Days 8 & 9

Didn't get any pictures but Rose learned how to jump barrels yesterday.  She was nervous at first but then turned into quite the little jumper.  Today she met Mr. Tarp and turns out he's not such a bad guy after all ;) 

Days 6 & 7

Got really busy the past 2 days so will combine my posts.  Lunged Rose in the big arena yesterday.  Just a little harder for them in a bigger area but she did good.  Introduced her to more scary objects that didn't bother her at all.  Today she had lots of visitors to admire and pet her.  My cousin Brittany from San Antonio spent the afternoon grooming her and braiding her mane and tail for me.  She looks awesome!  3 more of my cousins came over late this evening and loved all over her.  She is tolerating people really well.  I just can't believe how well she is doing! 

Day 5

I ponied Ombre Rose off of my 5 y/o mustang Rainmaker today.  She did fantastic.  Even my little brother is helping me with her a little bit.  She is doing so much better than I ever expected! 

Taught her how to lead by all 4 feet today!

She is such a sweet girl!

Day 4

Rose had another great training session this morning.  Even had a friend come out to watch us today.  Again we reviewed our basics, lunged over some logs and then introduced her to a flopping plastic bag.  She didn't even blink.  Sacked her out with a feed sack today and she just cocked a foot and looked at me like she was bored to death :) Worked with her feet and taught her how to back up by shaking the lead rope. Sorry about not having any pictures today.  Mom was busy helping our farrier and couldn't be my photographer. Didn't get to spend any time with Rose this evening...I went swimming instead.  Hey a guys gotta have a break from this 105 degree heat every once in a while! :)

Crossing boards

Sorry about the poor quality

Day 3

Rose comes to me and I slip the halter over her head today.  We did a little review of the basics she already knows and then lunged over some boards first and then some big telephone pole logs.  Took those in stride with no problem at a walk and trot. Taught her to flex her head laterally and then sacked her out with a shirt.  The only problem I'm having is she wants to be with me and I have to drive her away sometimes so she respects my space.  She isn't pushy just wants me to rub her face and neck or just stand beside me.  I really can't  believe how trusting she is.  Most domestic colts are either way too pushy or scared to death one.  I wish older horses learned this fast!!!

Day 2 Continued evening

Forgot to take pictures but I took Rose to her first playday just to expose her to all the noise and other horses.  She is going to have to tolerate all that really well when we compete in Tennessee so I want her really comfortable traveling and going to events.  She did great!  I am just totally amazed at how well she is tolerating all this new stuff I am throwing at her.

Day 2 Continued

Day 2

Another great morning of training under our belts.  Did a lot more desensitizing to a rope being all over and around her.  She tried to nip me a little when I rubbed the lead rope around her flanks but that was the only thing that bothered her.  Picked up all 4 feet without any trouble at all.  Never offered to kick or pull away.  Taught her to lunge in hand and she caught on fast.  Took her out into the real world and introduced her to all the other horses, goats, donkeys, chickens, geese and dogs.  She leads better than most old ranch horses now.  Tied her up to the patience pole and taught her how to stand quietly even when I was acting goofy and trying to make her set back.  I know we are going to have days in her training that aren't as easy so I am really enjoying her now :)

First time I tried to touch her.

Training - Day 1

Well I finally chose a name for my mustang filly....Ombre Rose.  Ombre is French for shadow or dark.  This is also the name of a perfume my Memaw used to wear.  I am VERY impressed and amazed with this little girl.  She did GREAT!  Did a little round penning to show her I could move her feet, yielded her hindquarters, desensitized her to a rope, pretty much have her halter broke and leading some and I can rub her from head to tail.  She will walk right up to me when I enter her pen now.  Tomorrow we will review what she learned today and keep building new skills so she has a solid foundation. 

Pick up day

Picked up my yearling filly for the makeover today in Paul's Valley Oklahoma.  The picture is her ID number. We put a halter on her in the loading chute when I picked her up. She has let us pet her face and shoulder in the trailer.  Still don't have a name picked out but have been thinking really hard about it all day. She has had a long day so her actual training will begin tomorrow.  Pictures tomorrow!