Definition of a "Broke" Horse

The last few days have been "good rides" for my horse and I. We have had some good moves on the cattle, a few short slides, some honest canter departures, good trail manuevers and jumps. The best thing of all is Napoleon's demeanor is happy, happy, happy! Zane thinks he is getting fat and that is amazing because he gets a lot of riding each day. He is a good eater with a good appetite and he conserves his energy in the field. He never bucks and plays, just walks leisurely enjoying his grass, his water, and his hay and grain. I am thrilled that he is filling out and really looking like a 6 year old..(Morgan /QH cross?)

Today I enjoyed riding him mostly one-handed. We had lots of little jobs like turning back and opening awkward gates. We coached the kids while Zayle learned how to jump and also while she practiced her barrels and poles. Napoleon did lots of demonstration of proper technique for Zayle and Dawson's horses. He is riding like a "broke" horse.

That got me thinking about my definition of a "broke" horse. I was blessed with some good ones as a kid. Back then, horses got a lot of riding on the ranch and were really used. Even my show and rodeo horses got several hours of riding almost every day of the week. As kids, we just rode and rode and rode. (Without much parental supervison, I might add ;) I took it for granted that neck reining and lead changes were really that easy! My kids are fortunate enough to ride a few hours a day. It makes a huge difference in their abilities and a huge difference in how their horses work for them.

Now, what is a "broke" horse? First of all, it is a horse that can complete a daily job with ease-no fights, no drama, no anxiety-just work honestly. Second, it is a horse that will pull through for you in a tight spot. Such as when you have to cross deep water or get pressured in an alley full of cattle. Lastly,it is a horse that will continue to learn and refine their movements making them a joy to "drive" with one soft hand, like a Mercedes, not a Ford Pinto with a 4 speed! Now, of course the question is: How do we progress to the "broke" horse?

The first step to a broke horse is to ride it and treat it as such. When it makes a mistake, just re-direct and show the horse the right way. PATIENT REPETITION. Of course, there are exercises that build up to riding the horse one handed. One of the most important in our program is the side-pass. (LOTS and LOTS of side-passing). Then, there is vertical flexion and also the ability of the horse to follow the direct rein when he is pulled through a turn. It is important that his feet move with his nose! (We skip just the holding the nose in part that exercise isn't practical for a working horse. )When the horse is moving easily off your feet and following the rein without trouble and giving at the poll, I start riding them one-handed with crossed reins and a short-shank snaffle. I tip their nose, follow with the in-direct rein and press last with my calf to finish the turn. (Don't spur through the turn, it makes for an unhappy horse.) Then, it's lots of repetition. A horse doesn't learn to ride one-handed, unless you ride them that way! (I know it seems obvious, but many people that have ridden with us have to have their off-hand tied to their side to force them to ride one-handed.)

So, as I work on "finishing" Napoleon, (yes, it is still a ways off we only have 100 days, you know!) I keep in mind patient repetition and I keep working towards the goals of a "Broke" horse.

A Small Set-Back

It is finally warm in Montana! Napoleon is doing well. He is spending most of the day in the pasture. Zayle (my daughter) can easily catch and handle him now. Yesterday, one of the girls in the barn saddled him for me. All great stepping stones for a mustang in training. I had a small set-back on Friday morning. It didn't involve Napoleon, just me. We got up early to move cattle and I was brushing one of the stallions, as I walked around behind him to brush his other side, he squealed at another horse and kicked. He kicked me right in the thigh and sent me flying. First time in my entire life of working with horses that I have been kicked. I still rode Napoleon Friday evening and Saturday morning, but boy, is my leg sore! Made it harder to ride effectively and made it really hard to mount and dismount. Napoleon was patient with me though as I flailed around trying to get in the saddle without using my thigh muscle. Good thing he is short. I finally stepped up on a bucket and slid my toe in the stirrup that way. He is feeling really, really good. Maybe a little too good! He was giving me playful bucks when we started out yesterday. This week we will concentrate on all our class events for the competition. I will work each class everyday. (Rail class, pattern class, trail class, cow class.) I also need to format my finals routine and music this week. If we are fortunate enough to make the finals, I will be prepared!! The GREAT news is that a local girl is coming to work for us this week and that will take the pressure off of me so I can concentrate on Napoleon.

A Purpose

On Monday and Tuesday, I rode Napoleon out across the range over the wide open hills. You could tell he just loved it. It was just great to get out and really travel. It was our first time out of the arena and fields. He is able to tolerate it now that he has shoes. Napoleon was very good and I found him trustworthy and quiet. It's fun to feel him just easily lunge up little hills and embankments with confidence. He also traveled out so nice and straight. No weeble-wobbles like most 45 day horses would have! We ride by ourselves as I don't want him to become dependent on a buddy. He really worked up a sweat easily on the first ride, a good, honest, sweat. After breezing him over the hills and just riding for fun, we did a little arena work and continued to progress in our circles, simple changes, and stops. I rode him in a little shank snaffle on Tuesday and am really reinforcing the neck rein.

Today, we spent three hours in the cutting pen turning back for Zane. I find working the cows really gives a horse purpose. Zane works out of a circle, so Napoleon and I keep the cows circled up and then when they are settled, take the outside and turn back for Zane's horse. It was a great time to reinforce all of our work so far. We even ponied a few horses from the barn. The first one Napoleon wasn't very happy about as it was a recently gelded stallion who kept nosing Napoleon's rump. The other two were a more mannerly gelding and mare who kept up beside him better. He was much happier with them. After Zane was done, we were able to take a cow down the fence and work on just coming through the turn on the fence and accelerating through the turn after the cow. Once we wore the cow down a little, we were very successful at this exercise. So, again, Napoleon had a great day and a great work-out. The muscles on his shoulders are starting to ripple. I should have measured his rear gaksin, as I am sure it has grown with work too.

I also have to add that yesterday, Zayle was able to catch him in the pasture by herself! :)

Friendly

Just needed to leave a short note to say that Napoleon trotted up to me in the pasture this morning when I went to catch him. That is the first time he has came to me. He usually stays stock still and lets me come to him. It brought tears to my eyes. He did well at 4-H camp his last day. We did all the trail obstacles and he is one of those who will hesitate and really check the obstacle out, smelling it and testing it carefully with his feet-then just walking into or over it nicely. He doesn't really snort or blow sideways. Very happy to see his disposition stay steady as he is tested more. We are in for a busy couple of weeks as Zane is short on help and the kids and I will be helping in the barn full-time. I'll probably be crawling out of bed early each day to ride Napoleon first. He'll also be doing some turn-back duty as well.

Recent Photos of Napoleon

Still Riding

Napoleon and I are doing well at horse 4-H Camp. His schedule is cushy compared with mine though!! I am tired. Don't know where kids get all their energy. On Wednesday morning he got his first set of shoes. Had to have those because of how tender his feet are. It was amazing how good he was for the farrier. He did not move a muscle. (No, not one!) He didn't try to jerk his feet away during the nailing either. He was a dream. I was so proud of him and the farrier was amazed at his good manners.

After our shoeing session I loaded Napoleon in the 6 horse slant for the first time. He has been in the 2 horse stock trailer twice but not in the slant load. It was more difficult for him because it has a back tack and he had to negotiate the narrow entry into the trailer. It took a little coaxing but he loaded within 5 minutes and then unloaded and reloaded three times without trouble.

When we got to camp he had to stay on the trailer for part of the day. (Don't worry, it's not hot here. In fact I am wearing a fleece, vest and coat as I write.) I wanted to leave him on until I had time to settle him in and intro him to everyone. 4-H is all about safety and I didn't want someone introducing themselves too abruptly and causing an issue. It was cute because when I did take him out to ride everyone assumed he was a "reiner". (They think we are reiners even though I try to explain that reined cowhorses and reiners aren't the same :) He has such a cute, refined head and long, reiner mane. He is shiny and showy looking too. People were shocked when I say, "No, he's a mustang." Then I get to explain all about the Extreme Mustang Makeover and Mustang Heritage Foundation and encourage them to go to their websites. They probably didn't believe me when I said it is was his 18th ride Wednesday.

Napoleon saddled up and rode well. Even negotiated the novice horse and rider traffic without any trouble. We worked again on lots of loping and yesterday he did some perfect canter departures. Proud of him! He also settled in and ate and drank well in his new environment. I dressed him in a cute burgundy sheet and he looked stellar!

Today I worked him at in-hand trail and he did well. I am not a big in-hand person. I really like to do the riding portion of training more. So, although my horses lead well and have good ground manners, the whole in-hand routine is not my thing. But, I worked him through the trail course and he did well. Very proud of him. A little hesitation at the bridge, but it is was narrow. I did two short sessions today of riding. We are still building body condition and stamina for Napoleon so I find two shorter sessions are better than one long one. He is not protecting his feet and is moving out better at the canter. His right lead is improving daily and today we started working on straight run downs. His transitions are getting stronger and more spot on too. I had Zayle snap a few pictures so I will add them when we get home tomorrow night. I have to get up early to ride in the morning as I am tied up in classes all day and will be judging the show at the end, but if my stamina holds out ;) I'll ride here again before we leave tomorrow afternoon.

a Mustang at 4-H Camp

Tomorrow, Napoleon will be attending horse 4-H camp for the week. I hope we have a good time! We will have the opportunity to practice many skills and he will meet lots of new folks. He rode well the last two days, a little broncy on Monday, but we won't hold it against him, it was Monday! He gets shoes tomorrow which I am looking forward to. Then we can really get out more and travel. His poor tender feet can't take any traveling now. I promise to take pictures the next few days and post if I can. We will be in Red Lodge, Montana.