Still in Texas

Yes, as the title states, I am still in Texas. I hadn't planned on being here quite this long but that's a story in itself. Everyone back in Colorado keep asking when I am coming back. Everyone in Texas asked how long am I staying. What's a girl to do??

I arrived in Texas with two 3 year old fillies, Pepsi and Bunny, for Martin to start and my big blue gelding, Hank or "Hollywood Hank" as we call him since he's a star in Martin's new DVD Bridle Horse series - The Hackamore. Since a new group of apprentices where arriving for the Horsemanship School that Martin conducts each winter, there is always a need for colts to start. It is always a treat to watch the foals that you have raised get that first saddle, and then the first ride. Sort of like watching your kids take that first step.

After being able to see the little girls get started, it was Hank's turn. He has had to really step up to the plate as my next show horse since Maverick died. My goals for Hank this trip are to find a bit that he really likes, sharpen him up on his cow work and to work on his lead changes. Hank is getting pretty good on cattle. Keeping in mind that Hank is rope horse bred, it can be a challenge keeping him from wanting to chase the cow. By using Martin's A-pen theory, which helped Maverick win a Res. World Championship Amateur Cutting title, I am a firm believer in having the cows work the horses, rather than working the horse on the cows. The cows teaches the horse where the correct position is. Everyone used to tell me that big boned horses have slow feet. Well Maverick proved that wrong. Since Hank is another big boned horse, he needs to learn how to move his feet. And he is really catching on. I love that he pins his ears back, wrinkles his nose, and knows that HE is in control of the cow. We work the A-pen two or three times per week.

My next goal was to get Hank changing leads smoothly. Maverick had no problems in this area but started to rush or anticipate the change, sometimes really leaning into the bit. So I didn't want to create the same problem with Hank. One day, Martin took a load of horses and riders over to Jack Brainard's ranch. Jack has the best way to teach even colts how to change leads on a straight line, which is how he does his schooling for lead changing. After watching older horses and green horses change leads so effortlessly, I am so excited about having Hank understand how and when to change leads.

All I have to do now is find a bit that Hank likes. I have dozens of different bits but Hank just wasn't "happy" with the ones I have tried so far. Martin is really adamant on getting all horses he starts proper dental care prior to his training. I have always had a good equine dental program, so I thought. I would have my vet do the yearly floating of the teeth. While I was here, and since an equine dentist was coming, I had him give Hank a check-up. I wasn't expecting any problems since Hank had his teeth floated just 4 months ago. What a Surprise I got when I was told that Hank's last 3 molars on both sides looked like they hadn't been done in a year! He didn't even have bit seats and his canines where so long, the dentist nipped them in half. Maybe that explained why Hank would pull away from me when I took his headstall off. The moral of this story - I am going to find an equine dentist when I get back to Colorado. Whenever that is. It might be spring thaw before I return!