"Night Riders" with Robert and Watson Challenge Painting #106



This week with Watson(Robert Carlson) and Tango (Madeleine LeClerc)  We have a painting of Robert and Watson.



"A Very Useful Horse"

8 by 9 inch watercolor
By Linda LMartin



In an effort to  steadily work toward the Ft Collins Makeover where both horses will be up for adoption. Team R&M Performance Horses Spent some serious time doing a variety of activities under the lights.  Not only did they bring the two Ft Collins horses, they also brought several horses in  different levels of training including one of their new TIP horses and Their Tennesee Extreme Makeover winner Artista.

In-sync
Photo by Amy Spivey
Used by permission

Because Makeover  events are held underlights in an areana with strange people and horses, its important especially to aclimatized the horses to  noises and lights and of course the shadows that make every thing normal in daylight seem frightening to some horses. Night work become as much play time as it was serious work.



Saddling up
Photo by Amy Spivey
Lighning Bug Creek Photography
Used by Permission



To read more about Robert and Madeleine and their Ft Collins Makeover Horses training for the June event go to their Facebook Page for 2011 CO Mustang Makeover with R&M Performance

The amazing reference photo and the photograhy on this page are provided by Amy Spivey of Lightning Bug Creek Photography. I found out earlier that she is running a photography special for the month of May. Amy is a very special photographer in that she is able to capture the passion and the intimacy in each shot she shares.

Lowering the Head
Photo by Amy Spivey
Lighning Bug Creek Photography
Used by Permission

Please check out her page on facebook for more information about her photo special. She can do event  photos, portraits of children, landscapes and of course horse and animal portraits. As a mom, a horsewoman and a mustang owner she is uniquely qualified to bring her special charm to each photo she takes. And she will gladly accomodate groups.http://www.facebook.com/LBCPhotography

"Going for a Spin" with Robert and Watson Challenge Painting #96

Robert and Watson "Going for a Spin" 

Training for the Ft Collins Mustang Makeover

"Going For A Spin"
Robert Carlson and Watson
8 by 10 inch watercolor
by Linda L MarinArtist

Today’s painting features Robert and Watson and is based on a wonderful photo by Amy Spivey of Lightning Bug Creek Photography of Robert literally taking Watson for his first spin. What starts out as a warm up exercise to help the horse soften to turn in both directions will eventually  be able to work into a reining spin.

Taking a Mustang through the stages of training can be one adventure after another on a good day. But try  keeping to your training schedule when you are threatened with a tornado, hail and more severe weather than you can imagine and the treat of raging brush fires all in the same week.

Madeleine and Tango crossing the bridge.

The Last few weeks have been a steady  introduction of new things  and  consistent repetition  of  what the mustangs  Watson (Robert Carlson) And Tango ( Madeleine LeClerc) have learned.  Besides introducing the horses to all sorts of obstacles one would find on the trail, both horses have been trailered to different locations to be ridden in doors, outdoors , with strange horses and through strange obstacles and at one location through a stock tank.

Robert and Watson loping in full saddle and
cowboy halter.

The most dramatic location training session was when Robert was  riding Watson at a lope as a threatening storm loomed up. Through the high winds, a churning sky, and sirens, Robert rode Watson until Watson was calm and the two could end on a positive note.  This was probably not  what Robert had originally planned for this location training session, but it was definitely an opportunity to build more into to the partnership. Every opportunity must be taken to help the horse reach that level that requires a wild horse to trust the human  and build confidence in all situations.

To read a more detailed account of all the training activities of the  Madeline and Robert  log into facebook and  follow their daily updates on their Fort  Collins Makeover blog  page.  http://www.facebook.com/pages/2011-CO-Mustang-Makeover-with-RM-Performance/119433394800806

To see more of Amy Spivey’s wonderful Photography check in to her facebook page  for Lightning Creek Photography: http://www.facebook.com/pages/2011-CO-Mustang-Makeover-with-RM-Performance/119433394800806#!/LBCPhotography

 Photographs provided by Lightning Bug Creek Photography. Used by permission.

"Just A Bit" Watson and Robert Carlson Painting #87

"Just A Bit"
Watson and Robert Carlson
8 by 10 inch watercolor
by Linda L Martin



Robert leads Watson using the halter while
Watson becomes comfortable with the bit.
Photo provided by Lightning Bug Creek Photography
Used by permission

 First the Saddles and then the bits. This painting shows Robert Carlson's Ft Collins Makeover Horse getting used to wearing a bit. it will be sometime before Watson is ridden using reins on the bit. In the mean time Robert will do a series of bending and give and take exercises to prepare Watson for  the full use of the bit.  He is currently riding Watson using his cowboy halter.

Madeleine and Tango.
Getting used to wearing his bit.
Photo provided by LightningBugCreek Photography
Used by permission

 Madeleine LeClerc’s horse for Ft Collins also has been Named. His name is Tango.  Both Madeleine and Robert will continue working with their horses  for response and suppleness beginning first riding in the cowboy type halter and later and very gradually but consistently transferring control through a bit In the horse’s mouth.

You can follow the training of Watson and Tango on the  R&M Performance Horse page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/2011-CO-Mustang-Makeover-with-RM-Performance/119433394800806