Head Shy Horse

Gatorland Extreme Mustang Makeover

Wow, what can I say..it was a great show at usual. The "wow" factor set high and just totally amazing. Mustangs are just incredible horses. The winner was a Parelli instuctor and as you can imagine he did a very good job. Pat and Lina Parelli were very, very proud of him. And yes, some parts were rodeo to some trainers and their horses, but still amazing since they only had 60 days, if that to train these Mustangs. I got to see Patti Colbert and I just love that lady. What a wonderful event she has created..She is definatley what the world would define as a mover and a shaker, and very nice too..I have been very busy and successfull training horses of all shapes, breeds and sizes. I have even done a few shows and placed well. That's it..God Bless and take care.

Gatorland Extreme Mustang Makeover

Exciting news, I'm going to visti two Mustangs in the Gatorland Makeover.
Diane Delano from Mims, Fl invited me up to see hers and I can't wait. I will take pics and let everyone know how it goes.

Nevada Reign

Nevada

Everyone kept telling me that mules are different than training a horse, so I was sure happy to take on the challenge of training a mule. I worked with Nevada for about a week and than started to have some concerns if I in fact was handling sticky situations right. I borrowed a Meredith Hodges CD from a friend, went into my room Friday night and did not emerge again until Saturday afternoon. The CD's were entertaining and easy to follow. Since I have so much knowledge packed away in by brain the things Meredith talked about were not foreign to me and I was able to breeze through the CD's easily. You know what? I've been doing the training 90% right so far. The difference's are that I was not using treats as a reward system and Meredith does. I also have not tied Nevada up to see if he ties. Meredith ties them early on as yearlings and they may pull back but she leaves them tied. In time they learn to stand patiently. Now a horse on the other hand will start nipping you for treats (when they are youngsters) and if you tie one up and it pulls back and can't get away, it could panic so badly that it breaks it's leg or pulls the pole down. Also, Meredith recommends working a mule every other day, not 5 or six days in a row like you would a horse. Those are the only differences that I could see, between training a horse and a mule, after all..they are cut from the same cloth. Nevada is very curious and smart...he enjoys playing games...



I'm still having a hard time not signing up for the Women Luv's horses event in Ocala where they will host a Mustang Makeover event. I went back and read the dates and all that good stuff and noticed that the time line to train is only about 65-70 days. That's not a lot of time is it?

Introducing......... Nevada Reign

Another Entry?

Hi there! A few folks have expressed interest in me continueing to blog. So heres the deal folks...When I have something exciting to tell you then I will blog from time to time.

And well....I do have something exciting to tell you. I'm working with a mule. He is not your average mule either. No..no..he is famous.
He has a model made after him and he has graced the cover of Western Mule magazine. He is spectacular! He is beautiful...I will not tell you what he looks like, it's a suprise. I will post a picture of him soon. (come on Santa..I've been good, bring that camera) heh,heh, heh. You are going to love him!!!!!

LAST ENTRY

The time has come for me to design a web page and close this blog.
So this will be my last entry. Thank you so much for your support and following my blog. I hope everyone enjoyed the journey of training a wild Mustang as much as I did. So many good things have come from it. I've met some wonderful people. God has truly blessed me.

The Mustangs, the event and the people who put the Extreme Mustang Makeovers together are brilliant. The Mustang Heritage Foundation has found a way to showcase Mustangs and get them adopted. I can tell you this, the Mustang Makeovers are one of the hottest displays of horsemanship in the arena today. You should attend one. Whether you are a trainer or spectator, you will have the time of your life and be amazed! And lets not forget all the good-lookin cowboys that attend! YAHOO! (Sorry, just had to plug that!) Everyone please do your part to help save our american icons, the Mustangs. From a trainers point of view Mustangs are truly amazing, if I ever get another one, I'm definately keeping it.

God Bless you and happy trails,
Joan Fisher

Vanners Have Arrived

The Gypsy Vanners arrived early yesterday morning. The owners called me and said that they could not get them out of the trailer. I showed up 20 minutes later and found them to be in the very front of the trailer not wanting to budge. First I told them to remove the two days of poop from the back of the trailer. They asked if that would help get the horses out and I said, "No, but it would certainly help me get in." LOL

The horses were just as cute as the pictures and so sweet. They were just scared to death to back out of the trailer. They were shaking and trying so hard to be confident and brave. I started with the least amount of pressure and finally we had them out of the trailer.

The owner asked me if I needed a training halter, she said she took my advice and bought two from Downunderhorsemanship since they are on sale for 20.00 dollars. Yes that right, Clinton is having a holiday sale on his training halters. I would buy two if I was you, they are great quality and last and last.

I have a busy horse day and a lot of trail obstacle stuff to move around and set up.
Have a great day and happy trails!

Horses In Training

The warmblood is doing great, were building his confidence and he enjoys learning. He has almost completed his bridle work and he has become lighter. He has been a little difficult with spooking because he spooks from behind. I have him pulling scary things and we work on spooking daily, along with other ground work. So, he is learning to think rather than react. I also observed the herd dynamics that he is in. He is with all mares and the lead mare is spooky in the pasture. Every time she spooks and bolts the rest of the herd including himself spook and bolt. So I have to show him a leader is brave, while his herd leader is showing him to run and over react. Warmbloods are not supposed to develope mentally until they are over 4 and he is only 3. The owner did a great start with him and with continued proper training and techniques he will surely be prepared to conquer the show rings once he is mature and settled.

The quarter horse has been having a combination of ground work, riding and lessons with his owner. He is turning at a walk and jog with light leg pressure and no rein. He is doing good but we are having a hard time finding a bit for him.
I train in a snaffle but he can't show in that because of his age. The owners are using a cathedral bit and that can be very severe in the wrong hands. Everytime he speeds up, she pulls back to slow him down and that makes him brace up. He slows down but braces his head higher, she releases pressure of the reins while his head is up because he slowed down. Everytime she releases pressure on the bit when his head is braced and high it only teaches him to hold his head high and in western pleasure, you want a smooth topline, low head. They want to use a german martingale along with the cathedral bit. That' not right, snaffle bit (maybe), but they need to give no gimmicks a try..Ikes..we will get there!

The new horse owners are having a blast. They are seeing how cool it is to be the leader. Their horse has learned not to drag them around. They have learned how to control the horses movements and they love it. Confidence and consistency is the key for them.

That's all folks......keep ride'in and happy trails! God Bless this beautiful day.

New Arrivals

Look at the new youngsters that I get to start and foundation. This is Kali and Kyle and they are Gypsy Vanners. They arrive the day after Thanksgiving from North Carolina. Their new owners are so excited and so am I! :) Don't they look sweet!

Horses In Training

The warmblood is doing great. He is just a big love bug. He walks with his head down when I lead him, stops when I stop and backs when I back. He knows what driving pressure is now. He moves his shoulders away from pressure and turns great. He yields his hindquarters just by looking a them and side passes in both directions.
He has learned to send in both directions too. I point and he goes in the direction that I point in. I have been sending him over and around scary things and he is now spooking in place and in a few weeks he may not spook at all. I have also started bridle work with him and he is getting lighter and softer everyday.

The quarter horse is so fast and catty. I really enjoy riding him (yes, I'm riding again)he knows how to spin, two track, roll back and just about anything you ask of him except he is way to fast for his rider and he has no ground manners. He cow kicked me in the leg, he fusses about when you saddle him and he is just a real butt.
But when you get on him, he is a blast to ride. The owners want to use him in western pleasure so I have my work cut out for me. He needs to go slower, stop with your seat (not hands) and have more cadence when he moves and find that slow beat jog. He also needs major ground work. We will get there!

The first time horse owners are struggling. I watched them try to catch their horse and lead the horse to the barn. The horse did the leading. I have my work cut out on that one too!

Thanks for stopping by...until later

High Point Show Series

On Sunday I was asked to help assist in a local high point horse show. I was thrilled to have been asked and the weather here in Florida has been beautiful so I told them I would help. After two classes and my input on who should win and why, the judge handed the reins to me and said, " you got it Joan, you go ahead and judge the show." So, I judged my first big show. It was so much fun, I loved it. I know what a well trained horse looks like and how they should move. The hardest part was being friends with so many of the folks who showed. The best part was a few horses at the show have been in my training program. I have got to tell you that they were always in the top two if not finishing first. I was not leaning in favor towards them either because the other two judges had no idea what horses at the show I had trained or worked with in the past and though I had the final say on the winner, they made sure I was correct. I could not have been more proud of them or my work. Yahoo! Just another way of confirming that Natural Horsemanship works!! Thank you God for that pat on the back!

And last but not least, I have made the difficult decision of not applying for the Mustang Challenge in Ocala, Florida in March 09. The main reason besides finances and sponsorship for my decision is because of my leg. I should have been on bed rest for three months, not training a wild Mustang named Blossom. But, I had to do it. I had to finish what I started and get Blossom to the point that someone could adopt her. When I got home from Texas I got caught up with my kids and house by taking two weeks off and not riding. Two weeks was not long enough and the doctor said I need months. So I got to thinking, if I got a 3 or 4 year old Mustang at the end of January and got bucked off than that could pretty much send my training career south for a long time if not permanently. Now, that's not to say that a horse in my starting and foundation program will buck or to give Mustangs a bad rap, as a matter of fact I have never had a horse buck on that first ride, but that's because I
was always able to take my time if need be. But with these Mustangs we are under the gun, 100 days from wild to mild. Mustangs are intelligent horses but I think I will sit this one out. :(

Thank You

Thank you Ted from Brevard county.

What a nice surprise.


I did work extremely hard this summer to make it to the top 10 in the competition and I really appreciate your support!

Joan

Tennessee Walking Horse

Well I've been busy working Daily, a friends TWH. He is a nice horse, good natured,
learns fast and very handsome! My friend has done a great job with him but he wanted his horse to have a little more cadence, flowing movement, finesse and pretty head set.

If anyone ever tells you gaited horses won't move laterally very well, than you beg to differ. This TWH moves laterally beautifully.

My friend rides him western and that's how I like to ride, but Daily would also make an awesome kids lower level dressage horse or be good in any event where he was not required to jog. He only has 3 gaits; a walk, running walk and canter. His walk and canter are smooth and he bends and flows as he covers ground...he's learning fast!

Oh yea, I also helped a friend round pen his donkey, put a saddle on and off the donkey and I got on the donkey. The little donkey is ready to ride!

Demo

They church event was so much fun. The music and people there where awesome.
I worked with a 7yr old quarter horse, well they say he's a quarter horse:)
The horse is already riding and he is basically a good boy but he does haves some ground manner problems where he holds his head real high, he stops sometimes when your leading and he is not as soft and bendy as I like.

I tried to catch him in the round pen to start the demonstraition and he would not let me, so I moved his feet.
After about 5 minutes of changing directions, moving his feet I thought he would finally lock on and let me catch him. He stopped when I cut of his drive line, I asked him in and he walked towards me straight on and then scooted away right before he reached me. So I moved his feet again, this time making his movement time more awkward by changing directions more frequently. He does that really well! He finally would stop and come to me but always taking one little step past me. So I really did not have control of his feet yet, but my time was limited and I could tell I needed to move on to keep the audiences attention. I decided to go ahead and saddle him and ride.
I did bridle work, bending exercises and dropped the reins on his neck and walked, trotted and cantered without the aid of the reins. I then started to ask for more bend in the poll and by the time we were done he was bending and collected really nicely. The audience liked that a lot more than the ground work. But the ground work is the most important, I would say to them. I'm going back and round penning that horse some more, he needs to stop what he is doing, pay attention and come to whoever wants to catch him.
He is also a little bit confused at which is driving pressure and which is not. Someone did not release pressure at the right time in his life or someone always nagged him. He's a little confused. But he's a good boy! What a fun day!

See that's one of the reasons I did not keep Blossom, I fall in love with all the horses I work with. I would have to have 1,000 acres to keep them all.

Have a blessed day!

Freedom Stables Anniversary Party

This Saturday, October 4, From 2-6pm I will be at the Freedom Stable Anniversary Party doing a demonstration on horsemanship. It should be a very good time. Food, live music, and best of all HORSES!

Freedom Stables is run by pastors Jim and Gina Hage. They are a remarkable couple saving peoples lives through Jesus and horses. When I was asked to speak I thought about how much God has blessed me through horses and horsemanship and that now would be a good time to give back.

My demo will be on ground work. Sensitizing and desensitizing exercises that will help a horse from 2 weeks to a old adult. It is the first steps taken in my training program. The ground work establishes trust and confindence in the horse at the same time I'm establishing trust, leadership and respect.

Freedom Stables
500 S. Range Rd
Cocoa, Fl 32926

Take 95 to 520 exit, exit east on 520, take 520 to Range Rd, take a right onto Range Rd and Freedom Stables will be on the left.

Newspaper

Hi Everyone,

Please look for Blossom and me in Florida Todays Sunday paper. They sent it to print Tuesday and it should be a good article on Mustangs and the Extreme Mustang Makeover.

I was asked by a friend, "Where do you go from here?" I have to tell you it feels pretty empty not going out and seeing Blossom's cute little face and hearing her neigh. But, I'm keeping busy....

I have had calls about horse training, but I really need to give my leg a chance to heal properly, so no riding for now. There is also a Ranch in Myakka, Fl which is a few hours away that has a large herd of Mustangs that I'm interested in going to visit....that would be really cool.

Good News...EMM emailed me and all the Mustangs at the event where adopted!
That's great, again they reached their goal: educating people about Mustangs,
entertaining people and saving the lives of more than 280 Mustangs! Yahoo!

Here is the link to the article..I would say that it is very accurate and it was well done. There was one little thing in the article about the most difficult part of training Blossom was putting weight on her back in a short amount of time. I think there was a misunderstanding. It should of read the most difficult thing about training the mustang was putting weight on my LEG in a short amount of time! I was not required to ride Blossom in the competition. Since vets and other professionals said she was much older than a yearling, I did begin the process of putting a saddle and weight on her back, which she accepted early on in the training program. I just thought if I was going to have a Mustang why not teach it as much as I can in the amount of time I'm allowed. Blossoms new owners will have a much easier time with training and costs when it is time to start riding Blossom :)

Thank you again everyone for your support and help!!!

Mustang gets a makeover