Foundation

The number one thing that I do before I start riding a horse, or even train one is doing groundwork. It doesn't matter if I trained the horse a week or six months ago, I still do groundwork. Groundwork is a major key in being able to gain a horses respect, without respect you always get the heels. Soon as I received Wendy back I started working on groundwork. After a few days of having groundwork I saddled her up, took her in the round pen, and then let her exercise with the saddle and bridle on. The reason for this is if the horse is going to buck, she is going to buck without me on her. Wendy didn't offer to buck a lick, or even try to do anything. I then called her to the center and practiced getting on and off of her. I rode in the round pen for a little bit, opened gates, and then I took her outside of the round pen where we practiced on going through and over obstacles. Wendy did amazing! Needless to say if you do your groundwork correctly, you will have a sold foundation that will strengthen the horses bond and trust in you.

September the 6th, I will be receiving a previous horse. I already have trained her and ridden her for several months. The man that owns her is busy and doesn't have the time to ride her, therefore I get to receive Wendy. Wendy is a very smart and outstanding horse. She is a cross between a fox trotter and something else. She is a type of horse that is willing to please you. I can  honestly say "I am thrilled to be getting her back!" I would say "she has been one of the easiest horse that I have trained." All except for the fact that she had some issues down the road. Once you took things under consideration and tried resolving the issues, she was an excellent horse to work with.

Wendy and I working on flexing her neck. 

One key aspect to remember when training a horse or mule is patience. Having patience and allowing your animal to have the time to grasp the concept, your animal and you will not get as frustrated and stressed out.

Charlie the Mule

Good Morning,
Over the past week Charlie has been doing good. I have been using a lunge line with a four knotted halter. I use the halter with the lunge line to grab his attention. Also I have cut down the time that I work with him in the round pen. Charlie wakes up in a new world every day, so this should be interesting. I will keep you updated.

Groundwork

I started with Charlie yesterday on groundwork. He did well with what I wanted him to do. So we shall see how he progresses.

Weather

This weather is not letting up at all. Looks like I have to wait some more before I can officially train Charlie. I guess someone ticked mother nature off. Hahaha. Who knows!

Business Cards

Since, I have had some down time I have made some new business cards, I also have made a business email address. If anyone has any questions, concerns, or would like me to personally train your horse or mule for you; you can get in touch will me at circlewhorseandmuletraining@gmail.com.

Update on Charlie

I thoroughly apologize again for not updating my blog, but there hasn't been much going on due to the weather. Soon as Mother Nature decides to let up on the rain and snow, I will get back to working with Charlie. Charlie is doing fine right now. He has a split personality, which you can never trust him. Charlie is the type of mule that has had a past with someone abusing him, or mistreated him. I do not know if this is true or not, but the way he treats people leads me to believe that he has a past. I know this may sound crazy to some, but when you learn to understand and read an animal you pick up on little things. After he arrived I never said anything, but just the way that he stood out in the pasture and his disposition made me think that there is a past. I am not a mind reader or can travel back in time, but there is something going on with this mule. Number one, he has been around men ever since the client has had him. Number two, he only trusts a person to a certain extent. Number three, Charlie kicks at you like a son of a gun.
Like I said, I do not know what his past was like, so I can only go from what he is showing and portraying to me. I repeat, I do not know if something has happened in the past, I can only go with what I can figure out. It didn't help that the owner wanted me to feed him sweet feed. I feed him sweet feed for a week and he was so keyed up it was unbelievable. It was like he was high. I know that is bad to say, but it was the truth. His pupils were so dilated and covering almost his whole eye. He was higher than a kite at that point, and not only that but his personality changed. I should haven't fed him the sweet feed, but I fed him what his owner gave me. The day that I changed his feed over to crimped oats he was tied in the stall, he couldn't stand still, fighting the rope, and kicking. Charlie was completely keyed up on the sugar rush. I worked and worked with his face, but he had sugar pockets that kept popping up. Needles to say do not feed your horses or mules sweet feed. It is like giving a kid a piece of chocolate and expect them to sit still. That is just not happening. 

Well, today I have officially received my client Charlie, he is a four year old John Mule. He has pulled a wagon twice and has never been ridden before.We shall see how the journey turns out for Charlie in the next few weeks.

Good morning,

I have been so busy with training and going to college that I haven't been able to blog. This coming week or so I will acquire another mule to train. I will keep you posted.