[wyldterv]

OK I finally figured out how to use the new video camera to take still photos with so yesterday I got some photos of Poncho for those who've been asking, cajolling, etc!

I wanted to take some photos under saddle but Sunday we worked on FEET and guess what??? He's WAAAY better then Ms Lexi because we were able to get his front feet TRIMMED on Sunday with minimal muss and fuss! Roger was even able to pick up his front feet by hand (after both Eric and I had worked on it for an hour, LOL). I was proud of Poncho for trying so hard and proud of Roger for getting in there since he knows Eric got kicked on Friday pretty hard over the feet situation!

I also introduced the spray bottle to Poncho on Sunday. Eric thought I was NUTS quite frankly to attempt it but stood back and said "you know what you're doing, I think you're nuts, go for it!" LOL and Poncho just stood there and barely snorted and moved about just a bit but no panick or self preservation mode kicked in. He even let me spray him on both sides of his face on the cheek! Again I was so pleased with how well he was keeping calm! Such a HUGE improvement from 6 wks ago!!!!!!

Yesterday I went down to work with him and we were planning on riding him and HOPEFULLY my first ride and I wanted photos under saddle, but Eric got caught up in a problem with a different client's horse and was delayed by two hours, so it was dusk before he got Poncho Saddled up, too dark for photos and too late for me to want to try riding him myself.

My time waiting was not wasted. I worked on picking up front feet and picking them out, he was great. I worked on backing up on lead ( a pretty new concept to him) and again he was getting the idea nicely. Then Eric's wife suggested we introduce the hose to him, so I said SURE, and I was able to get the front feet up to the shoulder done with him standing still and snorting, and the rear feet, not standing still, but NO KICKING. All in all I was VERY pleased with his 'first bath'. Eric got back and couldn't believe I'd done the hose treatment without him there, LOL... He said he missed out on all the fun! LOL

His ride was nice and UNeventful, but we still need to get him to stand calmly and still for saddling... he's still trying to take off over that, so that's THIS weeks project I'm just so EXCITED to see Poncho's attitude changing daily. He's still a wild mustang, he still switches into self preservation mode quickly, but he's learning to trust in humans as well and he's NOT just bonding to one person only since Eric and I have been careful to make certain he's being handled by a large variety of men and women a like (under close supervision of course to make sure Poncho is learning POSITIVE things, not negative ones, like how to pull out from leads and pressure etc). He's really looking to humans more often now as a source of companionship and leadership. It has been such an experience to watch his transformation! We have a LONG LONG way to go, but I'm really encouraged by the changes lately!

So here are Poncho hanging out photos from yesterday. I will try to get some under saddle photos later in the week if I get the opportunity!

[cassidy]

awww great pics i really like the second one!

[wyldterv]

Thanks Cassidy... I wanted to show off his head. So many people think all Mustangs have unattractive heads, and his is really quite nice IMO

[cassidy]

his face markings remind me of cassidy

its aamazing how many horses look like that lol

but he doesnt have white socks at the front lol

[Dawn]

Yay! You finally got some! That's great about his feet, and the hose! You're doing so well with him.

[wyldterv]

Thanks Dawn!!!!!!!!!! I REALLY wanted photos of him under saddle for you, but it was dusk by the time Eric got to the house, so just too dark to get anything that would be useable. I'll work on that PROMISE!

We still have to work on him letting us pick up his hind feet, but they're in pretty good shape, he's kept them well rounded off. Only thing they really need is a stitch taken off of his heel, the toe portion is in good shape and length.

I have to say I was really proud of myself for NOT being apprehensive at all and doing both the fly spray bottle on my own and then the hose yesterday. My confidence in my ability to read and react quickly and appropriately with him has really risen, MAINLY from working Lexi. Funny, in so many ways she's actually more dangerous then he is but I don't seem to worry about it, it's more in the realm of what I am familiar with.

All in all though, I'm happy with how all of us are progressing!

[Dawn]

Be careful with taking heel off of him. I know Eric knows what he's doing, but sometimes it's still hard not to want to make them look "normal". Mustangs angles are much more upright. I'll get a picture of Reno's for you when I get off of work. Everyone that looks at them thinks they need trimming, but they don't. Farrier looked at them this morning and couldn't believe what good shape their in for never having actually been trimmed.

[Dawn]

Yes, that's one of the big things is having the confidence to try things. That's what I did with Reno and the spray bottle. I just did it, didn't give her a chance to be afraid of it.

[wyldterv]

Originally Posted by Dawn

Be careful with taking heel off of him. I know Eric knows what he's doing, but sometimes it's still hard not to want to make them look "normal". Mustangs angles are much more upright. I'll get a picture of Reno's for you when I get off of work. Everyone that looks at them thinks they need trimming, but they don't. Farrier looked at them this morning and couldn't believe what good shape their in for never having actually been trimmed.

Yes Eric and I discussed his feet angles, and we both agreed we don't want to take much off the rear heel at all, but really does need just a stitch off the back, as he's not quite rolling off the toe properly in the back. It's not BAD mind you, but it could be a schoch better. It's amazing how well they actually round off their hooves and don't get big crackes, hunks missing etc. I don't have Poncho on the Farrier's Formula, just Lexi,as the Equilux Rice Bran I feed also has Biotin in it, and Poncho's feet are VERY healthy.

And as for the confidence to just try things issue, YES that was MY issue all along, and at least I KNEW it was MY issue with him and I was smart enough to get someone to help me with him but not just DO everything without including me. I'm learning SO much from this whole experience, it's certainly been a rewarding situation. ALTHOUGH my $125 Mustang now has $1,400 worth of professional training going into him! LOLOL... I TOLD Roger it would be cheaper to go buy a $2,500-3,000 well broke 8 yr old Gelding, LOLOL... But then again, I'd not have learned much from it!

[belle4]

Karyn,



Poncho is really pretty. I have never heard that mustangs have ugly heads. No matter, yours doesn't. Sounds like you are making great progress with him. Good job!

I know what you mean about the confidence thing. After being bucked off nearly a month ago, I finally got the courage to get on the silly mare today. For the past few weeks I have gone back to the ground with driving, round pen, bridling, saddleing, trotting poles on the lunge line, accepting blankets, feet, etc. Jessie had ridden her, but to tell you the truth, that really scared me. I am way too old to be getting bucked off. I hope the bucking spree is over for good. She was really well behaved today.

Keep up the good work. Progress is good.