Steve Rother Clinic and Mustang Poncho

wyldterv · 11-22-2004, 10:30 AM

Some of you may have noticed the peace and quiet all weekend... I wasn't about to post new threads or reply to any, LOL...

Well that's because Poncho and I attended a Steve Rother Horsemanship clinic ALL day Saturday and ALL day Sunday!~!~!

I made the hour trailer trip to the clinic location each day, and because Poncho isn't yet trained to tie, put him back in the trailer during lunch break. SO Poncho got to load and unload from the trailer a total of 6 times this weekend and is finally figuring out to step on the ramp instead of jumping the ramp on the trailer, so right there was a big training opportunity. BTW it doesn't take more than 2 mins tops to get him IN The trailer, he trailers SO well, I just LOVE IT~! Once in, he just stands quiet as a church mouse, munching his hay or drinking his water.

I signed up for Foundation level 1 training and Horsemanhship level one, so a total of two training sessions a day.

Foundation clinic is 100% ground work. everything is done on the rope halter with a 12' long line. There were 20 horses and handlers in this clinic and it lasts 3 hours long. Poncho has NEVER been worked with more then one or two other horses so this was a big deal... He handled the entire thing sterlingly well!~ Steve could NOT believe this was the same horse that was his Demo horse back in May at the adoption gentling demo he did. Poncho was the TOUGHEST Mustang Steve had ever demoed with and he told me Sunday night that he truly did not believe Eric and I would be this far with Poncho from July to now...

Everything went well in the ground work, although Poncho did have ONE 'blow up' incident yesterday(Sunday) while working on a rope on rump exercise Steve had modified for us... He got the rope on his hind legs and went into 'self preservation mode' like he does when the rear end gets touched with the rope anywhere and tried to take off kicking. I held on, dug into the arena, cranked his head TOO my body to the feet could not reach me while he was kicking and bucking in panic and got him under control~ This was the first time I'VE worked him under this type of stress and I kept my head together~~~ I have to say I was really proud of myself, as I've been a bit intimidated by him, but ended up just going into self defense/training mode like I would have if he was ANY other horse and it worked well. It's amazing how your natural instincts kick in and over-ride your concious thought sometimes.

After two days of ground work btw, Poncho learned to back with driving and physical pressure, SIDE PASS against the wall and half pass down the arena, pivot on forhand and rear and I worked on some special hind leg desensitization techniques. We did this for 3 hours each day... It's VERY intense and wears a human body out, but Poncho is a VERY different horse today too!~

THEN we had about a 45 mins lunch break, so I'd put Poncho in the trailer for a 30 mins rest, while I wolfed down lunch, pottied my puppy Rhed, and then off to the arena for saddling, getting ready for the 3 hours afternoon session of horsemanship clinic.

The first day, my trainer Eric was there, so he saddled Poncho, because Poncho still hasn't been standing easily for this. The first day we rode for 3 hours and worked on many of the exercises we'd worked on in teh ground work clinic, but from the saddle. Poncho, again had NEVER been in a ring with 20 other horses and riders and handled it very well. The only 'incident' was a pressure acceptance exercise of trotting our horses between the wall and the clinician, Steve Rother, who was astride, with a stick and flag.. Poncho just could not quite handle that stress of the tight space (Mustangs avoid tight quarters at all costs in the wild, it is a life preservation thing) and he bolted through at a run, but was easily brought undercontrol with our one rein stop which both Eric and I train exclusively on youngsters. I came home physically exhausted on Saturday and Poncho came home mentally tired. 6 hours total of intense work is ALOT.

Sunday's riding went well again, and Poncho was side passing down the wall (btw ALL of this in his rope halter ONLY!~ which proves you don't need a BIT to get collection and control, just good hands and a light horse) and making half pass across the arena for up to 10 steps at a time... He also learned to back undersaddle. All went great during horsemanship until a particular exercise of 'tag' Steve had us playing... ONE person had the stick and could tag another rider by touching them or their horse with the stick... BUT everyone was told to not touch Poncho with the stick, he's not yet ready for that kind of pressure... If you were tagged you took the stick and rode with it, again, Steve told everyone to NOT worry about giving me the stick... Well some forgot and touched Poncho, well that was OK, he did blow up, BUT they then tried to hand me the stick, and as I was saying NOOOOO do NOT, Poncho BLEW, like we knew he would (a mustang or any green horse, can only handle so much pressure in a day!) KaBOOM, he was Off and getting into position for FULL BOLT and BUCK LIKE **** mode... I did not even THINK, I just REACTED, and got him Shut down immediately with my legs driving him foreward into a one rein spin/stop. BAM... ERCH, he was done!~ I could not believe my body remembered how to react to that situation since it had been many years since I've needed that technique and I certainly did NOT haev time to THINK about what to do. After that he settled back down instantaneously and we contined the rest of the final 30 mins without any incident at all.

To say I'm proud of Poncho isn't enough. I will say, I'm proud of myself and I'm not ashamed to say it... This weekend was probably the best $350 I've spent as it brought back my confidence 100% in MY ability to handle Poncho alone, with out Eric as a 'crutch'... I even SADDLED HIM MYSELF on Sunday, with Steve just holding him, but he HELD STILL, which was a FIRST! SO Poncho is on his way to truly becoming a gentle horse and not a wild Mustang. Sorry this is long but thanks for reading~

QHGirl · 11-22-2004, 10:37 AM

I am so amazed. I am falling out of my chair. I am SO happy you had a wonderful weekend. It seems that you guys are clicking... and that is the most important part! YEA!!!!
Patting you on the back, I also am proud of YOU! Sounds like that was one of the best clinics you could have attended. Even blow ups and all, he realized if he is scared, it will be OK! AND most of all, YOU realized it!

Dawn · 11-22-2004, 10:39 AM

Wow! Sounds like everything went perfect. Well you know what I mean. There were bumps, but they were all handled excellently! No pictures I suppose ::sigh:: I'm getting used to it. That is awesome that he trailers so well. Especially the second day. Pretty amazing.

wyldterv · 11-22-2004, 10:42 AM

Thanks QH and Dawn... I'm really REALLY proud of him and I think he exceeded my hopes for the clinic weekend by 200%... I really expected MANY more 'incidents' and the ones that DID happen were able to be handled well, so that was, in itself, a fantastic training experience

Dawn, it is too hard to work and take photos at the same time, LOL... ALTHOUGH a prof photographer was there on Sat afternoon, so if he got any good shots of Poncho I'll be buy some and will post them... I won't know for another week or so if any turned out though... we'll see...

Dawn · 11-22-2004, 10:50 AM

I'd take them even if they weren't good. I'm a picture fanatic. I know, it's horrible.

I really am so amazed with Poncho and you.

wyldterv · 11-22-2004, 11:08 AM

LOL, Dawn it's OK to be a picture fanatic... I'm the anthisis of that, LOL... I'm the person who TAKES her $5K worth of camera equipement on vacation and never remembers to get it out of the car, SERIOUSLY, cause I'm so BUSY doing STUFF, LOL.

belle4 · 11-22-2004, 12:14 PM

WLYD,

That sounds like so much fun. I can't believe someone touched him with the stick even after they were told NOT to do that. What great progress. How cool that the clinician was able to see the progress you have made. That must have been really good to hear.

wyldterv · 11-22-2004, 01:47 PM

Well generally the people in the foundation 1 and horsemanship 1 levels are not the most experienced people in the world... I took them because there is no WAY Poncho is ready for more advanced work, even though I am

... SO I can see HOW it happened but truly, ALL weekend I REPEATEDLY told People do NOT get behind this horse, do NOT NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTT get behind him, he's IS A WILD MUSTANG and not 100% YET

And yet over 6 different time, people ON THE GROUND (when he's most likely to react) were with in a hairs distance of backing right into him from behind while they were working their horses because they were NOT paying attention to who and what was around them.

BELIEVE me when I say, I am NOT the most patient person and FINALLY I snapped at a few people I'd told more then TWICE to stay OFF Poncho's butt unless they LIKED having body parts re-arranged!

Even if you don't have a ton of training experience, you'd think people could LISTEN? Nope... BUT it's like that with everything in life if you think about it

Fortunately I AM very observant and very VERY good at keeping MYSELF and my horse SAFE, so I was able to keep things good for all of us

HorseCraze120 · 11-22-2004, 02:59 PM

Karyn! Thats awesome, congratuliatons! You guys are doing really well, im so proud of you guys! Keep up the good work

, im glad your having fun with him.

Bella · 11-22-2004, 03:24 PM

Congratulations, that is such great news! I'm glad you and Poncho did so well at the clinic, and it's great that you enjoyed it!

For sure let us see some of the pictures if you buy some, i'll bet he and you looked great out there!

Again, congrats!

-Bella

11-22-2004, 10:30 AM	#1
wyldterv Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bellingham, WA USA Posts: 12,567 Images: 309 Blog Entries: 18	Steve Rother Clinic and Mustang Poncho Some of you may have noticed the peace and quiet all weekend... I wasn't about to post new threads or reply to any, LOL... Well that's because Poncho and I attended a Steve Rother Horsemanship clinic ALL day Saturday and ALL day Sunday!~!~! I made the hour trailer trip to the clinic location each day, and because Poncho isn't yet trained to tie, put him back in the trailer during lunch break. SO Poncho got to load and unload from the trailer a total of 6 times this weekend and is finally figuring out to step on the ramp instead of jumping the ramp on the trailer, so right there was a big training opportunity. BTW it doesn't take more than 2 mins tops to get him IN The trailer, he trailers SO well, I just LOVE IT~! Once in, he just stands quiet as a church mouse, munching his hay or drinking his water. I signed up for Foundation level 1 training and Horsemanhship level one, so a total of two training sessions a day. Foundation clinic is 100% ground work. everything is done on the rope halter with a 12' long line. There were 20 horses and handlers in this clinic and it lasts 3 hours long. Poncho has NEVER been worked with more then one or two other horses so this was a big deal... He handled the entire thing sterlingly well!~ Steve could NOT believe this was the same horse that was his Demo horse back in May at the adoption gentling demo he did. Poncho was the TOUGHEST Mustang Steve had ever demoed with and he told me Sunday night that he truly did not believe Eric and I would be this far with Poncho from July to now... Everything went well in the ground work, although Poncho did have ONE 'blow up' incident yesterday(Sunday) while working on a rope on rump exercise Steve had modified for us... He got the rope on his hind legs and went into 'self preservation mode' like he does when the rear end gets touched with the rope anywhere and tried to take off kicking. I held on, dug into the arena, cranked his head TOO my body to the feet could not reach me while he was kicking and bucking in panic and got him under control~ This was the first time I'VE worked him under this type of stress and I kept my head together~~~ I have to say I was really proud of myself, as I've been a bit intimidated by him, but ended up just going into self defense/training mode like I would have if he was ANY other horse and it worked well. It's amazing how your natural instincts kick in and over-ride your concious thought sometimes. After two days of ground work btw, Poncho learned to back with driving and physical pressure, SIDE PASS against the wall and half pass down the arena, pivot on forhand and rear and I worked on some special hind leg desensitization techniques. We did this for 3 hours each day... It's VERY intense and wears a human body out, but Poncho is a VERY different horse today too!~ THEN we had about a 45 mins lunch break, so I'd put Poncho in the trailer for a 30 mins rest, while I wolfed down lunch, pottied my puppy Rhed, and then off to the arena for saddling, getting ready for the 3 hours afternoon session of horsemanship clinic. The first day, my trainer Eric was there, so he saddled Poncho, because Poncho still hasn't been standing easily for this. The first day we rode for 3 hours and worked on many of the exercises we'd worked on in teh ground work clinic, but from the saddle. Poncho, again had NEVER been in a ring with 20 other horses and riders and handled it very well. The only 'incident' was a pressure acceptance exercise of trotting our horses between the wall and the clinician, Steve Rother, who was astride, with a stick and flag.. Poncho just could not quite handle that stress of the tight space (Mustangs avoid tight quarters at all costs in the wild, it is a life preservation thing) and he bolted through at a run, but was easily brought undercontrol with our one rein stop which both Eric and I train exclusively on youngsters. I came home physically exhausted on Saturday and Poncho came home mentally tired. 6 hours total of intense work is ALOT. Sunday's riding went well again, and Poncho was side passing down the wall (btw ALL of this in his rope halter ONLY!~ which proves you don't need a BIT to get collection and control, just good hands and a light horse) and making half pass across the arena for up to 10 steps at a time... He also learned to back undersaddle. All went great during horsemanship until a particular exercise of 'tag' Steve had us playing... ONE person had the stick and could tag another rider by touching them or their horse with the stick... BUT everyone was told to not touch Poncho with the stick, he's not yet ready for that kind of pressure... If you were tagged you took the stick and rode with it, again, Steve told everyone to NOT worry about giving me the stick... Well some forgot and touched Poncho, well that was OK, he did blow up, BUT they then tried to hand me the stick, and as I was saying NOOOOO do NOT, Poncho BLEW, like we knew he would (a mustang or any green horse, can only handle so much pressure in a day!) KaBOOM, he was Off and getting into position for FULL BOLT and BUCK LIKE ** mode... I did not even THINK, I just REACTED, and got him Shut down immediately with my legs driving him foreward into a one rein spin/stop. BAM... ERCH, he was done!~ I could not believe my body remembered how to react to that situation since it had been many years since I've needed that technique and I certainly did NOT haev time to THINK about what to do. After that he settled back down instantaneously and we contined the rest of the final 30 mins without any incident at all. To say I'm proud of Poncho isn't enough. I will say, I'm proud of myself and I'm not ashamed to say it... This weekend was probably the best $350 I've spent as it brought back my confidence 100% in MY ability to handle Poncho alone, with out Eric as a 'crutch'... I even SADDLED HIM MYSELF on Sunday, with Steve just holding him, but he HELD STILL, which was a FIRST! SO Poncho is on his way to truly becoming a gentle horse and not a wild Mustang. Sorry this is long but thanks for reading~ __________________ WyldTerv "I've been love ♥ struck!" Horsin Around and Doggin it 24/7, Life is GRAND! Mustang Poncho,Dancer,Emmerson and Ms.Elle'** BlackFyre Farms-Bellingham, WA USA, http://www.freewebs.com/blackfyrearabians

11-22-2004, 10:37 AM	#2
QHGirl Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 7,079 Images: 276	I am so amazed. I am falling out of my chair. I am SO happy you had a wonderful weekend. It seems that you guys are clicking... and that is the most important part! YEA!!!! Patting you on the back, I also am proud of YOU! Sounds like that was one of the best clinics you could have attended. Even blow ups and all, he realized if he is scared, it will be OK! AND most of all, YOU realized it! __________________ I must not forget to thank the difficult horses, who made my life miserable, but who were better teachers than the well-behaved school horses who raised no problems. -Alois Podhaisky I've been Snowballed!!!!

11-22-2004, 10:42 AM	#4
wyldterv Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bellingham, WA USA Posts: 12,567 Images: 309 Blog Entries: 18	Thanks QH and Dawn... I'm really REALLY proud of him and I think he exceeded my hopes for the clinic weekend by 200%... I really expected MANY more 'incidents' and the ones that DID happen were able to be handled well, so that was, in itself, a fantastic training experience Dawn, it is too hard to work and take photos at the same time, LOL... ALTHOUGH a prof photographer was there on Sat afternoon, so if he got any good shots of Poncho I'll be buy some and will post them... I won't know for another week or so if any turned out though... we'll see... __________________ WyldTerv "I've been love ♥ struck!" Horsin Around and Doggin it 24/7, Life is GRAND! *Mustang Poncho,Dancer,Emmerson and Ms.Elle'* BlackFyre Farms-Bellingham, WA USA, http://www.freewebs.com/blackfyrearabians

11-22-2004, 11:08 AM	#6
wyldterv Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bellingham, WA USA Posts: 12,567 Images: 309 Blog Entries: 18	LOL, Dawn it's OK to be a picture fanatic... I'm the anthisis of that, LOL... I'm the person who TAKES her $5K worth of camera equipement on vacation and never remembers to get it out of the car, SERIOUSLY, cause I'm so BUSY doing STUFF, LOL. __________________ WyldTerv "I've been love ♥ struck!" Horsin Around and Doggin it 24/7, Life is GRAND! *Mustang Poncho,Dancer,Emmerson and Ms.Elle'* BlackFyre Farms-Bellingham, WA USA, http://www.freewebs.com/blackfyrearabians

11-22-2004, 12:14 PM	#7
belle4 Senior Moderator Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 9,426 Images: 447	WLYD, That sounds like so much fun. I can't believe someone touched him with the stick even after they were told NOT to do that. What great progress. How cool that the clinician was able to see the progress you have made. That must have been really good to hear. __________________ "Never has an adult stood so tall as they were when they bent down to help a child....." (from my friend Sandra)

11-22-2004, 10:39 AM	#3
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 31,458 Images: 1390	Wow! Sounds like everything went perfect. Well you know what I mean. There were bumps, but they were all handled excellently! No pictures I suppose ::sigh:: I'm getting used to it. That is awesome that he trailers so well. Especially the second day. Pretty amazing.

11-22-2004, 10:50 AM	#5
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 31,458 Images: 1390	I'd take them even if they weren't good. I'm a picture fanatic. I know, it's horrible. I really am so amazed with Poncho and you.

11-22-2004, 01:47 PM	#8
wyldterv Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bellingham, WA USA Posts: 12,567 Images: 309 Blog Entries: 18	Well generally the people in the foundation 1 and horsemanship 1 levels are not the most experienced people in the world... I took them because there is no WAY Poncho is ready for more advanced work, even though I am ... SO I can see HOW it happened but truly, ALL weekend I REPEATEDLY told People do NOT get behind this horse, do NOT NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTT get behind him, he's IS A WILD MUSTANG and not 100% YET And yet over 6 different time, people ON THE GROUND (when he's most likely to react) were with in a hairs distance of backing right into him from behind while they were working their horses because they were NOT paying attention to who and what was around them. BELIEVE me when I say, I am NOT the most patient person and FINALLY I snapped at a few people I'd told more then TWICE to stay OFF Poncho's butt unless they LIKED having body parts re-arranged! Even if you don't have a ton of training experience, you'd think people could LISTEN? Nope... BUT it's like that with everything in life if you think about it Fortunately I AM very observant and very VERY good at keeping MYSELF and my horse SAFE, so I was able to keep things good for all of us __________________ WyldTerv "I've been love ♥ struck!" Horsin Around and Doggin it 24/7, Life is GRAND! *Mustang Poncho,Dancer,Emmerson and Ms.Elle'* BlackFyre Farms-Bellingham, WA USA, http://www.freewebs.com/blackfyrearabians

11-22-2004, 02:59 PM	#9
HorseCraze120 Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 10,624 Images: 402 Blog Entries: 4	Karyn! Thats awesome, congratuliatons! You guys are doing really well, im so proud of you guys! Keep up the good work , im glad your having fun with him. __________________ Ashley I've Been Snowball'd!! i was on HGS when we hit 3 million posts Rules and Sebastian - forever in my heart<3

11-22-2004, 03:24 PM	#10
Bella Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Arkansas Posts: 4,313 Images: 120 Blog Entries: 3	Congratulations, that is such great news! I'm glad you and Poncho did so well at the clinic, and it's great that you enjoyed it! For sure let us see some of the pictures if you buy some, i'll bet he and you looked great out there! Again, congrats! -Bella __________________ It's a lot like nuts and bolts - if the rider's nuts, the horse bolts! ~Nicholas Evans Click my dragon egg!

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