Saturday, May 31, 2008
Misty to drink or not to drink.....
Our first night at home was fairly uneventful. We had already set up the stall so all we had to do was back up to the stall and run her in. She was a doll. We managed without a problem.
I was a bit concerned as she stood in the back with her head down. She showed no interest in food or water. But her eyes where bright and everything seemed good.
I guess we could all say our first trip through Houston traffic can make all of us feel a bit out of sorts.
Misty stall opens into our large covered arena. Tomorrow we turn her out and she meets her new friends. I feel like a parent with her child's first day at preschool.
What will the day hold
Until we meet again
Enjoy the ride
jodie
Labels: animal.training, arena, horse, mustang challange, tx 8:26 AM
| 0 comments
Thursday, May 29, 2008
From #4077 to Misty
Driving home from Elgin was a long trip for our new little girl. We never heard a sound from the trailer but it gave me a chance to think about what I wanted to name her. I joked about calling her "Mustang Sally" Nikki said it was just to hokey. I'm sure I wouldn't want that.
After meeting #4077 I knew she was a Misty. I couldn't help but think about the little horse from the novel "Misty of Chintuique Island". Misty in the book is herded from the island then swam across the water to await adoption from a loving family. I believe she has the same courage and heart that the little horse in the book must have had.
As I child I grew up reading horse novels my favorite was Walter Farley's The Black Stallion. I loved the relationship between the wild horse and the little boy. I spent hours on my horse pretending to rescue a wild horse from some unknown danger.
I realized traveling down Hwy 290 toward home that Misty and I are starting our own adventure. No more pretending. But this story is about a wild horse and a girl.
I'm hoping there will not be any ghost,horse thieves or runaway trains. But you never know around here.
We'll just have to wait and see.
Until we meet again
Enjoy the ride....
jodie
1:01 PM
| 0 comments
Monday, May 26, 2008
THE FIRST DAY
Pulling into SouthWest Stallion Station in Elgin,Texas I realized, I am really going to pick up a wild horse.
I can feel it in the air. Anticipation, excitement and fear. Unfortunately the fear is from the many wide eyed yearling that are being herded into pens to where they await their turn to be run into a crowed chute where they are haltered then run into an awaiting trailer for the next leg of their journey.
As the babies rear and attempt escape they appear as bucking broncs in a rodeo. but its immediately apparent that this is real for them. This isn't something they have done hundreds of times. They don't know there is fresh hay and feed at the end of this journey.
This is real and they are afraid.
The first order of business as with most human projects is the paper work. While I get that started John with the trailer, Alex and Marlana with the camera and Allison taking notes they get in line to load our newest member of the family. Four of us one yearling who will have the upper hand?
First thing we realize is there is no picking in this process. First one in thats the one you take home. As we all line up on the fence we must look a sight,wondering which one is ours. They come in all shapes, sizes and color. Black,brown,bay even a nice grey. As I watch I can't help but think. Ms Patti would like that one it looks just like Flash or man that one looks like Fancy,black with 3 white stockings. Allison repeats the same sentiment she finds one that looks just like her baby Pooka.
The one that is loaded into the chute is a pretty bay filly. The men put her new halter on her and cut away the tag that holds her herd number. Number 4077. Shes larger than I would have expected. Long nice legs and big bright eyes. She is wide eyed with fear but you can quickly see the intelligence that the mustangs are know for.
She circles the trailer several times looking for a way to escape and return to the awaiting herd but none is found. The nice new red halter doesn't seem to bother her, as a matter of fact she doesn't seem to notice it. None of the head shaking that can sometimes be seen with the first time a halter is put on a young horse.
She stops backs into a corner and watches us. What must she be thinking? With all of us watching her.
I wish I could tell her that it will be Ok, she will have new friends, a safe place to live and a human to love her.
She appears to read my mind. she pick up her head as to say I'm not so sure of you. " It depends on if you are a quick learner"
Who will be learning more # 4077 or myself?
Check back tomorrow and Ill let you know about the trip home,her first night in the stall and how she out smarted Mr. John..
Until we meet again.. Enjoy the ride..
Labels: animals, horse, mustang challange, training 9:06 AM
| 3 comments
MUSTANG MAKE OVER 'THE BEGINNING"
Extreme Mustang Make Over Mission 007 2008 Yearling Edition
As I read the headlines I thought "This looks like it would be a lot of fun and very challenging". My ever supporting family says "mom this is right up your alley". As most of you know we're a large full service family run horse operation. It takes all 4 of us to make it run and we all have our special areas . For me I enjoy the the yearling's.
I believe that this year is one of the most important. Without the ground work you won't have a firm foundation to build on. Nutrition,trust,understanding and most of all the learning.
I home schooled both my children and one of the most important things I learned was the ability to teach them to learn. To love the act of learning. Learning is not about hating something and dreading the class room but realizing its a road into an exciting future. As with my kids I can't anticipate everything that will come to them in their lives but I can teach them the best way to deal with it.
I had heard about the Mustang Makeover before but always in the older horses. Never Yearling's. As would be expected many things ran though my mind. Would I have time , do I have the pens that will hold him, would I even be chosen.
With all of this in mind I filled out the paper work and sent it in. With in days I reachieved word that I was one of the lucky ones to be chosen. ( Ill let you know if I feel lucky)
I decided with the help of my wonderful webmaster to set up this blog to keep everyone posted on my progress. Ill start with the day we pick her up all the way to the finial day she has her coming out at the Mustang Challenge in Fort Worth,TX September 18-20Th
Keep us in your hearts and prayers and Ill keep you posted on this end.
As Roy Rodgers would say
Until we meet again...
Enjoy the ride..
Labels: animals, horse, mustang challange 8:16 AM
| 0 comments
|
|
Previous Posts
Archives
|
