June 24, 2011

First trip off campus


    Today we took Faith to a friend's home to give her the experience of loading and traveling as well as a chance to see some new obstacles.  She rode nice and quiet the entire way to The Horse Barn and home. 

Faith and Gabrielle pick their way through the trail mound.  Faith was very careful with her steps and sure footed.  She was consistent and kept moving forward. 

With the logs Faith kept wanting to jump over them but after a few tries she stepped up and stood. 

The tires were a similar story.  Faith worked to figure out what Gabrielle wanted

and as soon as she understood, she climbed up on the tire.

On the second go, Faith went up and calmly stood as Gabrielle joined her. 

Faith followed Gabrielle through the empty water box without hesitation.  Next time we will have to make sure that it is full of water. 

Walking through the log zig zag seemed as easy as walking across a field,

even when asked to back through it. 

On the way home she loaded into the second stall of the trailer and rode home in the same calm fashion that she rode to the barn.  We are all in love this filly. 

June 22, 2011

In Hand Trail Training

In typical Faith fashion, she loaded in the trailer on the first try.  Gabrielle walked and Faith followed.  :-)  Maybe we should just stop now and let everything be a first at the competition?  Nah.  That wouldn't be any fun. 

Since going in was so easy, Gabrielle asked Faith to back out.  The first step down is usually a concerning one for horses backing out.  Faith took the first step down slowly but did not react.  Her foot touched down and Faith kept backing.  Her second hind foot came out and she stayed calm and walked the front two feet out.  We all were happily surprised. 

(Just for comparison purposes, I took my yearling out to work on trailer loading and backing out.  He loaded just great.  :-)  Then I asked him to back out.  He stood like a mule.  He did not want to move.  I kept asking and he ever so slowly took a step back.  After a few more successful steps backward, he was at the edge of the trailer.  The next step backward should be his step down.  He reached back for the floor of the trailer and when it was not where he expected; he quickly picked his foot back up and stepped forward.  We tried again and this time his foot touched the ground outside the trailer but he still very quickly picked it up and came forward into the trailer.  So this is not as easy as Faith makes it out to be.  We worked on this a few more minutes and found a good stopping point and I allowed him to turn around and walk out forward.)

All for good measure, Gabrielle had Faith walk in and back out one more time.  This time I was able to get a picture of them together inside the trailer. 

Being on a farm gives us many different things we can use with Faith.  Here Gabrielle's sister helps her out by bringing in one of her chickens to show Faith.  She also has been exposed to chainsaws, drills, air compressors, tarps, balls, flying saucers, and farm machinery such as balers, tractors and helicopter sprayers. 

Gabrielle really enjoys being able to ask Faith to bow and lay down.  Now she can do it without the help of a saddle or rope.

After their workout, both enjoy some snuggle time. 

The day got quite hot and Faith was sweating a lot and so she got her first bath from the hose and not just a sponge bath.  She looked so nice when the bath was over.  Of course being a horse, she had to go and roll and get dirty again but we were all cooled off which felt nice too. 

Faith will be auctioned to a new home following the Teen Mustang Challenge on August 27th at Yamhill Fairgrounds in McMinnville, Oregon.  If you are interested in her we would be happy to have you come meet her and talk with you about owning a mustang.  We would also encourage anyone and everyone that is interested in mustangs to come watch the competition.  These horses are fabulous and make wonderful life partners.  Lastly if you know of anyone that might be interested in a mustang, please let them know about this blog and this opportunity.  Thank you for all your support.  :-)

June 20, 2011

Leaps and Bounds

Today was a day of astonishments.  Gabrielle surprised herself and was delighted with Faith. 

Gabrielle saddled Faith for the first time today and Faith took it as if she had been saddled her whole life. 

She stood nice and quiet even while being cinched up.

Then she followed Gabrielle willingly.

Next, Gabrielle asked Faith to move at the walk . . . .

. . . . trot . . . .

. . . . and canter.

Faith did not object and stayed calm even when the stirrups flapped. 

At last year's competition, many if not most trainers laid their horses down.  We have never done that with any of our horses, but Gabrielle decided to try it with Faith.

Using her dad's rope and holding one of Faith's feet up; Gabrielle began seeing if Faith would lay down. 

To stay safe, she pulled the rope up and around the horn. 

Quickly Faith figured out how to bow and did not struggle or fight.  She gave everything a lot of thought but kept trying to figure out what Gabrielle was asking her to do. 

The last step of laying her hip down was the hardest for Faith.

On the second try, she figured it out. 

Please understand that never did Gabrielle pull Faith over or force her down.  She did hold the foot up and stayed close by the whole time.  Faith did not struggle or fight; she never showed any signs of stress.  Any of that would have been counterproductive and would have been a set back, and Gabrielle worked very hard to give Faith confidence and leadership throughout.

Both relaxed into each other and seemed at ease.  What a pair!!!

After she laid down, Gabrielle took the rope off and the saddle and pad.

Never one to miss an opportunity, Gabrielle decided to swing the rope around.  Faith was aware but still unalarmed. 

Today was a day filled with milestones and accomplishments.  Gabrielle has heard of this technique to lay a horse down, and has seen many people do it.  However she has never tried it before today.  She stayed calm and confident.  Last year's experience was fantastic and this year is only building on that for Gabrielle as a trainer.  She is very patient and in-tuned with any horse that she works with. 

As for Faith she continues to show us that horses like children are all different.  Her training milestones are so different from Jet's and yet she proves daily that she will be an amazing horse just like Jet is turning out to be.  I can't wait to see her in her future home. 

June 15, 2011

Bathtime

Faith got a sponge bath, and mane and tail wash.  Gabrielle wanted to surprise me and so put a sheet on her. 

Faith had no issues with the sheet being taken off. This was a good practice for her. 

After her bath, she is very shiny and looks great!!!  Hopefully this will help with her scratching.

Gabrielle has been working a lot with her feet.  She can pick up all four feet and place them on the ground.

After Gabrielle lets go of her feet, Faith lets her feet rest there for a little while.  She can do this with all four feet.  She will be ready for her first trimming very soon. 

Gabrielle has also been pulling on the skin flap between her hind leg and belly to get her used to being touched and tugged on all over. 

Faith is showing signs of enjoying Gabrielle's affection and rubbing on her face. 

She is also doing great with her ears being touched.