Wild Horse Diaries

Anyone willing to sponsor Spices trim today? And don’t forget this little lady is looking for her forever human.

First bathes for these little monsters. For summer, bathing went great, standing tied after was another story. For Spice, bathing was not as easy, but she stood quiet after. Horses are so very different, even the same horse day to day, which is why you always have to work with what’s in front of you and live in the moment like they do. It was HOT and they both have enjoyed being sprayed, on their terms, while watering. Things can be a bit different at a wash rack with different intentions. But they both did great for a first round. It’s not so bad!

Second saddle for not-so-baby Maevyn. That’s been no big deal to her. She is just mad she has to move her oversized belly around. #devilsgardenmustang #devilsgarden #wildhorses #mustanghorse

Savanna played with spice again this week. This is the first time she’s been on the obstacle course and she did all the obstacles with ease. Go Spice! Spice is available for adoption through Tehachapi Valley Horse Rescue.

This is the face of a horse that is waiting for the saddle to do something scary. He likes to keep it in the left eye. While observing him in his stall with it on today, he would seem ok, then catch it out of the right eye and spook himself. This is why I like them wearing it a lot, even when they aren’t working. I also let him free on the 10 acres and intentionally got the ranch riled up to encourage some movement without me directing him. He didn’t buck much but did spend plenty of time trying to kick at the right stirrup. Lots to learn about where to work from watching the last two days. His right side needs some extra attention. Which I had also observed while working with him prior, but I also like observing without human intervention just to make sure it’s not me and my faults from left and right creating it.

Crazy Baby, meet Crazy Mini.

We had a great day with ETI Corral 83 and a few other ladies last weekend. Our entire day was centered around the daily habits that make us a better horsewoman and improves the relationship with our horses. We ended the day with a ride to our local vineyard, Tehachapi Winery, where we had lunch from Moessner Farm & Cafe and received a tour of the winery facilities.

Oh my goodness. I woke to a text from my neighbor about how my horses were loose. The wind broke open a gate and they took the opportunity to go have some fun. They started walking home once they saw me.

Still cruising behind him on foot but he’s a star and is doing great. Can’t wait to start with our cart. I’m still looking for a used quality harness for a good price. If any of you hear of anything send it my way!

Love pictures when the skies are in a mood. Here’s Blanca and Dione during their lesson today.

I had my first driving lesson today. This little pony was such a great teacher. She was soft, responsive, and gave me just enough test to really make me try and find confidence in my request and she was very forgiving while I worked through it. Not having my leg and dealing with what felt like limited communication was different, but only because I think I was overthinking it. Then I came home and put on the surcingle and worked with Miguel while it was fresh. He wants t...o face sooooo bad when we stop. So that was mostly today’s lesson. Forward, stop and back. It was hard being behind him because I too wanted our closeness to connect and to rub his neck or face every time he was doing well, buuutt I couldn’t reach. So I’ll have to find a new way to communicate how much I appreciate him from afar. The release just didn’t seem to be enough today. Love my sweet ornery boy. Onward bound we go to driving destination! See more

Chino is looking just like the earth today. He was also just as moody.

Spent some time chatting with my noble steed yesterday over a quiet picnic with just the two of us. Told him I have yet another adventure I need him to support me through. So far this amazing horse has taken me through my eduction on equine behavior and training, my personal horsemanship, the rehabilitation of horses, my passion for liberty and bridleless riding, starting a lesson program, mounted archery fun and now I’m going to ask him to help me learn to drive my dream bu...ggy. I have my first lesson Monday. So excited! First I teach me, then I teach him. Hopefully by next spring, my buggy, my horse and myself will all be ready for a maiden voyage. Some people drive classic cars with their family on weekends; I’m going to drive my 1800’s classic buggy with my most trusted equine partner (and a few friends and family). The last picture is what it should look like when we are done. It needs some work, but that’s part of the adventure.

This was yesterday evenings entertainment. I said screw housework and dinner and played with Miguel instead. We spent a little time in the round pen, then I shot my bow. We then decided to go halter Maevyn in the field, so I could spend some time with her and she was being a sass and got the herd going. (I was being lazy and haltering her from Miguel because I didn’t want to walk or bother to get off.) So we stuck with it and moved them around a bit, before haltering her. It’...s a good test of how well Miguel can hear me, as it’s natural for him to want to run with his herd, but he was really responsive even though I haven’t ridden him in a while. He seemed happy to be with me last night which makes me happy. I think he’s much happier now that he’s been moved off of lessons (thank you Travis) and only has myself riding him. Even if it isn’t very often. I feel like I’m heading back towards the partner I had when we rode brideless in the Mountain Fest Parade. Even if it is a slow progress back. I know I don’t post much anymore, but I’m going to try harder to get out of my anti-Facebook funk and get with it again.

Oops on my part last night after feeding. Left the door open. The herd is fat and happy this morning.

Baby Maevy (Devils Garden Maevyn) is a little over a year old and she’s been getting lots of attention this week. Most of my training horses were leaving about the same time, so I scheduled myself a little break in between the next batch to spend time for myself; by spending time with her, Miguel and my Mounted Archery. Today she tagged along behind me and Miguel while we went to Moessner Farm Cafe & Store for lunch. While she was very very busy at the tie rail, she wasn’t i...mpatiently pawing or upset. Just curious, happy and playfully mouthy towards Miguel. Like a baby should be. She respected her lead and kept a nice pace with us and other than playing, she never played outside the boundaries of her lead line or tugged or showed resistance to it. Only thing she has zero patience for is flies and kept stopping to bite at them on the way there, less on the way back. They also gave the spoiled princess a bucket of water with a few apples floating, so she got to entertain herself by bobbing for apples. I think she found today’s adventure to be fun and positive. A great learning experience for the princess.

It’s always a good day when the hay truck rolls through.

This past weekend we had a birthday party on the ranch for one of our students. Lauren and her sister Emma had a great time learning about the ins and outs of caring for their horse. (Horse ownership isn’t just about the fun stuff. ) They painted their horses, learned about mounted archery, painted a picture with their horses, bathed their horses and had a fun camp out after feeding and cleaning stalls. While camping overnight is a special offering to our long time students, we do offer birthday parties. Feel free to contact me if your interested in one for your child. Each party is unique and catered to your individual group.

This is the face of a horse who just discovered karma. He is always sassing at me and he turned and kicked up at me when I asked for a canter while free lunging, tripped over his own hooves and fell on his face. I swear he was looking at me like how did you do that? Wasn’t me Rowdy, it was the universe telling you to pay attention and stop sassing me all the time.

Emma working on her canter today with Travis.

Time for a little cool down.

Violet the future horse trainer and Angel Wings, the future trail/lesson/kids horse. Angel Wings is available for adoption through Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue

Angel Wings! Look at the pretty girl go. Second time I’ve ridden outside of the arena and first time riding the obstacles. I remember the first time introducing these to her on the ground. She was so unsure about it all. But once she got it, she got it and I didn’t really revisit them much until today under saddle. She’s been getting ponied out on trail and has been really sensible and thoughtful when there’s something she isn’t sure of. She even showed us she’s sure footed ...this week when we ponied her on a technical mountain trail with drop offs and switch backs. She has learned to enjoy her hose downs, stood like a champ for the farrier, stands quiet for saddling, grooming and fly spray, at both the tie rail and the tack room door. She is 6 years old and a stocky 14.3 hands. This future trail unicorn is available for adoption through Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue.

This clinic was so fun. With everything going on it ended up being half of what we had planned and some people, with reopening recently, took the work and had to leave early. But we still made it work and had lots of fun. We started our morning by warming up our horses, desensitizing with the flag, followed by desensitizing while riding with the quiver and arrows and then learning to drop the reins and hold our path and speed. The afternoon we learned about the parts of the bow, safety and how to use the Mediterranean (three finger) and Mongolian (Thumb) Draw. Then brought the horses back in to shoot from horseback. We'd love to try this again in the fall and are thinking we will make it a two day clinic. Stay tuned!

Angel Wings! She’s so quiet minded. She has had a few rides but really struggled at the start. Mostly because she has cement for feet. She thought sniffing my feet (imagine all the horse smells) and being scratched (her nickname is itchy) was the extent of it and THAT was awesome. But now it’s, I have to work too? So we went back to some ground work and I finally have her moving off my seat with some ease. Allison will be here to help me in the next few days and we pl...an to play a little follow the leader and leap frog with another horse to really help her feel good about going forward. Angel Wings is available for adoption through Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue

Lauren was riding her magical unicorn to the beach today.