*Original audio. Sound on for explanation (pardon the wind and my accent). Try to click on the video and watch full screen so you can read the text.*
Tay Martin gave all the new kids a spa day after I sprayed their manes and tails. I joke about my X chromosomes not being long enough for me to enjoy that kind of thing, so I’m grateful she does.
Bonus: It’s a great, low key way for new Mustangs to become acquainted with new people, also an important step in their transition towards new homes.
Eclipse, coming 3yo Mustang mare from Little Colorado WY, is a little right side shy with new things and people.
Prior to this video, she’d stand for a few seconds of detangling and then back up. As I was filming and walking Taylor through finding different approaches to ‘problems’, Eclipse finally settled into it.
That’s where it’s easy to get greedy and keep going. The magic lies in knowing when to quit (it’s that way with a lot of things in life it seems).
Even more magic lies in taking a few steps WITH the horse and then, unless you have a cuddler, giving them space to soak in what just happened.
Both the walking and the processing time help them integrate what they are learning. IF you timed your break right, chances are they’ll learn what you want them to learn.
I’m happy to have caught all of it on video. The processing and the whole different horse afterwards are pretty sweet to watch. Thank you Eclipse and Taylor for being awesome!
Is this helpful? Questions?
Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy is committed to helping Mustangs and their humans. We offer in person and remote coaching as well as gentling for clients. Email or PM if it sounds like that would be helpful for you and your wild one. We also have gentled Mustangs available for adoption.
*PSA for the people in the back, you know who you are; so if this shoe doesn’t fit you just don’t wear it: Smack talking, ghosting and being copy cats who don’t quote their sources and give credit to their mentors… That’s what kids do. And they get in trouble for that. Most things in life are “and” rather than “or”. Be a good human. That’s all.*
