Learning from Neosho

Neosho arrived to Australia in July.  He had a very difficult journey and it took him a little while to settle in.  Once I put my mares with him his demeanor changed dramatically and he was back to the soft, gentle horse I had heard so much about.  I have started working with him each day as I finally feel we are both ready (he has been ready for sometime however my personal journey of late has seen me reluctant to move forward with him or any of the horses for that matter). 

When I first met Neosho at the Cayuse Ranch in Wyoming where he had spent the first 7 years of his life, he was a high ranking stallion that had been unhandled and running in a herd of 18 other bachelor stallions for 6 years.  Personally I feel to raise a stallion in this way teaches them herd behavior and you end up with a horse that is soft, sensitive and very polite to work with IF you gentle them in the right way and have the patience to do so.  Obviously it takes a lot of work to get there but the results at the end are incredible.  My Australian brumby mare Sienna is extremely similar to working with Neosho.  She is an absolute joy to  handle but the road there was a long, slow one for us and she taught me more than any trainer ever could.  I took her training at a pace that she dictated and the result is that we are now inseparable and she lives a very content life here.  She has had the option on many occasions to return to the bush and her old way of living yet she always chooses a life here with us.  The work with Sienna was good preparation for me to understand Neosho.

Neosho has an intelligence about him that is just awe inspiring.  He commands respect just by being himself and is as gentle as a lamb if you treat him right.  I work with him in a very soft and sensitive way and he tells me gently if I have used to much energy or pressure in a situation.  Yesterday I really started to see what he gives in a training session.  I think of a training session differently in that I always see myself as the student and the horse as my teacher.  This brings an openness to the table for both me and the horse.  It ensures that I enter the yard with no ego about my abilities and opens me up to learning every time I am with them.  

Yesterday Neosho showed me a whole repertoire of moves and he was so enjoying the session that we continued for much longer than I had intended.  Sus from Freehorse Farm http://www.freehorsefarm.com/index.html spent 7 months preparing Neosho  for his journey to Australia.  The work she did with him was outstanding and I am really beginning to see the brilliance in the connection they created with each other.  Sus really focuses on willingness in a horse and takes things at the horses pace ensuring that he is happy to enter a training session and explore the horse/human relationship.  In fact Neosho actually seems to thrive on it.  It helps him release any tension he has stored and it also allows both of us to become closer and understand each other better. 

There is a depth to Neosho that is well beyond his years.  He is an old soul with a huge heart and wisdom unlike anything I have seen.  He is teaching me to build my confidence and also have fun in the process.  He teaches me to lead in a consistent and soft manner and to retain my focus.  When he has taught me a new skill we both change quite instantly.  He will soften dramatically and his acceptance is clear.

I hope to be able to get some video of one of our sessions to share on here soon.  My gratitude for having this magnificent stallion in my life is beyond words really.  

Update at Takoda Stud

Well it is over a year now since I have updated this blog.  I guess updating on Facebook became an easy and somewhat lazy way of keeping the news on the horses out there.  It certainly isn't the same as the thought process that goes into writing a blog so I hope to be committed enough to write here once a month. 

So much has happened in the last twelve months.  Neosho arrived to Takoda stud in July 2011.  He has quickly won my heart and I am still in awe of him every day.  He is a phenomenal stallion with a deep and knowing energy.  He is teaching me more about horses and myself each time I work with him.  He lives with my brumby mare and our Spanish Mustang mare Indian Scout.  Both mares are expecting foals in July.  They are all very content living in a family band and I am extremely excited to see these little ones when they finally arrive.  

 Neosho (Azor x Lonesome Prairie)

We also welcomed another new addition to Takoda stud in February 2012.  Cazador Del Trueno, a red dun overo colt with rare bloodlines, impeccable conformation, a huge heart and a playful nature is now very proudly standing at stud in Australia.  This colt is exceptional in every way.  He has lovely, free uphill movement, endless energy and a war horse spirit.  His heart and will are huge and I look forward to when he reaches an age for riding.  He is a joy to train and enjoys the interaction and stimulation of learning new things.  

 Cazador Del Trueno (Apache Thunder Horse x Crystalina)

Grey Feather has been bred to the beautiful Sulphur stallion  Mestenes Peublo.  This pairing is a dream come true for me and the resulting offspring will stay as foundation stock for Takoda stud.  Grey Feather will be coming to Australia later in 2012.  I eagerly await this beautiful mares arrival.

Scout is doing wonderfully and is a joy to be around as always.  We had a lot of wonderful times riding together however now she is in foal she is living the easy life again.  Both her and Sienna are inseparable these days and both mares seem so content and they seem to approve highly of Neo.

Sienna (left) Australian Brumby mare and Indian Scout (Steel Dust x Sha-ko-ka)

Beautiful Lacey (Scouts Honour) is growing fast and maturing into such a beautiful mare.  She is a real joy to work with these days and sees nothing as  a drama.  She will be put in foal to Cazador towards the end of the year.  She is currently living out West until she is old enough to breed to save her tormenting the boys to much!  

Well that is a very brief update on the past, busy 12 months.  I will endeavor to visit here much more often from now on!

Neosho - Australia's First Purebred Spanish Mustang Stallion

Scouts 1st time at a surf beach - Noosa Nth Shore

Firstly, I must apologise for my extended absence.  I have been spending the last couple of months having wonderful times with the horses.  Scout is doing so well under saddle and we have been making regular trips to the beach, camping in the mountains and now I am starting endurance training with her.  She is ridden in a halter and is a dream to ride bareback.  She really never ceases to amaze me with her laid back demeanour and I am surprised at the fact that the more I ride her to more affectionate she is with me.  She is incredibly sure footed and I am amazed at how she can avoid any hole or obstacle that I haven't noticed.  She is agile and so much fun to be around.  It seems she passes these traits on to her foals and with Neosho's gentle, sweet and wise nature they should have some very special foals together.  

Neosho in training at Freehorse Farm

Neosho is finally getting ready to head for quarantine.  He will be going into quarantine in April and flying to Australia early May.  His training went exceptionally well and I am very eagerly awaiting his arrival so I can start getting to know him.  He has gone from running with 17 other stallions for the past 7 years at the Cayuse Ranch with little human interaction to 6 days a week gentle training with Sus at Freehorse Farm for the past 6 months.  Sus describes him as a very wise, gentle and noble soul.  That was the impression I got when I met him briefly at the Cayuse back in June.  He has a softness about him that is plain to see but he also has a depth and spirit to him that makes him a joy to behold.  I am in the process of setting up a paddock for him around a house I am moving into next week.  He will be right at the house which will hopefully enable me to spend time with him regularly and keep a close eye on him while he is settling in to the shock of all the changes of coming to a new country brings for him.

Sadly, Grey Feather won't be joining us here in Australia until 2012.  She will foal at the Little Cayuse Ranch in New Mexico in July and we are all excited to see this little one.  I hope to have her on her way by early to mid next year all going to plan!

Neosho at the Cayuse Ranch before beginning his long journey

All About Scout

It is just short of 2 years now since Scout joined me here in Australia.  I took a big risk with her buying her sight unseen and investing so much in her without even knowing if we would connect.  It has been a huge learning curve for me over this time, finding my way with her, learning how to communicate with her and all the differences that the Spanish Mustang breed hold. 

I have had many times of despair however they are hard to even remember now that we have connected on such a deep level.  Scout has taught me more than I could ever have imagined and she has done it in her characteristic patient and grounded way.  

I recently sent her to a trainer to have her started to saddle.  I had done some work with her prior and had ridden her a number of times but lacked a confidence in my ability so decided someone else would be better to teach Scout what I felt I couldn't.  Two weeks after her arrival at the trainer I received a phone call telling me to come and pick her up as the rain hadn't stopped and they had been unable to work the horses.  After two weeks at the trainers standing in a stable and small yard with no training, Scout was less than impressed with me.  When I picked her up she showed me that by sniffing my hand then taking off in the other direction and glaring at me while letting out a loud snort.  She forgave me very quickly which is her way and with the help of my kind friends support telling me Scout was waiting for me to just trust myself and her ,I finally stepped up to the plate and the magic started.  

Nothing could have prepared me for the connection and experiences I am having with Scout now.  I am commitment phobic on all levels in my life and this does include my animals.  The very special and patient ones plug away at me and breakthrough but that is rare and has only ever been achieved by my horse Sienna and my dog Storm.  Scout seems to have been the next one to have broken through.  What a gift it is to spend time with her now that we trust each other.  

Today I took her on her first trail ride.  I have walked  with her often through the bush but never ridden her.  She was amazing.  She has probably only had about 15 rides and only about 4 of them with the saddle.  She has never been at all worried by me being on her back, in fact she acts like we have been together for a long time and this is nothing new.  I have not taught her much about travelling in a straight line yet and when we were first on the trail she was looking around and weaving here and there to start.  I opened my hands and used my legs to ask her to travel in the channel I had created.  I focused forward and immediately she cottoned on to what I was asking and strode out without faltering.  She crossed muddy puddles, creeks and fallen trees.  She climbed effortlessly up the steep rocky hills and came down the other side without missing a beat.  The terrain was varied underfoot.  There were sandy sections, clay sections, mud followed by sharp shale.  Some areas of the trail are fairly rocky and Scout handled this all completely barefoot without a worry in the world.  

I had become so scared to ride after reading so much from Nevzerov and others about it being something that is detrimental to horses.  I agree that some horses don't like being ridden. Sienna is one of them and I respect that choice and don't ride her instead offering her a safe and loving home for her life with me.  Scout on the other hand seems to revel in the connection and excitement that riding brings for both of us.  Never have I felt this sort of joy when riding.  Never have I felt a horse so accepting and willing to take a journey with me on their back.  The connection feels complete when I am riding Scout and today I got that she feels that also.  Early on when I was getting disheartened by not feeling like I was making progress with Scout, Leslie, Scouts previous owner told me that often the connection comes when you start riding these horses.  I struggled with that thought and I have been reluctant to really take that step back into the world of riding horses for fear of hurting the animals that I hold so dear to me.  I finally took the plunge and over the past week, the change in Scout has been incredible and very visible, not only to me but to my friends who have witnessed the change as well.  Scout and I communicate with each other as if we are one now and even when we have different ideas about which way to go we always meet in the middle with no conflict or worry.  

For years I have researched this breed and been attracted to the stories of these sorts of deep connections that other Spanish Mustang owners have with their horses.  Today was the day that I could really feel the depth of all the time Scout and I have spent getting to know each other since she got here.  There is no way to put it into words really.  I am in awe of this horse and her trust and love for me.  Scout has never been an affectionate mare, instead choosing to see that I am around then happy to move away back to the herd.  She has never been to thrilled with being petted and fussed over.  She is a proud, strong horse and I respect that about her.  The last couple of weeks a change has happened in both of us.  It seems we are both now ready to open our hearts to each other and she now seems to crave my touch and attention.  If she glimpses me walking out into the yard, she throws her head up and calls out to me.  She watches my every move now and takes a genuine interest in having me with her.  She even accepts touch now with delight instead of annoyance.  

Recent trip to the beach

I realised today that for only the third time in my life, I have allowed another being into my heart and soul and welcomed her to stay with me for life.  In doing so, she has returned the sentiment in her new found openness and warmth.  

What a gift it is to be owned by a Spanish Mustang! 

2011

What a wonderful start to this new year.  I have Scout and Sienna at my friends place as the paddock became to waterlogged with the endless rain we are having.  Scout and I are exploring a new side to one another.  She is testing my commitment and is showing me that she really wants to work and discover new things.  I had an hour long ride at the beach with her over the weekend.  It was the first time I have allowed myself to trust her and finally move forward in our training.  I realised that I had lost a lot of confidence over the past few years, always doubting if I am doing the right thing by the horse and this in turn has made it difficult for them.  I made some big changes this weekend and Scout seemed to sense that.

I am really in awe of her and what power she has.  We walked in the shallow ocean, Scout insisting on going one way and me finally stepping up and giving her direction.  She has a large and powerful stride fitting for the noble horse that she is.  She was not content to walk with my dear friends and their horses instead powering forward with a determination I have never felt in a horse before.  She is an incredible mare that I feel I am only just starting to get to know.  What an honour it is to be able to share this time with such a strong, confident and powerful  being.

Neosho is doing very well in his training and is now being walked in the open paddock with longlines.  His confidence in people has grown and he is starting to show his curious and playful side Sus tells me.  He carries that same strength that I feel in Scout and I think the two of them will have a whole lot more to teach me and others about the majesty of this breed.

Grey Feather is craving human contact now which is wonderful to hear.  She will have a sonogram at the end of January to determine if she is in foal.  She is in very good hands with Donna and sounds content at the ranch.

Little Lacey is maturing so fast mentally moreso than physically right now.  Negotiations are underway for a possible new home for her.  Should it all go ahead, then I will be very sad to see her go however I could not ask for a better home for her.  I believe strongly that horses will choose their person if given the opportunity and Lacey clearly did this recently.  

I wish everyone all the very best for the year 2011.  It promises to be a very exciting one for me and the wonderful horses in my life.

Below is current video of Neosho in training with Sus at Freehorse Farm.

Trust in all things....

It seems that Scout is not meant to be trained by anyone else and I am now willing to step up and walk the path with her.  I received a phone call from Wayne saying that he wasn't able to work with her due to the rain so after two weeks, I went and picked her up and bought her home again.  It was a costly lesson for both of us but a valuable one at that.  I have decided again to trust in my horses and allow our path to unfold  without trying to force anything.  I am slowly learning to just let go and trust.  

Scout was a little cranky with me when I went to pick her up and she stayed that way for a day or so.  I have made amends now though and she is allowing me back in again.  Lacey is also back home again and she loved her time away.  Her confidence has grown even more so (who would have thought it possible!!) and the mares are now setting some harder ground rules and firmer boundaries with her.  She is learning that she isn't a foal anymore and new rules apply.  

I was honoured to be part of one of the most incredible displays my horses have ever put on when I finally reunited them all.  I let them all go and Sienna immediately spun her hindquarters at Scout pushing her up the hill and then I could feel this intense energy in the air as their excitement reach a crescendo and they all simultaneously lifted tails and took off at a gallop around the slippery, wet paddock.  

I must have held my breath as I watched them move so fast on the clay ground.  None of them even faltered and I longed to run with them however I was having a hard time just walking around let alone running as the ground was so water logged.  One by one they pranced around me then leaped into the air squealing as they did so.  Then they were off again for another few laps and each time they would pass me they would treat me to an acrobatic maneuver which made me laugh out loud to see the pure joy they were all expressing so clearly.  I looked at Sienna and smiled and she pranced over to me almost in Piaffe, spun around so her head was at my shoulder and stood proud and tall snorting so loud the echo could be heard in the distance.  I put my hand on her neck and said 'I know - you got your girls back.  It is a happy time'.  She put her head on my shoulder as I gave her a rub and then she rounded up the girls and took them on another final lap of the paddock.  

What a gift it is to see them like that.  They really have an intrinsic need to be in their little herd and it breaks my heart every time I have to separate them.  I long for the day that I can buy a property for us and I can give them the stability that is so very important for their well-being.  

I have been travelling a lot of late in pursuit of work and on these trips I am enjoying listening to my 'Path of the Horse' teleseminar series again.  It awakens in me my true desire for the life I hope to build for my horses.  I hope to remain open enough to hear them and be able to meet their needs to the best of my ability.  They are my family and my teachers and I couldn't be more grateful for the joy and direction they give me each day just by being in their presence.

Sienna

Without Spanish Mustangs!

Scout just before leaving for training

Life is feeling a little strange and empty right now without my Spanish Mustang girls in it!  Scout is now in 8 weeks training with Wayne Williams.  He was the Australian National Reining Champion in 2009 and he has trained a couple of horses for me in the past.  He has a lovely, quiet way about him and the horses do really well with him.  Scout needed some consistency in her training and I thought that she would really like the way that Wayne trains.  Scout has a no nonense attitude with training and is very business like about it all.  She likes clear direction and with my life the way it is at the moment I cannot give her that consistency that she is craving right now.  She is really wanting to work right now which I must say surprised me.  She changed dramatically after Lacey was weaned and now felt like the right time.  I will start endurance training with her once she gets home.  She is really going to love that as she is always eager to see what is around the next corner when we go walking.  She is a very strong, brave horse with a huge heart and I am so excited to start this next chapter of our time together. 

Little Lacey as curious and mischievous as ever!

Lacey is with my friends getting exposure to new situations without the cradling of the mares.  She to seems to be loving the change. These horses really do love adventure and new situations.  Lacey has 3 geldings to talk to over the fence and they all try to harshly put her in her place.  She has been allowed to get away with a lot with the mares so this is a bit different for her.  She holds her own though and is bonding up with the big quarter horse gelding in particular.  She gets regular walks through the scrub, along busy roads and into the ocean none of which seem to worry her instead brightening the spark in her eye and fulfilling her need for stimulation.  

I am very reluctantly offering her for sale from October 2011.  It is a tough decision for me as she has been a constant companion since her birth.  I sense from her that she would like to have her own person - someone who will give her a lot of time and adventure.  With me having numerous horses I don't get to spend the time I would like to spend with her.  She is a very bold filly that will have a huge future and I don't want to hold her back from that.  Enquiries are welcome at this time and details can be found on our website http://www.spanish-mustang.com

Neosho is doing so well under the gentle guidance of Sus.  He is a sweet and kind soul and that is very apparent when I watch the videos of his training.  Sus is a very rare type of trainer and I am incredibly grateful to have found her.  It seems that Neosho is winning the hearts of all that meet him with his big heart and open nature.

Grey Feather is fat and happy in New Mexico.  Donna says she is really mellow and coming in each day for her pats and hay.  It sounds like she could definitely be in foal but I will get her tested in another month or so to be sure.  

Beautiful Kiowa

Sienna and Kiowa seem a little lost without their friends but it is nice to be able to spend all this time with them right now.  I took Kiowa riding with my friends in the bush last week and she loved every minute of it.  Kiowa is a true no fuss horse that is happy to do anything asked of her.  I adore her and feel so lucky to have her with me.  I like to walk some of the trails when I am out and I tie the reins around her neck and she happily follows behind me.  If she lags back I can just whistle to her and she will trot up and rejoin me.  She is a one in a million horse and I am having such a great time with her. 

I will be taking Sienna and Kiowa for a week out bush with friends after Christmas.  I think they will enjoy the change of scenery and they always seem happy to have me sleeping near them when we camp.

Well that is all the news right now.  Today brings a long car ride out West to look at possible rental properties. Fingers crossed we find the perfect place for us all!