2016 Recap

On the Mustang Front

I'm bad at keeping up at blogging. But working three jobs and managing two horses might do that to you. But I can still recap the special moments of this year. 

May 22

We stood in a scary hoola-hoop!

June 18

Arya and I went to our first show! We showed in conformation and showmanship and placed in both classes!

June 29

Arya had her feet done for the first time! She stood like the queen bee that she is, and managed not only to impress me but the farrier as well. It was a very proud moment.

August 20

Arya and I did our first exhibition at Montgomery state fair! I sprained my ankle three days before, but we powered through! Arya took being covered in glitter, and the business of the fair in stride!

August 25

We did it! We finished 2nd overall at the Extreme Mustang makeover, and I got to come home with an amazing horse, amazing memories, and an amazing future.






 She grew an amazing winter coat!
 She got her first massage in November!
 And got her first blanket!


Misc Moments:

Oops

Day 14

Today marks two weeks with the queen!

In those fourteen days we have accomplished:

-Touching

-Grooming

-Leading

-Handling of Feet

-Basic round pen skills

It is so exciting to go through this with such a cool little horse. Big plans are brewing for our training path, and though I can't quite reveal them yet, we will be working overtime this summer to accomplish some big goals 💪🏻

Anywho- today was pretty great, until the weather decided to go zero to one hundred real quick. I ended up having to hustle from the round pen to the paddock  because of the sudden lightening storm that just so happened to roll by while I was handling feet. I think Arya was just fine with the idea of extra hay in her run in and practically a day off, but I continue to be bummed by the slippery footing. It had just begun to dry up today, which make it feel even more like a stab in the back. Meh. 

Hopefully we will start soon with some scary objects from the arena so we can do some sessions in the ring. It'd feel really great and get her out exploring. I would also like to braid her mane. That'd be pretty awesome, seeing training goes on hold so often with the weather being as crazy as it is.

More later! 

-Allie

Partner in Crime

  

 

Day 12 

Today was pretty cool. 

Leading is 2000% better than yesterday, and I now feel that we have a pretty good handle on it. Apart from the occasional getting stuck, we are now walking, stopping (needs refinement but it's there!) doing outside and inside turns, and beginning to lead through gates! Yay baby Arya!

We also worked on rubbing her back legs and belly, as well as picking up front legs. There was a little blip with the front legs, so after we got it so it was ok, I left it for tomorrow. I rubbed down her face and got closer to her nose (yay!)

We took a little brake while I did chores, then picked back up with a little grooming sesh and some over all gal time. She has really become my little buddy, and I am excited to see what we can accomplish this summer! 

Hopefully we'll have tons of little adventures, I can't wait to find out what's in store!

I'll have more pictures next time!

-Allie

 

 

Leading

Day 11

I'm a bad blogger. I only took one picture.

There weren't many opportunities to stop and pull out my phone, between the weather and nature of the training, cell phones weren't really an option.

Today was rainy. Tomorrow will not be rainy. Friday will be rainy with lightening. I just can't win. We kept the lesson relatively short in the round pen for the sake of staying dry, but we definitely got 'er done.

Perfect baby queen again started back at 100%, and started out getting a quick lunge to get some exercise in. She would much rather stand with me and get scratched, but we have to put all those calories towards something.

Trying to get Arya to exercise

She really has become my little buddy. She comes to the fence when I'm near by and waits, and even follows me around when she's not eating. She doesn't like me quite as much as food yet but we're working on it.

Today we really worked on the whole leading thing. I am so grateful to have gotten such a kind horse, because it went relatively smoothly. In the end, I was able to lead her from the round pen and back into her pen. What a cool feeling. Through spooky gates and everything. I can't wait to get to the point where we are leading well enough to be able to hand graze in the yard. That is my next big goal.

Tomorrow hopefully we can have a longer (dryer) and hopefully smoother session! I'd love to get to adventuring with my perfect little filly sometime soon!

Too fab for you.

Till tomorrow!

-Allie

Exciting Times

Day 10

It's so hard being a baby Mustang.

Today's round penning was pretty uneventful. She has the drill down, and will now walk from A to B in the chute no questions asked. What a queen. There wasn't too much energy to burn, so I practically had to push her along to get her daily exercise. It made standing still pretty easy though, which was nice. 

Investigating the fresh bedding

We started back with the simple exercises that we ended on yesterday. She picked up better than we left off, and took willing steps without much pressure. Yay princess! 

We rewarded with lots of itching, she has tons of itchy spots!

Then, the moment of truth. The lead rope. The introduction to my neon pink rope of choice was relatively painless. There were a few beats of insecurity, but like the little queen that she is, she was over it before you could blink. She is so cool. 

With the help of my dear trainer Tina Snyder, we then went on to really begin the leading process. I cannot express how grateful I am to have that extra help.    I have confidence we will be leading smoothly in no time at all. A big goal of mine will be to hand graze her, and past that will be handling her legs and feet. We have held back on that for the time being, but it is another milestone that is fast approaching!

Staying Hydrated 

Stay tuned for more progress and pictures!

-Allie

 

 

 

 

 

Baby Steps

Day 9

Can I just say, this chute is a god send.

Being able to get Arya in the round pen has kick started some great progress!

Our little set up is so cool, I love it so much. She loves her run in, and her pen has huge amounts of shade (when the sun actually comes out). The run in's footing has held up great despite this weather, and I don't have to worry about her wiping out in the mud when she gets rolling.

Today I was able to touch all over her face, and start the baby steps towards leading. I also managed to find every itchy spot on her neck, which she definitely appreciated.

 

I am officially obsessed. She's so cute, and so so so intelligent. It's just crazy.

She is now comfortable with me handling the rope below her chin, as well as bending in each direction, and taking a few steps with prompting. The left side was definitely more challenging than the right, but I have faith that will be short lived. Tomorrow we will try and get a proper training line on her, and before long hopefully we won't need that little gray lead at all!

It is crazy how she just embraces these new challenges as brave as she does. I can now proudly say that I can rub down almost her entire body (including her face!) I can brush her, she eats her grain with gusto, and I am so close to leading that I can almost taste it. I have found that the little victories are the ones that feel the best.

I hope everyone can get the chance to experience something like this in their lifetime. It truly is incredible.

Till Tomorrow!

-Allie

Trotting on Sunshine

Day 8

Have I said outright that she's perfect yet? Because she is perfect. Wow.

Today's morning started early with breakfast, she got her grain and hay, and I sat in e pen and enjoyed my morning Starbucks. Perfection. Blue skies, a nice breeze, I couldn't ask for better weather. The stupid rain is gone!

We then continued on to have another great brushing session, and must have pulled enough loose hair out of her butt to make another small pony. But she looks adorable and polished, as well as satisfied that all her itchy spots were addressed. 

She is such a little Queen.

But that's not even the best part.

We finally got the chute up and running! We had an uneventful, easy transition into the round pen, and Nash and Diego even peeked over the fence to see who the pretty lady was. Most of the session was spent trying to keep her attention away from eating/visiting with the boys. It was a great first time in the round pen!

The video might be a little tough to see, but look. at. that. trot.

Basically my Mustang is a gorgeous floaty fancy princess.

I didn't think I'd ever have the pleasure of owning a horse truly this nice this early in my life. My other horse Justin is the love of my life, and I wouldn't give him up for the world, but there is no denying that trot. I couldn't imagine owning two better horses. Arya has continued to surprise me with her intelligence, athleticism, and beauty. Gosh I love her to pieces.

Now that we have access to the round pen, hopefully we will be leading soon. I can't wait to get rolling with this summer. I have big dreams for this little filly! I'm excited to be able to take her out and educate the public with her by my side. She will help me prove that Mustang's aren't range rats that needs to be disposed of, but instead show that they are just as good as our own domestic horses, and even better in some aspects. It's going to be cool!

Watch close for more!
-Allie