What do YOU want to see happen with Wild Horses & Burros?
Tell the Obama Team!
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Newly revised & expanded!
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For more information about the BLM's Wild Horse and Burro Program, please call (866) 4MUSTANGS or Click HERE
This website is owned and created by Nancy Kerson, a private citizen - I am not the givernment Information about BLM adoptions is offered as a service, to help mustangs find homes and to promote public appreciation of wild horses and burros. And I sure as heck am not a Mustang car dealership! I have NO horses or burros for sale and not interested in buying or listing your sale animals! |
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 Download, Print & Share this Petition for a U.S Postage Stamp to Save Mustangs |
Ride-em, Sparky!
 |  At Sparky's Jerry Tindell clinic in July, we saddled him and I got up on him once. But he is still pretty young, so I didn't do it again, until mid-October. He was so good! |
 | Then in November, we had a chance to go to another Jerry Tindell clinic up in Eldorado, and this time, I rode Sparky again. So far, this has been the progression: First "Ride": Step up onto one stirrup, stand over Sparky and pet him, get off and repeat a few times. Then get all the way on and just sit on him for a few seconds |
 | Second: Repeat First Ride stuff, then sit a little longer, then sit on him while someone leads him around like a child's pony. |
 |  Third: Start to actually control him - ask him to walk forward, flex, turn, stop.
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 | And then, of course, REWARD with pets and hugs and kisses! |
AGE TO START YOUNG HORSESThere seems to be a lot of controversy in the horse world about how much and how soon a horse can/should be ridden. Dr. Deb Bennett's studies indicate that even though a horse appears to be mature at two, its skeletal structure is not mature until 4 or 5. Weight bearing before that time can cause bone problems - especially back problems, since the vertebrae are the last bones to seal. Other people feel that this is too conservative and light riding can safely start as young as 18 months. Certain disciplines, such as Reining & Futurities, start young horses at around 18 months, and have them trained and working heavily by age two. Although many say that's not in the best interest of the horse, those who do it say it seldom causes problems. I honestly don't have a clue! I certainly don't want to hurt Sparky. On the other hand, he seems ready mentally, and I am eager. I also cannot imagine myself ever really riding him hard - at least, not for awhile yet, and not that often! | NEW SADDLE
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