You Can't Trust Everything You Read!!!

We know that horses are herd animals and Matt says studs get mean if they are kept off by themselves. Diego's corral was pretty much isolated and we both felt bad for him because just a hop, skip and 14 jumps away was "the herd." He had heard that mares can't get pregnant during some winter months so we decided to look it up on the internet. Yup, that's what it said. From November to February mares don't have an estrous cycle or come into heat. Well, we turned Diego out with the other horses in November 2008 and he was a happy boy. Hmmmmmmm....along about August and September the mares were looking kind of plump or in Kasoos' case, plumper. And then son-of-a-gun, along about the first week in October here's Nauage with a filly and then just like popcorn popping on the apricot tree, here's The Gray with a horse colt and Kasoos with a filly and Cessa with a filly. Now it is December 2009 and Diego is in solitary confinement. Poor guy!

Mojito, one fine caballo! Matthew, one fine man!

I can't say "all's well that ends well." However, it did end. Matt decided that if he at least walked Mojito through the course and let folks see him, he'd have a chance of being adopted, which really was the point of the whole competition. Yeah, there was the whole "make a lot of money and get some recognition" thing but ultimately it's about getting the horse adopted. And that sweet horse did get a new home. He's up yonder in Heber. I really miss him.

In spite of things not turning out the way we had hoped. It was a good experience. Of course this is written by a person who was not slammed into a fence and had to have knee surgery and may yet have to have shoulder surgery---but I'm the one doing the posting.

I got to witness some amazing things from both Matt and Mojito. I saw a "wild" horse who was so friendly right from the 'git go' and who seemed so willing to please once he understood what was wanted.

And Matt...wow...what a very good man. He could have taken Mojito back to the BLM and been done with it. He knew he'd be embarrassed when he walked Mojito through the course but he put Mojito's best interest above his own. You gotta' admire a man for that. So I don't know...maybe it really did end well.

I will say, I'm looking forward to next year!!!!!!!!!

Enticing Mojito with an Apple

We kept Mojito in the backyard over night. Then it's off to Heber in the morning.

Practice Walking the Course

I'm Not Afraid of Chickens!

Over the Bridge

Walking the Course

Waiting at the Outhouse

Getting ready for the auction

My last good bye

Waiting to be adopted

post surgery

Matt is recovering from surgery. The doctor said everything went well and in six months he should be good as new.

In the trailer buddy, you're going to jail!!!!!

As I tell my kindergarteners, it was a sad day, a sad day indeed. The sad day was Tuesday September 8th. After a good training day on Monday (and remember Monday's are sort of scary) Matt worked with Mojito in the round corral and then saddled him anticipating another good training day. He started out by riding him around the corral, and practicing stopping and turning. Then Matt kicked him into a lope. They came around the turn and Mojito saw the tarp waving on top of the haystack. Mojito freaked! He went into a dead run, straight to the end of the round corral bucking all the way. He bucked Matthew onto the round corral metal pipes.

Long story short---and it is a long story, Matt's "good knee" has torn ligaments and tendons. His shoulder was dislocated and the biceps and triceps are torn. He'll be having surgery sometime soon.

So what does this mean concerning the Extreme Mustang Competition? The options are to drop out or show him "in hand"--which means, Matt won't ride him but will show what he can do on the ground.
The goals were to:
1. Get Mojito adopted and live happily ever after.
2. Have Matthew show the world--or whoever views the competition --what an amazing trainer he is.
3. Win lots of money.

We're still hoping Mojito will get adopted and of course Matthew is an excellent horse trainer (just not much of a bronc rider :0) I'm sure folks will recognize that at the competition...........But winning lots of money? That is definitely "iffy."

So now we are doing more ground work--reviewing past lessons (sound like a teacher don't I?) Yesterday, I had him get in and out of the trailer and walk over and through some obstacles. He balked at the trailer entrance but once he decided to get in, he did it with no hesitation--same for the obstacles--no hesitation. We are still expecting great things from this horse.

What about Matt? You know, even the best riders get thrown and even the best horses can spook. That just comes with the territory!!!

One Month Today!

It's Monday, Labor Day, and Mojito hadn't been ridden for two days. Mojito has a habit of bucking if he hasn't been ridden for one day. So we were a bit anxious. As Matt says, Mojito "thought" about it but Matt had him under control and it turned out to be a very good day.

Mojito needs to get used to being in unfamiliar environments so on Friday, Matt took him to the Spanish Fork fair grounds indoor arena to train. Mojito was leery of light shining through the doors and some spooky picnic tables but he settled right down. Amazing horse-Amazing trainer!!

Matt is teaching Mojito to cross over with his front legs and pivot off the back.

Buck, Bad Luck!

Mojito and Uncle Jed

Yee-Haw

So what are Matt and Mojito up to? Plenty. I've been busy with school and haven't been able to take pictures. However, Matt's Uncle Jed has been taking pictures,watching Matt train and helping him out too. It's nice to know someone is there............just in case. Matt and Mojito are still doing the basics but have progressed to trotting, loping and working on stops and backing up. Matt explained that "in the wild" horses rarely have to back up so this is new to Mojito. Mojito is still mellow on the ground, let's Matt get in the saddle but when he asks Mojito to move it's anybodies guess as to whether or not he will buck.

Day ten of training, plus a detour.

When Matt first got Mojito, he had a small crack in his rear, right hoof. It seemed superficial but started to get larger so Matt laid off the training until he could get together with his vet and ferrier to determine what was best for Mojito. So we loaded him up and went north to Bluffdale. It's more than a hop, skip and a jump from Genola to Bluffdale but Matt trusts Dr. Linford's judgement so off we went. The Ferrier, Seth Kunz, was there when we arrived and together they determined that instead of epoxying the hoof it would be best to trim it and apply a shoe--what the heck--get him four new shoes!!! The ferrier was great with Mojito--nice and patient and fast too. Although the "walks on two legs" were great, Mojito was the real star! Have I said this before? "What a dang good horse!"

When we left the vet's place, we took a detour to the BLM to show the folks up there that Matt takes care of his mustangs!!!!! (He'd been there the day before discussing Mojito's dilema.) Then home again and about forty-five minutes of training--not too long. Gotta' break in those new shoes!

Tomorrow is Sunday so we'll all be resting!

If you are looking for a great ferrier, check out Seth of K-3 Outfitters. 801-667-3187 and of course, if you need a vet for your horse, there's no one like Scott Linford- 801-446-8838.

Up and At'em

Matt has practiced loading and unloading Mojito. Matt just walks up in the trailer, doesn't even make eye contact with Mojito, and son-of-a-gun, Mojito hops right up too. He rarely hesitates.

Hold Still, buddy.

What's best for Mojito?

Dr. Scott Linford, Mojito's vet and Seth Kunz, Mojito's ferrier figure out the best way to treat the split in Mojito's hoof. Since Matt plans to take Mojito up on the mountain, the three of them decided it would be best to put shoes on him.

Orthopedic Shoes?

You can go to the equivilant of "Payless for Ponies" and pick up some shoes but they need to be formed to fit the horses hoof.

Getting his hoof rasped

Mojito lookes like he's saying, "Can't a guy get his nails done without making a big deal out of it?"