Legacy of Legends Day 2

Reata's 2nd day with her colt.  It's amazing how this colt is not broke huh?  And yet, she's going to ride him, and get so much more done this, his 2nd day, than many do in years.  Literally. 

Lots of trust being built here.  That rope is around the hind quarters, and he's looking to her for reassurance.  And she's giving it.  I've said so many times, that I have often equated child raising and horse relationships similarly.  Be there for them, and they will be there for you.  This colt does NOT like that rope around him, but again, these are great things to learn.  Imagine being out in the desert, or where ever, and getting caught up in barbed wire.  If your horse doesn't trust you, and has never experienced uncertainty, truly bad things can happen.  I've been there, and been thankful to have a horse with a clear enough head to not cut the legs right off, ... hardly came out with a scratch.

Here, she is putting the lead rope in Reuben's mouth.

(After this clinic, she bought him, and that's his name)

from left to right

Zach Zumestein, auctioneer, Mary Catherine Brannaman, bidding on said horse, Reata beaming at Mom, cuz us girls always want another horse,  Buck, not going to say what he's probably thinking

He's going to have a bit, so, why put a hard metal object in right off?  How about a nice soft cotton rope, to start with?

So, now he has a gentle snaffle bit in.  And she's giving him some gentle lessons on 'giving to the bit'  He doesn't know, but he can learn it quickly, if it's not rammed down his throat the first time.

She moves the stirrup around with her hand.  It's gonna move later, so why not feel it now, and not be frightened?  Patting him all over his butt, so later, when she casually reaches back to pat him, he doesn't freak and toss her off.

Remember, this is the first time with a bit, so she's just letting him 'carry' it, and note the loose flopping reins?  She is letting him learn to "move out"  So many people take the movement out of a horse, without meaning to, but this is so much easier on them.  It takes lots of confidence in your ability, and Reata has that.

I never said they don't buck!  He is a colt, afterall, and he's learning.  But, another sign of confidence in Reata is she just leans forward and pets him, saying "It's OK"

Does he look broke yet?

I don't know Peter & Megan Campbell, so I'm not going to put words into their mouths, but here is her 2nd day, with her colt.

And Wade and Martin Blacks 2nd Day

you'll see lots of similarities in each of the 3 demonstrations. 

One thing that you see with all 3, is that they give the reassurance.  And the horse knows it.

This horse that Buck is working with, is the horse that the young girl jumps.  Obviously he jumps WONDERFULLY.  Somewhere along the line (years ago), he became out of control dangerously scared of ribbons.  You know, when a horse wins a ribbon, it's cool to hook it on the bridle.  BUT something happened sometime, that this horse couldn't tolerate that.  AND it was never dealt with.  Buck detected it the first day, and dealt with it the 2nd day.  It was actually somewhat frightening how this was.  Buck began afoot, and went to his saddle horse, due to the danger.  That horse actually knocked him down, and wasn't going to see reason right away. 

See that horses eyes PINNED to the flag in Buck's hand?

See the flag on the ground?  It is NOT at this time in Buck's hand, and the horse is veering away from it, towards Buck.  I'm sure you can tell, but that's a big horse too.  An analogy might be, if a teenager is allowed to have his way ...for whatever reason, it doesn't matter why he does a thing, if he does it and hurts someone.  Sorry won't help, if this horse was to kill someone. 

In this photo, the grulla horse is going to attempt going UNDER Buck's horse.  It doesn't get it accomplished, but how would a human defend against that?  See Buck's horse bracing against it?  That is trust in Buck too.

The sad thing is, is that this horse is terrified.  He needed help a long long time ago, before this fear became so consuming.  It is NOT his fault.  He was NOT born this way.  He was allowed to build on it, and it was easier to just ignore it and make sure no ribbon was ever around.  Life doesn't work that way, now does it?  Buck stuck with it, and made the 'wrong thing difficult ...and eventually, the right thing easy" 

This was an extremely dangerous demonstration that we didn't plan on.  Avoiding ribbons isn't practical.  Plastic bags, and countless other things are out there.  Sadly, this horse no doubt goes back and winds up like before.  He wasn't cured.... he had only began "Detox"

You have to imagine that this is a somewhat good feeling though, doncha?  To realize that whatever he thought might happen, didn't?

Then he goes and jumps beautifully.  Go figure.  Like an alcoholic hiding his disease.  Or a charming teenager hiding his rage.  Again, not their fault.

Just so you know, these are TWO different horses.  Check the markings.  They are different.

I'm not afraid to say, that Buck's Jump style is not as polished as this young girls....but, that's OK!

Here is our Boy Jaton!  He trains and shows Cutting horses.  It takes kind of a special horse that wants to 'watch a cow', and Jaton is great at helping them build their skills.  See that horse, with his eye on the cow?

I'm not saying a lot about these photos, cuz I'm not about to pretend I know all about this.  I just know a good photo! 

Coming in, is Kalon, Jaton's brother.  They did a bit of a demonstration together.  Two of Ray Hunt's grandsons, both from Mountain Home.  How cool is that? 

I hope you aren't against roping.  We love to rope.  If you don't, click the back button now.  This is a bit of a Ranch Roping Demonstration to end the Day. 

There aren't many who can come close to roping like Martin does.  And if you say you can, I don't likely believe you.  I've seen some of the Fanciest Loops go Sailing....

I didn't get any fancy loops shots of Martin at this, but I did show some last year, from when we were at the Alvord

I also didn't get great shots by Buck, but.... you can bet him and Martin both can do it. 

Reata, heeling

I hope you enjoyed!