Posted 2006-12-29 9:40 PM (#53029) Subject: New horse is a mustang
Regular
Posts: 91 Location: Small Town, Texas
My teenage son bought a 5 yr old mustang with his Christmas money. He was captured when he was one. He was going to buy a yearling for a project but ended up with him. He is a very stout horse, short body and big neck which is typical of the mustang.....He is broke and very sweet, seems to need to be ground worked a little more and is a little spooky. He doesn't appear to like his stall in the barn so he is just standing in the door with his head out in the rain. Poor thing it has been raining since we got him....darn!
Posted 2006-12-29 10:43 PM (#53033 - in reply to #53029) Subject: RE: New horse is a mustang
Regular
Posts: 50 Location: Colorado
Cindy, congratulations on your Mustang! Do you know his capture history or where he was started? I don't have any in my barn but I volunteer for a group that has oh... 40-plus BLM Mustangs in their livery string of over 100 head, so I get to handle them weekly. You won't find a stronger and more durable horse anywhere. Ours all have feet that are like hockey pucks I swear. Never a chip or crack and they are almost exclusively barefoot year round.
Most have that typical Spanish Barb conformation, not a bad thing really though some times that straighter shoulder comes with a more upright pastern, making for a slightly bumpier ride. But not always!
Your guy is just still a little nervous about his new surroundings probably. Work on building trust first. A BLM horse will give you a whole new set of eyes when it comes to true horse behaviors and what makes horses tick. They are so cool. Again, congratulations!
Posted 2006-12-30 12:02 PM (#53038 - in reply to #53029) Subject: RE: New horse is a mustang
Regular
Posts: 91 Location: Small Town, Texas
Thanks Westernsky. Some of my friends think we are nuts. I have all his BLM information original bid sheet and all. He was captured 10/02/01 near Cassoday, KS his location was NM96, not sure what that means. Last night we had tornados all over and I was out in the barn in the dark and I kept feeling him nuding my shoulder. And everytime he sees us in the yard here he comes. He is doing well with the other horses and is a clown with the donkey.
I have heard they are hard to train....I hope not he seems really smart and willing so far. As I said he is broke just needs a few more manners..We are really ecited about him and having a part of history.
Posted 2007-01-03 2:22 PM (#53247 - in reply to #53029) Subject: RE: New horse is a mustang
Veteran
Posts: 274 Location: Memphis, TN
I have a 25 yr old mustang. She was captured in Utah when she was 2yr old. I've had her for 15 yr now. I am Second owner. Original owner did a great job training her. We have 8 horses and she is the BEST trail horse. She will not win any Western Pleasure shows, but for common sense out on the trail, I'd go anywhere, anytime with her. They are very smart. Take your time, they make great companions. http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/forum/photos/photo-thumbnails.asp?albumid=78
Posted 2007-01-04 11:47 AM (#53278 - in reply to #53029) Subject: RE: New horse is a mustang
Veteran
Posts: 274 Location: Memphis, TN
Thanks Jan. That was taken at the Friendship ride this past September. We were almost back to the finish after what seemed like 12 or 15 miles, (at least I was tired) and I had just leaned over an plucked a cotton bowl from a field, we came down the bank and turned up the road to the house and there was a photographer standing in the ditch. Caught us both by susprise. Of course he knew I would buy that pix. Sally is MY girl
Posted 2007-01-07 4:46 PM (#53467 - in reply to #53029) Subject: RE: New horse is a mustang
Veteran
Posts: 164 Location: Delaware
My main ride is an 18 yo mustang gelding. I am the 2nd owner and have had him for 12 years. He is 14.2H. Perfect for me. He does not like stall confinement. I have open stalls and the only time he comes in is for grain or when the flys are bad he will stand in the stall looking out. It may take them some time to bond to you but once that happens they are your best friend. I have put mine thru some difficult situations (operator error) and he has taken care of me and himself. You have to remember that they are born in the wild. They have that flight for survival unlike their stall raised cousins that do not know what a coyote or mountain lion is. You have to think like they do... a lion could be in that tree with the moving leaves. A bear behind that rock. I have never had a buck out of mine, he'll follow me anywhere I ask. He also has a nice little singlefoot gait. I had a walker his size and he would keep up with him. He has been worked with cattle and really liked it. I know that every time I saddle him I get the same ride. (every day or 6 months later). The BLM told me they mature late. They have some that finished growing at 6 years. There are clubs and shows just for BLM horses.
Good luck with yours. I expect to have another 5+ years riding with mine.
Posted 2007-01-08 4:02 PM (#53526 - in reply to #53029) Subject: RE: New horse is a mustang
Regular
Posts: 91 Location: Small Town, Texas
rockinghorse funny you should mention this we just found out yesterday he hates stalls. We were going to ride at a local ranch and we put him in a stall until we had everyone ready to go and we almost had a disaster. He either tried to rear up and jump out or climb and got his foot stuck. As we heard the loud horrible noise and went to investigate his foot was stuck with him standing on his back legs. It was a freak thing how this all happend. I thought sure enough his leg would be broken but he was very calm and got it out. I opened the gate and out he came. He appeared fine and was not limping so we took the others and left him with the donkey. When we got home he met us at the gate to get his head scratched and he is fine this morning. I have to admit I was wondering just how "wild" he is after seeing him in that stall....I guess it is their wild nature. We trail ride a lot and I am not sure what to do with him. I guess time will tell.....seems that may of them do like confinement or being alone. I wonder how he will do working in a round pen???? time will tell. I will post a picture of him in the rain if I can get it to work...
New horse is a mustang
