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

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!

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

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

Extreme Mustang Makeover Yearling Edition Round Up

I want to personally thank everybody who made going to the Extreme Mustang Makeover a reality for Blossom and I. Without the hard work and dedication of local supporters in Brevard County it just would have not been possible for me to attend the event.

Thank you everybody who believed in me and my dream to tame a once wild Mustang.

CONGRATULATIONS to Valerie of Forth Worth, Texas for adopting Orange Blossom.
I'm sure Blossom is in a good loving home, will be handled right and will bring you years of happiness and that is all that I could of ever hoped for.

God Bless the Mustang Heritage Foundation, the world renowned clinicians, volunteers and all its sponsors that helped make this Extreme Mustang Makeover successful for the second year in a row and thank you trainers for your hard work and dedication to the American Mustangs. You guys are brilliant awesome people.

Extreme Mustang Makeover

Wow, what can I say. Blossom and I did very well. We placed second in conditioning out of 53 plus horses. We made it to the top 10 and we were tied for 8th but recieved 9th. All that hard work payed off. I could not be more pleased with the results and compliments I recieved as a trainer from some of the best horsemen in the world. Chris Cox was the MC, Ken McNabb was a judge, John Lyons..etc...it was just to cool be judged by these people and have them talk to me on their level. I took a lot of pictures and will post them in a couple days...so please check back. I got really good scores (I think) from some top horsemen. John Lyons handled Blossom and said I had done a really good job!!! How cool is that!!


The next event will be in Ocala, Fl at Lynn Palms training center. Guess who signed up for another Mustang? That is right, me.

Mustangs are incredible. They can jump across fire, jump in the back of pick up trucks, spin, rope cows, dressage, cowboy mounted shooting, do tricks...etc..in less than 100 days.

Yea, competition was tough! Blossom was the real winner, she took me to the top!

Congratulations

We are all real proud of you,
and hope your having the time of your life,
live it up.

Love
Your Family

The Extreme Mustang Makeover Results Are In

Blossom and I made the top ten and placed a tie for 8th but the judges voted and we recieved 9th place. But you know what? That was alright with me. It was an awsome adventure and the competition was tough. I am honored to have placed in the top ten.

Time Draws Near For Me & My Brown Eyed Girl

6:00pm Central Time
We are ready to rock and roll.
It is time to

SHINE!

We made it to the Finals

Wish us luck, Today is the day Blossom and I have been training for.

WHOA!

We are going on to the finals On September 19th!

MOM IN TEXAS

HI,
WE MADE IT TO TEXAS. THE TRIP WENT REALLY WELL.
BLOSSOM IS DOING GREAT. SHE IS LAYING DOWN SLEEPING RIGHT NOW, AS I SHOULD BE TOO. IT IS JUST TO EXCITEING TO SLEEP. ALSO IT IS FREEZEING HERE. IT IS ABOUT 50 DEGREES.
I HOPE BLOSSOM DOES NOT TURN INTO A WOOLY MAMMOTH.
WE CHECK INTO THE EVENT THIS MORNING AND THEN START TO ROCK AND ROLL. I LOVE YOU KIDS!!!!!!

LOVE,
MOM

Tractor Supply Fundraiser And Show

The fundraiser went really well at Tractor Supply and thank you again for everyone who came out and visited Orange Blossom, Thank you for the genuine interest and compassion for these Mustangs.


Everyone was amazed that in such a short time that a Mustang can be tamed. . I thought " wow " I've really done a good job. Until the horse show that is.....Blossom was so good when we arrived she tied to the trailer and got groomed. We put the show halter on a walked towards the crowd. She did great until I asked her to stand around quietly and wait for our class, which was starting in about ten minutes. Well.....she had different plans. Lets see...she reared several times, struck out and tried to bite me. I looked around at all the pretty long tailed horses with their shinning coats and shinning owners and opted to sit that class out because I did not want to ruin their show time that they had worked so hard for. I took Blossom to a private place and put her training halter on and starting sending her for respect and asking her for two eyes on me. When I felt control again, I took her back to the show area and she was really good. We went in three classes but did not win. I had the training halter on her and we were not exactly dressed like the others, but she did the patterns and I was happy about that. The judge came over and asked me about Blossom. I told her about the Mustang Makeover and she gave me several compliments. She said Blossom was well mannered and right after she said that, Blossom bit me. No kidding. I ignored it, and to the judges credit she did to and did not take back her compliment. I think Blossom knew what the judge said. LOL I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to take her to at least one big show even if it was out of our league. It helped us both.

Orange Blossom

Did my temporary mom mention that I like to eat, eat, eat and then eat again?

Alfalfa hay and Seminole Grow Right are two of my favorites. She won't let me have as much as I want but

she gives me plenty and I appreciate that, so we are best buddies! You got food? You got a gentle hand? I will be your buddy too.

HELLO

I just reviewed the numbers of stars, idols and legends. They don't add up do they? I'm sending out a big heart felt sympathy and prayers for all the trainers that have worked so hard this summer, the ones that are hanging in there, the ones who have made marvelous progress, the ones that for financial reasons can't make the trip and the ones that are saddened that they will part with these incredible horses in less time than we want.

I to have had a difficult time summer, I have made sacrifices like selling my round pen, selling my trailer (after the event) missing appropriate bedtimes for the children, having dinner on the table before 10pm , going over kids homework, weathering the storms and the list goes on.........but I would not have missed this journey for all the money in the world. It has been eye opening and very rewarding. The bond I have with my Mustang is pure joy and I know that God in his infinite glory has a perfect plan for all of us and our MUSTANGS!

God Bless You All,
Joan Fisher

CARPE DIEM

I am a firm believer in making the most of time because it will go by weither you want it to or not, but I wish I could make time stand still so that I could enjoy having Blossom a little longer. She has been one of the funnest horses with great personality that I have ever trained. She is so honest and willing, not to mention that she is very pretty.

Sigh..... well the show must go on.....and I must say good-bye..... I love her and I will miss her .....God keeps telling me it will be OK......

Ok, I'll go cry now....... Get it out of my system before Texas. ;)

More Bad Weather

No suprise we have bad weather again since I live in Hurricane Alley.
Hanna dumped a lot of rain and now Ike is barreling toward us. I can be a huge witness to the fact Mustangs have hardy feet, since Blossom has gone from wet to dry, wet to dry and wet again. Her feet still look great!

I don't think I will be able to do anymore training with her before we head out for Texas, so it's as good as it is going to get. Hopefully we wont have to evacuate for Ike, it is supposed to hit south of me, but ya never know with these storms.

I tried to take her to the beach, but the wind and surf was too high. The wind was blowing offshore and creating these huge swells, surfers dig it and I do to, but not for Blossom's first experience with the beach. Guys if you ever want to attract attention from a bunch of bikini clad girls, take a horse to the beach. LOL

Orange Blossom

Blossom is ready for Texas! I Think! Can you believe I found a big orange?
I just had to stop for a picture.

Blossom is 15'1 and about 800 lbs.

5th Ride

I took my 5th ride on Blossom today and she did really good. She has decided that she is already bored with her finals routine and would prefer riding around in the arena. She is a silly, silly Mustang. The hardest part about training Blossom has been to keep her from getting bored. She is so smart. I think she does things wrong sometimes just to mix things up.



Well another good day training. No set backs...... Have a great day!

I thought this video of a trainer on his extreme mustang says it all ! So I posted it.
It is so beautiful you may cry......

Back To Training

Things are getting back to normal and I have started training again. I found all my props that had floated away and set everything back up. BLASTED my music and commenced to fine tuning my finals performance should we get picked. It is a cool performance....fast, light and fun. So I'm ready for that if we do well in the in hand course. I set up a in-hand course very similar to past challenges courses and Blossom is doing pretty good. We need to work on less hindquarter movement in the L as we make our turn..other than that, we have a pretty good chance. Well that is if they are just judging the horses and it's not all about showmanship and bling because I look down sometimes and at my horse and I don't always stand " all perched-up" that's what I call that little pose.

I did go to the other arena to check it out after the storm and see if it would be a good place to continue starting Blossom. Suddenly to my suprise,I was stopped by the Gestapo! Apparently their was no room in the park because all the horses that lost their barns during the storm had been moved there.
I tried to explain to the guy that I just wanted to use the public arena like I've been doing for years. He said they had a problem with people coming in and riding the horses that were in the evacuation barn. I told him I had my own horse to ride and I just wanted to use the arena, which by the way was empty and not even close to the 3 barns of evac horses. But this guy was just not having it. I'm not sure who the heck he was either, I asked him if he was a new park ranger. (I know all of them)
Oh well, some folks are grumpy.....I'll try another time...maybe tomorrow he will have resigned from his post and if not, that's Ok, I know she will make a good riding horse one day and I'm not required to ride in the competition anyway.

Clean-Up

Clean up from the storm has been long and tedious. So much to clean...One gal at the barn lost her home to flooding. She is one strong cookie though, just kinda taking things in stride. I invited her to go to Fort Worth with us. I know she will love it. She is a trainer and very good with horses. She is now saying that in the midst of everything she just does not see how she will get away. I hope she has a change of heart, she would be a great person to have on my BLOSSOM team. I won't have any idea what to do when I get there, I will need some extra hands and eyes and an information informant. LOL

No training, yet! Well, I did go on a little trail ride. Yahoo! It did wonders for my soul.

Thank-You God!

God I have trusted in you since I was a small child. You knew then that one day you would place a Wild Mustang in my care. You have blessed my journey so much. When I got hurt from riding someone else's horse and was broken hearted because I thought that I ruined my chances of training a wild Mustang, I prayed and trusted in you and you gave me a Mustang with a gentle spirit. When I later realized that I would have no income during the summer because of my injury, I prayed and you sent good people my way that helped without blinking an eye, When it rained and rained and I thought my training would never get underway you always left some sunshine in the day so that I could spend time with the Mustang. When the tropical storm came and everything flooded, I prayed my horses would stay safe and they did. You are an AWESOME GOD! Thank you for not letting me break my leg, thank you for sending Mona Webb and all her fundraiser ideas my way, thank you for Blossom and her gentle spirit, thank you for letting the water recede, thank you for the days of sunshine and for my sister who has always been positive and supportive about my horse crazy ideas and lifestyle. When I asked her to drive all the way to Texas with me to pick up a wild Mustang, you had the perfect words flow out of her mouth. "Your getting a wild Mustang?, when do we leave to pick it up?"

As the time draws near and all the trainers will come together for one cause, the American Mustang, please continue to bless our journeys, heal our bodies, give us patience and sound horses with gentle spirits.

Amen

Storm Update and Horses

The new horse (Sport) has a dry stall and is fine. He has settled in and now does not care much about the wind and rain.

Blossoms stall is very wet and mushy. I will see how well Mustangs feet hold up after this all finally passes. She has been in continual rain almost everyday if not every other day since I picked her up in Texas in May, so her feet should be used to it. And by the way, her feet have always looked great, they were great when I picked her up from the holding facility.

I decided to clean up in the pouring rain even though it's flooding in and she has a dry stall for now.

Weather Is Better

I think the worst part of the storm is over. It is possible that as it moves north that we get more rain from the outer ban. For now Blossom and the new horse are dry in their stalls. We moved them yesterday during the storm and threw storm waters to two separate barns but both are on the same property. I had forgotten about the abandoned barn at the end of the property we checked it out and it was dry. It was sunny for about 1 hour today and I was able to turn them out. The new horse was a little big eyed and snorting and walking really cautious. Blossom did not care about any of it. She marched through the water and was light, soft and responsive as I was leading her after having been in her stall since early Monday afternoon. Man, I love that Mustang! I don't know if it's all the hours I have put into her or just her breed but she really is a good girl. I think it's the breed!

At this point Blossom has done just about everything a horse can do in less than 100 days. However we have not had buffalo to chase! I'm still going to take her to the beach. (I hope)

Until later........

My Neighborhood & Barn

Update On Storm

I wish I could say it's 70 degrees and sunny in Florida. But it's flooding badly on the east coast and guess where I live? Some of my friends at the barn homes are flooding, I have been lucky so far, just a little bit of wet by the patio doors, but it's coming!

The horse's are standing in water, the barn has flooded and other horse owners have stopped by looking for drier ground for their supplies and horses. I hate to turn people down but really we don't have any available stalls and we are flooded too!

I will have to put training on the back burner even when it dries out around here because the horse community will need help getting put back together. I saw my neighbor stalled in the road as I was coming back from the barn and I pulled him to his house with my jeep. Then some guys came by and said there house was flooding and they couldn't get sandbags because of some county thing. Since my house is not flooding and I can get sand bags I called the city to have some delivered for the guys. A little while later I saw a city truck with sand bags drive by so I ran out the front door and out into the river but the sands bags weren't for me. Apparently I will see trucks all day long delivering sand bags and that I am on the list, but there is no need to stop every truck. Hehehe. The driver and I laughed about me chasing down the truck. You have to have a sense of humor about things and pray a lot. Makes life better.....

Tropical Storm

Well, tropical storm Fay has changed my plans a little this week. For one thing the kids just got back in school yesterday and now school is canceled for the next two days. Kids are happy!

Blossom was acting strange last night. I got a call from the barn and they said Blossom was laying down and would not get up. I panicked! Drove as fast as I could, when I got there, they had her up and in the isle of the barn. She did not neigh when I arrived, which is unusual and she was grumpy, which was unusual. I approached her, listened to her stomach and took her for a walk. It was not colic. (Praise God) but something was going on. Apparently she was going into a really bad heat cycle.

Sometimes young horses can have a difficult time with their first few cycles. Ok, well I can accept that, but that means her next one will be in Texas. So sorry all you trainers sporting good looking geldings, I will be bringing a sweet distraction to the event.

I did get a chance to ride her yesterday morning before the rain came and she is doing really good. But it is hard to stay out of her mouth when I ride because someone built the round pen with the posts to the inside by the two gate entrances and the arena is the same way.

I got tired of my knees and legs hitting the fence and began steering a little.
She is really light in the mouth and I would like to keep it that way. I want to start her right, so I will trailer her to a local arena where she does not have to worry about anything but moving those feet!

I have to go feed the horses! Have a good day!

Byrds Western Wear

Update

Well, it has been a good summer for the kids, however the little monkeys start school today and all I can say is hip, hip hooray!

The car wash went really well.
Blossom was a little bit pushy though. She would search people's pockets and take hats off and put just about anything she could in her mouth. I'm not sure why she waited so long to show this new enthusiasm for new things. I think maybe she is getting to much attention at the barn when I'm not around. It's like she is looking for treats. Other than that, she was an angel. I will post pic's soon.

I would like to say that I am this awesome trainer and look what I've done with a wild Mustang, but the Truth is, Blossom was just cool, calm and collected when I started working with her. I just got blessed, I prayed for a gentle spirited horse and that is what God gave me, a gentle spirited horse. Is this horse perfect? Of course not, she will test you. Is she silly? Yes, and she is very vocal. She talks a lot. Not with other horses or when we go to new places, but she talks to me. She neighs, sighs, nickers and just has to be involved with everything I do at the barn. I got a new horse in for training, well actually he's in for a tune-up. Anyways, Blossom is jealous of me working with Sport. It has always been just me and her. Now she has to share and she's not real happy about that. She still listens and waits for direction, but she is concerned about the new horse that now gets my attention when I'm on the property.

3rd Ride

I took my third ride today on Blossom. She is going smoothly at a walk in both directions. Just squeeze, cluck and spank. She starts her walk at cluck and hopefully soon I will only have to squeeze. I felt like she was settled and I almost went for the trot but a thunderstorm rolled in fast and I thought to just end it on a good note. I will ride again later and maybe then we can go a little faster than a walk.

This afternoon I did try to trot and she would not stay in the trot. I will have someone flag us for extra forward movement. That should work until she gets the concept better.

The radio station gig this morning was a lot of fun, I was able to plug a lot about the Mustang Heritage Foundation and the Makeover in Texas. People in Brevard county are learning about these beautiful animals and the heritage they represent.

Pictures of Blossom have the wrong dates on them, I have two little monkeys that
sabatage things and I can't fix the date.

Radio Station

Good day...I will be on Melbourne's WIXC 1060 AM with Ted Turner this morning from 8-9 promoting Wild Mustangs and the Texas event. When I get back I am going to take my third ride.

WHERE DID THAT WILD MUSTANG GO?

Blossom is that you?

2nd Ride

First Ride

This was the first time I used a saddle, I was just getting on and off bareback and sometimes I would sit bareback for a few minutes, but we never went anywhere.

Health Certificate

I had the vet come out and do a health certificate on Blossom this morning. Blossom did not like us sticking the thermo to her so we went by the BLM's papers and the over all appearence to state the horse was healthy. Also, the vet did a run down for me on Blossoms teeth and guess what? It's time to ride, the vet says" Joan, this is not a yearling, she is three and then showed me step by step with the teeth thing. Wow, no more excuses not to ride her, look forward to pictures of our first ride.

Byrds Western Wear Fundraiser

On August 16 we will be having a fundraiser at Byrd's Western Wear, off 192 in West Melbourne. Stop by and say Howdy, get your car washed, grab a bite to eat and meet Blossom, the once wild Nevada Mustang. Bring the whole family and learn about our Mustang Heritage.



The fundraiser is from 9am to 1pm.

Blossoms Day Off

This is what Blossom does on her day's off! The other horse that looks like Blossom is also Mustang and look at what a good boy he is. That little girl (5) canters that horse all over the place.

Getting On, Getting Off

Today was rainy and muddy in most areas of the barn. So, I decided today would be a good day to get on Blossom. If she bucked, then I would just land in mud.
I got on and off bareback tons of times and she did not move around. She was very good. Unfortunately for me, I was unable to actually ride her around because of a horse related injury to my leg in June. No, it was not from my Mustang.. It just shows what a great horse Blossom is. I was able to train her with an almost broken leg. If your new to my blog, go back to the beginning and you can see that the inside of my thigh looks the size of a football. The accident tore all my muscle and veins right down to the bone. Ooch, hurts think-in bout it!!:) For now, I will just keep getting on and off her. Maybe in a few days, I will take a leap of faith and ride into the sunset, or atleast not into the fence. I can barely sleep at night thinking about riding that MUSTANG! It's so exciting. I absolutely adore that yearling (well 3 yr old).

Thanks for stopping by...................

Orange Blossom

In hindsight I should of called Blossom, Awesome Blossom because that is what she is.
Florida has finally dried up from June and July's rain and I have been able to get down to some serious training. Blossom does obstacle courses (no fear), round pens, lunges, pivots, yields, moves away from pressure nicely, she is bendy and soft. She is so ready to start under saddle, I want to ride her. I'm afraid if I take that first ride then I will definitely not want to let her go. Blossom is one of the most personable horses that I have ever worked with. She loves to hear her name, she comes running and neighing when you call her, she loves to go places (and she's gone to a lot of places in less than 70 days) , she knows when it's time to rest or work. All this and she is only around 2. The deadline to decide if you want to keep your yearling is Sept 1st and it is coming up fast.

We are going to a barrel racing event and that should be real good for her.
She has never seen barrel racing and the way horses act at the gate. Knowing her she won't care.

Mustangs Rock!! Seriously, if your looking for a good versatile horse, get yourself a well trained mustang, visit Mustang Heritage Foundation for tons of Mustang info.

Mounted Shooting

Wow, What a great weekend Blossom and I had. Today we did cowboy mounted shooting. Well, actually we watched. I had a guy lean over Blossom and shoot his gun off her back. Blossom did not flinch, even with a stranger handling her. Blossom knows how to sort things out and has a long attention span. I think she could go in any direction. I've done a lot of things with this Mustang and she's awesome.
She gets better and better everyday! She's got a great foundation and ready for that first ride. I hope whoever adopts her, treats her right and appreciates this horses true grit. I do!


If your interested in getting a good horse I suggest you go to the Extreme Mustang Makeover in Forth Worth, TX there will be hundreds of well trained Mustangs there or go to Mustangheritagefoundation.com. The Foundation has a trainer program. They can find a Mustang trainer and Mustang near you.

Tractor Supply Carwash

Thank you Tractor Supply and everyone who worked so hard and made this such a cool event. People got to learn about Mustangs, touch a mustang, The Mustang Heritage Foundation and see how great Mustangs are. Here are some pics of the day, as you can see everyone worked very hard!! Thank You!!!!!