Kidd Cool - Top ten!

Well the Kidd really came through!

We tied for 1st place in the in-hand course and took 8th in the riding.(Cool had a pretty good spook when the audience applauded part of his course or I believe we would have been 3rd or 4th) Anyway we made the finals! Woohoo!

We drew the last spot to go so we had plenty of time to watch the competition, everyone did a great job.

Finally, our turn to go!

Cool entered the arena and caught sight of the fire ring as we passed it and had a pretty good spook, but after that he was back on track.

As usual he jumped right on the flat bed as it was moving and proceeded to do everything else that was asked of him including walking into the ring of fire like it was nothing and pivoting both ways before backing out.

When the dust settled we proudly walked off with the 5th place spot and $1,000 dollars.

Not bad for a very young mustang that in the beginning started off so underweight and flighty that I couldn't believe we would ever have a chance at top ten!

I am also proud to say that Cool was adopted by Julie Bryant who does PR for Mustang Heritage and all of the Extreme Mustang events. I take it as a great compliment that Julie goes to all of these events and ended up adopting My Mustang.

Congratulations Julie you got a great horse with many great years ahead of him.

Thanks again to all of Team Cool and my sponsors, I couldn't do it without you!

Stay tuned to see which Extreme Makeover I'll be competing in next!

Cool & the Kid

This is Hayley Goodridge.

She is an amazing rider and at eleven years old is my "star" student.

I want to thank Hayley for spending the last two weeks riding with me on her horse Deja so Cool had some company while we put in our final hours.

She and Cool became quite good friends and Hayley has really helped me to make him a kid safe horse.

Thanks Hayley!

Cool under Pressure

Since they cancelled fire at the finals, let me show you how brave this little mustang has been.

This is a shot from several weeks ago when we first started working on Cool walking into a ring of fire.

What a "cool " horse no fear, just curious!

Cool & Lorrie - Having fun!

Can you tell that I'm having fun and beginning to like this little mustang?

Kidd Cool - Amazing transformation!

Today I ran across a picture of Cool the day after pick-up and a more recent picture.

I believe this is what is called an "amazing transformation!"

What a task it has been to gentle, train and put approximately 300lbs + on a horse but we did it!

Kidd Cool meets Dr. Schafer - Aug. 25th

Today Dr. Schafer came out to work on Mr. Cool

Dr Schafer is a retired veterinarian who practices chiropractic and acupuncture on horses and all kinds of animals(even dolphins!) all around the United States.

He has been wonderful enough to sponsor all three of my competition mustangs and treats my horses on a regular basis. He is a Godsend!

His only fault is that he vacations in Colorado each summer so we anxiously await his return each August so everyone can get adjusted.

Cool had a few ribs out of place and was also in need of some acupuncture.

All in all he did pretty well but he was not too crazy about the needles in his back and tried his best to reach around and get them out.

He settled down after a while and did some pretty good yawning, licking and chewing.

When I rode the next day his lateral work was a little better on the side he's been having trouble with and I'm sure it will improve even more as he settles into his newly adjusted body.

I have seen remarkable results after having Dr Schafer work on both my own horses and my training horses and highly recommend chiropractic and acupuncture to anyone who wants the best for their horse.

If you would like more information on equine chiropractic and acupuncture please contact Dr. Rick Schafer at (361)939-8379.

Thank you so much Dr. Schafer for your sponsorship, support and all you do for God's wonderful animals!

Beach Cantering - Aug 19th 2009

Cool and I went back to beach today and what a great time we had!

He was even more confident on this trip to the beach and seemed to light up when I unloaded him and he realized where he was.

It is amazing what great work you can get done with these youngsters when you keep it fun.

We worked on canter departures, correct leads and leg yielding while enjoying the sand and surf so it didn't seem like work at all.

This is my favorite picture to date of the two of us enjoying our good fortune in living here on the coast in beautiful Corpus Christi.

Oh yeah, everyone had clothes on this time!

Cool on the mend - Aug 18th

Cool is back!

After taking a week off following his injury I am glad to say that his leg is healing nicely and we've gone back to work.

Unfortunately, it looks like we are going to lose 2 - 3 weeks from working on certain maneuvers such as pivots, jumps and side passing as they could re-injure his leg.

As his leg continues to heal I will reintroduce these manuvers into his training.

Here are a couple of my younger student's giving a little "Cool" down walk for me.

Thanks Ginger and Chianna for giving Cool some kid time.

Kidd Cool - Down and out - Aug. 12th

While Cool was out getting to be a horse and play with his buddy Little Man on Saturday he managed to run into something very hard and cut his fetlock.

At first I thought no problem, a quick hose off and we'll ride a little later.

That was not the case, an hour later he was hobbling on three legs.

By Tuesday he was still extremely lame so it was difinitely time to go get an x-ray.

The good news is there is no fracture, the bad news is the vet said it could be several weeks before he's ready to work.

We are also unable to do any real ground work as that stresses the leg too!

Down to the wire and even more pressure on!

Kidd Cool's - "Exposure on the beach"

Cool did get a little more exposure at the beach than just waves and riding.

In Corpus Christi we have a small “strip” of beach where naked sun bathing is allowed.

Rarely do we encounter anyone, but as luck would have it on our way back a nudist couple asked if we could take their picture with the horses.

My friends who were riding with me quickly said “That’s a wild mustang, you need a picture with that one”, so Cool and I stepped up.

Once again, Cool took things in stride, we got our pictures and off we rode.

I’d like to challenge all the EMM trainers to top this for getting their mustang’s out there and exposed!

Kidd Cool Goes to the Beach - Aug. 4, 2009

Well Cool went to the beach today for the first time and did awesome!

We started on line and he immediately went into the water like he goes to the beach on a regular basis. In fact he stepped over the line, spooked himself and managed to get loose but immediately ran back into the water as though it were a safe place to be.

Before long we were saddled up and headed down the beach with my friends Julia and Yvonne with Cool in the lead much of the time.

The only thing that bothered him during the whole ride was seeing people off in the distance, but by the time we headed back he was handling it much better.

All in all it was a great ride and I will definitely take him back again before the competition as he and I both enjoyed it probably the most of any of our rides.

Cool did get a little bit more exposure at the beach, but I will save that for my next post.

Kidd Cool(Goes to the vet) July 30th

Today Cool went to the vet clinic to have his teeth floated. Dr. Underbrink and his trusty assistant Kim were both impressed with his calm demeanor and how good he was during the procedure, they both gave him an A+!

I cannot express how important it is to have these mustangs(and all other horses) dental work done to give them the best advantage during their training. Poor Cool had a cap that was half on and digging into the side of his mouth and another tooth on the other side that needed removing.

I was noticing some resistance to the right side where the bad tooth was located so he should do much better in his training now that he has had his dental work.

Thank you to both Dr. Underbrink and Kim for their patience and understanding in working with now three of my competition mustangs and for sponsoring me during this EMM competiton.(Thanks also to Richard Olsen for offering to ride along and observe, assist, and photograph during our vet visit)

My personal horse(and love of my life,sorry Robert) Sky also went with us to visit Dr. Underbrink as he has had five minor colic episodes in the last five weeks! We are quite certain that the problem is mesquite beans. It seems that during a drought mesquite trees start producing more beans as they are in survival mode and as luck would have it Sky has decided he is absolutely obsessed with mesquite beans even leaving hay and feed to go on bean patrol.

Although my horses won't be happy(at least they'll be healthy)I'll be confining them to a smaller paddock until the beans are done producing. Cool's paddock has minimal beanage so he should have no problems as we continue our training.

Apologies for promising beach pictures this week and not producing them but extremely high winds all week and tar on the beach have postponed our beach ride until this coming Tuesday.
Look for pics soon.

Kidd Cool - July 21st

This was Cool’s first road trip. We went to visit my friend and fellow trainer Jack Lieser in Chappell Hill, Tx.

We visited the beautiful Watt’s Way arena and got some really good exposure not only in a covered arena but with cows, weed eaters and golf carts.

Cool did great during the whole trip and came home unbelievably confident. I personally have never seen a bigger change in any horse just because of taking one trip down the road.

He is way more confident with everything in general, but people in general which has been his biggest hurdle. It seems as though he’s become a lap horse now and seeks out attention!

Stay tuned this next week as this will be Cool’s first ride on the beach and I can guarantee some incredible photos from photographer Richard Olsen.

Kidd Cool - July 18th

Cool’s back is healed and he’s under saddle again and doing great.

We continue to work on all of our fundamentals at all gaits and continue adding new obstacles like gate work, working the “L” and anything else we can think of.

Kidd Cool - July 14th

Today we went back to driving since my gelding Sky decided to bite Cool on the back right where the saddle sits. It will need a few days to heal so I decided to make the most of it by driving Cool while I can’t ride.

Cool caught on quickly and though we didn’t get it caught on film he ended up doing some pretty excellent sliding stops and roll backs!

Just goes to show what great work you can get done from the ground while you can’t be on their back.

Gifted River & Caruso July 13th

This picture has nothing to do with Kidd Cool. This is my 2008 EMM mustang River and his friend Caruso.

Caruso is a Gypsy Vanner stallion that I currently have in training and River has decided that he is his best buddy! We call them Ebony & Ivory.

Kidd Cool July 8th

Today was Cool’s first trim. What a good boy!

My wonderful farrier and EMM sponsor Johnny Brandon commented that he was the best of my mustangs that he has worked with and was surprised that he could use the hoof stand on the very first visit.(not only on the fronts but on the back feet as well) We’ll be nailing on shoes in no time and headed for hill country for a little bit of conditioning riding.

Thanks Johnny for the wonderful job you do with all of my horses, but particularly for your patience and understanding with these amazing mustangs!

Kidd Cool July 5, 2009

Cool and I continue to cruise along with our progress.

I’m really beginning to like this kid. He has a great mind and a willing attitude. What more can you ask for in a horse? He’s also finally decided he likes to eat. Woohoo!

Here are some more wonderful photo's my friend and sponsor Richard Olsen captured at the end of our ride around the ranch.

Kidd Cool July 4, 2009

July 4th 2009

Happy 4th of July to all of my friends, family and fellow mustang trainers!

Let’s all give thanks for what a wonderful country we live in and celebrate our independence and good fortune!

Kidd Cool Day 18 -21

Day 19 – 21

Lots more riding and everything is going great.

Cool moves freely into both the trot and canter without a hitch. The only incident that occurs is when I put my apprentice (Ryan) on his back so we can work on passing and being passed by another horse and Cool decides he’s Mike Tyson rearing and striking at my main horse Sky as we pass by.

After a little session on attitude adjustment, with help from Sky, Cool decides duking it out with another horse isn’t such a good idea! The next day he doesn’t even consider it an option.

I am very blessed to have an incredible horse like Sky to help me with these mustangs and other training horses. I couldn’t and wouldn’t want to do it without him. (At least it wouldn’t be near as much fun!)

Kidd Cool Day 18

Day 18
After saddling and a good amount of rodeo bucking, I decide to do the flank rope again with the saddle. Cool understands in pretty short order that when he doesn’t buck I’ll release and we’re ready to continue.

After a number of step ups from both sides Cool looks ready, so I go ahead and swing on, sit and settle for a moment and then very calmly walk off as though he goes riding every day. I passenger around for quite a while then dismount and let him soak on it and hand walk through the obstacle course with my husband (Robert).

After doing this three more times, we call it a night. Tomorrow we’ll ask for trot and canter.

I’m very pleased with his calm demeanor and responsiveness to move forward with little effort.
Now if we can just get him to eat! I have never been around a horse so disinterested in food, even alfalfa! I will continue to try to find the magical potion of feed that will peak his interest, my last two horses have gotten top body condition scores and I don’t want to break my streak!

Kidd Cool Days 14 - 17

More saddling (now that we can keep it on Mr. Skinny!). Trailer loading and obstacle course, he balks at next to nothing except for people.

Cool gets 2 days off as I have family visiting, something that’s very hard for me to do with a mustang at this stage, but I rarely get to see my brother Steve and his kids and we have a great time!

My niece Holly is horse crazy so we ride every day, we even took the horses to the beach. I can’t wait until Cool is ready to beach ride. I’m sure it won’t be long since we’re now making some decent progress.



NEWS FLASH!

I just found out that I have been chosen as a trainer (Invitational Only!) to compete in the Mustang Magic Competition!

Mustang Magic is an Extreme Mustang Makeover Event held at the Fort Worth Live Stock Show and Rodeo. There is only one way to be invited to this year’s Mustang Magic Competition and that is to have come in as Champion or Reserve Champion of an Extreme Mustang Makeover. I can’t put into words how honored I am to be competing against these other Top Notch Trainers… WOW!

*I also want to say congratulations to Ann Hutchison who purchased my Norco Challenge Champion mare Jesse Jane.


Ann wisely decided to send Jane to a phenomenal trainer in Norco by the name of Ray Ariss for additional training and I just found out that Ann had her first ride on Janie. Way to go Ann and Jane, I know you found the perfect horse for you!

Kidd Cool Days 8 - 13

Day 8
Once I have the line on it’s as though everything makes sense to this horse.

We worked on hip control, lunging, desensitizing, moving the front end, picking up feet, bitting and blanketing.

It’s like he sleeps on it and says OK, Got it!


Day 9-12

This guy remains very flighty, but has a lot of curiosity that I love to see in a horse. The only thing he seems spooky about is people and we can work on that.

We continue to work on ground work control, desensitizing of all types, and flank rope, but my current issue is not being able to find a cinch that is small enough for this horse! He needs about 300 lbs on him!

Finally I find a small enough cinch, we saddle up, off he goes and all is great until I ask him to canter.

He goes to bucking (no big deal!) and the saddle slowly moves all the way back to his butt, but by the grace of God does not roll! He comes to me for help and I am able to get the saddle off, now the task of finding a breast collar small enough!!!!


Day 13

A.M. Ground work and trailer loading, still trying to locate a small enough breast collar. No place in Corpus has such a beast!

P.M. Success! Now we can move forward!
Saddling goes great as well as all rope work I like to do . Hallelujah!

Kidd Cool Week One

Day 2-6

This is the flightiest and most athletic mustang I have worked with yet!

He has no inclination to be anywhere near me or even give me a little eye. I’m reluctant put any more pressure on him because every time I do, he thinks about jumping out of the round pen and this little dude is athletic enough to do it!

Day 7

I am able to get a long line on Cool and get started on some ground work.
Some resistance at first but it’s as though he leads like a domesticated horse in no time. He is very unsure but I am optimistic that this guy will come around quickly once I gain his confidence and his heart.

Kidd Cool The Begining

June 12th-Pick-up day

8:00 A.M. Well here we are at Paul’s Valley. It’s pick-up day and we are all so excited to meet the new guy!

8:30 A.M. I have my paperwork. Let’s see if I can find him, I know he’s a sorrel with no markings, so I start my search. The horses look great! Lots of beefy geldings with big hips. I am so excited to find mine!

I found him…….He’s the littlest in his pen, he needs about 300lbs on him and he’s the meekest of the bunch hiding behind everyone. This is not love at first sight!

9:00 A.M. After much grumbling from me to my husband Robert and friend Ann we get the trailer backed up for load up. This little booger gives the load riders a run for their money getting away from them at least 3-4 times before they can run him into the chute where he proceeds to almost climb out of the 8 ft chute!

Well I did want an athletic horse this time!

Hummmh! This should be fun, although I know it can mean nothing at all as my 2008 mustang River sat down in the chute and was quiet and he has been the most explosive horse I have ever worked with.

12:00 P.M. Stop for fuel. This guy can’t take any pressure or he’ll end up in the manger of this trailer! We observe him from afar and I do have to admit he has the prettiest head and the kindest eye of any of the mustangs I’ve worked with.

8:20 P.M. Finally back to Corpus Christi and ready to unload, we’ve done this several times now, so no big deal. Except, this guy has no inclination to stay to the back of the pen so we can ease the trailer out.

He spots me with my flag stick guarding a six inch opening and decides its plenty of room to come thru! I manage to keep him back and we finally get the round pen secure, but have to detach a panel and squeeze it into place to avoid any catastrophe.

This little horse then proceeds to run from one side to the other very much contemplating jumping out until I come in with him and for some reason he seems to settle with my presence. Still running and running, but no thoughts of jumping out.

11:30 P.M. We’ll call it a night!