Visit Number Two with Kai

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Kai has been with a trainer (Kelby Farnsworth) for nine days as of our visit yesterday. Kai is coming along really well (as kind of expected!), but I see so much that I would not have thought of, or known how to navigate through, that Kelby does with her. Most importantly, I am pleased with the methodology. There is no force, no muscling through, or hardness of any sort. The horse has opportunity to think and process in her own time. And sometimes it is quite a long time. 

Much of the time observing Kelby and Kai I cannot help but notice the ease (generally a not-forced smile on her face, with soft movements) that Kelby carries in training. It is reminiscent of when I first watched Bruno Gonzales (baroquegames.com) work with Zante. With him I sensed a true and very honest love for the horse. In either case it seems a desire to help the horse, and connect with the horse (i.e., communicate), as opposed to control (after this basic foundational work with Kelby I plan to return to training with Bruno bi-weekly). Also I have returned to reading Mark Rashid (various books on softness with horses, with much influence from his study of Aikido); and continue to read Horse Brain Human Brain by Janet Jones, Ph.D. It has given me additional info on how our brains differ, why they learn the way they do, and why they often react the way they do (especially to things that seem completely insignificant to us!). Kai's training has been good in this aspect... Kelby reinforces everything on both sides, both physically and mentally, especially making sure each eye is not only seeing, but connecting to her, at all times.

Just for fun I looked also at my book Is Your Horse a Rock Star? I LOVE this book and recommend it. I know enough about Kai now to place her personality/character type, and she is what author Dessa Hockley calls a "Steady Eddie". Out of 16 "personality types" as defined by her, Steady Eddie would be my second dream pick! So I am pretty happy that Kai seems indeed to be the horse I wanted (well, as close to that as one could ever hope for based on 4-5 photos and a 30-second video! If I had managed to adopt a so-called "Princess" [can be mare or gelding], well, I would have hit the lottery). This book appears similar to the Parelli "horsenality" thing, but is better and more sensical or realistic in my opinion: there are basically eight dominant types and eight submissive types... and you go from there as she describes them. With Zante (as a hard nut to crack for me), it helped immensely once I determined her type; I could then use the author's tips for the most ease and success in working with her. 

In order to assess a horse accurately for this it is best to observe them in a herd situation. I really only had that opportunity at the Agricultural Pavilion in Ocala (the pick-up spot) where she was corralled with six other mares, within a huge arena with multiple corrals. But that short period gave me some useful info. The rest I based on her interactions with me, and by herself.

So I visited yesterday and watched Kelby work with her. Every day is a different day for horses, and for some reason Kai had trouble with her feet this day. The previous session, only two days prior, she allowed her hooves to be picked out with no problems, and Kelby said that she was great the day just before as well.... But, well, yesterday she worked with feet at the end of the session rather than the beginning. We all agreed Kai was tired at that point (mentally)... no doubt a contributing factor. She just could not give that right hind leg without skirting away and/or kicking.

She was also sensitive and grumpy about the rope work Kelby was doing. What a great exercise though. Kai revealed some sensitivity to things that at my place I never saw. And that is why I brought her there - to reveal any hidden stuff. As I have said before it can be very tempting with a horse this "easy" to think you are all set with things and move forward (..too quickly)... the common result of this can be someone getting hurt.

A video of some of the rope work. It was meant to be around the girth area but slipped back to the flank and butt, and Kai wasn't happy about it. I had done some of this at home and Kai was incredibly compliant, so I am glad to have Kelby go much more thoroughly into it as it revealed some stickiness and/or disagreement.

I admit I am not entirely clear on the particular goals of this other than obvious reasons of eventual saddling... and as said, I think it was a great exercise. I think that no matter which tool or aid you use, the end goals are the same: giving agreeably to pressure, keeping focus on the human and staying with them mentally, staying out of the human's space, staying relaxed and soft, and ultimately, maintaining balance throughout. 

Balance can be seen as both physical and mental, and goes hand in hand with relaxation. Most (dressage) people look at collection as the ultimate goal, but it is deeply entwined with or reliant upon balance. Collection overall can be quite misunderstood or interpreted  in different ways. I really enjoy Karen Rohlf's various discussions of collection and self-carriage (listen here, episodes 42, 152), among her many topics. As she says "everything comes from, and ends with, relaxation". For Bruno, it is balance that results in relaxation. 

They are clearly all entwined and interdependent.

Silly Horse Trick

I just finished getting my sub-dividing fencing installed (so I can host friends with horses and/or just rotate paddocks to preserve grass--- YAY!!), so the gate I was using to block the shelter where she likes to run into to avoid working, is now out and being used. I constructed a more-than-simple visual block of thin rope, not sure how effective it might be.... She flossed her teeth with it as I was putting it up. It did actually work though, to keep her in the pen and not running into the shed, once it was up and we were doing "work". Should have taken video but didn't.... 

More (Better but Boring) Lunging; and Slight Improvements in Lifting Feet

All the recent work with Kai is a bit boring, and this is no different! But I haven't posted much (I am entrenched in a work project so actually not spending much time with her overall) so I am today, just to cap off where we were before she leaves for her stint at the trainer's.

I continue to try and be aware of my body position when I "lunge" her (on or off line) - trying to maintain my position in the center of the ring with a "bubble" of safety around me, and pushing her at the hip rather than at the shoulder. Most of my videos look like I am at the shoulder, and often I am. Working on that. Luckily she is understanding my intent so we are able to accomplish the main task of getting her to go around me. I think I have improved at not over-cuing, and using finger-point, then cluck, then whip as needed.

So here is a fairly boring vid of the most recent free-lunge session. She's really chill as we know, but also this can somewhat equate with lazy, and you can see many moments where she checks in with me to ask if she can stop, and I ask her to continue; in a few cases she does show a little spicy protest.... Kind of funny. 

Additionally we are working on lifting the feet and holding (prep for farrier). I had a tiny breakthrough when I realized I could use her incredible itchiness as a tool. Here are the hind feet (they are the more difficult, so skipping the fronts for the vid)... If she so much as thinks about holding, I reward with a great big long belly scratch. And she does really well since thais is highly motivating for her! After the scratch I think it is significant to wait a moment before asking again for a lift. That way (in my mind) she has the opportunity to crave that scratch. You can even see her inch her rear end toward me after completing the cycle, as if to say "Here! Do me again!". And again... pretty funny.

Quite proud of this and us, for being able to make that jump between just lifting (and/or kicking out), and understanding that holding is what I want. It is these little advancements that make for the whole gratification with horses, for me.

Lunging with Jugs; Curiosity

 The generic lunging exercises seem a bit dull lately so I've looked for ways to spice it up. She's so blasé about everything though that nothing really gets her upset (and YAY for that)!

Here I tied some empty plastic jugs to her surcingle to see reactions. It was also an opportunity to encourage her curiosity, and the jugs may be the most interesting object yet to her.

I myself still have positional/spatial issues... But it is IMPROVING!

First vid is a clip after I had already tied one jug and am adding the second; you can see her interest and un-fazed attitude.

Second vid we are lunging. She is a lazy type; it takes a bit more pressure when asking her to trot. BTW when she is traveling closer to the camera, I am not sure you can tell but she tends to be a bit in my space, thus I am using the whip to push her out (more toward shoulder than hip).

I have improved in keeping my cues minimal, but it still needs work/clarity: i.e., raised hand for direction, 2) cluck or kiss, 3) raising whip, 4) making noise with whip, 5) cracking whip, 6) touching her with whip. AND, as SOON as she responds appropriately, taking the cue/pressure away (they learn by the RELEASE of pressure as opposed tot he pressure itself). It is tricky bc (being lazy) she may decide that she's allowed to stop or slow.

Third vid is taking a quick break to just be curious. I could have simply removed the jugs but I decided to engage her... I love how she steps forward to follow the jug when I drag it.

...Someday, cows!!!

Stupid Human Tricks 2 - Plank

 About a week after I got Kai I made a pedestal to teach her to step up onto (and stay until I said to move). Kind of a precursor to stepping up into a trailer.

She figured it out crazy-fast and I rewarded with a carrot piece or two, and a lot of praise. She started getting greedy for the carrots however so I stopped then and there (with the plank and with the carrots).

But yesterday I brought the plank out again. No carrot. Before even getting it on the ground she was "chomping at the bit" - so eager to show me what she could do... and I didn't have to ask her...! She stepped up (with some pawing), but I only had a carrot piece over by her water tub, so I stopped the vid and went to go get a piece.

I hear noise and she is again (voluntarily) stepping onto the pedestal and staying, looking at me like, "well...???" ! I had to get phone out to catch it so I missed some.

So funny. She's a good girl; eager to learn (when carrots are involved anyway!!).

Stupid Human Tricks 1

 

The Good Sentinel Tori

 Yesterday Kai was laying down in the pen. Tori and I went in to see if we could hang out near her without disturbing her. Kai was at the higher area (where she rolls) and Tori and I went into the shed at the lower area. I began sweeping hay, and Tori casually decided to go up by Kai. 

In herds there is often one (or more) horse(s) that stand "guard" while others lay down to rest. It was like Tori knew this and went to be the sentinel. 

I cut out a few minutes of video because Tori was there so long... just hanging out and looking out!

As Tori hung out, Kai got more comfortable (or tired) and eventually let her nose drop into the sand, then went all-out and lay on her side. And Tori remained. 

Tori continues to impress me with all her "skills", loyalty, focus, playfulness and humor (total clown at times). So glad we made it through those tough first 2-3 years and she is just now THE BEST!!

The final result!!

The Honeymoon is Over

It's time for me to bring on outside help! We have been pretty successful with a lot, but I know I am not clear enough in my direction at times. I always figured I'd have a professional come on board - we moved forward so fast that I hadn't anticipated it would be so soon, but all the better!... Now I am super-looking forward to it! The trainer has been a Mustang Makeover top ten finalist twice (out of two entries) and is about an hour from me.

I want to note that I do get "afraid" when trying to get to her hind feet. I have not posted the bucking and rearing. It can be intimidating indeed.

Also, she will, at some point, need a trim, and my trainer Kelby will do that in addition to covering all the "regular" skills Kai will need as a domestic horse.

So Yay us!! I think this is a timely and smart move. I feel bad for Kai stuck in this small pen, and being alone for so long. She will have a great experience for her (likely 30-day) stint at Kelby's. 

Meanwhile we continue to work on the same as what I have posted previously; now it's standing tied, and tasting my tools.

I Can't Wait to Go Have Adventures!

Kai is more curious than afraid (but mostly doesn't care about a lot). This bodes well for doing things like obstacles (well, and everything really). Here are some fun vids of us playing around. The third is kind of funny.

More Feet Stuff

She definitely prefers my hand over the rope.  So I am working with hands up front. She's fairly willing; gets a little paw-y, but I tried to keep the foot up and then place it forward. Don't want it placed back (like an evasion), but after I get it forward she brings it back anyway. At least she is not making a giant effort to go backward.

Now the back where I am using a rope.... See the kicking out! Trying to 1) get her used to pressure, 2) hold for a millisecond?? then let foot down ahead as in a step as opposed to behind. At about 1:02 I reward her since she just lifted and dropped forward rather than kicked. But it was a millisecond.

(Apologies for a long wait period here)... She's still not used to it. This video doesn't show much beyond some of the general difficulties in getting a horse to lift its hoof - and let you mess with it!

 

Still Working on moving FORWARD!

Having trouble with getting her to step forward rather than trying to face me. I especially have trouble when using the lead line. I had a trainer over last week (more on that later hopefully) - she did it just fine, and a friend also tried and did it fine! In my defense, Kai knows me well and wants to be with me. She is used to me asking her to come TO me, not away from. These others presented her with a little fear and apprehension: way easier to get her to keep her distance!

Nonetheless, I need to get this CLEAR. First video is an example of my typical problem. In second video I backtrack a bit and begin leading her. Mildly successful at :50 but I feel like I am chasing her.

Third video I finally resort to removing the line and just going at liberty; it feels much more successful.

In this third video you can see how "sticky" she is! I am tapping her hip, asking (i.e., being annoying - rather than amplifying the tapping), until almost 30 seconds and I decide to amp it up, tap her back hip and she moves off (somewhat reluctantly and a bit pissy!). Also I don't care much if she trots vs walks. I just want her to get clear on forward.

Just Hangin' Out With The Girls

 Rain ALL DAY. I feel bad for Kai. She is clearly settled in because she appears really bored, from my assessments, and the rain makes it worse.

Tori and I just hung out to give her a little company. But mostly I am feeling bad....

At least Tori goes with the flow quite well.

Higher Energy, My Shortcomings, and Keeping things Calm.

About two weeks ago I was trying out some "driving" with her, trying to get her moving with higher energy (I did our first session with this 10/29; posts below). Mostly I wanted to see just how she is with higher energy, how deep into it she gets, how easy it is to bring back down, etc. In the process, that second time, she got frustrated, kicked at me and broke my larger flag. That intimidated me... so I hadn't tried again until now. 
In the first video, I am asking her to move around me. We had a few “runs” before this off-camera and she was “escaping” into the shed… then would fly out bucking and tantrum-ing!…(which was kind of funny esp. after she kind of volunteered to do it and seemed proud of herself after!). For this one though she decided not to escape as much into the shed. She is sorting out what I am asking; her snorting I take as frustration and protest because I am asking for more, and she is not sure just what that is.

I don’t WANT to expose my embarrassingly lame moments, but I am showing it all here… 
Maybe it is since I got run over by an abused and unfortunately psychotic rescue horse in 2019 that I admit I can get afraid or uncertain at times. And you can’t be that if you want to show your leadership.

She challenges me a bit at :22 (bucking with feet toward me), then gets even closer at :22-:25 … this is where I allowed her to intimidate me and I shrink back a bit… Thus for my own confidence (and safety?!) I should get a new larger flag. However I think we worked through it a bit and in the following video she keeps the energy lower with less frustration. And we are both happier and calmer!

Now she is understanding a bit more. Her blinking around :38 is either processing... or watching all the flies (sorry about that)!!. We are done at 1:08 - after that it is all just me scratching and rewarding. Feel free to stop watching!

I want to mention that the POINT OF ALL THIS for me, at THIS time, is to show her that we can escalate in energy, but we can also bring it all back down. That is the important thing. Just as horses learn from the release (not the pressure), they feel safe when they know that in a high-alert or high-energy situation, their leader will bring it back down.

I apologize for not trimming out the last minute-plus of this. But, this is what we do outside of the "work" :-)

Kai and Tarp

She is not a fearful horse, that is clear. 

I didn't have the phone angled enough so that you could see the wooden pedestal I made. At :22-:26 she goes over it. At 1:11 she misses, and at 1:26 goes back to step on it (well, mostly).

My RA (Deformities, Accommodating and Tolerating)

It wasn't a simple or fast decision to go forward in my life with a horse... let alone an untouched wild one. 

I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis just after turning 36. Life then took a 180º turn. Since that time it has been pain, inconvenience, sometimes misery, a ton of introspection and evaluation, and a lot of acceptance and tolerance. Oh, and a lot of drugs.

In the big picture I very much appreciate its showing up in my life. But that is another blog.

As said in the last post, I have started trying a little Masterson Method (Jim Masterson). I love it and need to review much more... what I am doing is no doubt a poor example but it has seemed fairly effective so far. Karen Rohlf also uses some wonderful concepts such as moving massage that I plan to incorporate.

I was trying some of this on Kai and as SO OFTEN happens, I could not use my hand as you are "supposed" to. See pic. My wrist is a straight line; my brain is telling it to flex back but it simply mechanically can not. So I can't place a flat palm on anything. The palm is often the best part of your body to use to exert a feeling or energy. It is terribly frustrating for me that I have to use the back sides of my hands and fingers... but that is the deal! Do not mean to complain, it is simply an observation and a slight amusement. Like my decision to "go for it" with the horse itself, you have to go for it - in spite of all of life's bumps in the roads. ...I am trying!!

As far as I can bend back!!

At least I have a hand... and can accommodate..

I can't be too upset since doing this a few times on each side seemed to put her to sleep.

Using the Rope/stick to Acclimate to Feet Being Touched; Beginning Lifting

 You can see Kai is pretty chill overall (I am considering the possibility that she is really not that tuned in. Will look into it). I want her relaxed (but tuned in) and am starting to throw in some Jim Masterson-type technique (he has excellent DVDs and books on massage and body stuff). I have not looked at it in years but at around 1:30 in the video you see my hand stop at a place low on her neck until she drops her head. Unfortunately in this instance she also decided to walk off (so it was not 100% effective!), but she has been quite receptive to some of the touch methods.

This video is from a few days ago. We are continuing work with feet and legs. I got her to lift with pressure... but then yesterday we went back a few steps as I went too far past threshold; she had the rope at her fetlock, but then walked off. Then licked and chewed.... I just taught her to walk off when the rope is at her legs. 😞

That isn't what happened here but here we hadn't gotten as far in this vis as to have her lift her leg with slight pressure from the rope. We are simply working on keeping the rope in place on the leg (at fetlock).

Bag and Carrots

 The rustling of a plastoic bag can be a source of TERROR for horses. 

This was an opportunity to introduce her to the sound of a plastic bag and the sound it makes.

She wasn't fazed.

Next we worked with the rope/stick. As usual, trying to allow her time to process what it is and even though it's weird, it can be a good thing.  At :55 she alerts; it's a neighbor walking by. Always good to try and show the horse that you see what they see if not more, and that you are on guard.

Much of the second half is me asking her to move back. It's essential that she understand there are boundaries. She does not know she is 7-8X my weight and athletic prowess! I am still working on getting clearer.

More rubbing with the stick. And the release touch - I will bring up in next post.

A NEW THING!! How Exciting (not)

 Kai the Mustang and a NEW thing!!

So blasé!! Bored may be a better term.

Starting Rope Work (using line of lunge whip)

I started with just the rope portion of the whip. I thought a great idea since the rather-long whip itself is easy to confuse with a driving aid... More on this in another post (it is so fascinating to observe how INTENT makes so much difference in what the horse "hears" from you. Intent is important! Horses can be extremely intuitive and they seem to read intent much more clearly that we do!).

She does well with it and I'll continue work with this as well as my hands up and down the legs.
Then, just when she figures out we want her to keep her legs in place while they are being touched, she has to learn to NOT keep them in place and lift when asked! Understandably confusing!
The next challenge will be whether to use a line or rope to bring a foot up - or my hands.

Advances in Touching Hind Legs

Some people use ropes or a long lead line to get mustangs or untrained horses accustomed to their legs and feet being touched (and eventually picked up). Thus far I am having more success with my own hands. She is generally more skittish with the lead line or rope on her legs. Having said that, I also see that I need to work on that at the same time - I would like her to be comfortable with all of it. This requires attention to the horse's attitude since your body/head are down there closer to thew potential source of a kick.

You can see at 1:10 I hit her threshold (her left front leg) but then after that she allowed me to linger at the knee a bit longer. She's quite good at 1:44, but then gives me a warning when I go deeper, with her head checking with me, I ignored it so up the leg goes. I then give us a pause... Wait for her to take a step toward me (which I use as indication that she is ready again), and I go in.... this time (2:14-2:22) she allows me to not only stay there but even scratch a little. Notice when I go just below the knee she again gets concerned (her head coming around to check with me, but she doesn't lift; I immediately take my hand away as reward.

I am also starting to work with the lunge whip in getting her used to the feel of things all over her. Next post!

Maybe Not a "Pleasure Horse" ...but She IS a Pleasure!

I'm way behind with posting again; doesn't take much. 

Here are a few vids from last couple days. Just reinforcing what we've been doing (getting comfortable being touched all over and the concept that I am a good place to be). 

Here and there working my way down her legs as well.

Love This Pic

 She appears to me to be so gentle & engaged. 

I don't usually see her face from this angle.... ❤️

WICKED SMAHT PONY

 I hadn't taken any video of attaching a lead line to her halter and letting her go (or driving her out).... was not 100% sure I wanted to do this as an exercise - but it IS generally effective in helping them learn to give to pressure, so I thought it'd give it a quick try.

Results? She stepped on the line literally once (w/left foot) and never, ever did it again, with either foot. I took video today (the second time trying it, and just had her going at (slow) walk as she followed me... so, maybe not dramatic, but you can see a number of times she purposefully places her legs to avoid stepping on it.

Working toward the Hind End Legs

 She's just so mellow, but I am going very slow with touching the hind legs.

Trying to make everything comfortable and associated with good stuff. Prior to this I did (earlier in the day) a couple more "tests" to confirm where the threshold is. At 1:16 in this vid I had my hands on her inner back leg (uncomfortable), held it (for under threshold), and then rewarded her.

Working on increasing that time. without reaction and we'll see as her threshold increases!

Also BTW was going to edit out the beginning but she was funny investigating the phone.
Trying to reward more with scratches than treats, but treats are immediately effective. Also, I am starting to "cluck" with a treat. Not going full-throttle into clicker training, but a cluck is immediate and there are benefits to that.

FINALLY, in my last post I used the term "softening at the poll"... Dressage people and technical people, please forgive me...! I'm asking for relaxation (in the neck primarily) but it isn't truly "at the poll". No one called me out on this (thanks) but I realized later I am an idiot. As I often do.

Pressure and Release at the Poll, and Advancing the Touching

 Just itty bitty beginnings of applying small pressure to her poll amidst some comforting support.. She is however also using it as an avoidance! That's OK -- for now.

Same thing, but now I am moving my overall touching toward her rear, where it gets more sensitive. Yesterday I did brush out her tail, no problem. But touching the legs (inside, particularly) elicits signs of uncertainty/apprehension, and a couple times she lifted her leg into a "prepare-for-a-kick" position. Must go slow and stop at the earliest sign of her uncertainty.

If nothing else it is fun to watch Tori catch flies.

Looking for Her Reactive Self - and her name: "KAIAH"!

 I finally decided on a name: Kaiah, which means "pure" in Native American, or "small but wise".

My friend tells me "Kai" in Hawaiian means the sea, which is also perfect since having this horse has so much to do with my brother Dave who loved surfing, the ocean, and Hawaii.... and I am planning to mostly call her KAI. Maybe it will be Kai and Kai alone....

The other day I took a lot of ugly video showing my attempts at amping her up enough to see some energy and reactivity. Included within this is 1) keeping her engaged and interested, 2) keeping her reassured, 3) when directing her, being consistent with my own body language (you will see I am not! - Thus an area to work on/be more mindful of).

As a note I would generally not recommend you go this far, i.e. get this pushy and fast, with a new mustang. She is just so mellow and basically unafraid that I felt it was OK to really push her to see what is "inside" - she IS a wild horse - and though it's tempting to think of her as domestic, I don't want to be working with the feet and all of a sudden have her feel her oats, and not be prepared. I also want to give her an idea about me; that I can ask, direct, and drive. But most importantly, that I can stop and immediately lower my energy (Sharon Wilsie* says "go to zero" - a term I like.)

Starting with scratches and some reassurance and relaxation.

General communication - or trying to get some.

You can see her confusion in some of these that I need to be more clear 

and position myself better, 

At same time I want to be a safe and comfortable place. 

I plan to go back now to lesser things: 1) being able to touch her all over including hind legs (the most sensitive), and eventually 2) get down to the feet... to hold my hands there, pick them up, hold, and let down. Might be a tricky one! Have watched some video and need to re-watch and see what might work. Most use ropes. 3) Giving/softening to pressure, starting at the head/poll. 

*Sharon Wilsie, "Horse Speak, Conversations with Horses in Their Own Language"

Accomplishment: Mane!

Got the whole thing done yesterday. Like other things so far, easier than I thought. My only failure was not getting better pics of the "before"... it was pretty hideous!

Happy to eat hay while I worked. Only had to cut a few small bits.

Left before:

Left after:

Right before:

Right after:

Overall:

 

These Guys Come Itchy!!

 Great asset: the itchiness. 

Once she learned I could affect it, she kind of didn't leave me alone. Halter went on: first offering. Neck and butt scratches: she is following me. 

Herein however will be my first challenge. I prefer to stay "small" and use small cues. Once she started following and seeking scratches she was getting into "my space". I leaned toward her: nothing; I raised hands: nothing; I raised hands and waved them: nothing! Uh-Oh.... Decided I need a tool. Using some of the property-marker flags that I put along the back of the pen. When she leaned in too close I raised it and fluttered it until she took one (reluctant) step back; I immediately lowered my hand and gave her a release/reward. She licked and chewed. I did this a few times and will clearly need to keep doing it.

Leaning In:

Haltering:

Flagging:

Great Progress

She let me scratch her and even seemed to invite me to come up to the left lower eye lid where there is some skin loss.

(SEE THE Video in addition to the pic!)

Saturday (caturday)

 A few things from yesterday

This vid is as close as Taco has gotten. 

He prefers the opposite side of the house as below!

Glimpse of a First Touch

 Friday, the first day after arrival, she curiously nosed me. By the time I got the phone out she was about done, but you get a glimpse.

The Livestock Pavilion, BLM, and Loading a Horse (if you are curious)

 Here is a video mid morning. My mare is the main grey you see. 

Horses are divide into separate pens and when their new owner arrives with trailer, they are separated and eventually guided down a chute into the trailer

Video

Days 1-4 with 6782, in brief!

Difficult getting caught up when the last two weeks on Cape Cod involved a big party, hosting out-of-towners, cleaning/clearing condo of three lives' worth of furniture, clothing, belongings... stuff!...  packing and moving south (with dog and cat), the drive (with bad RA), the unpacking (not finished), buying a truck, adopting and picking up an untouched horse, attending to commitments (doctors, volunteering at a Baroque dressage event), and revising this blog! 

#6782 in the pens at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion in Ocala (FL) after the trip from Idaho

And, difficult to be inside here typing when - as you might understand - I'd rather be out in the pen with the horse!

So far I have learned about her:

• Middle of the herd; not dominant: from observing her in the pens at pickup place.

Here is a video, after she was separated.

• Reasonable: got off trailer very uneventfully; no panic, just a relieved look like "wow, that's over..." and a slow walk around the pen to explore...

• Not needy: no obvious concerns about being alone (there are no horses at all in my immediate vicinity).

• Cool as a cuke in general: she cocked a leg within 10 minutes of getting off the trailer. Even laid down the first night (though did not remain in that prone position for long). Has not called, whinnied or cried out once.

• Prefers her back to the woods, against the fence (her comfort place), contrary to my predictions (thought she'd be fearful of the thick FL oak/pine/plametto/VINEY shrubbery/woods).

• Knows nothing of grain, treats, soaked alfalfa cubes. Still yet to take a lick of a horse cookie. This is no surprise as they have apparently only had alfalfa in holding.

• Prefers crappy FL "coastal" hay over timothy or alfalfa cubes - or the green grass!!

• Curious but not anywhere near as curious about me as she is of Tori.

• Tori is a Superstar. She has provided inroads to the horse, easing introductions with playful interest but also respect. Some of it is funny.

• She can be playful. The second day (Friday) she put her foot into the tub and started sloshing around! Then she bit the edge of the bucket for a bit. 

First roll in the pen:

This is Friday morning, after arrival Thursday around 3:30 pm. She allows us to be pretty close. 

I think it is time for me to go get some interaction!! More later.

MUSTANG 6782

 (Thursday, October 19, 2023; from my post on Facebook): I am picking this girl up at the Southeast Livestock Pavilion in Ocala FL in two hours. She is an untouched (un-gentled, unbroke, wild) mustang from the Devil's Garden Horse management Area (BLM). She is approx 3 years old, and 14.1h.

I won her August 7 (David Harmon's birthday - Pretty sure I am Living Like Dave). Currently she is "6782".... name TBD.

Hopefully my excitement will continue to override the current pains from RA and asking too much of a decrepit body...

I must try and practice what Zante taught first and foremost: Slow. Easy. Soft.

It's going to be awesome!

Background: There are a number of ways to adopt a mustang. All info is on the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) site here. My method was through the Online Corral, which is on that main page, on the right; scroll down. Or go directly here. There is a volume of info/links on mustangs within the main page. Statistics on populations etc would be in the Program Data page.

The Online Corral offers available horses through an online bidding process, which is held a number of times a year. There are many more horses (not listed in the Online Corral) in holding in various holding areas (see the main site for info... there are holding areas, and there are Herd Management Areas or HMAs. Those in holding have been gathered and are either waiting to go into auction or are being held for other reasons. The HMAs are designated areas within BLM lands that maintain wild herds. Each herd tends to have certain characteristics because they don't tend to intermingle with other herds and over time the populations exhibit characteristics of their original members, such as Spanish, draft, quarter horse etc.... Herds will exhibit the original characteristics but also become influenced by escaped or loose horses brought by pioneering ranchers. 

My girl is from Devil's Garden HMA (California). For some reason it is not listed on the site (??)! I learned of them through a Facebook group. Attached is a map where you can see the DG HMA, - but no link! You can see a nearby HMA: Red Rock Lakes description here.

P.s., I decided to simply use/add to this "old" blog.

Feel free to peruse the paintings etc. that follow... I am not planning to be back to painting for awhile (my tiny garage/prior art studio is now horse supply/hay storage, which does not lend itself to debris-free painting. If I decide to go mixed-media, and want texture e.g., hay bits, chaff, dust, debris, then I may change my mind..).

I have a mural project that will take me through February and then hope to have a few months "off" to do nothing but play with Ms. 6782!