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Cyndie with her horse, Hawk, and competitive trail judge, Lucas Albert. Photo by Smooch Photography
to Fallon, Nevada, I arrived at the feedlot. I had no idea what horse was about to become mine. As part of the process of placing horses from this group of mares, I was not able to select which horse I wanted. I was the 12th person to pay and the horse driven onto my trailer that brisk morning was hip number 12. She was a stout gray mare who was terrified at the sound and motion of the plastic flag on a stick moving her closer and closer to the confinement of my 2-horse slant trailer.
Thankfully, this frightened little horse had survived the two-day journey back to Arizona. I backed my trailer into my round pen and she ran off my trailer to start her journey.
GETTING HALTERED
For two weeks, I spent time in the round pen with this frightened, potential killing machine. I sat in the middle on a mounting block reading and keeping one eye on her at all times. I am not a horse trainer but I have enough knowledge to know I was not going to be able to touch this horse without some help. I hired a local horse trainer familiar with the Clinton Anderson method of horse training to help me with her. Our first step, get a halter on her. We both tried without success to rope her. Neither of us are roping folk. I found a local young cowboy who roped her and got a halter on her with a small length of lead line.
After a few months of gaining her trust using approach and retreat, she was finally halter broke enough to move her to her stall. To move the story along, my trainer would come by weekly to provide me with suggestions on what to do next to advance her training. Finally, after about 6 months, she was ready to ride. My first leg over was uneventful because we had done so much groundwork.
without success to rope her. Neither of us are roping folk. I found a local young cowboy who roped her and got a halter on her with a small length of lead line.
After a few months of gaining her trust using approach and retreat, she was finally halter broke enough to move her to her stall. My trainer came by weekly to provide me with suggestions on what to do next to advance her training. Finally, after about 6 months, she was ready to ride. My first leg over was uneventful because we had done so much groundwork.
TRAINING CONTINUES
As her training continued, it was important for me to expose her to new things. We started going on more trail rides, more camping trips, or just going to the local arena to ride with other horses. She will pony her companion, Dave, the mini-donkey or other horses/mules on the trail. She will even carry a flag.
SAR III CERTIFIED
We joined the local County Sherriff’s Office Mounted Search and Rescue Posse. The Arizona terrain can be unforgiving to hikers, bikers, riders, etc. The Posse conducts monthly training rides where we ride in some challenging places and Mama never misses a foot
placement. I trust her with my life and she trusts me to keep her safe. We are SAR III certified and recently searched for a missing person in the local area. The Sherriff’s Posse knows my little mare can go anywhere, anytime, into any situation to help someone in need.
placement. I trust her with my life and she trusts me to keep her safe. We are SAR III certified and recently searched for a missing person in the local area. The Sherriff’s Posse knows my little mare can go anywhere, anytime, into any situation to help someone in need.
TOP TEN ETS NATIONAL
It was not long until I was brave enough to enter our first competition; a local Equine Trail Sports competitive trail ride event. We did not do very well but as my friends often hear me say, “I didn’t die.” I was determined, though, to do better. We kept working on obstacles and exposure to more things.
Fast forward to today, almost exactly three years since that scared little mare (who by the way was not pregnant) is now my trusted equine partner. In 2017 we placed 2nd in the Equine Trail Sports Southwest Regional Ranking Points Tournament, Intermediate Division. We also finished the 2017 year in the Top 10 Nationally in the Intermediate Division. Mama and I are also 1 point away from earning our Gold Carrot and Gold Star Rider lifetime awards. In 2018 we plan to move forward to the Advanced Division of ETS.
ETS has played a significant role in developing a positive relationship with my horse. The variety of obstacles, locations, and various terrain provide us with the opportunity to learn, build confidence, work on being precise and develop trust in each other.
Because of ETS my horse and I always have something new to work on. For example, currently I need to work on being calm and not rushing. Likewise, my horse is learning to be more soft and responsive to my aids.
Competing in ETS has improved my horsemanship overall.
Mama and I have also competed in local English and Western horse shows and we are also exploring the world of Cowboy Dressage. In March 2018 we will be riding at the Mane Event at Scottsdale Arizona’s Westworld in Cowboy Dressage clinics.
While I call her Mama or Mama Horse, her competitive name is Mama Rocks Me because that’s who she is and what she does. Mama rocks me…
26 mares had only 2 days before being shipped to slaughter. My husband and I packed up and headed out to rescue one mare from a doomed fate...
Photo by Jason Brekke