EMM 2009, Up and Running

Welcome back folks for an update on the makeover for 2009 here at the Bar T. I had decided to sit this year out and let the young one's take over for TN. Emily and Chapin both submitted applications and were select for the Eastern States Makeover held in Murphesboro, TN in October.

We picked up the horses on the 18th of July in Cross Plains, TN with very little problems. Also along on the ride with us was Brock Griffith, another Carolina boy with lots of training experience. That made 3 from NC that was selected for the event. Emily was not along on the ride so she didn't get to see her horse until Saturday evening as she was out of the country on vacation. I'm sure the anticipation was almost more than she could handle.

First day of training for Chapin was Saturday the 19 spending about 2 hours with his horse, Tomahawk. Within those 2 hours he had removed the # tag, put on a halter, and scratched over half of his body. This is a nice and trusting horse.

Emily worked with Amicus, (Latin for Friend) on Sunday morning with nearly the same results. Neither of these horses were roped, only advance and retreat until they created the trust to be handled.

Now, I'll jump ahead 2 weeks, Emily and Chapin are both riding their horses without either ever hitting the ground. Tomahawk seems to be having some pain issues as he refuses to lope to the right. Chiropractor is scheduled for Saturday. I have never given much weight to the chiropractic medicine until earlier this spring when I decided to give it a try with another horse that had difficulties in picking up a right lead and that one trip fixed it. So, a new believer.

Amicus is showing a little favoritism in his left shoulder so Emily has used this week to work from the ground in leading, sending, crossing obstacles, backing, and further desensitizing. Last evening she worked on yielding the fore quarters, hind quarters. Chapin was standing in the saddle on Tomahawk cracking a bull whip over his head. Now that's early on trust.

Both have been on pasture during the day and spending the night in the stalls. We've added horse feed to their diet along with all the hay they can eat at night and all the grass they can eat during the day. This has really increased the weight on these little guys. Amicus is 14.1 and 760 lbs. Tomahawk is 14.3 and 850 lbs.

I do want to invite you to the blogs of 2 of these horses, Emily's blog is www.thebartfilly.blogspot.com/ and Brock's blog is thru his website at www.brockgriffithhorsemanship.com/. Still trying to encourage Chapin to catch up his blog so all the world can see.

Anyway, I'll do my best to keep you UPD and add some pictures.

I would call it a success!

Just wanted to give a follow up on the clinic from last Saturday held at Country Farm and Home Supply in Pittsboro.
As you may have read earlier the Bar T offered a free clinic for all horse lovers in the area. Turnout was great with over fifty attendees coming thru during the three hours. We had selected four horses prior in the week thru conversations with their owners on the phone with no first hand knowledge other than what the owner had shared. On Saturday morning three horses showed up for the clinic with the forth having transportation issues.
The three horses in attendance were Piute, a seven year old Mustang with feet issues. During her last few times with the farrier Kristy shared that they've had to use a sedative to shoe her on the front and little trimming was possible on the rear. The second was a yearling gelding, Gucci, a halter bred QH. Kate expressed his lack of respect in handling and dominance issues and the third, A nice eight year old Morgan. Victoria expressed Image had lots of issues with things on the ground from hoses to barn items.

Results, Piute had her front feet picked and rasped with alot of hammering on the shoes and a trim on the rear feet. All without tying or drugs. A wonderful mare just looking for a little patience.

Gucci is now in the land of the followers when relating to humans. He now respects your space, stands and leads with direction from his handler and lunges on line with ease.

Image, the Morgan will now walk over traffic cones and cross a tarp with ease. Her trust issues will grow with time as her owner continues to challenge her to increase her comfort zone with overcoming new fears. If anyone is looking for a beautiful Morgan, Image is available for sale. She rides and drives and has a desire to please her handler.

All training with these horses was thru pressure and release and lots of patience.
Did we cure the problems. Yes, for today but tomorrow these same things must be addressed again by their owner and the confidence of both owner and horse must be worked on many times to resolve the issue. Each day will be less difficult ending with the desired results in time.

Again, thanks to Dallas and company for providing a location, Jill and Connor Blankney for putting the event together and Kate, Christy, and Victoria for providing the patients for the clinc! We do plan to offer another clinic sometime in July in another nearby location. If you have a horse you would like to offer for the clinic please contact me via email @ thebartranch@gmail.com.

The Bar T offers a free Groundwork Clinic

With all the support we have had in our ventures with the Extreme Mustang Makeover, the Bar T would like to offer a free clinic here in Pittsboro on the 30th of May at Country Farm and Home Supply. Our goal in this clinic is to share problem-solving methods for ground work issues such as manners, lounging, yielding, trailer loading, spookiness, feet-handling desensitization and safety . We will select 3 horses from local owners to work with during the clinic free of charge. If you would like us to work with your horse you can sign up in advance at Country Farm and Home Supply in Pittsboro or contact me at TheBarTranch@gmail.com/919-428-3209. The clinic will run from 9 to 12.

Pardon moves to Louisiana

Sunday morning found us with mixed feelings. Pardon and I will part today with mixed emotions. Knowing what he's gone through makes me feel his heart is much bigger than the average horse. We're up on the auction block in 17th place and I think he feels the pressure is now off. Chapin moves in first and puts on a great show with Razin' Cain and is auctioned off to a riding facility in Texas. The new owners seem very pleased and honored to have such a nice horse. Pardon and I are next and he performes well as the auctioneer rattles off the numbers. The sale prices are not nearly as great as last year but he is sold to a young lady in Lousania that already has a couple of other mustangs. I meet Lauren back in the stall area and am very pleased with her manner and understanding of mustangs. She haltered Pardon herself and we move out for a photo session for a last picture with Pardon and his new owner. I wish them fairwell and off we go headed back to NC.
I've been in touch with Lauren in LA several times since and she seems very pleased with their growing progress.

Day 2-Under Saddle

Friday morning came with the same nervous tension as yesterday. We arrived at the arena before 7. The walk thru with the judges was to be at 8 and I didn't want to miss it. Chapin and I tended our horses and made our way to the arena. The course was simple in design but did have a couple of objects that do tend to affect a horse. The course begins by leading into the arena, left turn and stop at the cone. Mount and lope off on the left lead along side the rail, at the cone continue a left lead and circle for 1 revolution and stop. Reverse and pick up a right lead and circle around one complete circle, drop to a trot and move directly into a cross formation. Stop, back down 1 leg and walk forward to a rope gate with flowers. Open the gate, pass thru,and re-attach gate always maintaining contact with the rope. This did require, in most cases a side-pass thru moving the hindquarters around to position yourself for the next object, a wooden bridge with 4 flowers. (For some reason potted plants just about scare all horses). Trot over poles, both flat and elevated 6-8 inches. Four minutes to complete this portion. Second came a two minute free-style where you could use any props attached to yourself or saddle. OK, this doesn't seem to bad so off to saddle up and get ready. I drew eleventh place so this gave the nerves a chance to settle by watching a few horses go thru the course. I moved Pardon as close to the arena as possible in hope of his fears falling by the wayside before entering. I noticed several horses had a difficult time with the rope gate, just the appearance alone created quite a havoc for most. OK, our turn..........
Gate opens, in we go as I lead Pardon to the left and make a tight circle and what the #$%^&*; Pardon comes unglued right here in front of the entire world. I haven't seen him buck this bad since the saddle rolled under him two months before. I felt like a kid with a "June Bug on a string" as he went round and round with me holding the reins. After the second or third round I noticed his flank strap was way out of position. Somehow, the tie that connects the flank strap to the cinch had broken and did we have a rodeo taking place. It took me over a minute to get him settled down enough for me to remove the flank strap and bring him back down to earth. Once removed, he settled right down and I was able "with much reservation" to mount him with no issues. Off we go on a left lead lope around completing the circle and a half. Halt at the cone, 180 degree and lope off on the right lead one full circle and trot towards the T. Well, it just so happens the cross was right beside where the monster had just taked a chunk out of Pardon and he would have no part of going anywhere near that spot. We had walked into this same configuration dozens of times over the past month with no problems but now, his preservation instint was taking over. With no amount of persuasion, left to right, approach and retreat, backing into the area, squeeze and kick, clicking and clucking could move him into that area. Well, as luck would have it, the time ran out after the third of seven tasks completed and we were done. I guess three tasks are better than none, Next, our freestyle, I had not planned on much other than but just to show his softness, ability to rate in trot and lope, stop, back up, yield both fore and hind quarters and stand. We did go thru each of these with style. By now I was feeling better and he had relaxed somewhat, so I just had to finish off with a bang, so we stop in the middle of the arena, I drop the reins, move myself to a kneeling position and up I stand on this little man. He never moved as I gave my salute to the crowd with a better finish than start and off we go! Knowing we were out of the running I still had a strong feeling for this guy, having understood all the things he had overcome in the past 100 days. Back to the stall and get ready for Chapin's run.
Chapin came into the arena with a flair! From walking Razin' Cain into place for mounting to trotting over the poles everthing moved as smooth as a swiss watch. From the first task on, tears began to pool in my eyes as my son completed this course without any issues. The cross? No hesitation, The gate? Normally a problem for most gave these guys little resistance. The bridge? Right across, Poles? No touching, WOW! His freestyle was much like mine, other than he had a spectatular finish. Sitting on the saddle he fires off 2 shots from his pistol, standing in the saddle he fires off 3 more shots and valts over Razin' Cain's head and fires his last shot as he lands on the ground! Not a flinch from this brave horse! My mind has now moved from a competor in the event to the most proud father in the world!
Now, how did we finish? The results were in later that evening and we both were very surprised! Pardon and I completed the entire event placing 33rd overall, moving down only 2 positions. Chapin on the other hand, moved up to 19th. His score under saddle placed him 16th. What more could a father ask for!
The pride I had in my 2 children that evening gave me one of the best feelings I have ever had in my entire life! Emily placing 11th, and Chapin placing 19th with this being their first ever training competion was more than I or they could ever have dreamed of. WOW
Off to dinner with my 2 winners and friends at the Cattleman's Steak House to celebrate.........

Day 1 of Competition-Conditioning and In-hand

After a very busy Wednesday moving over to the Will Rogers Complex, training, and meetings, Thursday came with a mixture of adrenalin and fatigue for both Pardon and me. We were 27th in the lineup so there was plenty of time for the bugs to set in. Chapin had drawn 23rd so I would get a chance to watch him go thru the course and hoped Pardon would relax with Raz'in Cain around. Watching the first few horses complete the in-hand portion made us relax as it was a simple course. I had met several trainers from last year and a couple of new ones prior to arriving at Ft Worth. Seemed all were a bit nervous so at least we were all on the same playing field.
I do want to explain a few differences from last year's competition to this year. First, there were 200 horses opposed to 100. Second, the trainers and horses were flighted by trainer choice. We were given the opportunity to select 1 of 3 levels to compete in. The first being the Stars division in which you performed in a roundpen and riding was optional. Next was the Idols and last the Legions. We were given the opportunity to move our self up in levels but not down. I had earlier selected Idols in hopes that I would have a horse as good as Medicine Man from last year. Well, as luck would have it I should have picked the Stars division. But that's neither here nor there so this is where we're at. Pardon and I will do the best we can.
OK, back to the competition. Prior to the start of todays event we were given an opportunity to have a walk-thru on the course with the judges. This also was new from last year. A very beneficial addition.
Now, Chapin and Raz'in Cain is up and boy, am I nervous for my son. The conditioning was done just prior to entering the arena. Cain's coat was excellent and he possibly was a bit under weight. Feet were great also. Next step.......Thought he would never say it Chapin was a shaky mess. In the arena he steps and begins the course. First off were 4 cones that you had to trot your horse thru from a stop. Cain just didn't see any reason to trot the entire way. So it was a slinky effect as he would trot-walk-trot-walk-trot-walk. Next into a eight foot square of poles and a right 360 degree turn in place. Cain did this well, out of the box and load into the trailer. No problem. 3 task down, now ground tie and pick up all 4 feet. Never have I seen this fellow give a problem with his feet until today. He just would not have any of this. As Chapin would attempt to pick up his feet he would step away. On and on until he picked up 3 of 4 feet. Right turn and trot across two different sets of poles and out the door. Chapin's score placed him thirty-third of 76.
Then my turn. Pardon's coat was superb, feet great, muscle tone good but his weight was a bit off. I felt Pardon should have been at least one hundred pounds heavier and the judges agreed. Into the arena we go and Pardon says WOW. What have you brought me into. The cones were a repeat of Chapin. We trotted thru the first 2 and then he also felt walking was much better. I would stop, regroup and advance again. We finally made it thru and into the box for our 360. He did this exceptional with no touching, just yielding from my non-touching hands completely around. Ok, now I'm feeling a bit better. Next the trailer, just a slight pause and he hops in, walks to the front and I back him out with no resistance. Ground tie and pick up the feet. As I start to the front feet he wants to back up slightly so we have to regroup, reposition, and try again. It took us about forty-five seconds to get around all four feet but we made it! Whew, now back up, a right turn and trot off thru the next 2 poles with no trotting problem and we are out of there. Pardon's performance puts us in 31st. Not a great score to win but an excellent score for this little fellow and his issues. The condition score = 20% and the in-hand = 30%. The riding portion tomorrow will be worth 50% of the total score. Pardon's weight cost us I'd say 10 positions. Now, back to the stall, relax and watch the rest of the performers.
Emily was up in the yearling class so we make a mad dash over for that. There were 70+ yearlings competing in her division. 18 years and up. Again, this dad was a wreck watching from the stands as Emily and Holly-Go-Lightly made their way into the arena. First up was walk in, up to the trailer, load, off-load, 360 turn to right, ground tie, pick up all four feet, trot off over a six inch jump, thru the cones, into an open box. 90 degree turn, back into a chute, walk out and trot off across a spoked configuration of poles, then 4 lateral poles and out. Folks, if I have ever been more proud of one of my children I couldn't remember when. This pair made this course look like a pleasure walk. Had I been the judge there would have been no question as to their abilities. The only hick-up was Holly stepped slightly to the left as Emily set to pick-up her feet. That was it! Like, WOW. Emily placed 11th missing the cut by one half of one point. She was ecstatic for the remainder of the day. I'm sorry to say this was the clincher as to whether this horse was going home or not. We would have at least one horse on the ride back to North Carolina. Horse course coming up tomorrow so relax for the remainder of the day. See Ft. Worth and eat.

FT Worth and Pardon

We awoke with the energy of spaghetti. All were dragging but Pardon and Ft Worth had to meet. So up and at-um and down to the livery. All horses looked as if they had walked the entire distance themselves. Were they ever so tired. I brought Pardon out to the trailer and fed him during a good brushing and saddling. We moved around the area a bit before Exchange Street and he did quite well with all the distractions. Chapin and Emily both brought out their horses and we move up towards Exchange and Main for some pictures. The horses did well and were quite a sight for all the tourist that happened by for pictures. Pardon was quite the ham for all photo shoots with strangers and us alike. We got some great shots and I think it gave him a chance to realize all people don't consume horse meat. We rode around town for a couple of hours and met another EMM trainer from Washington State. He, his wife and sister had taken 4 days to make the jaunt to Ft Worth for the challenge. During our visit we made several neat pictures. Dusty is a full time trainer and had done very well with his EMM horse Delford. Another good friend made.
We had to move the horses over to the Will Rogers Complex by noon so off we go so we can get in a little arena time before the evening trainer meeting.
Upon arrival Pardon real quick decided he didn't want any part in this malay of horses, people, trucks, dogs, tractors, golf carts, loud speakers and mass confusion. I kinda felt the same way but this is what it's all about. So we find out stalls, case the area for all practice area's and make out plan. We decided to practice 2 times, 1 at 3:30 and another at 7:30. Each practice was for 30 mins so you had the make the best of your time. With over 250 horses there were alot of oops!
Our first practice was just with halter. To reach the arena you had to go thru a tunnel from 1 building to the next. The tunnel was large but very spooky for a horse. Pardon did well with this after a little coxing and promises that there were no equine eaters around. In the arena and we focused on relaxing and moving thru the obstacles and trailer loading. All went well and I was very pleased with the little fellow. Back for chow and the trainers meeting and practice under saddle.
The trainers meeting was typical with the opportunity to meet all the sponsors for the challenge. The judges were also introduced with Ken McNab being the celebrity. A great guy and super personality. Guy Wood, the winner from last year was also a selected judge. Meeting over and back for the last practice.
Pardon did not want to have anything to do with the tunnel under saddle. I took Chapin and Razin' Cain to coax Pardon thru with lots of stop and go to get thru. I knew if I got off and lead him it would defeat the purpose so we just worked thru it with patience and time. Made it and into the arena as if he'd never been there. Here we go again, you just gotta love him for his shortcomings. He just tries so hard but has so much to overcome. Anyway, 30 min's of banners, flowers, timbers, bridges, other excited horses was all he could stand. I felt he did well considering his abilities so we called it quits for the night. Start time tomorrow? 8:AM.