Last night I had another dream where I am sitting on the edge of a cliff.  I’ve had this dream a lot in my life.  Most of the time the dream ends when I fall.  Sometimes I am scared to fall.  Sometimes I am not.  I am never intent on falling.  Last night, I faced the edge, knew I could fall and did not.  In my dream, I returned to the edge more than once.  Each time my stomach knotting in fear from the knowledge that indeed I could fall.

I’ve thought a lot about this dream.  The theme is always the same but the locations and settings of my dream are not. 

I dream in color.  Sometimes my dreams come true and I experience DeJa Vu.

Falling is never the type of thing I want to experience and I never have but even so these dreams where I have fallen always leave me feeling uneasy.

But last night’s dream was different.  I faced the fall and the cliff with fear but also knowing that I would not fall.  I even talked to another person about in my dream.  It was reassuring.  And this morning I awoke feeling empowered.

I think this dream, like most dreams, has meaning.

In my career I’ve faced many obstacles and my aspirations have yet to be fulfilled to my expectations. 

I just re-read my post from last week about Aemelie learning to make decisions on behalf of herself, me and others.

The Mirror Effect jumped right out at me!

I am finally at a point in my career where I am taking risks and making decisions and managing my career, home and life as if….well….my life depended on it!  I am not taking no as an answer of failure but rather taking action to find solutions and not worrying so much about what other people think or how they will be disappointed or affected.  I am taking charge and the changes are measurable.

Most of all, I am just doing what I do and enjoying it, not pushing for my own return.  I am allowing the strength and quality of my experience to mirror the strength and quality of my work and dedication. 

This week I’ve experienced once again the joy of helping others and my reward in seeing them experience more out of life.  Money can not give the pleasure of self satisfaction quite so well as working for one’s position and seeing it benefit others.

It’s a complicated subject and one I won’t be writing on and on about.  I think most people can understand the similarities between what I’ve once again learned.

Life is uncertain.  Sometimes we fall.  But if we keep trying we can conquer uncertainties.

Once again I am left incredulous that Aemelie, my trusted horse and equine guide has once again shown me wisdom.

Like her hard work this past week to take point, I have taken point in my own life and career. 

Like she, I have surrounded myself with people who care and support my efforts.  She relies on the herd and her relationships.  My success lies in those whose lives I touch.

The weight of that can be stressul.  Or like Aemelie, bring about a break through that I realized in my dream.

It is possible to hover dangerously or it is possible to look, understand the consequences and then, make decisions that result in success. 

Isn’t that the essence of survival?

Isn’t life grand!

This week has been one of the most productive training weeks of my career.  I am finally getting Aemelie, my personal horse, where I want her.  Needless to say, I am excited!

Yesterday we rode twelve miles and Aemelie took point.  I love a horse that is forward moving and courageous.  Aemelie is not.

As a youngster Aemelie was brave.  At one point as a two year old she took the lead and tore off through the brush leading the two other horses I had in for training along behind her.

“That’s my horse!” I thought.

Aemelie was born on the plains of an Oklahoma ranch.  Some 300 acres worth.  And she chose me, I didn’t chose her.  But she has remained faithful, despite the fact that I’ve turned her into a faithful and trusted support horse.  The horse that will carry anyone and never make a mistake.

But as my horse, I want her to lead.  I love to run full bore and know that I have a horse who is sure of herself.

Because I’ve only expected Aemelie to be trustworthy, the perfect horse for any beginner or person whose suffered a terrible accident and needs to build confidence and because Aemelie is so devoted to me, she has performed this role perfectly.

Aemelie has given many people the pleasure of a true connection with a horse.  She has given me her heart.

This weekend, we graduated.

With Kirk riding Mickey and me riding Aemelie I asked her to move out and she did so…tenatively.  Right up until that nasty pavement turned black and dark from a repair.  Down went her head and up went her heart rate.

It’s tough work being point!  You have to make ALL of the decisions, not have them made for you and she was quite uncertain about this new responsibility I’ve given her.  She became a different horse out front.  Head down, feet planted, she snuffed and shuffled, feeling more and more explosive with every step.

We traveled several miles this way.  And then we came to the biggest water crossing I’ve ever asked of her.  She bounced and pitched, timid in her approach.  Aemelie doesn’t do mud or water as well as I would like.  She is fine if another horse takes the lead.  She’ll plunge right in, but on her own, it’s a big decision and she doesn’t like to be wrong!

In our herd, Aemelie has an important position.  But she also remains independent by choice.  She’ll walk away from the herd and be left behind and think nothing of it.  She waits deligently for me.  When I come, she chases everyone away so she can be with me.  It’s uncanny. 

So on this ride, Aemelie needed my reassurance.  Which she loves.  If she gets corrected she loses focus.  She’s that devoted.  She hates to be wrong.  It unnerves.

Asking Aemelie to cross the water first was a big step for her.  After 2 miles of weaving, snuffing, pitching and plain old stubborn stops and foot planting, she had her nose in the water.  Next came her feet and then…down she went!

Yep!  Aemelie was sure I wanted her to take a bath! 

Not surprising.  She bows, lays down and does a host of other tricks.  Why wouldn’t bathing be another?

I convinced her that it was my own desire to get up out of the water and she bounded through, never to be plagued by that dirty monster of indecision again.  She raced Mickey and loved it!

Oh the power of graduation!  Aemelie grew up today and she finally got to be my lead horse!  She and I have waited a long time for this and with the pride of a new parent, I took Aemelie home so she could show off her new found skill.

Today she greeted me enthusiastically as she always does and once again I felt guilty about grabbing a differnent horse (this time ShoGun).  Even though she was tired from yesterday she was ready for another romp!  I promised her I’d take her on Wednesday when we’ll introduce another rider to the joys of having a well rounded horse.

Today ShoGun and I did the same water crossing.  This time, he had to take point.  He’s been very timid about this role and we’ve only just begun to explore it but by the end of the day he and I too were both wet, happy and smiling and the little horse we have in training was too.

It’s amazing what a little water, miles and riding will do for the inside of a horse and the outside of a person. 

It was a GREAT day!

Among the projects I have started and halfway finished is the answer to many people’s questions.  How are ShoGun and Lucy doing?

They are doing GREAT!

Maine winters are long and full of snow and ice, so ride time is precious during the winter months.  But in the last month I’ve been riding ShoGun and Lucy and they never cease to amaze me with their abilities.

Yesterday Lucy and I engaged in an all out race up Fox Hill road against Kirk on his mustang gelding, Mickey.  Lucy is young so I’ve been careful with not pushing her but yesterday she was ready!  She loves to run and unlike many young horses, she has always run without dodging left or right.  I love it when a horse loves to run and Lucy is the best!  She waited until Kirk and Mickey ran up beside us before she launched into another gear.  She left me breathless and Kirk and Mickey in the dust!  Yahooo!

It was the best ride I’ve had all season!

OK.  I have to be fair.  It was another best ride!  Earlier I saddled ShoGun and we rode like the wind too.  He isn’t as courageous as Lucy, but he’s gaining.  On our rides out I let him sniff until he’s comfortable and then he takes his own initiative to move out, often trotting or cantering ahead.  He takes his environment in one breath at a time and analyzes each one, so I am content for now to let him gain in his confidence.  Sometimes we lead and other times we draft Mickey, the steady mentor gelding who never comes unraveled.

Aemelie is still queen of the herd.  She spends her off time with me pacing the fence and glaring at me.  She really dilikes it when I take another horse out to ride.  She loves working for me and it is the bond that she gives me that I respect.  It is unusual and very strong.  The horse would rather be with me than in the pasture with her mates!  Naturally I feel guilty taking any other horse, which is why I am going to cut this blog short.  I want to get out and ride her today!

I visited with a colleague recently who told me about an “interesting and emerging therapy”.  Touch therapy.

Holy Cow!  That’s new?

In today’s day and age, people think twice about touching. 

One man I know, who operates a seasonal camp for girls told me that years ago he would have never thought twice about holding a young girl on his lap.  

“It isn’t sexual” he implored.  ”It used to be easy for a teacher to guide children and touching them never used to imply anything outside of an innocent act of a teacher.”  Now, he states, he won’t allow himself in a room alone with one of his campers, so concerned is he about the possibility of false allegations.

In college studying for my psych degree touch was discouraged.  So were evident displays of emotion.  Necessary, I was told, to create the professional barrier.  And reduce liabilities.  Insurance or frivilous lawsuits aren’t cheap.

But touch is coming back into vogue.  And I am glad.

This week I had the opportunity to work a variety of horses and touch is always a strong catalyst to calm even the most wild of equine candidates.  This week, touch worked its magic on my mare Aemelie who had sore hooves from the ground thawing and refreezing repeatedly.  Her rear leg swelled after she quit moving around her paddock as much and to ease her discomfort I provided her with a bit of energy balancing and found her better by afternoon.

Touch helped an aged farrier patient when I worked his spine, pelvis and knees over.

It helped a wild mustang learn that humans really are pretty good at ‘grooming’ and helped turn her fear into a welcomed partnership.

Touch means so many things and can be taken so many ways.

In one case this week I had to use touch as a way to reinforce good behavior and discourage dangerous, bratty behavior.

I even felt the touch of many of our clients who have reached out to comfort us.  This week I’ve received many hugs from our dear friends who like us, are in shock about some of the recent events of our life.

A stranger even wrote to reach out with an electronic touch to let us know there were materials available to help me cope with these recent frustrations.

Friends did the same, letting me know that my last post tickled them as I hoped it would.  Most people know that while the events of late are serious that my tongue in cheek piece was my way of venting those frustrations.

So my way to touch for now, is to stroke these keys of the keyboard to type out another post sharing my adventures, observations and details of the week.

ShoGun is doing wonderful.  He’s growing like a weed and gives me joy every day with his ‘Romeo-like’ eyes and rambunctious teenage boy behavior.

Aemelie, my mare, continues to urge me to slow down and listen to my inner voice, even in the face of a life storm.

But one of the most important lessons of the week is just how common we all are.  Animals and humans both.  We like to touch.

Working a pair of mustangs I was once again moved by their communication with one another.  As they tried hard to trust me and figure out exactly what I meant and what I wanted.  At the same time struggling to put aside their conditioned responses to take flight in fear.  This pair worked in tandem.  They would both run, then stop, eyeing me, then each other, touching nose to nose to verify that they were doing the right thing.

Outside the pen, their supportive pasture mates checked over all of my gear, communicating the ‘all’s clear here!’ to the two young mustang mares by again, touching one another’s noses.

The mares continued to satellite around me and as their owner put it, what I do “is not really about training “tips” so much as it is a whole philsophy about the mustangs and being aware of what they go through when being culled from their herds and separated into groups according to age…”  I like that.  A verbal touch about The Mirror Effect.

As I communicated to these mares their fear response lessened and soon, I had their cooperation.  Hopefully we’ll have video of the exchange to post soon so you can see what I saw.  The power of touch and its many forms.  The most powerful forms of which I’ve learned from the animals.

They don’t threaten to sue over frivilous claims and to them touch is but a good thing that is to be savored and enjoyed.  Touch is unconditional unless its meant to give guidance (such as a horse kicking out to discipline, a responsible act of any herd).  It’s encouraging, insightful and soothing.  Sometimes all at once.  Like when my mare stops to breathe her soft breath in my face, willing me to listen to my quiet self, not the one that’s struggling to make sense out of life’s injustices.

Yes, touch.  It is a beautiful thing and a tool we all possess to use for good.  Somehow it’s connected to our inner core.  A representation of who we are and what we want to become. 

Touch. 

I think I want to master its many forms and see touch thought less as a therapy and more as a beautiful part of an extraordinary life.

It’s been an overwhelming, wonderful, super-fantastic year!  For all you ShoGun-ites, here is an update!

ShoGun has continued to GROW and he’s put on about 250 lbs! 

The snow of winter was a whole new experience for him.  As the first flakes began to make their way down to the ground, Shogun did his best to taste, kick, paw, flick, taste and stomp them.  He ran laps around the pasture trying to shake each of them off and had all of the horses staring at him in amazement at his incredible tenacity to master himself.  He’s a mischievous horse with the kind of impish innocense of a young boy.  They weren’t buying his cries of “wolf”!  Instead, they stood passively, waiting for him to come to his senses that snow really was yet another natural wonder of Maine.

Now imagine a horse that has spent his entire life in the desert of Nevada and you can begin to understand why snow might pose a risk.  An no sooner had he adapted to snow when he had to learn to walk on ice! 

ShoGun has a keen understanding of how to use his long legs.  He floats like a gazelle and pirouettes frequently on the tip of one hind hoof.  He engages the other male horses in fits of play and is the master of biting the throatlatches and hamstrings of anyone daring enough to indulge his stallion-like fantasies.  His is a life of Wahoo!

Then one day his Wahoo! became Ahoo!  He ripped out of the barn oblivious to the previous nights change of terrain and promptly found himself laid flat out on the ground.

Now mind you, I tried to warn ShoGun.  We worked the day before walking up and down the icey driveway to give him some sense of the fact that his fleet of feet needed to be sticky on sleet.

His quick slip-n-slide impression didn’t end there.  In a flash he was up and sure enough, shppphtl! he was down.  This time he stayed there and carefully took stock.  The other horses nodded as if to talk.  They encouraged him up and then that was that!  He no longer flies with the abandon of exhuberance.  He’s still the same horse, but he watches his feet and hounds at the ground with his nose.  A good sign and another chalk mark that horses CAN reason.   

This week has been one of the most emotional weeks and one of the most gratifying.  Mostly because of the supportive emails I’ve received and the continued encouragement for this work I am doing with the mustangs.

Before I go further, though, I want to send out continued thanks to the wonderful donors who have given their time, money, support and good wishes!

They are:

Doug Cotta

Sherry Bacon

Sharon Smith

I have been overwhelmed by the well wishers and those who have called to tell me they share in my disappointment that ShoGun and I did not get to attend the Extreme Mustang Makeover.  Everyone has expressed their encouragement that I try again and have encouraged me to set aside the funds we did raise to be able to do the mustang makeover later.  I can say that I am excited about this idea!  And overwhelmed at people’s support of my efforts.

ShoGun has enjoyed having the week off, which has been a good thing.  He’s had the opportunity to get really spoiled now that I have turned out another mare with their bunch.  He’s enjoyed his harem and I’ve enjoyed observing the fact that his confidence has built tremendously.

He used to use the other horses to hide behind, now he plows to the front to be sure to be at the gate or fence either first, or right behind the main mare to greet me.  We have our daily visits, sometimes 2 or three, and he makes sure to snuffle, check in and enjoy a treat or two.  It’s really cool to see him mature so much in so little time. 

His left lead has come on its own (wouldn’t you know it).  I did do a brief session with him to illustrate a point to some clients one afternoon and he took his left lead without hesitation.

I can’t wait to see what the next couple of weeks bring!

ShoGun and I would like to extend a special Thank you to the following people who donated to help get us to The Extreme Mustang Makeover:

Ron Currier
John and Annette Veelenturf
Deborah Carle
Joan Cameron
Harmony A & G (Thank you Deb!)
John Murray
Michele Cole
Dale Baxter
Mo Wilcox
Karen Hopkins
Alison Mangels
Freda Dollen
Meri Robinson
Tracy Marlins
Les Miller
June Fitzgerald
Anonymous Donor(s) from the Harmony Hemp Fest
Anonymous mail donor
If I have forgotten anyone, please, speak up!  In the midst of all of the excitement and the let down and disappointment of not being able to go, I did try to keep track, but beg apologies if somehow I have forgotten anyone.

These names will be posted on the website as well.

We will also be planning a special Thank You day at the farm and ride.  Lunch will be provided.  Our way of saying THANK YOU! to all.

Sincerely,

Karina

How can a horse be affected by a hurricane 2400 miles away?  I’ll give that answer at the end of this post, but first, let me post that the power of the people have spoken!   And my gratitude has grown with the outpouring of support both ShoGun and I have received this week! 

The last post, I documented a fantasy of mine.  The fantasy of being able to compete on ShoGun in the Extreme Mustang Makeover and finish ShoGun’s training.  That fantasy depended quite a bit on securing the financial ability to actually make the trip.

It wasn’t always this way.  In fact, like Paul Harvey, I’d like to share with you, the rest of the story.

I was not going to participate in this Extreme Mustang Makeover.  My duty to our farm and the cost were overriding reasons why.  Plus, we were having serious problems with our truck.  But the morning I was going to call and reject my nomination, Kirk took an early morning call that resulted my being able to go and pick up ShoGun.  Two people wanted mustangs and were not only willing to loan the use of their truck in exchange for my help with their mustangs, but contribute toward the trip to get them and ShoGun.

I believe in fate and jumped at the opportunity and that is how ShoGun came home with me and I had an amazing trip!  I took this as my sign that I was surely going to compete this time.

I put my truck up for sale confident it would sell and concentrated on the training of other horses to raise the money to go.

The Universe has a way of heading us the direction we are supposed to go.  The truck didn’t sell and the horse training funds just weren’t enough to go.

Still, I trained every day as if I would go.  I reserved and paid for a place to stay and reserved and paid for the exhibitor space at the Makeover.  I even bought tickets for the big night. 

But 2 weeks before the show, I had to concede that I would not be able to go.  A friend encouraged me to post my need and I did.

You answered and answered BIG!  And I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

Dreaming of competing, working daily with ShoGun and not really knowing if I would be able to go was to say the least, nerve racking!   

But so many people have shown that they believe in ShoGun and I!  The warm thoughts, emails and calls to encourage us have kept me going.  More people than I ever dreamed have touched us this week!

And as of the 10th, we had our funds to go!

Then hurricane Ike made landfall just as I was finishing packing the trailer.

Yesterday all I had to do was take 2 horses home, pick up a beehive and be on my way.  Excitedly, I hurried through my morning, looking forward to the competition, despite the fact that ShoGun was still having some difficulty taking his left lead.  I’d tackle that when we got there.  If necessary, I’d take the point deduction and just trot him through the course instead of grabbing the wrong lead…or just let him take the wrong lead.

I’d picked out my music and had our 4 minute routine all worked out.  It wouldn’t be perfect, but then, my goal was to showcase what ShoGun knew, not what he doesn’t.  Despite the fact I knew our competition would be heavy, I was content.  Secure in knowing that I’d given my best for ShoGun and although he may not be where I wanted him to be (I want that left lead!), that he would perform well.  He’s not afraid of crowds thanks to our trip to NC and all of the other things we’ve done and he’s extremely friendly.  ShoGun is a show stopper both in personality and good looks.  And he works for me, trusting me not to lead him into something he’s not prepared to handle.  That can go a long way in overwhelming situations.  Overall, we had a lot of positives going for us.

But neither of us can tackle a category 3 hurricane and this morning I spoke with The Mustang Heritage Foundation and let them know that despite all of our preparation, that we would not be able to attend.  The straw that has broken our back is the high price of fuel.

While I was delivering horses the price of fuel jumped .40 cents and predicted to go higher.  Some places reported an .80 fuel hike.

Where we had met our budget to go…at yesterday’s fuel prices, now the competition was once again out of our reach.

When I called the stable where ShoGun and I were going to stay prior to the competition I was told it was filling with hurricane horses.  Horses that have been moved from South to North to avoid the storm.

The storm is predicted to rain out over East Texas and start a number of tornados in its wake.

Fate.  The Universe.

Today, my stone reminded me.  I am grateful that I don’t have to experience leaving my home or horses or animals like those in the path of hurricane Ike.

Where does the time go?!  Just 3 short weeks until the competition.  ShoGun is ready.  Sort of.

There is nothing more frustrating than an impossible temptation and mine is visualizing ShoGun as a finished horse. 

ShoGun is the kind of horse that everyone likes.  One youngster we met this week out riding said it best when he blurted to his Mamma, “He has kind eyes!”.  Yes, he does.  And he has athleticism, stamina and a kind soul.  He is going to be a hell of a horse when he’s finished.

It’s rewarding to finish out a horse.  There’s no question about how the horse is going to adjust or what they will do with a new owner.  And its fun to show off the well trained horse.  It inspires people.

ShoGun is already doing this.  People can’t believe he was wild just weeks ago.  They can’t believe he’s so quiet.  So good.  So well mannered.

“Wait until he’s finished,” I always say.  That’s temptation rearing its ugly head.

I remember then that  ShoGun is only 3 and oh, yeah!  He’s to be adopted September 21st!

And then I am tempted to make a noise somewhere between a splat and a barf.  This isn’t what I want to think about.

If there is one thing  that every trainer has in common in this competition, it’s that none of us like to see our horses go.  These mustangs grab your heart, soul and wallet and still leave you standing with a silly grin on your face!  In any other circumstance, we’d be angry, robbed and unhappily poor.

But this is different.

Lucy did it to me and now ShoGun is too.  They’ve pushed me to reach new heights.  To struggle to understand the complexities of life.

Why oh why can’t this just be simple?!

The other day Kirk and I rode the eight miles or so from Newport, Maine to Corinna, Maine.  We unwittingly did this is 80+ degree heat (95% humidity) and somehow managed to leave our water bottles behind.  No matter.  We trudged on anyway, but as our thirst grew, so did our horses.  We stopped several times but neither one was willing to drink from the lake or the creek.  We figured they definitely knew more than we did so we didn’t force the issue, but as the day wore on, it was clear from ShoGun’s repeated attempts to sip muddy puddles that we needed to do something fast to quench their thirst.

Enter a friendly, animal loving vacationer.

We stopped so ShoGun and Mickey could give a toddler a ride and a pet and during the process, this good samaritan offered the horses water.  ShoGun slurped mightely and it was clear he was grateful.  He pushed his beautiful head into her chest (something he reserves as sign of affection), and drooled all over her (something every horse does to show their appreciation).

She giggled like a school girl and took photo after photo, promising to paint ShoGun’s portrait.  I’ve commissioned a copy. 

I hope it won’t be a lonely reminder of the horse I once knew and trained.

I don’t ever choose to dwell on the gloomy.  Instead, I want to celebrate the good.  Like the fact I have the skill and health to enjoy a horse like Shogun.  That I get to ride him and where ever we go people are in awe of him.  That Shogun really likes our work together.  That he’s such a happy, content horse.

Like ShoGun’s gratitude for the taste of cool water on a hot day, I am grateful for all of the sacrifices Kirk has made to help me get this far in my dream. 

I am grateful to others too.

Joe Creighton of Equissentials Fine Equestrian Apparel for supplying my breeches and making the best, most comfortable, ’stick in the saddle no matter what’ breeches that were ever made.

And Jane and Bill Verry for providing  thier truck for me to pick up ShoGun and convincing her trainer he needed a mustang too, so that we could bring home a full load to keep ShoGun company.

To Michael Gerald for allowing me to haul he and his horse Dakota across the country and for paying me to do so.

To my Mom who made our trip to NC and Washington D.C. possible!

To John and Annette Veelenturf for the beautiful farm we call home.

And to many others who have wished us well.

I carry a stone in my pocket as a tribute and as a reminder of all that I am grateful for.  I’ll carry it with me on our victory ride when ShoGun and I win this competition, but first, I must get to the competition!

When I think about all of the hard work ShoGun has endured, I know it is his time.  I owe it to him to find the best possible home for him.  I know he needs to be one of 30,000 unwanted mustangs to find a forever home.  It is this that has kept me driven to succeed with ShoGun.   He trusts me.

I didn’t want to do it, but on the advice of a dear friend, I have been encouraged to share the need for money that ShoGun and I have.  It is all that is standing in our way of competing.

To raise the money, I’ve decided to sell stones.  Gratitude Stones.  So, like Shogun and I, you can be reminded of all that you are grateful for.

These stones are hand picked, organic and 100% authentic.  They also come direct from the trails we’ve been riding.  They are guaranteed not to break and are 100% genuine and natural.

If you would like a stone, please send $5.00 to:

Karina L. Lewis and ShoGun, 315 South Road, Harmony, Maine 04942 or send payment via paypal to: karina@themirroreffect.com.

Our goal is to raise the $6,000 we need to make this trip.  Anything additional will be donated to The Mustang Heritage Foundation to continue this wonderful program!

And please, if you think of it, forward a copy of this to all of your friends!  Let them know that 30,000 mustangs need their help!  They can begin by sponsoring one.  ShoGun.  The grateful horse with a future.

Every horse has a sticky point and ShoGun hasn’t been an exception.  Having breakthrough’s is a normal part of the training process.  Where some horses struggle with accepting equipment, ShoGun has struggled with being away from his herd.  Now, let me define that.  ShoGun is absolutely a SUPERSTAR when he is away from home and it is just he and I, or just he and other horses.  But here at home, the arena is just outside the barn door and within view of his pasture and mates.

Mustangs are fascinating.  And having 4 in one pasture, all under the age of 4, all just 6 weeks post holding pen, has had its ups and downs.  But we prefer a natural environment here, and so we listen to them and try to assimilate into their herd as much as we can. 

On the ground, this is going fabulously well.  The horses are easy catch now that they know they can be caught and they all like attention, so we use that as their reward.  The barn is a cool place to rest, so I spend as much time out there ‘grooming’ with them as I can, and they all take turns learning new tricks.

Each one has their space and their private time with me and with others who visit here at the farm, so it is a happy place, and horses like happy places.

Being under saddle, suppling to the left and to the right, walking, trotting, and cantering on command aren’t necessarily ‘happy’ exercises if you are a 3-year old mustang, fresh from the wild and happy with your new girlfriend, Itchy.  Yes, the love story has blossomed into a full blown relationship for ShoGun and Itchy.  They are the epitomy of ‘attached at the hip’.  They graze together, eat together and even crowd into the same stall together if I let them.  They love each others company, and all other horses are dead to them when they are together.

This is why I kept getting dumped and why I reluctantly decided to get my round pen out from around the cow barn and back into use as a horse training tool.

While I have kept ShoGun working outside of any confinement, the time had come for me to help him understand that as a team he needs to listen to my cues and I to respect his unabiding love for Itchy, who calls non-stop when he isn’t within her sight.

This wouldn’t be such an issue if ShoGun were able to continue concentrating while working with me.  He’s an absolute genious when he’s concentrating.  Flawless, in fact.  But one whinny out of Itchy and his head comes up, his body goes stiff, and he’s off to the races to see what in the world is happening to her.

The first 2 times I came off him were not serious.  More my decision than his.  I can tell when a horse is listening and when they’ve just disengaged to the point that any cue may send them into the type of horse distraction that usually gains you a buck.  Both times I stepped off just as he was taking off.  The good news is that he never goes very far.  This is good, because both of these times I was trail riding and it would have been a long walk home on my own legs.

In this way, ShoGun is very normal.  The kind of teen-age horse that wants desperately to please me (his parent) and answer the call of nature (love).  When this kind of ratio enters into the horse + human equation, I’ve had enough experience to know that I will be second to get my wish on that list.

So, enter the round pen.  Set not 100 feet away from where Itchy calls her stall home.  ShoGun works beautifully.  Walk, trot, canter..(still working on the left lead), and he even side passes well.  But this all is forgotten when Itchy calls, so I decided to push him through an episode, ready for the rodeo.

ShoGun didn’t disappoint and it must have at least looked good, because Kirk said, “Gee Honey.  That was a great dismount!”

“It wasn’t intentional.” was all I could say.

ShoGun needed to break through this barrier.

So 2 days later, we finally got it.  And low and behold, it was a new love that was his savior and his distraction!

I volunteered to watch my neighbors horses and put them on the other side of the round pen.  On cue, they provided just enough distraction that ShoGun temporarily forgot Itchy and decided to focus his attentions on this very new, very loud colored Appaloosa and very short, very petite, miniature mare.  As he moved away from my cue, I put him to work and suddenly I saw the proverbial lightbulb come on over ShoGun’s head.  He turned his head toward me and it was clear he said…”Oh!  Is this what you want?”

I let him slow from the canter to the trot to the walk, and then to a standstill and like everything thing else with ShoGun, that was all it took.  He’s once again a SUPERSTAR, and his reward was a really long, fun trailride with new horses and people and new trails to explore.  He had a BLAST!  We walked, trotted, cantered A LOT and even ran and raced some.  He never missed a beat and we even rode circles around 2 of the horses in our group who were having some lameness issues.

I’d ride ahead, then circle back to see how they were doing.  ShoGun thought this was great fun and he exercised some independence for the first time.  He rode lead, point and everything in between and did everything flawlessly.  Heck, he behaved better than some of the well trained horses.  He didn’t try to bite, kick or intimidate anyone, and he was mindful of the herd dynamics to a fault, giving one older, wiser gelding adequate berth and staying out of the lead mares way.  But if I asked, he gave it and we even pushed past these pushy horses just to prove he could do it.

We rode western with a bosal and he was very very happy.  He was so happy in fact, he didn’t even answer back when Itchy neighed her woes to him.  He stood quiet when asked and didn’t move a muscle unless I asked.  I’m proud of my boy!  It’s clear he’s had his breakthrough.