Petrie the baby dragon is turning into a juvenile dragon. Still fiery, bigger now, with fewer tantrums and more willingness to think and work together. I can see glimpses of the proud and pretty mare she’ll be one day. What started out as Petrie-paint-eater (she’s given my nice white car a zebra striped look, grrrrr), …
Category: Stefanie’s Notebook
May 25 2023
When persistence pays off
One of my closest friends is moving out of state. We’re spending as much time together as we can before she leaves, so on Tuesday we met at one of our favorite riding spots, 3 Mustangs and 5 dogs in tow. It was a hazy day (we’re getting smoke from the fires up in Canada) …
May 24 2023
Starting the wild/young/green horse, a little at a time
It sounds so easy, right? We “just” want to halter them/lead or load them/pony, pack, ride or drive them. Why won’t they just get it? Because there is so much more to it for the horse, starting with the fact that nobody gave them a script for the play they’re suddenly expected to take a …
May 18 2023
Teaching a Mustang to pick up feet using a leg rope
This is the method I most commonly use to teach the wild ones to pick up their feet. Every once in a while I have one where I get them used to letting me touch their legs (separate process) and then find that they’re happier if I just use my hand rather than the leg …
May 16 2023
Growing through progress and change
From the looks of things, these two Mustangs are going to be making riding and packing season happen this year, and it’s time to get them out and about for some team building. Making the best of the situation at hand and moving forward… What else can we do? Salt Wells WY gelding Tiny and …
May 11 2023
Lacy and Littlefoot
Before we go back to regularly scheduled programming, here’s a look behind the scenes. I haven’t been posting much lately outside of announcing upcoming workshops. We have some other exciting announcements coming up and I have literally dozens of awesome pictures taken by our wonderful volunteers waiting to make their appearance on social media. Horses …
Apr 04 2023
Gentling unhandled domestic horses
Meet Blaze (coming 4yo sorrel mare), Spencer (sorrel yearling gelding), and Pia (bay yearling filly). Some of these pictures may be hard to look at, I apologize. These guys have had a rough go. They need weight put on, veterinary attention and trims. We are working towards that. A friend of Wild Horse Outreach & …
Apr 02 2023
One foot in front of the other
One of my favorite Charlie Mackesy quotes goes like this: “I can’t see a way through”, said the boy. “Can you see your next step?” “Yes” “Just take that”, said the horse. I feel like that’s been the story of my life. Growing up, changing paths a few times because what I really wanted to …
Mar 30 2023
Teaching a (wild) horse to ground drive/long line
Three different ground driving sessions, in reverse order from this week to last week to when we first started. Brought to you by one of our fan favorites, Frank Stetson, coming 4yo gelding from Sand Wash Basin, Colorado. He’s accepting contact on the bit now and following my guidance from voice, reins and whip much …
Mar 26 2023
Mornings with the herd
Out and about early a couple of weeks ago to start the day with the Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy Ambassador herd. They’re still fuzzy but started shedding a while ago, giving me hope that spring will eventually arrive after a long, cold winter. The plan for this year is to travel with the herd …