Comments for reinersblog.com

Comment on Stacy Westfall by Mollie

Mollie — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 05:15:04 +0000

Hi MJ! I missed you! I still have not riden much this year.
I tried to log in today- then came back later- then it let me in.

Comment on Stacy Westfall by Mj

Mj — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 07:43:29 +0000

Hey Molly Molly! Are you MIA? Camping out in the hills and don’t come down til fall? I bet you are…

Comment on Practice the gallop by MJ

MJ — Sun, 11 May 2008 02:50:10 +0000

I get a little worried running on trails too. Lots of trees to knock your noggin on if you fall! I went on a trail ride yesterday and Leo was just a brat! All chargey and wanting to run over the horses in front of him. I finally had to get down cause he was making me so nervous on the tight trail. But then I got him up to the wide road that runs straight up the mountain. I was grumbling, “oooh you wanna run huh…we’re gonna run..” As soon as I got him to the road, I hopped up, let loose the reins and told him to get going. He RAAAAAAN up that mountain so fast that wind tears were streaking across my face! So fun! I do think it’s good to let them just go once in awhile. The uphill climb is also a really good workout. Normally, I’ll ride him at a quick trot up the switchback trails. GREAT workout. He’s in super good shape from it. Now I need to get on a treadmill or something…

Comment on Building the foundation by Mollie

Mollie — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:12:51 +0000

Hi MJ I got in. Darn computers, mystery to me. There is so many different ways to train a horse. Some of my friends put it this way, we have tools in our toolbox and we decide what to use. People toss out methods and we pick what works for us. Also it is hard to teach a clinic over the computer. Bottom line is you are with your horse and you know him better than us.

PS I dont pull my horses head into my leg like I have seen on Clinton Anderson tapes. I dont bend the head that far. Only to where his head comes to where his shoulder meets his leg-I guess its hard to explain without a picture.

Good luck on your journey.

Comment on Building the foundation by MJ

MJ — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 06:13:47 +0000

So thats what I should do if my horse is rearing? Pull his head toward my leg? I was wondering about that. He’s been coming off his front hoofs quite a bit lately. What I did was pull his head into my leg, like you said. But when I asked a friend of mine, this was her theory:

When the horse comes up, use both hands (with reins still in them) to bop the horse between the ears. Then when he goes down, let him walk forward if he wants cause that is the reward. She said that my pulling his head into my leg was like punishing the horse for coming down. Which made sense.

However, since he’s being ornery, he isn’t going to try to walk forward, he’s probably going to try to lurch forward and try to think up some more mischief, like bucking. Tough call. What do you think?

I think bopping them between the ears is ok, cause it doesn’t really hurt them but scares them enough to not want to do it anymore AND they don’t know it’s you. They just know something scary happens when they come up. At least that’s the theory.

-MJ

Comment on Hello from the Lolo Trail by Mollie

Mollie — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:13:37 +0000

Thank you. Yes come ride with us. Sometimes we pack in, sometimes we truck camp. We have been camping out of a truck alot in the past 5- 10 years. Horses can be taught to stake out, or tied to a picket line. With hobbles on horses can travel almost as fast as no hobbles. Some people use hot fence, but elk and moose and horses will run through it.
A 3 way hobble slows a horse down pretty good. Sunny is loose in that picture in Hells Canyon. Rosie the mare is grazing in hand. If she leaves, he leaves. This is a packing school secret for keeping horses in camp. One mare will keep most geldings in camp. Everybody has a different method, kind of like horse training.

Comment on Hello from the Lolo Trail by MJ

MJ — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 23:18:22 +0000

VERY cool photos! Maybe I could go on a ride with you guys someday? It looks beautiful where you are. Do you camp out there? If so, what do you do with the horses at night? Hobble them? I’ve always wanted to try horse camping, but don’t know very many people who do it.