:45:00.000-07:00I need to find a cow horse!!!!!I need to find a cow horse!!!!!Justaplainsamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15399124494395034612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-35621387156262038202008-11-03T04:28:00.000-07:002008-11-03T04:28:00.000-07:00Awesome Mugs. Everything just clicked and for onc...Awesome Mugs. Everything just clicked and for once, it was beautiful. I was there with you, or so it seemed.<BR/><BR/>WHEN'S THE NEXT STORY?! lol!<BR/><BR/>:PCharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11901638136431043360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-85025273697135305942008-11-03T03:00:00.000-07:002008-11-03T03:00:00.000-07:00Wow.I got the feeling this was going to be a story...Wow.<BR/><BR/>I got the feeling this was going to be a story of success, powerful and controlled. I look forward to what comes next.Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00386998873768199907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4380534023229200743.post-49876415370381619552008-11-03T00:08:00.000-07:002008-11-03T00:08:00.000-07:00I love your stories. The patterns you do before t...I love your stories. The patterns you do before the cow comes in, is that the Western equivalent of dressage?Heilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10115300526657295504noreply@blogger.com