Day 55 through 66 (Riding Murphy & Singing His Praises)

Wendy:
I’ve started several new things with him and he is taking it all in stride. I’ve ridden him, clipped him with clippers, worked on his feet and a few other things. Unfortunately I have not worked with him everyday, but in spite of that he is doing well.

I can’t help but think how well he would do if I could work him more than an hour here and there. With a business to run, and a 16 month old son it is really hard to find all the time I want. I am just doing the best I can do and not worrying about the rest.

I really think Murphy is going to make someone a good horse. He has so many good attributes. With the number of days I have actually worked him, and how scared he started in the beginning, he is doing so well. We’ve had both Murphy and Diago about 60 days and I am pretty sure I would be lucky if I put a full 30 days on him. That really says a lot for him, to come so far in such a short amount of time. There were things I would try to do a month ago, that Murphy would have no part of, and I do them now and he calmly accepts them and does what I ask. I know a huge part of it is his confidence in me, but it is still soooo cool!!!!

I wonder how others in the Extreme Makeover Competiton are doing with their mustangs and if they are enjoying them as much as Steve and I are. It will sure be great to meet all of the trainers and horses and see the amazing things that I know they will be doing.

I have to be honest, I am so nervous about the competition. I don’t like to compete for the most part. I love teaching my horses to do cool stuff and I get a lot of pleasure out of helping others, but I hate being in the spot light. This will be really good for me. It’s been quite a while since I have shown in anything. Well enough for now -- I want to go ride Murphy before it gets too hot!!!!!

Day 64 (Training, Training, and more Training)

Steve:
This last week we have been hard at it again. Diago and I have been working on shoulder control, backing, vertical flexion, hindquarter control, two tracking, roll backs, and much, much, more. I think I will only review this week and not add anything new. He doesn’t quite have all of these exercises down well enough yet. I don’t want to overload him and cause any regression in his training.

There’s not much more to cover other than circles and review with him. I am almost to the point where all I should have to do is review and make sure he knows the training inside and out and is really solid, light, and relaxed.

Day 56 (Working Hard...)

Steve:
Diago and I have been working hard this last week and I am very proud of him and where he is at in his training. We have been working in the arena doing so many different things, trying to get him to relax and get soft in all five body parts or as soft as I can get them. My goal is to bring them all together for my intermediate level maneuvers. Hopefully it will all work out. Right now I am doing basic level exercises trying to work my way to my goal. The last month I plan on working more with the obstacles and refining my ground work which I feel fairly good about now.

Day 1 (Starting Out)

Wendy:
Steve and I left our house at around 9 a.m. to go to Paul’s Valley Oklahoma to pick up our Extreme Mustang Makeover horses. I have to say I am a bit nervous. I’m not sure what to expect and at the same time wondering what I have gotten myself into. I’ve worked Mustangs before and it is no easy task. My son is just now 14 months old and so it’s been a while since I’ve started even a domestic colt. Should be interesting to say the least.