Happy Mustang,Journey, to the Mustang Million 2013 Fort Worth TexasChallenge Painting#438

"To the Mustang Million"
Dana Kesselring's Journey
5 by 7 Watercolor
by artist Linda L Martin
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Happy Mustang, Journey, Heading For the 2013 Mustang Million in Forth Worth TX Challenge Drawing #435

"Bonding Time"
Journey and Mustang Trainer Dana Kesselring
8 by 10 inches Graphite on Paper
by LindaLMartin Artist
$285.00
For information on commissions contact the artist at
info@llmartin.com

Mustang A Day Challenge Painting # 298 Megan Jones' Nevada

"Nevada"
4 by 6 inches  Watercolor
by Linda L Martin Artist
$35.00

Megan sent me some amazing photos documenting the training of her Mustang Nevada. I suppose I could have done a traditional head portrait of him. But I was thinking back to my younger years with my own black horse and sitting in the pasture while he grazed just being together.

Its more amazing when you think that this beauty of a black horse with his white blaze was wild and has had less than 18 months of training when he arrived at Megan's home.

Megan adopted Nevada at the CSU Mustang makeover in 2010. He had been aged at 4 years by the BLM but seemed younger to her. From Megan's Facebook Page: " I can't say enough Good things about Steve, the trainer that took him on for the EMM(Extreme Mustang Makeover). He is like no other horse I've ever worked with . He (Nevada) stepped up on this obstacle the very first time I asked him to . He's just incredible ."

When I was a child they were still force breaking wild horses. Gosh, they were force breaking almost every horse. And some of them were so scared that they were never safe to ride. Others were so severely injured that there was nothing left for them but to be put down. Some grew to hate people and would literally fight to the death rather than submit. It was a rough time for horses and for the people that tried to "break" them. Breaking is pretty much what they did, too. Bones and spirit of both the men and the horses is some sort of conquering war that enslaved the animals until they were useless, in some cases, and the men so crippled they were useless too.
  

 In the 1970s the University of Maryland began an experiment that would eventually revolutionize training for those who accepted it. It was, at that time, called trackless training or gentling behavior modification. Those of us who adapted the method to use in training were not generally accepted for using it.. But the horses learned quickly to trust and to follow. Those horses that the method were applied to were very safe mounts, in my experience. Trainers that used it also were ridiculed and harassed for using the methods.. as "it was for circus horses and trick ponies" the critics said. When I experimented with it I discovered that you could start the babies young. It was unheard of for a whole farm of young horses in training to never learn to buck. No horse I worked with at the time did after being handled gently and constantly using the method.

Now this new breed of young trainers is amazing. The first day off the trailer and less than an hour on the ground these new gentle trainers  reach out their hands to wild horses, not to dominate them but to gain their trust. Trainers that are leaders to the horses, in both movement and language that the wild ones understand from being on the range and running with a herd. This new breed of Mustang trainers capitalize on the wild horses' experience from the beginning life when they heard their dam's first wicker and nuzzled their side for nourishment, to follow a leader..

Nevada in full tack on the
obsitical Course. Photo
Courtesy Megan Jones

There are many philosophies for the new more effective training methods, even many variations. Most of these accomplished  Modern Mustang trainers make a relationship to the horse that does amazing things in a very short time. Sometimes its as short as 60 to 90 days to start a green horse. And the really successful trainers know that they do not limit themselves to one training method or philosophy, but use what ever the horse they are working with needs to accomplish willingly what needs to be done, because of that trust. It all comes down to this:That amazing first touch, where the completely wild horse realizes that he wants you to be that close and craves it when you scratch that special spot on him.

Looking through all the photos that Megan sent me and the ones she has in her album on Facebook its not hard to tell that the relationship is not only there but its solid and steady. When I was growing up, and later teaching and training with horses of my own I often told my clients this: "If a horse trusts you he will do anything you ask to the best of his ability." From what I have observed through Megan's steady documentation, Nevada and Megan have that kind of relationship. Its a beautiful thing.


Mustang Adoptions are coming up again on the Internet. If you are interested and have never adopted I suggest two things: 1) read the requirements and then 2) locate a Tip Trainer near you to guide your through the process and the training.

Tip Trainers can be found through  the Mustang Heritage Foundation: http://www.mustangheritagefoundation.org
Requirements and available horses can be found on line at the BLM On-line Adoptions site. http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/whbprogram/adoption_program/facility.html

"Luck of the Draw" with Madeleine and Tango Challenge Painting #101

Madeleine and Tango "Luck of the Draw" 

Training for the Ft Collins Mustang Makeover



"Versatility"
Tango and Madeleine LeClerc
8 by 10 inch Watercolor
by LindaLMartinArtist



Madeleine LeClerc is training the mustang Tango for the Fort Collins Makeover in June. Tango is showing some possible characteristics that would make him not only a great trail and pleasure horse but he has some athletic ablitity that suggests dressage as well. 

Madeleine is part of the R&M Performance Horses, The partnership of Robert Carlson and Madeleine LeClerc. Roberts horse for the same makeover evernt is Watson. Each week leading up to their compitition, I am alternating a painting between Tango and Watson

Each mustang makeover event, sponsored by the Mustang Heritage Foundation, is a bit different. In this makeover event the trainers are give 100 days to train a mustang from the wild  and take it to show case compititon so that the horses can be auctioned off to the highest bidder.  The goal is to put a lot of basic training and handling into the horse so that they can be assessed for thier potential, handled safely and then specialized later.



Madeleine and Tango  working on the bit.



All the horses are  what horsemen call "very green" when they reach the auction stage. Meaning that a beginner or intermediate rider cannot begin to find the mustangs useful unless there is addtional training put on the horse and the rider.  It is Madeleine's and Robert's job to expose the mustang assigned to them, to as much as possible so the potential adoptor can see what the horse might be best suited for.

Added to the challenge is that each of the horses is matched up to the trainers in this challenge in a blind number assignment, so that until the number is revealed and matched to the horse; the trainer really has no clue what his horse lookes like, its personality, its athletic ability or where it came from spacifically.

The interesting thing about mustangs is that  because of the historical circumstances surrounding the release of domestic horses from time to time into the original Spanish indigeonous stock, the horse could exhibit any trait introduced by  European settlers. 



The  training of the horses for  the compititon takes this into consideration by the type of tests that are set up. There are certain basic things that every horse must do to make it safe in any circumstance. Then there is the free style part of the exhibit that allows the horse to show case its spicific abilities and unique experience. This can be anything from draft horse, to gaited horse, to thoroughbred or arabian to any other purebred horse brought in by European settlers, plus other more American developed breeds like horses that drive such as pacers or trotters, to cattle horses with short little burst of speed gaits like quarterhorses, and even horses that might have potential as dressage horses, hunters, endurance or polo ponies.



Madeleine and Tango working on trail
obsticals.



The  trainer opens up the possibilites through assessing the horse, then  builds a freestyle program that would showcase those special tallents that could be developed into a competive edge, or a great service animal or a wonderful family pleasure horse.

It is important to notice that again, these are just the beginings of training. Keep in mind that some of these disciplines take years to polish. More importantly to the new owner, is that a wild horse has some special needs, because it not only is a horse, but it is a horse that learned to think for its self in the wild and learned to problem solve.*



This is the reason that R&M Performance Horses offer as part of the adoption package additonal training for the new owen to put polish on the horse and train it for the specific needs of the owner. Robert said it this way: " We want a successful happy partnership for every horse we train, but also our reputation is on the line." Robert and Madeleine want the best of their horses and the best partnership for the person who adopts them.

You can read more of Robert's and Madeleine's training blog on facebook:

2011 CO Mustang Makeover with R&M Performance

Also for those who would be interested in learing how to start a Mustang R&M Performance will be offering a two Day seminar: Supreme Extreme Mustang Starting Clinic on May 13th and 14th

You can also link in and contact Robert and Madeleine at their website:  http://www.westernclinics.com/



Robert and Watson



Side Note: Wild horses arent nearly as dependant on humans, thus an example might be that if  you are late to the barn and the horse is out of water, a horse raised in captivity will wait until you get there to give him water. A mustang will try to figure out how to get to the water and give himself a drink. This might mean he already knows that the water comes from a faucet and that to get to that faucet he has to unlatch his stall door. You can imagine the rest. It has also been reported that since mustangs have the herd experience that not only will he get water for himself he might make sure the entire barn has it too.

While this can be comical there are times that it might be really inconveint for an ower when his mustang hasnt bonded with him into a working partnership. Putting in the extra training and miles will give you a common history and help you bond so that you have a dependable life time Mustang friend.

"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

" First Touch" Fort Collins Mustang Makeover ~ Challenge Painting #77

"First Touch"
8 by 10 inch Watercolor
by LindaLMartin Artist

“First Touch”

Painting number 2 following the Fort Collins Mustang Makeover with Madeleine LeClerc and Robert Carlson.

The first step in gaining the trust of a mustang is being able to have them accept your touch. Everything else is on hold until you get to that point.  Getting there is step by step almost a dance of acceptance.  Entering the space, the small world step by step until your hand is gently on the horse’s shoulder and he doesn’t flinch, he doesn’t move away.. There is an intimacy there that the horse connects with the handler. With a mustang it cannot be forced it must come by degrees so that the horse is not only willing to receive but he wants it and comes willingly.

Madeleine LeClerc using the whip
to make first touch.
Its not to threaten or beat the horse,
 but just used as an extension of the hand.

The first time I ever saw a horse worked with in this way I discovered that the whip as a tool was really an extension of the hand. The lunge whip, that whip with the long leather on the end, folded around the whip and touching the horse, making space between the handler and the mustang but touching. When touched first with the whip.. soon he will except the hand.  The key is touch

To follow the ongoing details of Madeleine and Robert you can like their Mustang Makeover page at this link on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/2011-CO-Mustang-Makeover-with-RM-Performance/119433394800806


Robert Carlson Making first touch with his hand.
Photo illustrations and reference by Lightning Bug Creek.
Used by permission.



Adoption: "Maggie Moo"Twin Peaks HMA Challenge Painting #60



"Joined"
Maggie Moo and Michele

When Michele Cole emailed me the other night to commission a painting of her 4 year old Mustang. I asked her what pose she would like. She gave me free rein  and then said” Just a good picture of her that shows her strong loving and loyal personality.”

She also did some thing else that really helps me. She sent me lots of photos to draw from. Photos that showed the wonderful relationship that Michele and her Maggie Moo have.  Then  Michele gave me the only one real instruction. She likes Purples! My creative juices started flowing…and my imagination took over.

This is an awesome opportunity to paint that intimacy that mustangs are capable of when they "join up" and totally trust their person. For the uninitiated  the term "join up" means that a strong connection of trust is established between a horse and its handler. Its often based on respect of space and understanding the nature of horse behavior. When a horse is ready to come to the person on their own the bonding begins.



There has been a lot of debate as to whether Mustangs are more happy in the wild or more happy near a good food source and warm barn. I say mustangs are not stupid.  If given the choice in a non abusive situation they are going to choose the good food source and warm barn. It’s a plus if they have the freedom to come and go as they choose, except for  the occasional ride and quality time with their human

However you have to get them past their fear of a strange place,  past the adjustment time of their first confinement  and  step beyond archaic traditional force based training methods to get them there into patient and gentle degrees of trust. 

Generally speaking for a new Mustang Owner who has never trained a horse its always good to read as much as possible about how to successfully gentle a wild horse, go to clinics when ever possible,  and it is especially important to find a trainer that will work with you and your horse, that specializes in and knows the needs of the wild horses.

The majority of successful adoptions of wild horsse are because the new adoptive owner  received good instruction  and over sight on how to gentle their horse. The majority of  failed adoptions are because the new adoptive owner was in over their head and never sought out the help needed to learn  the finer points of working with a Mustang.

Michele received Maggie Moo for the adopton process when Maggie was 6 months old. Maggie Moo had been rounded up from the Twin Peaks round up in 2007. It is with great pleasure that I feature the two of them as the final painting for the miniseries “Happy Adoptions Part 1.  And Mustang A Day Challenge Painting #60

Part 2 will be in a few weeks. Please recommend horses for that one. We are looking for a total of 10 Happy Adopted Mustangs. We currently have 5.   There will also be several more opportunities to have your horse featured as well.  So dont hesitate to email me at contact@llmartin.com  Comissions help fund the project and also help a number of Mustang related Charities.

Adoption: "High Sierra" from Cyclone Rim , Wyoming Mustang A Day Challenge #50



"Sierra"
8by10 Watercolor
by Linda L Martin

Julie Gaspar's beautiful little Sorrel mustang mare High Sierra. According to Julie, Sierra was captured as a 2-3 year old at a place called Cyclone Rim Wyoming. The round-up at that time was  on Feb 15th, 2001. Julie says that she has owned Sierra for the last 5 years.  Before Julie became her owner, she was mostly a barn pet. Now Julie says Sierra is her steadfast trail mount. " I enjoy our many miles together"  Thank you Julie for sharing your beautiful mare with us for the Mustang A Day Painting Challenge.



 

"Sierra"
Photo and Reference photography by Julie Gaspar
Used by Permission

Adoption "Riley" from Sand Wash Basin HMA, Colorado Mustang A Day Challenge #48




Riley
8 by10 Watercolor
by LindaLMartin

 Riley is from Sand Wash Basin HMA and was gathered in the 2008 gather. He has now been gentled to the point that he is ready for a home and further training. Riley is being offered for adoption through the TIP program of the Mustang Heritage Foundation.

He is currently available in Texas at the Ranch of  Madeleine LeClerc and her partner Trainer Robert Carlson.

Last fall I stumbled across the coolest thing I have seen in a long time. Horse Trainers from all over the country and some overseas through luck of the draw take a BLM gathered adult Mustang and in 100 days or less gentle train and generally make useful a wild mustang. The trainer then competes on the horse for prizes and to showcase the animal. The Mustang is then offered for sale at auction. One such Trainer is Madeleine LeClerc.

These events, called Mustang Makeovers, are sponsored by the BLM and are run by the Mustang Heritage Foundation. Another program the Mustang Heritage Foundation over sees is the TIP program or Trainer Incentive Program.  Basically TIP Mustangs are placed in a trainer's care and in 60 days the trainer gentles the horse, teaches him to lead, lift his feet for trimming, stand quietly for grooming and vetting and to load and unload into a trailer. At the end of the 60 days the Mustang is offered for adoption to an approved home for $125. The trainer will then be paid a predetermined amount of money for  the work put into gentling the Mustang depending on its age. Payment is made to the Trainer by the Bureau of Land Management upon adoption of the horse. The trainer can also offer to further train the  Mustang at the new owners expense and teach the new owner the special needs of the newly gentled mustang.



Riley
Photo by LightningBug Creek Photography
Photo Used by permission

 The TIP program was put into place because of the large number of unadopted mustangs now in holding pens through out the country. One of the issues is that a "flashy" horse, usually a pinto or palomino and other horses of bright unusual colors, will usually be adopted but a plain horse such as bay, sorrel, brown with out much white  or a gray horse will not be as readily adopted as they don't look unique enough. Unfortunately the larger number of captured mustangs fall into these  plain color categories.

However, by putting some training time into these wild horses, it makes an opportunity for some one to own a mustang that doesn't have the experience level of dealing with a horse fresh off the range. Thus the horse is made more adoptable. Riley is just such a BLM horse. Riley, from Sand Wash BAsin HMA  was born wild. He has now been gentled to the point that he is ready for a home and further training.

You can contact Madeleine through http://www.westernclinics.com/  They are looking to find an adoptive home for Riley by March 1. If you know someone interested in owning  this sweet mustang please pass the word along.

At Madeline request a portion of the money from the sale of this painting will go to the Mustang Heritage Foundation.
To Read more about the various programs for trainers and the Mustang Makeover go to http://www.mustangheritagefoundation.org/

A special Thanks to  Amy Peterson Spivey of Lightning Bug Creek Photography. You can see more of her mustang photos on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LBCPhotography