The "Grand Finale"

The Herald Sun/photo by Bernard Thomas

'Folks, Ya'll have been so patient for the final unfolding of the saga of Medicine Man and his future. I do want to thank all for your interest in this project and the mustang.
Saturday afternoon following the riding portion all the trainers were called together for the announcement of the finalists. At that time no one knew who had been disqualified in the 2nd portion of the competition. All were on pins and needles for the results. Well, as previously told, we didn't make it nor did several others that we were sure were a shoe in. Those selected were without question deserving by the performance earlier in the day. We were dismissed and asked to be back by 7 pm. With seating at a premium we sent out for supper and commandeered our seats for the evening.
The 13 finalist were very impressive to say the least. From roping cows, herding cows, shooting from horseback, jumping barrels, whip popping, standing in saddle, chain saws, laying down their horse, sliding stops, rollbacks, spins, side passes, flying lead changes, dancing, and just plan old good horsemanship for both rider and horse. This had to be most extraordinary display of training I've seen in quite some time. (You can view several shots of the night and a list of the trainers and more results on the Mustang Heritage Foundation website listed at the bottom of the page) After the dust had settled I think all in attendance were pleased with the outcome. A young trainer, Guy Woods from Australia, by way of Texas was the winner. Second place was Kiitty Lauman from Oregon. WOW, is all I can say. Did I have a top ten horse? No, did I have a wonderful, disciplined, pleasing horse? Yes, and then some.
Now, the auction. We had to be back for the adoption at 9 the following morning. All were drained because of the hectic weekend. I had to take Kathy, my wife, to the airport at 5 am for her fast trip back home opposed to the drive we were looking at later in the day. As mentioned earlier in the blog, we had no option but to offer Medicine Man up for adoption. I never thought that it would be an issue for me as I looked at the training as a challenge with no lasting effect. Well, was I wrong. I'd really made a friend in this little horse and we just seemed as one when we rode. I can't say I've ever spent this much time with a horse in such a short while in my adult life. Throughout the entire weekend I would find myself empty inside knowing that Sunday it could be all over for Medicine Man and me. I'd been given a reserve amount for Medicine Man but figured it would never fly. Well, as things progressed throughout the day I was then sure of it. The first horse of the day sold for $2000.00 and didn't seem to shift for any horse that was ridden in the arena. As each trainer brought their horse in for adoption we were given 2 minutes to talk about their horse. Then we were to show the horse off during the bidding. We were number 87 in line so we got to see all horses go through the process. This is one time I was glad we were towards the end. I had learned 2 things. 1, the big $ had bought their horses early, and 2, I learned how to work the crowd. I heard from, "I'm not riding my horse today because of a sore back," to "my horse has arthritis." As you could see by the $ results on the Mustang Heritage site, the prices really never shifted for any horse that had it together as well as Doc. So, I was at a dilemma, spend money I didn't have to keep him or devise a plan. Well, the money part was out so a plan was in. When we moved into the arena Doc was dead calm. Not good for me so here I go. "Folks, let me tell you about a special mustang. This horse was stricken with toxic poisoning on 31 August by eating cucklebur's. His fever was 105, heart rate was 80 and totally lethargic within 30 minutes of finding him lying down. The vet treated for such and his recovery was diagnosed as bleak. Call off the competition, move him into a stall and expect complications for up to six months. Both the vet and farrier gave dim expectations. With such a high fever comes laminitis. Well, let me tell you about the healing power of the mustang. Within 2 days his fever was normal and he was showing much tenderness in his feet. In 2 weeks he was out and working in the round pen. So, what do you think?" And then off we went. Walk, trot, lope around the arena and the bids start. $500 and we stop and back up, $750 and we side pass. $1000 and we lope in a 25 ft circle. We went thru $1100.00 like it was chicken feed and then it stopped. The word laminates was affecting the crowd. My plan worked. Did I tell a story, NO, Did I mislead the crowd, NO. Did I tell them the vet had just completed an x-ray of all 4 feet showing no rotation? Well, no. Did the auctioneer help me out, well, not really but he did tell the crowd that this trainer is bidding so he must know something. Yes he did but the thought was planted and me and Doc were the winners. I'd been able to buy back my horse for $1100.00. Most horses with Medicine Man's abilities sold for 3500-4000 dollars. Was I one happy guy. I almost forgot this part. Emily my daughter, 21 going on 6 was a basket case. From Saturday night on she had been one big tear with the thoughts of loosing Medicine Man. Even strangers were trying to console her through this. She even made matters worse for me as if I wasn't having a bad enough time.
Well, out of the arena, make a couple of calls and hit the road. Emily was just beside herself. She rode Medicine Man for the first time that weekend out of the building, across the parking lot and throughout the entire complex. I think she was happier the me. I now know where this horse is going. I'd had a couple of people interested in Medicine Man prior to leaving but one had left a reserve. This horse is going to a little girl, 8 years old I spoke of several times in the blog but she was not to know until she'd earned the money.
For the next 2 weeks Cassidy was a wreck. I'd shared with her that there was another person really interested and I needed my money back to pay bills. Was she ever so nervous. Does she get the money in time? Every time I would see her she would say, "Jim Thomas, I have $241.00 now. Is that enough?" Then next time, "I now have $255.00 is that enough?" We just played along until a move with another horse made it possible. I had just been contacted on September 28 by Kim Gernardo with NBC 17 for the results of Ft Worth when I told her the rest of the story. Well, not to pass up a good story for TV, she jumped at the opportunity to put this on the air. So plans were made for the following Friday when Cassady gets off the school bus.
I'd also been contacted by Beth Velliquette with the Chapel Hill Herald to also get the results of Ft. Worth. I shared with her the plans and she was also wanting to capture the story.
Friday, the 5th arrives and Medicine Man and I take our last bath. Knowing where he was going made it a bit easier, but still we had memories. A tough time but no time for emotions. Load up and off to Dean and Helena's for the big show. Our original plans were to meet Cassidy at the bus stop but a cloud was threatening and the camera man was a bit leery so the barn would have to do. I'd hid in the back of the barn and when Cassidy rides up her mom calls here over for a short and out we walk. I knelt down, and passed the reins over. She was happy to see I brought him over for a visit and was beside herself when she discovered that he would not be going back to the Bar T. "He is here to stay, and yours to keep. Take care of him, give him lots of love, many baths and never hit him." That was all I could say for emotions ran wild for me and her alike. In the roundpen for her first lesson and the start of a beautiful relationship for a girl and her horse.
The news story posted on the front page of the Sunday edition, 7 Oct. A wonderful story from a gifted reporter. I thank Beth so much for helping make this event special for a young lady.
NBC 17 has plans to run the story on the 19th if all goes well. Kim again put together a wonderful story.
I'm going over this weekend for another lesson and will finish off with those results on Sunday. I promise several pictures at that time. Thanks again for following along and I should close out next week. Please give me your thoughts of the blog as we plan to enter the competition next year. This time 2 horses, a father and son.

The Rest of the Story

I'm sorry for leaving you hanging out there but the REST OF THE STORY will unfold on Friday, the 5th. I promise to update at that time. And what a story..........

Ft Worth = WOW

WOW, was that a trip or what? We left out last Tuesday afternoon Texas bound. Our plan was to drive right thru with 2 rest stops for Doc to offload, eat, drink and walk around. Estimated trip time 24 hrs. Well, things went well the entire trip and we rested 3 times and made Dallas-Fort Worth airport in 22 hours to pick up Emily. We then headed for the Stockyards area for some vacation time and boarded Doc at the livery inside the Stockyards District. This was really cool as he stalled beside the longhorns used for the daily cattle drive down Exchange St. He traveled well but did show dehydration from the trip. I picked up 2 tubes of electrolytes to mainline his system and this did pick things up quickly. On Thursday morning, after a good nights rest we had the opportunity to work in the arena located beside the livery for an hour for some relaxed exercise. Afterwards, and this was really cool,Medicine Man and I rode the entire length of Exchange St. For those not familiar with the area this is where for over 100 years cattle were brought in and either slaughtered or shipped out from all points south and west of Ft. Worth. A lot of history lies here.
This is one place where a horse really doesn't look out of place. I highly recommend this stop for anyone traveling with or without a horse. The afternoon was spent shopping and sightseeing and we moved Doc to the Will Rogers Complex later that evening. Folks, this is some complex. We were in the Moncrief Building. It contained 2 arenas, 1 for practice out by the stalls and the other a very large air conditioned arena with seating for 6000. The stall area would hold over 200 horses, each with a 10x10 stall. What a nice place.
After we settled Doc and I had scheduled a practice session for 6pm so off we went. He was very relaxed in the large arena and negotiated all the obstacles set up with no problem. He never got out of hand, (lots did) and moved as requested. I was very impressed with his manners and discipline during this new adventure. Practice sessions lasted only 20 minutes so back to the stall, feed, hay and a good night rest was in order. Friday would consist of 2 scheduled practices,
a conditioning evaluation by the Vets and a trainer meeting at noon. The first practice was a blur as Doc decided he didn't want pay attention. Not unruly just very energetic. I guess the 2 tubes of electrolytes did the trick. I knew his conditioning score was going to suffer due to his illness so we had really been giving him the chow. We took him before the Vets just before lunch for his condition score and made out a little better than expected. With a range of 1-40 with 20 being optimum he scored 16. The top score was 19.5. His only down fall was his weight. Feet and hair coat were great! From looking at the other scores he was in the middle. Just think had he not gotten sick. He was perfect for what they were looking for.
The Trainer's meeting was very informative with a couple guest speakers, first was Cody Christian, a motivational speaker suffering from cancer. His word really gave a lift to the crowd. The second speaker was none other than the 2007 Road to the Horse winner, yes, Chris Cox. This was another great surprise. The meeting finished up with a brief description of the 2 courses laying ahead by the judges . Their emphasis to us at the time was they understood what we were dealing with and for us not to get to caught up in the small stuff. (Boy, was that an overstatement). Back for 1 last practice that evening and then Saturday...
The in hand portion began at 8:00AM on Saturday with me drawing 33rd. I watched several trainers and horses go through and was impressed with the control shown. This really gave me the jitters so I dismissed myself back to Doc's stall. Our time came around about 9:30 and I'm sure he felt my trembles in his lead.
The course led off crossing 6 poles, forward thought an L formation stopping at the end and backing back through the L not touching any pole. A right 270 degree turn, stop, and lead off at a trot for 30 feet, sudden stop at the cone. Drop the lead, pick up all 4 feet. Next a left turn and around and across 2 poles in a right angle from far to near going around a plant sitting in the apex. Then a white stock trailer, in, around, and out finishing with an in-hand trot around 5 cones starting from right to left in a W formation and out the gate. Folks, I had never been so proud of 1 horse as I was of Medicine Man. No hesitation at no time, a perfect back through the L. Yielded all 4 feet without moving and picked up the trot every time I asked. The only fault I knew of was he ticked the first pole starting off. Not enough to move it but I did hear it. Scores were posted at lunch with Doc finishing 15 of 91. A great showing for Doc. (The video should be posted this evening)
Next came under saddle. A bit more complex course so I tried to watch as others took on the task. This confused me some so back to the stall and wait until my turn. My draw was 39th. I hadn't paid much attention to the other scores but I should had. This was going to be my Waterloo. The course started out leading Doc in, then with a left lead lope around the right side of the arena, along the judges setting in chairs inside the arena and stopping at a cone on at the end. Left in place turn, lope off on right lead back by the judges, around the end, back up the other side, figure eight with a lead change and ending up at the far end from the start. Stop at the cone, or so I thought, turn left, trot into an 8x8 box for 2 right in place turns, 2 in place left turns, trot out, turn right through 3 panels set in a W formation and continue to a platform. Walk across and trot through 4 poles with the last making another L formation. Back back through the L without touching, roll right and exit the arena. Well, I again was quite proud of the little man. He did break stride when we passed the judges but picked back up immediately and had a little rough stop at the cone passing it slightly. My fault, not his, I wasn't ready for the cone. His turn was good and he loped off and completed the figure 8 with a lead change. I over reined him in the box causing him to back out of the box slightly half way through, again my fault. After that we had 0 errors completing the course not touching any pole. A good trot through the W Panels, No hesitation on the platform, perfect back thru the L and off we went. My score? A big fat 0. Don't know why I was disqualified but am in search of the answer. When they posted the judges scores the crowd was such as I was going back an look into it. Later they had already taken down the scores. I hope to get the answer after the staff gets back in the office later this week.
All in all the course was good but over 50% of the trainers were disqualified from each event. In conversation with the staff I feel this will be rectified for next year with a better understanding of course requirements. More to come of the Finals and Auction!

Is Ft. Worth Ready for Medicine Man?


Trotting through the cones


Backing through the "L"

Are we ready yet?

As we work daily to prepare for Ft Worth we're having those last days jitters. Medicine Man has been a champ as each morning and evening are filled with the same old practice, practice, practice. His strength has returned from the sickness but his energy level is somewhat down. I've switched to XTN by Nutrena to bring his weight back up and also have him on an iron supplement daily. This has made a noticeable difference in his weight just in 10 days. Monday I started adding electrolytes to his feed and water to insure hydration for the upcoming trip and new environment. His feet are doing well with just a slight tenderness on driveway rocks but on smooth ground, grass or the arena there's no problem. Roll-backs and spins were going to be the hole card for event but his energy just won't make it happen. His stops are great, turns and backups are perfect for the trail. I guess we'll have to see what awaits us at Ft Worth. Our plans are to leave out on Tuesday, arrive Wednesday and practice Thursday and Friday. The show begins promptly at 8 on Saturday Morning. Will Keep you updated as the week progresses.
I did want to make mention also that several friends, driven by Helena had a send off last Saturday for Medicine Man and myself. This was a real hoe-down with over four hundred dollars raised to assist us in the trip. Thanks Helena and Dean, Vickie, George, Shorty, Diane and all my current and new friends.

Great News!

Got some spectacular news from the vet this morning. There is little, if any, rotation of the coffin bone in Medicine Man's feet. Vet prognosis- Get ready for Texas! That's right folks...Doc is headin' to Texas! He is, however, slightly anemic due to his bout last week. The vet said this should be temporary and the iron level will pick right back up again with simple mineral supplements. Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers!

The strength of the Mustang

The visit from Dr. Kirkman went well this morning. Doc's improvements are just phenomenal for this type of injury. His exam showed no issues or concerns. We did take radiographs of all four feet to 1, show any P3 movement, and 2, to give us a point of reference in the event of later problems. The results should be back by Saturday morning. His gate showed little tenderness unless we walked on the gravel. On request he trotted around the pasture by lead with no lameness. Vet recommendation...Resume training!
George dropped by this evening and placed pads on both front feet and filled the voids with a epoxy jell to help on the tenderness as he mends. This resulted in a noticeable difference as soon as he completed the job! Thanks George for you concern and help in bringing Doc back to 100%.
Again, I can't thank my friends and readers for their support and prayers enough as we "come out of the woods" with this illness.

The power of natural healing

Just a quick update from last weeks bout with cucklebur's in Medicine Man's feed. After the close attention from the Vet, myself, and many friends Medicine Man started showing improvement on Saturday. Helena's constant concern for Doc is really showing her true feeling about this young horse. His feet were still really sore but he moved around the pasture at will to eat and would follow the feed scoop for a meal. Sunday I moved him into a stall with 6" of sawdust that proved to be welcomed by Doc. George Terrell, a wonderful farrier in the area that works extensively with problem horses came by and put foam pads on his front feet. Another welcomed move. With these 2 steps Doc was showing improvement daily. His system seems to have purged all the toxins from the feed and now the feet are on the mend. I haven't made the call regarding Ft Worth. The vet is coming out Friday Morning for radiographs. This should give us an indication as to his recovery period. Today he is without pads and walked throughout the paddock with no noticeable pain and movement left, right, fwd and backward was on demand with no hesitation. What can we say but he's a MUSTANG. A born survivor!
I'll update the results after lunch on Friday.