Riding
Roy's Training
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Update
Well about 4 days ago Gavin come off Roy. It was a combination of a trip, jump, bolt that caused Gav to lose his seat and he ended up flat on his back on the ground. Gav was pretty shaken up by the whole thing, but he got back on and things ended on a good note for the day. We are not sure we were cut out for this and if Joe hears you getting discouraged he stops in at just the right time to put your mind back in the game. Roy and Gavin have done great since the fall, Gavin went to a better saddle. Roy got his feet trimmed and he was a really good boy. He is still shy around other people. We have had Roy in the 40' round pen since he came home. Gavin went back to work so his time is more limited. Because of Roy's flight response we have not ventured out of the round pen. Well tonight Roy got to go on a walk about!! He was hesitant to leave his home but when he got out he was incredible. He walked past all the other horses, through the desert and into the big arena. He walked over the pole bending that had blow to the ground and his footing was great. He did the step over and past the big blue barrels. He did not show any fear!! "Wow this was better then riding him" Gavin said. We expected a fight. When he was done in the arena he quietly walked back to his round pen. We have had so many ups and downs with Roy. Is he trainable, how will he deal with the crowd? Is it our fault he has not come farther? Did we get in over our heads? Then you have a great training and it all seems worth while. Roy is so smart and he wants to please and you just melt when you look in his eyes. So we will continue to give it our best and so will Roy.
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3 comments:
Kathy tell Gavin to hang in there! These horses all have their quirks, one may seem to be doing better, but if you look at all they have learned so far... It's pretty amazing.
Some people got less reactive horses but in the end it is about Gavin doing his best with the horse he brought home. If that horse comes to Sac trusting him and willing to be someones partner then it's all good.
Some people may enter to win, but I think most do it out of a love for what they know these horses can become with the right start in life.
The time line is a vicious thing! Last night Angi saddled Prosperity for the second time. ;D
Maybe they just need a playday! No pressure no worry, just have fun!
You know we got involved in this because of the Extreme Mustang Makeover and our wonder Mustang Pockets. We thought it was incredible what was done with these horses. I do want to say it take a special person to train a wild mustang. You have to have a lot of understanding, patience and knowledge. I have a lot of respect for all the trainers that work with these worthwhile horses. Gavin is doing great I think but there has been a lot of times we asked is it all worth it. He has not come off a horse in years. Someone said two steps forward and one step back. Boy how true that is. Everyone has been so nice and supportive. We are doing this for the benefit of the Mustang, never did we think we would win. We just want to do right by Roy, he deserves to be in a good home where they understand him. Which brings you to another point, what about his adopters. We cannot afford to bid on him and we can only hope his new owners understand him and continue with his training. He has trust issues and I think whoever gets him will have to win his trust all over. It should be easier for them if they go about It the right way but what if they don’t understand him. Angi is amazing and I hope she does great. I think she got the prettiest mustang at the pickup. Joe is doing a clinic at our place on the 17th, hopefully Roy and Gavin will be ready for that. Gavin works the clinic so does not feel it is fair to be training on his horse. A playday would have been nice but the sheriff rodeo ground has not got back to us so it looks like that fell through. Anyway Sac scares the heck out of us, excides us and makes us cry. Can’t wait to see everyone there.
Good job!!! I think our horses tend to relax a lot when they move into larger areas, I've seen it in a few of my mustangs including Sandy, so it doesn't surprise me that Roy did so well.
The thing to keep in mind (so I tell myself) is that we're in this for the learning experience. I don't know about you, but despite this being mustang #5, I've learned a LOT!
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