Day.... Who's counting anyway?

It sure feels great to not be counting days any longer.  I'm sorry for the delay in posts, however I was unsure of how I wanted to continue the blog.  I thought about starting a new site, so as to leave the 90 days of Extreme Mustang Makeover its own story.  I realized though that without the EMM opportunity, I wouldn't have met Marley and none of this would have come to be, and so here this story continues...

 Mike getting Marley out for some sunshine after his bath.  They thought they would do a little rock climbing while they were out.

Photo by Katherine Payne Photography

   Our bidder number                             "Really? You guys are always

   at the EMM auction                                 doing stupid stuff to me"

Photo by Katherine Payne Photography

Photo by Katherine Payne Photography

 

Our turn on the auction block

Photo by Katherine Payne Photography

The past two weeks have slowed down tremendously.  It was apparent immediately after the excitement from the auction wore off that Marley, Mike and I were all completely exhausted.  Not only had we all worked really hard to make sure we turned out a safe, reliable horse for anyone to adopt, but we were also really nervous that someone else would agree and we would have had to say goodbye to our amazing little horse.  Luckily, none of that happened, but the stress it caused leading up to the auction definitely took a couple of years off my life.  Needless to say, we all took some time off of training and relaxed a little lot.  For an entire week I either rode Marley with only a halter or I didn't ride at all.  We had a lot of play time in the arena and after a few days of rest, Marley's energy was way up again.  He is back to tearing around the arena with his tail in the air and chasing after Mike with much enthusiasm.

Marley continuing his clicker training and down behavior, no need to hose him down anymore! He gets it!

Yesterday we started back to work under saddle.  My plan is to take a few days to get him back to where we were prior to the event as we not only have all the time in the world, but I also want to really focus on some of the minor details that 90 days just simply doesn't allow for.  Additionally, we will be doing a lot of ground work.  I have so many plans with the clicker, and I'm really excited to start putting everything together.  While we were in Fort Collins, we met Mary Kitzmiller who also trains with a clicker.  She gave me a lot of great ideas and I am just so excited to show the world what great things positive reinforcement training can do for any animal. 

Lastly, I want to share a really great story from last weekend at the Extreme Mustang Makeover.  Many of you may know having been there that the auction was simply not as great as it apparently had been in the past.  Many wonderful horses weren't selling for much, if at all.  Perhaps it was the economy, perhaps the EHV-1 outbreak that left people unsure if the event would even happen, but there weren't enough adopters to bring everyone home.  By the end of the event, the amazing staff at Mustang Heritage Foundation had adopted out all of the horses, except one.  Mike and I were already ecstatic to be bringing Marley home, but it was hard to stay enthusiastic as we learned that one little horse wasn't going to get a home.  Before too many of you jump to conclusions here, let me first say it was Mike's idea (that I went gladly along with obviously) that we adopt the last horse and just figure it out later.  We didn't even know his name and ran over to the barn with only 15 minutes to go before we had to give a definite "yes" or "no" on whether we would bring him home.  We breathlessly explained to the trainer that we were interested in his horse and asked if we could please try him, and within minutes I had my English saddle (on a western trained horse) and a rope halter as a bridle.  He stood calmly, though a little confused, as I climbed up onto his back.  It didn't take me long to realize he was just as sweet as could be, and that's all it took.  We ran back to the BLM table, signed his papers, and just like that we now had two horses.  After we signed his papers, we learned his name; Karma.


Our plan for Karma was loosely formed to say the least.  I made a few calls, thought about keeping him as a project horse to later find a home, or if all else failed I knew my Mom wouldn't let him be homeless, and her and Tom have yet to tear down that pasture fence.  The day after Karma came home, Joy Kramer of Bibber Creek came to take a look at him, immediately fell in love (how could you not!) and the rest is history!  Karma's future is brighter than ever and I'm so excited to follow his progress. 

Karma - such a little cutie!

Karma exploring his new home with Joy at Bibber Creek!

Welcome Home Marley

Marley has officially come home.  Thank you to everyone who made it possible, there are literally no words that describe how happy I was when the auctioneer said "Sold to his trainer, Lauren Kolker!".

When I started this project, I thought it would be a great opportunity to change a horse's life and make a small dent in the thousands of mustangs who need to be adopted.  I didn't expect for that little horse to come in and change my life.  Mike was joking to the Mustang Heritage Foundation staff today that on day 4 I cried (which I actually did) and said "we only have 86 more days with him!" but thankfully, I was wrong.

I now plan to slow Marley's training down a bit, he is only 4 after all.  We will keep riding, playing, clicking, and growing, but without the pressure of a time line.  We will continue to build a solid foundation, and Mike will be taking weekly riding lessons on Marley.  There is so much in our future, but for right now, I just want to enjoy this moment.  When Mike and I said "Marley! You're officially ours!" he looked at us and I could have sworn he was saying "wasn't I already?"

Photo by Katherine Payne Photography

Extreme Mustang Makeover

What a weekend!  We did all kinds of stuff that we have never done before, and considering everything, I'm so proud of Marley.  We had great practice runs it was so nice to be able to work in the arena before the event started each day.  Marley is still a little unsure of that big indoor arena with all of it's sights and sounds, but considering he has never even seen an indoor arena, I think he did great.  My nerves didn't help much either of course, it's intimidating riding out there with a whole bunch of cowboys who I know have their opinions (I overheard). 

We did improve though, which is what it was all about for us.  Even with me forgetting the reining pattern and missing the roll back (don't worry, I turned around and completed it) we still got a pretty decent score in the reining.  Perhaps the most hilarious part of today was that our best class (the one we thought we would do terrible in) was the cow class!  Marley was much less afraid of the people in the stands, and only balked at them as we first trotted in.  We even got a canter transition from a standstill!  This is huge for us as our canter work in the arena has been a struggle.  Once it was time to let the cow out, all of those games of chase we play in the arena must have kicked in... and I thought he was going to be afraid of the cow!

After letting Marley eat and relax for a while, we got to show off Marley's clicker training to some family friends and anyone else who happened to be in the barn.  Marley was really cute, and even though he still wont do all of his tricks here, he has relaxed enough to stay pretty focused without a lead on and did quite a few of them. 

Thank you so much to everyone who has been watching, reading, listening, supporting, and cheering for us.  You've all made this experience even more memorable, and we've met some really great people here this weekend.  Oh, and I forgot... of all horses Marley would be stabled next to, he is next door neighbors with Okie!  The only other clicker trained horse in the competition!  It was really fun to meet him and his trainer Mary, and it was great to swap stories and learn more about clicker training with horses. 

Now, we just have to get through tomorrow.

Day 90 - No turning back now!

Marley and I arrived safe and sound in Fort Collins around 1:00 today for our 90th and final day of training before it all begins.  We spent the entire day settling in and getting used to all of the sights and sounds.  For starters, Marley was really unsure about even going into the barn when we arrived.  We immediately had to check in with the EMM staff and get temperature readings and turn in our paper work.  Even though Marley was nervous, he stood still while the staff painted his hip number on (24) all while loud noises from horses, riders, and a tractor were echoing through the barn.

Our stall is in a great place for allowing Marley to take it all in.  It is right next to a warm up arena and there is all kinds of commotion.  I'm hoping this will help him habituate to all of the excitement by tomorrow.

After letting Marley settle in and eat some lunch, I decided to take him into the arena for a ride.  I was hoping to practice some of what we would need to do tomorrow, but I ended up not asking him for much of anything except to relax.  The indoor arena is HUGE and it has stadium seating above the horses head level.  There was music playing, funny lighting, tons of horses ripping around, and Marley was overwhelmed.  We probably spent a good hour walking and trotting around just looking at everything.  We had to specifically visit each sponsor sign because once he realized one of them wasn't going to eat him, he was sure the next one would.  He did calm down though, and I was happy with his progress so I left it at that.

"Well, THIS is different!!"

Later in the evening after our trainer meeting, most of the riders went back in to the arena for a second ride.  I decided that with at least three rides tomorrow I would just hand walk Marley through the arena again.  Some of these horses here are in much better condition than Marley, and I just know that if I rode him twice today, three times tomorrow, and then three times on Saturday he would be absolutely pooped.  Besides, I think after a night of being in this new place he will have settled down and probably come out better tomorrow.  At least lets hope!

I'll keep updating the blog while we are here, so check back if you want to read about it!  I'm not expecting much tomorrow in all honesty, so my plan is to just go out there, do our best, and hopefully learn something in the process.

I can't believe we have completed our 90 days, it's absolutely unreal how quickly it went.  I hope to see some of you out this weekend and I'm looking forward to introducing Marley to everyone who has spent time following him on our blog.  Thank you all for your encouragement and support, and for thinking Marley is awesome, because I think he is too.

Day 89

Once again, a short update because well, there just isn't much to say.  Marley and I had a really nice ride this evening and enjoyed our time together.  I realized that he has never drug anything before and that is one of the requirements which I have overlooked, so, I tied my lunge line to a pole and off we went.  It was a little scary at first, but we took baby steps, and pretty soon Marley was dragging that thing all over the arena without a care.  I'm not really sure if that's what the judges are looking for, but at least our last minute training session will hopefully take the scary aspect out of it.

Photo by Steve Heller

I'm so excited to meet all of the other mustang trainers, everyone has been so helpful and supportive of each other throughout this competition, that it really doesn't even seem like a competition.  These horses really are the stars of this show, and the respect and love shown to them has been really heart warming.  I'm lucky to have had this opportunity.

I plan to ride at the arena in Fort Collins tomorrow to give Marley a chance to see an indoor for his first time ever, and get to meet some of the other horses.  I have the trailer packed, the tack cleaned, his health certificate, and a record of his temperature from the last few days... Fort Collins, CO here we come!

Day 88

Photo by Katherine Payne Photography

Marley got his health certificate today and is all ready to travel to Fort Collins for the makeover.  We had a nice ride today and took it pretty easy, I don't want to tire him out so close to an event where we will be riding 3 or more times a day.

I have to say, our cater work is still pretty atrocious, even though it has gotten so much better from when we started.  I have decided that for the makeover I'll just let him canter on a light rein, maybe even a loose rein if we are having trouble.  We did however get some really nice leg yields today, and I quit on that note as I was really happy with how quiet, willing, and responsive Marley was being.

Only two days to go.  Light riding from here on out and a workout at the CSU arena on Thursday afternoon for our final training session before the event.  Gulp.

Day 85, 86, and 87

Day 85 and 86

Photo by Katherine Payne Photography

It was a crazy weekend so Marley got a couple days to chill out a little.  My best friend since I was 2 years old got married and we spent the weekend celebrating with her and her husband.  They are moving to Greece to start their life together with a little bit of adventure, and we are going to miss them dearly. 

Since the weekend was all about the Hellers, Marley enjoyed light work and play time.  I worked a little bit on our required movements and lateral work, and then a lot of loose rein circles and canter work.  Jake gave me a new western saddle that is a little bit lighter for me, so I have be riding in it to get used to it a little bit before we go this weekend.

Also, while Stephanie (my girlfriend who just got married) and I were running around doing last minute errands, Mike came out with a couple of his friends to bring Marley out for some play time.  Each one of the guys took turns walking up to him and haltering him and leading him around which was great for Marley.  Mike said he was unsure a little unsure at first, but the last time I left Mike alone with Marley on day twenty something it didn't work out too well, so this was great news. 


Day 87

Photo by Katherine Payne Photography

It was a really beautiful evening tonight when I went out to the barn to ride Marley.  Again I didn't work him really hard as at this point I would rather just go with what we've got than stress out over what we haven't gotten to yet.  After my minor panic attack on day 84 with the regression of our turn on the haunches, I was reminded to not try to fit too much into these final sessions and just try to stay relaxed and have fun.  Well, I'll sure try! Though I'm definitely far from feeling relaxed.


I would like to know that on Sunday I'm bringing my horse home with me, but I just don't know.  We are far from our wish list goal and I don't know what Marley will go for on Sunday, so we might just flat out be outbid.  Uuuugggghhhh, I can't take the suspense any longer.  Only 3 more days to go.