not about me

Training a mustang has to be one of the most exciting, humbling, frustrating, and fun things that anyone can do. I have a lot of people rooting for Sham and I to do well and a lot of interest in how we are doing. I had several people lined up to watch me put the first ride on Sham as I thought I was getting closer to getting ready. After a weekend trip, I came back and resumed work getting Sham ready to ride. He didn't miss a beat with the saddling and the ground work. I started jumping around him and eventually got to where I was able to lean over him. (I had done it from on Electra but not just me and him) it took only a minute for him to accept that it was just me up there. I then thought that I would call it a day and go call everyone that was wanting to watch ME put on a show. Just then I caught myself and stopped, I realized that I was starting to slip into the exact trap that I have been warned about and that I myself promised I wouldn't get into. That is forgetting why I train horses. I train horses for them, of course I have big dreams and I enjoy it, but I do my best to do it for them. Sham was screaming loud and clear he was ready for me to swing a leg over. And I was going to stop and go call people? It was a true revelation for me. It is easy to get caught up in the act as I start to put myself out to the public more and more. It is my name on the sign, it is my picture in the magazine, and it is me that is the center of attention. I am sooo happy I caught myself. As I went to step back up I looked toward Dad's house and I saw him give me a thumbs up. (I try not to put the first couple rides on any colt if no one is at least around to kick some dirt over my body) I swung my leg over. And so went the first ride. I could go way in depth about what kind of things I did, but mostly I just did my best to listen to him and let him tell me what he needed from me to help him through the experience, that is all. I have been getting caught up a lot in the what to do's, and that is still what I want to teach to people, to help them out, but training horses is all about your state of mind and considering and feeling for the horse. Period end of discussion. As we progressed through our first couple rides I would add some elements, smoother transitions, smoother turns, sniffling lol, waving my arms, and just getting him more broke. Today was ride 5 and we worked for a while in the round pen, then went for a quick trip around the front pasture and around the house, he isn't afraid of stuff, only of stuff that is happening to him, that is a very comforting thought for me. I am excited for this little guy, he tries so hard I can't get over him. I am also glad that I woke up and came to my senses before it was too late. First God, then horse, and I am way down on the chain. Until next time ride centered, and God Bless, BW.

One foot in front of the other

After getting Sham Saddled I have been riding electra and working with him from on top of her. He has been doing a good job, he tries so hard. I am not sure if I have ever seen a horse try as hard as he is. I can't get over it. The hard part about that is that I need to work at a pace that is allowing him to try. If I push to hard or too fast I will discourage him to try and that is not what I want. So I am not afraid to take my time. He was nervous when he first saw me and electra come in the round pen with him so I just road around Electra, and didn't do anything with him. soon he was watching curiously instead of nervous. After I got him used to ponying around we went out for about a 45 minute ride. I took him through brush and hills and anywhere I could to get him used to things, he didn't mind most of it. There were time when he wanted to just stall out and not move. I just simple dallied and stopped and held until he gave, pretty soon he was trotting along with us, I think that it helped his leading as well. I have leaned over him, from on electra and he is watching but he is thinking and getting better, he lets me jump around him, once I start laying over him I am going to complete the step and swing a leg over. I hope that the next posting is one describing how the first ride went. God Bless, BW