Wide Open Spaces Ranch

Ghirardelli is here to learn to be a good equine citizen on the ground! She was part of a 56 horse seizure from a neglect case. She never relaxes her bottom lip/chin so I know she’s not completely relaxed. However, she can now be caught in the pasture and is doing better with her feet!

Peanut has his new kicks on! He has a wonky front hoof and the rocks here haven’t helped. That’s why he looked “off” in his videos. These Cavallo boots (with bells so he can’t take them off with his forever exploring nose) should help him out. He has on 2 so he’s balanced.

Lookin’ cute in sunflowers Mr. Peanut! Look at that back leg cocked. The other day when I had him tied and threw the saddle pad on like he was an old broke horse, he lost his mind. Now he’s acting like an old broke horse when I saddle him, even though he’s 4.

Here are the 1st videos of Peanut! He's learned a lot this week and hasn't put his mouth on me since that 1st session. He has a bit of baby brain but that's to be expected with a 4 yo.

https://youtu.be/KTPl9iLwpnU (groundwork)
https://youtu.be/x5YBA_Iay4k (ground driving)
https://youtu.be/mXjesQ5TLzM (riding)

Everyone meet Peanut. He’s here for the next month to learn some things. Tonight he learned: nibbling isn’t allowed, walking on a lead rope is required, walking on me isn’t allowed, roundpenning, and how to back up from pressure on the lead. He also did some patience work with being tied. He seems super bright!

Rym’s 1st visit to Garry Park, 1st time being ponied, and 1st time off-site since I adopted her. Pulled Rio out of pasture after a 6 month sabbatical. Not sure I could be any happier. They were both perfect!

Here’s an update on Rym, my 4 yo Divide Basin mustang. This was her second saddling and 3rd time ground driving. She’s had about 1/10 the work MJ has had but she’s further along because she’s not as “hot” as he is. There are cold horses (deadheaded), lukewarm horses (level headed but still have some snappy movements) and hot horses (very sensitive, tend to blow-up with too much pressure). All of them require a different training approach.

Rym 07202024 This is my 4 yo mustang mare, Rym (pronounced Rhyme) that I've had for a few months. She's from Divide Basin. I haven't been able to put as much work into he...

MJ’s update video. He’s still making progress. 🙂

MJ07202024 This is his update video to showcase a few of things he's learned. At the end I introduce him to the flag for the first time so you can see how he acts when ...

Energy: I get asked this question a lot: “Jody, why are the horses at your place so relaxed?” Honestly, I think it’s the energy at my training facility and the fact that they’re allowed to be horses. The bay with the star is a full-blooded Arabian, the palomino is a 4 yo mustang mare, and the paint is an ex-show horse. All different horses with different lineage but they’re all super relaxed. They all get turned out over 60% of the time to interact as a herd and they all know when the halter goes on, it’s time to work. How relaxed is your horse?

Here are some update videos of MJ! If you read the descriptions on YouTube, I've explained what's going on and how far he's come. He very much needs reassurance when he's feeling afraid. I'm happy to give it in the form of some face rubs with scratches under his jaw. I always get further with him when I take that few seconds to calm his nerves.
https://youtu.be/eG4hwiZSNFY (trailer loading)
https://youtu.be/L6h_Pyef9iY (grooming w/ flyspray)

MJGroomingFlySpray 07142024 He's finally good with letting me pick up and clean all 4 feet without losing his mind. I introduced him to the farrier last week but he wasn't sure about it...