Surprise! Wyoming goes home! Yee haw!

Sunday, August 30, 2009, was a big day for Wyoming and myself. And also for Carol and her family. Wyoming was going home! :-)
I know everyone is probably confused by now, but the end result is Carol wanted Wy all along, but they were a little overwhelmed with Blaze, her daughters mustang who just got delivered about 3 weeks prior, stuff to do on the place to get ready for two horses, the idea of two green horses, etc. She still wanted him, but thought she was making the right decision for the time. We all have had to make decisions like that at some point...and they hurt.
WELL! Carol decided she was going to get her horse, so she e-mailed me to make sure she could still get him home! YES! YOU BETCHA!!! WOO HOO!!!
She also wanted to surprise her daughter...so we did not let her know that we were bringing Wy home! I LOVE SURPRISES LIKE THIS!!! This is the type of surprise you just can't buy with money...you can only buy with love!

It was a pretty good drive down there, and the weather was beautiful! We really could not have asked for more.

Wyoming meets Blaze for the first time...no squealing, pawing, nothing. Not until we were getting ready to leave and Wy followed Blaze under their canopy. Then they did a little squealing and pawing, but I think Blaze was just letting Wy know he was there first. Those two will get along great!
Oh yeah, come to find out, Blaze was just gelded a week before he was delivered...so considering that in the mix, I think Blaze is one awesome fellow!



Blaze (left): "I am cuter!"
Wy (right): "No, I am cuter!"
Blaze (left): "I was here first...I am cuter!"
Wy (right): "I was here second, I am the most recent cuter!"

Yep, they are true brothers!



I rode Wy around in their pen, which is a great size to ride both horses to get used to them. He was so good! You know how we all worry and want it all to be perfect? We want our 'kids' to be well behaved. I was in that frame of mind! Ha ha!

Carol has not ridden for quite a while, but she did not hesitate to get up there! There were a lot of questions about the horses, how and what to do, tack fit, etc. Carol started moving him around, and here she is with her big Mustang Smile!
When I was going thru pictures last night, it occurred to me I never got a close up of her and Wy together! Just so much happening in a short amount of time...



Look how relaxed both of them are...



Carol asks Wy to stop so she can rub his rump...I was tickled to see this because not everyone is comfortable doing that.



Jim, Carol's hubby, who I might mention rides a motorcycle so he can't be half bad, was so supportive of Carol. He was watching, asking questions, taking pictures...life is going to be great there for Blaze and Wy!



Carol and Wy blazing by us! Zoom zoom! :-)



The after ride hug...she loves him!



They have a 10 acre field, so I rode him in the field a few minutes. He was a little concerned, and I think it was because he did not want to leave Blaze already. We rode back and forth a few times and he did relax. He even got to experience a little Jack Russell type dog, Oreo, jumping up and down in the grass. He looked with interest, then moved on.



Wy got to meet the family, and you can see how stressed out he is...HA HA! Wow, I wish I was this stressed out sometimes! It looks much nicer than the way I do it!



Granddaughter Cassidy gets pulled over Granddaughter Shaine...



It was time to ride Blaze. Blaze was adopted the same time Wy was, and Blaze went to a different trainer. He was at the trainers for 90 days, and when they got him back they could not get him to 'go'. He was skiddish at first touch but gentle as they come once he lets you in (which did not take long), he saddled up great, he was a love bug, but he just would not go. The trainer delivered him and he had two of the boys who ride for him by his side. They did give Dawn a lot of information, showed her how to do a lot of things, but in the beginning it is hard to soak it all in, and be confident that you are doing everything right. Our goal: We are going to find an easy way to get Blaze moving!

I got on him, and let me tell you, this boy can flex! He is like butter...whereas Wy is tight as a tick! I was describing how he turns and Brian compares it to turning like a boat! YES! Wy turns exactly like a boat! Blaze can bend in half with no problem! I did get him to moving around, but it was work. Carol asked what I thought and I laughed and said "Yep, he won't go!" He is at the very beginning stages, so I showed Carol how I get mine moving. If they give me one step when I ask, I praise them like they gave me 100 steps. Blaze followed Wy around so I gave him the 'go' cue at that time. That way he will eventually associate that cue with "Let's get moving."



He will also follow people - they have had the kids on him and he is great when he has someone to follow.
I told them they could use that to their advantage too....Carol walked in front of me, I gave the cluck and leg pressure, we walked, I had Carol keep walking while I asked Blaze to stop and stand (which he did), then I asked Blaze to go again (which he did). That way we were far enough away from Carol for him to pay attention to me, but he could see her and head that direction.



Simon says, hands out in front...



Blaze is young and is going to fill out quite a bit! I was looking at his legs and his overall build, and I think he will be much stockier than Wy will be. Blaze is going to be such a great horse! His eyes are so soft, and when he stands by you, he melts his head into your chest. He is still learning trust, and as he matures he will start to gain more confidence. It does not take a lot of time each day to get these wonderful mustangs to come around...even if it is every other day for a few minutes, it all counts and they remember it.

ACK! What is going on here? Jim is combing Wy's mane! We let him know to be careful because girls like their horses to have lots of mane and tail! :-) Hee hee!



Okay fine...I will just brush his body then. :-)



This is the other most awesome part - Dawn still did not know Wy was coming
home. She gets there and she see's me and yells, "Is that the trainer lady?"
She was so excited to see me and we hugged and talked about Blaze. She still did not know her Mom had Wy there...until Wy nickered. Dawn looks up and says "Who was that? Where is that coming from?" and her Mom says in a voice like you are talking to a little kid you are trying to trick "Oh Dawn, this is Blaze, this is your horse....." We all laughed...it was hilarious! Wy then poked his head out from behind the building and Dawn looked at her Mom and said "You got him?" She cried and hugged her Mom....oh gosh, I am getting choked up again...it was the best day!

I rode Blaze for her to show her what I was doing, and he was even better than he was the first time. That could also be that I was more comfortable than I was the first time. Dawn was not ready to get back on yet (she earned herself some air miles when he took off so her confidence is being challenged) and I told her there is nothing saying she has to. Just spend time with them, bond, take them for walks, and he will become less skiddish with sudden movements, and he will form a very strong bond with her.

When she walked up to Blaze she did not even hesitate to hug on him. Dawn loves Blaze and Blaze loves Dawn!
I have no doubt that these two will become an awesome team!



Carol and I were standing off to the side watching Dawn lean on Carol's horse....Hmmmmm, we are wondering if Dawn is thinking up a plan to steal Wy! Ha ha!



Okay, this is awesome! Uncle Jerry came to visit, and did I get a picture of him? NO! I got a picture of his Chinese Crested dog! I had never seen one in real life, so I was all excited. They are hairless, and they feel weird! Look at this mug! Gotta love it!



While I was with Carol going over Wy's papers, Brian hung out with Blaze...





Blaze is wearing Brian's camo BLM hat, and he looks quite dashing if you ask me!



We were there a few hours and I think it was fantabulous! Then it was time to leave...it was easy to leave because I knew that Wy was going to be spoiled rotten and will love it there. He has a great brother in Blaze, and I have no doubt that Carol and Dawn will treat these boys right. Remember girls, spoiling them is okay, but don't let them get away with stuff...they are smart and will try to work the deal! They are just like young human kids, except better! :-)

Then again it was hard to leave because I have seen this guy every day for several months...



I know this isn't Goodbye...it is "See you later!" I am so happy for all of them!
Yesterday morning it was not really hard to go out and feed without him there...there was more of a ping on the heart. I missed his head wrapping around me looking for the bucket.

ACK! I have to leave for work now. Forgive me for any typo-s! Those will be fixed tonite after I have time to go over this again. I just wanted to get some pictures out there.

Gotta go now...until later...Karen and Tripp who has a cocky smile on his face. :-)

Video - Batman and That Smell!!!

It is almost midnight so I need to get this posted and head to bed...
This is a short but cute video...enjoy!



And just because I can't keep my mouth shut because I am sooooo excited, I will tell you all that Wyoming went home to his adopter!!! YAY!!! I had e-mailed her with a couple of questions, and she e-mailed back asking if he was still available. You betcha! She was his official adopter, so yep, he could go home! She never really wanted to let him go, just thought it was the right thing at the moment. Then she thought about it more (haven't we all done that?) and knew she had to have him.
I cried like a big happy baby! I was so glad...I already knew I loved their family and I knew he would be happy there. We delivered him today and spent a few hours chatting, and also working with Blaze, their other mustang.
I will try to get pictures and more of the story up tomorrow (oops, it is midnight...so it will be today) or Tuesday evening. :-D

Night night....

Karen and Tripp, who is happy the competition is dwindling down. HA HA!

Copper Cooper is moving right along...

I have those natural nervous thoughts of "Am I doing okay?" "Will we make it in time?" "Am I really behind?" "How come I feel more dumb this year than I did last year with Tripp?"
Then I answer myself..."Yes, I am doing okay." "Yes, showing up to the event is making it in time!" "Yes, I am a little behind in my mind, but that is okay...we are improving." "I feel more dumb this year because I have had other horses to concentrate on in addition to Copper, whereas last year it was only Tripp."

I finally got Copper to pass thru his corral gate and we went for a walk around the barn lot area. Then we headed out to the yard. The next day I decided to see how he handles the trailer...I worry about those horrible memories not letting him realize it is okay, and he won't get hurt. I worried about that with Wyoming too! He was forced to load from the holding pens, then we had to trick him into loading for the Humansville, MO adoption, then he was ran back into the trailer when we brought him home for training. He was never asked...but he did great! He hopped right in, and I have never had to get in first.
I have to get in first with Copper, but I don't mind - HE ACTUALLY LOADED!!!! WOOOO HOOOO!!!!!
I was going to be happy with him putting a hoof or two up there, but he surprised me and came right in! We had to do some talking, and I had to talk sweet talk and wait him out, but we did it!



After going in and out three times, I am excited! Can you tell?



Copper is coming back thru the front yard gate - this is the first day he has been thru this gate and up to the trailer.



After coming thru the gate, he detours thru the walnut tree. :-)



I took his halter off for the first time and let him eat grass in the yard with the others.
Here we have Copper, Tandee my old Arab mare, and Wyoming.



Mustang and Wanna Be Mustang Butts Drive Me Nuts!



Copper and Wyoming...I was trying to get a good picture so you all could see the size difference, but it was hard. I think you can tell in this one...they are so similar in color when you just glance, we would lose track of who was where. They got along great...this is when I realized that it was Tripp who had issues with Wy, not Wy with Tripp. Okay, I realized it before this...Tripp can be a turd! But I still love him.



Chase the llama had to check out the new guy. The new guy does not take kindly to his flirting!



Snoop the Dog resting after watching horses eat...it is hard work you know!



Getting Copper out of that pen was good for his brain. He still over reacts, but he is leading so much better than before. We walked around and thru some things, and up and over the dirt pile. I think he is kind of lazy and did not want to, but I talked him in to it.
OH! Copper can buck! I had the saddle on him a couple nights ago, which is nothing new. That day I put in a small jump to give him something to pay attention to, and he would go around good a time or two, but then slow down. I could tap his rump with the stick and make noises at him, but he did not care. So I popped him with the end of the lead rope. I think it was the sting and the noise, and Brian thinks it was the stirrups - Copper probably thinks it was all of the above! All I know is he blew up, jumped with all 4 feet off the ground, and bucked around that pen twice! I just stood there saying "Wow! He is a powerhouse!" "WOW!" "Wow...I am so glad I am not up on him right now, because I would have never ridden that one out!" While he was bucking he did not lose all of his senses. He tapped himself into the panels, but not bad, and when he reached the jump he actually paid attention, then jumped with all 4 off the ground again right over it! Dang, that guy can buck big! He stopped and turned to look at me...with a very surprised look on his face. I walked up to him no problem, and I think he was sorry. We have a lot of work to do with scary things! Horse flies have been bad, so he is finally realizing that me flailing my arms all over the place is not a bad thing! :-)

So, yes, I am still nervous, and yes, I am happy with Copper and what he is doing.

Everyone have a great weekend!

Karen and Tripp

UPDATE: Wyoming needs a new adopter...

Okay folks, no photos with this one. Just a short story...

I got an e-mail last week from Wy's adopter saying she can't take him. She says it was not anything I did or did not do, and she has kept up with Wy on the blog and I believe was pleased with him.
Her daughter also adopted a mustang the same day, and they already have him back from the trainer. He does not have the training they thought he was going to have - he would not 'go' for them, but he was very gentle. They had the kids on him and Blaze would follow another person around while carrying the kids. He just doesn't know what is being asked of him. Blaze also bucked off his person - dang horse fly bit him on the nose and he just took off. So now there is a little bit of fear. Heck, I remember that from last Fall when I signed up for Club Dirt with Tripp. It hurts, and it is scary! So, between that, the idea of having two green horses on the place, plus the everyday chores of getting their place together, I think it was a little overwhelming. I really do wish they could have seen Wyoming, but all things happen for a reason. My wish is that they stick with Blaze, and find someone to work with him and them both. I don't want Blaze to get lost in the system if he has to go back. I also hope they keep in touch...if I don't hear from them I just might have to bother them first. Hee hee!

I have an e-mail to a gal at the BLM letting her know what is going on. He was officially adopted so he will be up for reassignment. If anybody has kept up with the blog they know how great a horse Wyoming is. Is he perfect? No way! He is still a baby with a baby brain. He is 3 yrs old, was gelded in April, is very sure footed and loves to get out. I have only ridden him with the halter and my bitless bridle - yes, on the trails. He does not have power steering yet, but it does get better. He is also tight...we can flex til the cows come home, but he is still tight. When he gets scared of something most of the time he confronts it - usually by approaching it and maybe a snort or two (I love this about him!) We usually walk on the trails, but lately I have been adding a lot of trotting. We have only cantered a couple of times and he did fine. We only went a few strides then I slowed him down. He trailer loads without any problems, altho sometimes I have to ask twice. I have trimmed his hooves several times and he does get impatient, but he is still better than some of my other horses who have been at it longer than him.
He has a very busy mind, and he is not what you would call a 'pocket pony' at all! He is a busy body and doesn't have time to stop, but he will even tho it does not please him. :-) He is young and all I have to say is this guy can only get better and better!


My previous entry tells the story, but this past weekend he rode with other horses for the first time, and he did fantastic! The only thing he did not like to do was lead the bunch. It isn't because they were behind him, because even when he was 2nd in line he was okay with the horses behind, I think it was because he was afraid they were going someplace different since he had been by himself for a few weeks. He did not even react to the other horses on the trail coming our direction. We met one gal on the road before the ride and I gave her my map on how to get to the cafe/campground area. We saw them, and he handled her reaching over with the map. I was not sure about it but Phil said "Oh he will do fine." And he did! :-)

If you have any questions, please e-mail me. I really love this guy a lot and want him to have a GREAT home! I wish I could keep him, especially since he is the best trained horse on the place right now, but if I want to keep helping mustangs, I have to let some of them go to good homes, right?

So, if you all know of anybody, let me know.
My e-mail is: HoofnIt03@gmail.com.

Until later...Karen and Tripp, who will be glad to see Wy go. :-) He is jealous!

By the way, one more thing. Tripp is the only horse Wy has fought with. And personally I don't think it would have happened if Tripp was not being a butt! Wy met Copper up close and personal tonite, and they did great together. So he really is a lover, not a fighter. Thank goodness!

Wyoming goes on a trail ride...with 4 other horses!

Chris, who was the first to touch Wyoming, and her husband Phil, son Kenny, and his best friend Jay came to our area and we rode at Rudolf Bennitt Conservation Area. They are used to unmanicured trails with a greater degree of difficulty - this will be gravy train for them. I want to brag on Jay...this was only his 3rd ride - EVER! He did great! Woo hoo!
It was a beautiful day! Sun was shining and the temps were low.

Wy had never ridden with a group of horses, and as many times as we have been out there to ride, we have never crossed paths with another rider. I usually ride alone, so this would be a different pace for me too.

I asked the vet if the 6 wk mark was okay to let him mingle with other horses since his wound was healed, his nose is not runny, etc. No problem. Yay!
In the beginning Wy was a little ancey because he has been in isolation for 5 weeks - he was excited to see other horses, even if he had never met them before.

Wy watches with interest as we all get ready to go...



We let a big group of riders go ahead of us. Starting out was hard because we had not worked out our pace yet. Wy doesn't really walk fast, he just covers territory. At first the other horses who are very stocky were moving slower, but they picked up the pace and Wy learned to slow it down.

The big group of riders is up ahead...and we are following...



The whole place is a beautiful place to ride, but the lake is my favorite area...I love the water...
Behind us, Chris and Jay are crossing the lake dam...



One of the small water crossings on a trail I had not been on...



I had to prove I was there...and what better way to do that than a YES! SELF PORTRAIT! HA HA!
I am peeking while Jay and Phil are following...



Jay and Kenny...how cool to be able to ride with your best friend? Jay has adopted his first mustang who has been dubbed "Sir Waffles". :-) Jay is a very proud mustang owner and will be on the trails with him soon.



Funny face!
Jay followed most of the way...his horse was happy bringing up the rear. Which really worked good for a while because it got Wy used to someone being back there. No kicking, face making or anything. Good Wy!



Chris and Phil holding hands...
All together now..."Aaaaahhhhhhhhh"... :-)



After about 3 hours of fun, we were back to the trucks.



It was a great day and for me, the hardest part of riding with a group is trying to chat a bit, but not being able to hear. Poor Jay was in the back and did not hear anything unless I yelled back at him.
Wy did good riding beside other horses - he prefers to be on the right, and he was great with horses behind him, he just did not want to lead. He walked real slow...I don't half wonder if he wanted to make sure they did not leave him. He has been lonely you know! :-)
We also met many other riders going the opposite direction of us, and Wyoming did great!
Chris and Phil both commented on Wy and how great he did...and Phil wishes that his adopter could have seen him that day...(another blog entry...I think I might do that one next)

Can't wait for the next one!

Until later...Karen and Tripp who is mad because he did not get to go
(Don't tell Tripp I said this, but he is not as good with other horses as Wy is)

Copper gets more exposure to stuff...

AJAX SAYS: "COPPER COPPER COPPER, It is always about Copper! Hmpf!"



Okay, here we go. I am behind where I want to be, but that is about to change. I have just got two weeks added back into my "Copper Account" that I did not think I would have. (That story will be another blog entry) It was time to step up the pace a bit to see how he handles it...I have a tendency to be kind of cushy...don't want to scare them, upset them, etc. Frankly, he handles things pretty well...he is still nervous and jumpy sometimes, but isn't that to be expected? Enough of this kind of stuff and he will continue to be less and less worried.

Copper has not wanted to walk over anything, the metal bar that is on the ground at the gate, the low wooden bridge, the tarp...okay, we just introduced the tarp and that one is understandable, but he just did not want to mess with the others. Even Batman could not get him out the gate. Yes, I am resorting to using the young'uns! :-)

Sunday morning Brian and I put the tarp on the ground and put his hay box on it - which we should have done before now. He could reach over the smaller tarp without touching it, so we brought out a bigger one.

Batman is my Assistant Trainer today...he is showing Copper that the tarp is not a big deal.



Copper thinks it is a big deal...he just knows he can stretch and get a nibble...and he did! Look at him strain to make it without touching! We moved the box a little closer to the bridge, which was Brian's idea. He either had to touch the tarp, or go over the bridge to get to the hay box...



So he heads to another angle...stretches some more...and gets a nibble! We decided he could reach the edge, and eventually he would have to get on it more to get to the middle of the box.



Finally! Front feet on tarp, and it did not wrap itself around him. He finally got all fours on there and was stomping flies which also made weird tarp noise. Good! This was a breakthrough!



How easily I get sidetracked...this is my sunflower patch. There are two rows about 50 ft long. Someday I hope to have enough room for a whole garden area of sunflowers.



Bee's enjoying the sunflowers...



Okay, back to topic...I have never had or used a surcingle before. I always thought they looked cool, but that was as far as it went. A couple years ago we got a bunch of horse stuff from an auction, and this surcingle was in there, so I tried it out! It worked quite nicely to get him used to the snug part of the girth. My friend Jill suggested I get an umbrella for training...he is checking that out too.



COPPER SAYS: "HA HA!!! Look at the girl try to figure out how to work that contraption!" (I am not graceful when it comes to umbrellas)



After a while of playing with 'stuff', this is where we ended up. Umbrella to block the sun from a hard day at work, Dummy Legs to simulate extra weight on him, and the tarp in case it rains and I need to cover us up. Okay, I made that part up...



I mentioned the bridge...after all of the other 'stuff', I went back to asking him to cross the bridge. WE DID IT!!!! WOO HOO!!!! He will go from his left side, but not his right side. It is a right hoof left hoof thing we have to work on - A LOT!



Like always, I grab the first little kid I can, and this time it was Madison. I had her leading him around the pen, and he was doing great at dropping his head a bit when she went to pet his forehead.



That is all I have time for now...

Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the summer as much as possible!

Until later, Karen and Tripp