   
FROM CATHY’S DESK
Whew it is hot here!! We have been in the “Dog Days of Summer” since it stopped raining last winter!! That is what you get when you live in Texas. Our fate is either drought or flood.
Extreme Mustang Makeover
The Extreme Mustang Makeover is about here!!! The time sure has flown. For anyone who wants to adopt our colts, now is the time to get ready for it. To adopt one of the horses in the Extreme Mustang Makeover (including ours), go to www.mustangheritagefoundation.org or www.blm.gov to get an application. Fill the application out and send it to the following address:
BLM Attn: Crystal Cowan 221 N. Service Rd Moore, OK 73160
We are hoping that someone out there who is doing Natural Horsemanship will adopt these two. They would make someone really nice horses.
New Mustang Blog
Our new Blog is up. We would appreciate comments. The address is:
http://sagaoftwoyearlingmustangs.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html
Apprenticeship Program
Also, we are working on an apprenticeship program. Several people have asked us about it over the year and we finally have some time to work on it. It will hopefully be starting in the fall. Watch for more details.
UPCOMING CLINICS
August 16 - Natural Remuda Equine Learning Center, Utopia, TX Beginning Ground Clinic
We will be having a Beginning Ground Work Clinic here at the Center at Utopia on August 16, 2008. We will be covering lots of groundwork, which we believe is the foundation for a good riding experience. There will be several men at this one, so all you men that don’t want to work with a bunch of women, call and we will get you started.
August 30 - Natural Remuda Equine Learning Center, Utopia, TX, Intermediate.
This will be a clinic with some groundwork as a warm up and then riding. The groundwork part will be improving your feel and release, reading the horse better, and learning when it is safe to ride your horse. Riding will consist of feeling cadence of the horse’s feet, correct circles, stepping over behind and walk/trot/backs and transitions. Also longitudinal, vertical and lateral flexion will be discussed. Call me for a spot in this clinic.
September 13 - McDade, TX - Diamond I Ranch - Intermediate Ride
We are filling this clinic now. It promises to be a fun time with meals planned and an excellent format. Sign up now with Carol Isenhour at Cisenhour@hotmail.com 512-278-2520 Or Jdmcjohnson@swtexas.net 830-966-6119
September 18-21, Ft Worth, TX at the Will Rogers Complex - Extreme Mustang Makeover.
The Extreme Mustang Makeover Contest is only 5 weeks away!! We are really excited about this contest and the chance to meet and visit with lots of horse people from all walks of life. We are looking forward to seeing all of those of you who have said you will come out and support us in Ft. Worth. Thank you!! I am including a schedule of events on the next page, so that you can print it out. Red marks the events we are in (and some we hope we are in, like the Finals). For tickets and information, go to the link below
http://www.extrememustangmakeover.com/ See you all there!
September 27 & 28, 2008, Ft Worth, TX - Parelli Tour Stop
The Parelli’s only do one tour stop in the state of TX. It will inspire you and thrill you!! The organization is going through some really exciting changes to serve not only the recreation rider, but also the performance rider. These changes will now cover a whole new group of horseman and will benefit more and more horses. We have some free tickets to the Saturday event, so call me!!
SCHEDULE FOR EXTREME MUSTANG MAKEOVER (EMM)
Thursday, Sept 18 - Open to the Public, No Ticket Charge.
8A.M. - John Justin Arena - EMM Body Condition Scoring and in Hand Class (riding).
8A.M. - Watt Arena - Mission 007 Yearling Body Scoring & in Hand Class for Exhibitors 45 and under /46 and Over.
7P.M. - Stang Stage - Talent Show for all participating Trainers. Admission goes to the Mustang Heritage Foundation.
Friday, Sept 19 - Open to the Public - No Ticket Charge.
8A.M. John Justin Arena - EMM Horse Course for first half of exhibitors. (Riding)
8AM - Watt Arena - Mission 007 Yearling & In Hand Class for Youth Exhibitors
6P.M. - John Justin Arena - FINALS PERFORMANCE - Mission 007 Yearling Top Ten Finalists - 45 & younger/46 and older and Youth exhibitors.
Saturday, Sept 20 - Open to the Public - No Ticket Charge.
8A.M. - John Justin Arena - EMM horse course for second half of exhibitors. (Riding)
2P.M. - Mission 07 Yearling Silent Auction Adoption Closes. Final bids for available yearlings must be made by 1:00 P.M. Closing will be at stall area then proceed to BLM adoption office.
7P.M. - Will Rogers Coliseum - Finals - Tickets are required - May be purchased at Ticketmaster or on grounds. - $20 box seat, $15 reserved seat.
Extreme Mustang Makeover Top 10 Finalists (riding horses)
Parade of Yearlings
Announcement of Ft Worth Stock Show “Showdown” Trainers and Mustangs“.
Sunday, Sept 21 - Open to the Public - No Ticket Charge.
7A.M. - Watt Arena - Cowboy Church Service.
9A.M. - Adoption by public auction of Extreme Mustang Makeover Horses.
PAST CLINICS
Fredericksburg Riding Club Clinic
We had a great time in Fredericksburg at the Riding Club Arena in July. We had a nice day that was windy, but not too hot. We met several new people and Jere worked everyone on some intermediate stuff, such as Roll Backs, Spins, Stops, etc. Thank you all for the help getting this organized and rolling and thank you to the riders and auditors that came.
Fredericksburg Ladies Group
We had a fun day with this group here last Saturday. Jere worked on a lot of riding and they are making big strides in their riding. It is a lot of fun to watch a group like this one go forward and improve their horsemanship so much.
 JERE’S CORNER
Your Hands; Stone or Marshmallow? In our travels to clinics around the area, we mostly see two kinds of hands. Stones and the Marshmallows. Neither one of these is good. You need to have Butterfly hands. Have you ever seen a butterfly land on a flower? That is the kind of feel you are going for.
Hands of Stone mean that your hands are quick and fast. They give no information or direction. They only give pain and stress. The best way for you to find out if your hands are “Hands of Stone” is to videotape yourself. Most of the time, these types of people are using their reins for balance, or they are unconfident and jerk instead of having feel. The best indication of Stone hands is when the horse raises his head and flings it around. Also tail wringing and a hollowed back are good indicators. Stone Hands cause fear in the horse. Just because you have Hands of Stone, does not mean that you cannot develop
Butterfly hands.
Hands like Marshmallow are hands that show no direction or information. These hands are wishy-washy. The horse doesn’t know what to do at all. The horse will show that you have these kinds of hands by trying to be dominant, because someone has to be the leader. Most of the time Marshmallow hands come with an inexperienced rider and can be helped pretty easily.
One of the most important things you will learn in Natural Horsemanship is Feel. Feel is lightness and “less gets more“. Most people do not have any lightness at all when they first get horses, and lots of people don’t get lightness and feel, even after they have had horses a long time. Learning Feel takes an open mind, a willingness to learn, and putting yourself inside your horse.
Neither Stone Hands, nor Marshmallow hands gives the horse confidence. The key, as in all things, is to find the middle ground. If you have Stone hands, use your body and your balance more and don’t use your reins for balance.
The only way you can develop feel in your hands, is practice, practice, and practice. And it is better if you can have perfect practice. Go to clinics or get someone to give you a lesson and develop good feel in your hands. They should be like Butterflies.
Good Riding Jere |
