Mustang Challenge Promotion and Shopping
Today was a full day of traveling. First we went to Ranch and Home to ask for them to sponsor G and Faith and to let them know about the Yearling Training program. Hopefully that went well. They meet the second Tuesday of each month to look over requests and decide if they can help and how they can help.
Then we traveled to D&B to get some items for the ranch and G again spoke to a gentleman there and filled out a sponsorship form. They meet around the first of the month to decide.
Our last stop was to Hamley's to see if they would be willing to donate a prize item for a fundraiser Poker Ride that the Teens and Oregon Mustangs are doing.
At each place we were able to give them a brochure, press release and donation letter that Staples graciously donated the printing. That seemed to impress the people that were takin the forms.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
May 27, 2011
Trail obstacles
After only a few times leading Faith takes a walk with G like a pro. She followed G anywhere asked.
G kept checking back on her to make sure she was ok. The wind was really blowing and there were horses running all around in the field to the right of them. Faith only tried once to run off to join the frolicing herd. Otherwise she was a perfect, well mannered lady.
She followed G up and over several obstacles.
I kept waiting for Faith to do the typical hop over obstacles that so many young horses seem to do. But Faith is not typical in any way. She stepped over each bale, and pole one foot at a time.
When G came to get me to show me what they were working on, I could hardly believe that Faith was striding over the straw bales and not trying to jump them. (G spends much of her time stacking these bales in many shapes and sizes and jumps them with her other horses.)
After a few rounds with the obstacles G took time to rub Faith all over and continue dissensitizing her. She still has a few baby fuzz mats on her stomach that she is not ready for G to remove. Maybe in another day or two.
This is my FAVORITE picture so far of Faith. She is just such a pretty girl.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
May 26, 2011
Fundraising
Today G began fundraising to help cover the cost of training Faith. She will require hay, whole oats, black oiled sunflower seeds and supplements to help with her body condition, coat and allow her to grow to her full potential. She will also need farrier care, dewormings, grooming supplies (a beauty queen needs shampoo, conditioner etc) and fly protection (mask and fly spray). This is all in addition to the travel expenses of getting her and returning for the competition.
Therefore, G went out today and got her first sponsor; Staples in Walla Walla. They have graciously agreed to print her brochures and sponsor flyers to help her out. Thank you Staples!!!
If you would be interested in sponsoring G and Faith and would like a flyer please email us and we will be happy to send you that information. teenmustangchallenge@live.com is our email.
Today G began fundraising to help cover the cost of training Faith. She will require hay, whole oats, black oiled sunflower seeds and supplements to help with her body condition, coat and allow her to grow to her full potential. She will also need farrier care, dewormings, grooming supplies (a beauty queen needs shampoo, conditioner etc) and fly protection (mask and fly spray). This is all in addition to the travel expenses of getting her and returning for the competition.
Therefore, G went out today and got her first sponsor; Staples in Walla Walla. They have graciously agreed to print her brochures and sponsor flyers to help her out. Thank you Staples!!!
If you would be interested in sponsoring G and Faith and would like a flyer please email us and we will be happy to send you that information. teenmustangchallenge@live.com is our email.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
May 25, 2011
Trail training begins
Faith continues to amaze us with her willingness and trust. Today G led her out of the stall and run and out into an open space. In this space are a few jumps and straw bales. G led Faith to the straw bales and asked her to go over them. While a little hesistant at first, Faith stepped over the straw bale. The second time over she did not even hesistate. She is one wonderful girl. The horse is too. :-)
Faith continues to amaze us with her willingness and trust. Today G led her out of the stall and run and out into an open space. In this space are a few jumps and straw bales. G led Faith to the straw bales and asked her to go over them. While a little hesistant at first, Faith stepped over the straw bale. The second time over she did not even hesistate. She is one wonderful girl. The horse is too. :-)
May 24, 2011
Each day is amazing.
Today G wanted to "join up" with Faith so she took her out of her pen and took her into the round pen. Faith was moving beautifully. She naturally tucks her rear and moves. G thought she looked a little gaited, but whether she is gaited or not; she was a flashy mover.
Faith was already turning in and reversing directions. She never offered to go over or through G. Mustangs are master body language readers and it makes working with them a joy and treasure.
At one point a neighbor's dog came into the round pen and unfortunately began nipping at Faith's heals. (Prior to this the dog was on the outside and Faith was quite curious about him.) however hwen the dog began nipping Faith did not like this and sought to exit the round pen. Her concern was self preservation. However even though G tried to stop her, Faith was careful not to harm G. Faith did however manage to break a post and get out. Where did she go now that she was free to go whereever she wanted you ask??? Straight into her stall and pen. She could run for the hills, for anywhere but here; but did not.
I am warmed to think that she already views her pen and stall as a safe place to be.
Once Faith was in her pen, I wanted to make sure she had not injured herself. Keep in mind G is the only one that has touched her so far. Even at that, G has only groomed her and not touched her belly or legs. I came in and talked to her calmly and stroked her sides and began running my hands down her legs. One by one she allowed me to touch and look for the most part. Only when I went past her knee or hock did she offer to pick up her hooves. I was so impressed and proud of her. She was FANTASTIC. Best of all she did not even have a scratch on her.
Blessings come in many forms and today it came in a post that broke off underground allowing an escape. I prefer that to a wound that would set Faith and G back.
G was worried that the incident might cause them to take a few steps back but in a short time she and Faith continued bonding. This time however they kept it to grooming and spending time together in the stall and run.
The weekend to do list just got a little bigger and now includes repairing the round pen so we can use it.
Today G wanted to "join up" with Faith so she took her out of her pen and took her into the round pen. Faith was moving beautifully. She naturally tucks her rear and moves. G thought she looked a little gaited, but whether she is gaited or not; she was a flashy mover.
Faith was already turning in and reversing directions. She never offered to go over or through G. Mustangs are master body language readers and it makes working with them a joy and treasure.
At one point a neighbor's dog came into the round pen and unfortunately began nipping at Faith's heals. (Prior to this the dog was on the outside and Faith was quite curious about him.) however hwen the dog began nipping Faith did not like this and sought to exit the round pen. Her concern was self preservation. However even though G tried to stop her, Faith was careful not to harm G. Faith did however manage to break a post and get out. Where did she go now that she was free to go whereever she wanted you ask??? Straight into her stall and pen. She could run for the hills, for anywhere but here; but did not.
I am warmed to think that she already views her pen and stall as a safe place to be.
Once Faith was in her pen, I wanted to make sure she had not injured herself. Keep in mind G is the only one that has touched her so far. Even at that, G has only groomed her and not touched her belly or legs. I came in and talked to her calmly and stroked her sides and began running my hands down her legs. One by one she allowed me to touch and look for the most part. Only when I went past her knee or hock did she offer to pick up her hooves. I was so impressed and proud of her. She was FANTASTIC. Best of all she did not even have a scratch on her.
Blessings come in many forms and today it came in a post that broke off underground allowing an escape. I prefer that to a wound that would set Faith and G back.
G was worried that the incident might cause them to take a few steps back but in a short time she and Faith continued bonding. This time however they kept it to grooming and spending time together in the stall and run.
The weekend to do list just got a little bigger and now includes repairing the round pen so we can use it.
May 22, 2011
Less than 24 hours
Every horse is different just like each child is different and in less than 24 hours it is clear that Faith is different from Jet in more ways than just gender.
Every horse is different just like each child is different and in less than 24 hours it is clear that Faith is different from Jet in more ways than just gender.
Faith was laying down and G wanted to see if she could go into the pen with her while Faith was laying down.
Faith didn't move even when G entered the pen. G kept talking to her and she still didn't move. Getting braver G gingerly reached out to see if she could pet Faith.
Faith was no concerned by G's presence, touch or caressing. G was able to rub her all over and began removing the loose hair that covered Faith's body.
It was plain to see how exciting this was for G.
G was not able to do this with Jet until after we had brought him home from last year's competition.
Since Faith seemed to not be having any trouble with G's touch, G decided to take advantage and remove her mustang tag. This was a huge turning point last year with Jet and did not happen until about 3 / 4 weeks after we brought him home. Like I said in the beginning, it is clear that each horse is different.
G was able to take the time to untie the tag. Last year she had to cut it off because Jet just wouldn't let her stay that close that long nor would her tolerate any pulling.
Faith took it all in stride and has already won all of our hearts. And NO we are not keeping her. She will make a great horse for someone. She already shows that she enjoys companionship and we already have more horses than there are people to ride them.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
May 21, 2011
Teen Mustang Challenge 2011
G applied again this year to participate in the Teen and Oregon Mustangs' Trainer Competition. After last year's experience she was eager and excited to have another opportunity to work with a mustang yearling and help this one be adopted by a loving forever family.
She received word on May 11th that she had been accepted into this year's competition and so we traveled to Yamhill on Friday May 20th in order to pick up her mustang on Saturday morning.
G applied again this year to participate in the Teen and Oregon Mustangs' Trainer Competition. After last year's experience she was eager and excited to have another opportunity to work with a mustang yearling and help this one be adopted by a loving forever family.
She received word on May 11th that she had been accepted into this year's competition and so we traveled to Yamhill on Friday May 20th in order to pick up her mustang on Saturday morning.
G and the other teens were required to meet for an introduction and received their "marching orders" for the competition. You could literally feel their excitement and desire to go see the horses that had been chosen for them. One change for this year is that Teen and Oregon Mustangs is now an official non-profit as a 501-c3. Therefore all donations to these ladies to assist in their training is tax deductible. When we saw the girl who would be coming home with us, we were all breathless. She is a sweetheart.
Please meet Faith. She is a yearling filly from the Stinking Water herd and it is believed that there is some draft blood in the herd. She spent her first months actually in the wild prior to being taking to the Burns facility for adoption. These round-ups are necessary to keep the herd sizes at sustainable levels for the lands. It is our hope that Faith will be adopted during the auction following the competition.
After picking her up on Saturday, Faith traveled 5+ hours to her home for the next 98 days. She rode very well and unloaded like a dream. She walked into her run and began checking it out.
In under 30 minutes Faith was accepting food from G by hand. You can see that we still hadn't moved the trailer from where we parked to unload her.
G fed Faith almost all of her first meal. She then led Faith to her water and while you may not be able to make her drink, Faith already showed a willingness to follow her leader. She drank.
Even though eating from G's hand was a big deal the fact that Faith was curious and came to G and even touched her was also a highlight.
Before we left Faith to settle in the other horses came to check out the newest member of the herd. Here is Jet saying hello. Wow, what difference a year makes.
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