We have had our mustangs for about 50 days now. They are both doing well and progressing fast. Zane's little brown gelding is called ALGORE and my sorrel gelding is "CHOPPER". I will give you some history since I am new to the "Blog" thing.
We received our mustangs on June 6th and started working with them right away. The first two days were spent getting them haltered and halter broke. On the 3rd day, Zane rode his gelding. (No bucking with the saddle or the rider). Zane used a pony horse and rider to help with the mounting as this is usually the most dangerous step in starting a mustang. (They are accurate with their back feet!)He was able to get on right away and rode his mustang following the other horse for a few minutes. The other rider then exited the pen and Zane walked and trotted ALGORE both directions. He spent the next 5 sessions catching, saddling and riding his horse in the round pen and large round pen before following a lead horse outside. Once this was a success, Zane began leading his horse to the hitching rail and tack room to be saddled there. He has progressed now to being quite the little ranch gelding. He has doctored cattle on him and used him to turn-back. Zane is a full-time horse trainer who trains reined cowhorses and cutting horses. He has 16 horses in full-time training so working with Algore can pose a time challenge. Sometimes it's hard to be motivated to ride one more horse. Algore is not as gentle or as easy-going as my gelding but physically more talented. He is already doing canter departures and can really, really stop. We will post photos too.
I am Zane's wife Holly and my mustang's name is "Chopper". He has quite the personality! He especially enjoys picking up things and carrying them around in his mouth. (Hence the name "chopper"). He got a hold of Zane's colt saddle in the barn and pulled it into his stall, chewing all the saddle strings off and making teeth marks on it. My horse has been very easy to work with. He is very friendly and personable. Zane put the first ride on him for me but I have been in the saddle ever since! He has never jumped or bucked with me at all. I am now riding him English hunt seat. He looks very proper in his English Gear. Chopper is very smart and willing. He learns every lesson well. He is side-passing, opening the gate, cantering, trotting, stopping, and backing on light command. He is learning his leads but tends to be a bit lazy. He is not afraid of anything! I clipped him easily the first try. He likes to be bathed and fly sprayed and picks his feet up willingly. HE LOVES TO GRAZE! I spend time with him everyday letting him just eat. He is also named "Chopper" because he will eat any weed. I've seen him down leafy spurge, spotted knapweed, dandelions, mustard, white-top anything that is green is fair game!
We are both starting to prepare for Fort Worth. Zane competes at the Will Rogers in NCHA events so we are very familiar with the facility . We are starting our trail class preparation and mastering different obstacles. We are traveling with our horses to Zane's shows as well as local events to get them used to different environments. The only issue we are a bit worried about is both of our horses refusal to eat grain. We have tried every thing to endear them to it with no luck! They also turn their noses up to anything but the best alfalfa. My little guy keeps his weight fine, but Zane's is a little on the light side.
