A New View

I have spent 11 years (mostly) behind these ears.  

Together we have survived 14 years together and 10 years of business.  The good, the bad, and everything in between, you name it, Pie and I, have done it, and it has been the journey of a lifetime.  

And now I have a new view.

A new set of ears and new journey of a lifetime...

 ...just waiting to be ridden.  

Frustrated With Your Horse Life? PS: Your Horse Is Too

Frustrated: Feeling or expressing distress and annoyance, especially because of inability to change or achieve something, being prevented from progressing, succeeding, or being fulfilled.

If you are frustrated because your horse messed up on the 21st pivot, after 20 perfect pivots in a few min span. Your horse is frustrated that he gave you the 20 perfect pivots you asked for and his only reward was for you to ask for another. (Which now with his fumble has probably turned into a few dozen more).

If you are frustrated with your horse bucking at the canter.  Your horse may be frustrated that every time he picks up the canter your saddle digs unbearably into his shoulders and back and the only way he can get you to stop cantering is to start bucking.  

If you are frustrated your horse won't do (insert just about anything here).  Your horse is frustrated because he doesn't understand what you want,that you keep asking exactly the same way, and that when he does try to try you will not acknowledge his slightest effort in the right direction.

At the end of the day if you are frustrated, your horse is too.

And if you find yourself frustrated the best thing you can do is go to a trainer, clinic, very accomplished friend, and ask for a fresh set of eyes on the situation.    

Why I haven't been doing groundwork with the 15 month old colt

Why I haven't been doing groundwork with the 15 month old colt.

Yes, you read the title right.

At 15 months of age I haven't done any Anderson/Parelli/Anyone Else style groundwork with Mozzie.  He hasn't been lunged or schooled in any games or published exercises.

To be quite frank at 15 months of age I don't NEED him to do any of those things.  The month before I start him under saddle when his knees have closed is when I will really hunker down and teach him all that.  But until then I have tried my best to grow his mind in other ways.

Instead of groundwork he has...

Tied- Tied to the trailer, the fence (secure of course), trees, on a high line, etc and at multiple locations.

Lived in the herd-  Mozzie has been in over 5 different herds (horse combinations).  As a result he has learned equine language, herd dynamic, and all around horsey (grumpy mare) etiquette.

Traveled-  He has hauled numerous times in 3 different trailers to multiple locations.

Learned basic life skills- Leading respectfully, bathing, blanketing, fly spraying, clipping, hoof trimming, grooming, etc.

Learned to respect people- Both when in hand and loose in the pasture.  He yields to pressure and is very respectful of space.

Ponied-  He has been ponied off several horses in different groups of horses, crossed multiple bodies of water, and numerous hills and other varied terrain where he has learned the value of watching his step and watched countless good role models tackle those same feats.

Desensitized-  He has been in plastic bottle boxes, cowboy curtains, pool noodle car washes, and experienced countless other spooks.