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Post by caryn on Feb 7, 2007 22:34:39 GMT -5
foxie Administrator BB Administrator member is offline Joined: Nov 2005 Gender: Female Posts: 10,086 GYPSY (Fay) - 14h - BLM Mustang Mare « Thread Started on Dec 8, 2005, 4:30pm » -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FAY- Is a Brown, freeze branded BLM mare. Who is supposedly broke. Around 14 hands. $550 Adopted by Caryn
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Post by caryn on Feb 7, 2007 22:36:57 GMT -5
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Post by caryn on Feb 7, 2007 22:39:26 GMT -5
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Post by caryn on Feb 7, 2007 22:40:48 GMT -5
One of my favorites from Last May:
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Post by caryn on Feb 7, 2007 22:42:35 GMT -5
Finally aboard August 2006
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Post by caryn on Feb 7, 2007 23:04:27 GMT -5
Well, here it is over a year since the little Gypster entered my life. She is tons of fun and I am learning a lot from her. We have spent A LOT of our time together, trying to get a proper trim done, LOL. I had to sedate her last year to get it done and it was still difficult for my wonderful farrier to accomplish. Luckily, she's got mustang feet and living in pasture has helped her keep them worn down. I am learning how to trim, which is something I had not really contemplated before Miss Gypsy. She is just too darn nervous about it and needs someone she trusts to do the job. Well, that pretty much leaves me as the only option. I am very excited and proud to say that she is now calmly allowing me to rasp all 4 feet using the hoof jack Unfortunately, her hooves are as hard as rocks and I cannot use nippers, so I just rasp, rasp, rasp, and then rasp again. I've been "trimming" her for about 2 weeks solid!!! Just a little at a time from each foot to keep her balanced. She's cool with her front feet being propped forward on the post as well as picked up and set in the cradle. Unfortunately, she's still unsure about putting her hind feet forward onto the post, so rasping from the top down is problematic at best right now. It's darn difficult to shorten that toe from underneath!!! I am confident we will get there and my farrier says that what I've done looks good and is balanced, so she's comfortable. I know her toes really need to be shortened on the hind feet, but I have to go at her pace or all will be for naught. I'll try and get some newer pics this weekend. Gypsy's mane has grown so much in the last year!!! I cannot believe it when I look back at her feedlot pic.
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Post by jenm on Feb 8, 2007 1:40:27 GMT -5
Caryn,
Congratulations on your one year anniversary with Gypsy. You two look great together. Obviously a match made in heaven. The pictures are great, I'm looking forward to the next batch!
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Post by patrolhorse on Feb 8, 2007 2:46:43 GMT -5
Looks great- congratulations Caryn. I bet you are so proud!! She is such a beautiful girl.
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Post by Tockita on Feb 8, 2007 7:10:48 GMT -5
Congrats!! So is she titled yet? I was so excited when we got ours. I am hoping I don't have to do Symphonys feet myself! So far since moving here she has kept them in great condition all by herself. (So glad I opted to keep them loose in the yard)
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Post by caryn on Feb 8, 2007 15:57:07 GMT -5
I received the paperwork in the mail, so I need to get it to my vet for certification, send it back to BLM and then await my title Yup, I'm really excited about it. She will be officially mine very soon.
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Post by gratefulknits on Feb 8, 2007 16:38:56 GMT -5
Wow, I'm so impressed! She's gorgeous and the two of you look so very happy together! I'm Karma-tizing you for a job well done!
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Post by atticus on Feb 8, 2007 19:03:54 GMT -5
She is a beauty!!! You guys look great togther, but then again I knew that when I approved you to adopt her!! LOL heee heee heee!
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Post by piopico on Feb 8, 2007 20:12:47 GMT -5
Congratulations on the 'hoof' progress. SHe's looking great.
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Post by caryn on Feb 8, 2007 22:41:35 GMT -5
Thanks for all the words of encouragement everybody I do adore the little stinker, LOL. I had every intention of getting pictures today, but alas, Gypsy decided to roll around in mud overnight and will need a bit more grooming before the next photo shoot. As I mentioned earlier, we've been focusing on feet. We've also done a lot of ground work and not so much riding. I've started lessons with a fabulous instructor/trainer named Kay and she says that Gypsy doesn't "follow a feel" well enough to be safe to ride right now. Soooooo, more ground stuff. Kay believes in simulating everything from the ground before attempting it while riding and I totally agree with her. I need to be able to bend (lateral flexion) her to a stop in order to ride her and be safe. I thought that we had that totally under control from the ground, but apparently my lateral flexion from the ground leaves something to be desired, LOL. I thought we were doing so well and wasn't sure why it was so difficult to get lateral flexion when I'm sitting on her. Well, Kay says she isn't giving to the pressure, she's just turning and looking at me. Now that she pointed it out, I know she is right. DUH!!! Anyway, my second lesson was last Monday and it was an eventful one. Kay is clearing stuff out for a "natural" play area behind the ranch. It's in the beginning stages and we're using mostly natural resources. So far, we've used a big old tree, a ditch and a "mock" trailer. It's like a shed that is like a big box and is open on both ends, so you walk right through or send your horse in and out. Well, this "play" area is out with the cattle. I figured it would be interesting, but wasn't exactly prepared for what lay in store. Gypsy sees cattle all day long from her pasture, but there is a fence between them and that's the way she likes her cattle, BEHIND a fence We were on our way out to the back gate when we came upon about 15 head of cows and their babies just inside the ranch near the gate. Someone had left the gate open. Well, the owner of the ranch on an ATV, Kay and another guy waving around a poster that he had come to pin up tried herding the cattle back through. I was pretty busy with Gypsy, we had cattle running towards us, ATV spiriting around and poster waving guy to deal with....Good Lord, it was almost 30 minutes of rather frantic de-sensitization for me and Gyps. We got through it allright and proceeded toward the gate to continue our lesson. Gypsy puts her head down rather emphatically to eat some grass, no big deal, but when I asked her to lift her head, she stepped in my direction and her foot landed directly on top of mine! Okay, my fault, I was in the wrong place. OUCH!!!!! I pushed her off me and Kay is absolutely right, she needs more work on moving away from pressure. OK, so I continue to hobble out to the play area with Kay. Did I mention that Kay is like 65 years old and tiniest woman I know. I'm actually taller than she is. She is amazing!!! After all the commotion, I was happy and somewhat relieved to hand my little mustang over to a little old lady. How pathetic is that? I was tired and more was in store. Long story somewhat shorter, we spent about an hour and a half out with the cattle in the play area. It was awesome! We circled Gypsy around the tree, took her through the mock trailer and managed to get her to confidently traverse the ditch Kay did most of it. Picture a little old lady and me standing in a ditch with a somewhat nervous mustang about 3 feet above us!!! I was a little nervous too. Kay had me get out of the ditch and stand up on the opposite side while she worked with Gypsy. I was really proud of my lil girl. She wasn't nearly as upset as I would have expected her to be. She was a bit jumpy, but got confident pretty quickly. Kay let her go at her own pace. She'd suggest the Gypsy come down into the ditch and then take all the pressure off. Gypsy decided to jump the ditch the first time, but she wasn't out of control You could tell that she was thinking her way through it. We learned a lot and it was definitely worth the gimping around for a day afterwards
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Post by Tockita on Feb 15, 2007 1:42:56 GMT -5
She looks GREAT!!! Can't think who she reminds me of..
Happy Adoptaversary!! I am also glad to hear that you are enjoying your lessons!
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Post by eirualaerdna on Feb 24, 2007 0:49:02 GMT -5
Oh, Caryn, she's a beauty! =)
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Post by caryn on Mar 1, 2007 14:06:31 GMT -5
Well, I received a call yesterday morning from a BLM inspector. He wanted to come and see Gypsy to see if I'm eligible for title. I know that I take good (almost obsessive) care of her, but still, I had a hard time sleeping last night!!! All the worry was, happily, in vain. It's OFFICIAL, GYPSY IS MINE I should receive title within 30 days, YAAYYYYY! ** It wasn't bad at all and the inspector was actually kinda cute
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Post by cybercat on Mar 1, 2007 15:31:07 GMT -5
Woo-Hoo!!! Congratulations, Caryn and Gypsy!
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Post by caryn on Mar 18, 2007 12:15:21 GMT -5
Did ya ever have one of THOSE horse days? Well, I had one last Friday....vaccination day! Dream's bite wound (can read about it in her thread) looked horrible and I was pretty worried. Everything seemed to go wrong after I discovered it. I put Dream in her stall to await the vet. Pulled Ally from the pasture and gave her grain to await the vet. Pulled Gypsy from the pasture and planned on holding her until the vet came. I went to wait by Ally and saw her running frantically around. She was upset that I left her there and nervous for some reason. I think she was in heat and we have a stud colt nearby (soon to be gelded) that was losing his mind in his paddock. Okay, must move Ally. Gypsy has decided that the grass is sweet right now and is NOT minding her manners....I was letting her graze, but she was still trying to drag me from grass patch to grass patch....Okay. Put Gypsy in another area, give her grass hay pellets, get Ally, move her next to Gypsy. Allrighty, ready for the vet...vet is late...we wait. Ally and Gypsy are done with food and not happy in their little areas. They don't like to be left alone (pasture horses in a strange place)....so I sit on a rail in between each to keep them calm. Vet shows up, tell him about Dream, he's not worried. He'll look after shots are given to the other 3....Ally is a star, gets vaccines, no problem. Of course, Gypsy is now protesting as Ally and I have left her...(geez, we were only 40 feet away!!!). Go get Gypsy, she's sweatty and upset. I usually vaccinate her in the round pen. I know that she is nervous with new people and she's already upset. Vet, vet's assistant, myself, and another couple are standing near the vet's truck. Hmmm....lots of new people and one that's going to try and give her a shot, but I'm so worried about Dream that I'm not paying attention to Gypsy's needs...DUH!!! Sometimes, I'm an idiot. Anyway, Ally's in the round pen, so let's just give her the shots right here, like I said, sometimes, I'm an idiot. The vet attempted to clean her neck with a little square of gauze soaked in betadine and it was too much for the little girl. It happened really fast, she was out of there!!! I had the lead rope, tried recover, but should have just let her go quicker. She's strong and there's no holding back 1000 lb. animal when they get scared and try to leave!!! I ended up on the ground with road rash and a bruised rib. Okay, Gypsy had run back to the pasture. When she saw me, she came right over with this HELP MOM look on her face. I felt so bad. I should have been paying attention. I apologized, took her to the roundpen and the vaccinations were given without further incident. Gypsy seems no worse for the where. I played with her yesterday and she's a happy camper. Just one of those days!
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Post by Tockita on Mar 18, 2007 17:14:37 GMT -5
Oh my!! Dr L ALWAYS gives Symphony an apple wafer before he does anything to her but luckily for me she doesn't mind shots at all. But didn't want him looking at her teeth! last time she saw him he pulled her wolfies so I can't relly blame her, she also didn't want to walk on the asphalt towards his truck so I had John move Chester closer.
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Post by caryn on Mar 18, 2007 18:27:33 GMT -5
LOL...a cookie would have been good, but I don't think it would have helped. Gypsy needs to be set up for success when dealing with anybody that does not handle her regularly. It was just too much for her. I should have been paying attention. I should have done it in the round pen without a bunch of people (predators) standing around watching!!! Oh well, live and learn. We had another good day today. She's a smart little dickens and a lot of fun to play with
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Post by Tockita on Mar 18, 2007 19:18:56 GMT -5
LOL you tried to say D i c k e n s didn't you? I was thinking richard what?
I think the clinics Symphony has attended have done more for her then anything I did on my own because for part of it I turn her over to the trainers and she has to learn to meet and to trust more people then just me. Having her be a confident, relaxed gal when out of her own element is what will be worth its weight in the years to come, and was worth waiting another year to ride her. I'm glad more people are realizing what neat horses stangs can be with the right kind of training. When I see "no mustangs" on an ad for a clinician I used to feel unwelcome, now I just assume that trainer doesn't know how to properly work with one.
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Post by caryn on Mar 19, 2007 1:33:31 GMT -5
Yup, I was trying to say "d i c k e n s" You're absolutely right about exposing the beasties to new places and people. It's invaluable. Unfortunately, I don't have much opportunity to take Gypsy places. I don't own a truck or trailer, so we're kind of limited. It has been great having Kay handle her in my lessons. Gypsy does really well with her, but that's not surprising. Kay is amazing. I swear the woman is 1/2 horse Gypsy did just fine with my vet when he was the only one she had to deal with. I gave him the lead rope (in the round pen) and stayed close, but wasn't holding her. I think she felt "ganged up on" with spectators and me holding the lead rope. She knew something was up and got worried. She was cool with the shots, it was the set up that sucked. Definitely my bad. Well, the road rash is healing and the ribs feel better, so all is well
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Post by Tockita on Mar 19, 2007 2:19:50 GMT -5
Guess we do need to come visit then. How have the rest of your lessons gone? It's funny because some while having a different style can do so much. Rob has a bit of a different outlook and it makes the clinics a bit diferent now. Seems like he doesn't like a horse to stress or sweat if at all possible. LOL we let him put Symphony in the trailer last time we were there. Sort of cruel I know, but he did OK over all. Angi got the Drs confirmation that she has separated ribs and is to take it easy yet again! As if the pneumonia wasn't bad enough now that its gone she is still gimpy! Hope they heal up Ok ribs are pesky things to hurt.
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Post by caryn on Mar 19, 2007 2:53:07 GMT -5
Angi has separated ribs? What happened? Oh my gosh, that sounds horrible. Please tell her that I am thinking of her. I'm pretty sure that she hates to take it easy My lessons have been pretty great I have another one tomorrow. Last Monday was a lot of fun. We're working on driving. Gypsy needed to learn "off". She learns quickly. I swear she's the smartest horse I've ever met. I'm working on driving her from zone 3 (where the saddle sits) around the ranch. I've only got one "rein" (lead rope), so "off" is very important as I need to be able to tell her to go away from me. I can drive her with one rein from behind, in the round pen, but we're not communicating well enough to venture out yet. I'm sure it won't be long, though, like I said, she's a smart cookie
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Post by Tockita on Mar 19, 2007 2:59:57 GMT -5
Would you believe she did it coughing from the pneumonia! She worked 11 hours on sat still catching up from being off sick and then couldn't even feed this morning! So now she is back to only what she can't put off. I told her she could borrow my cheap ass saddle to use instead of her rock filled one.. or she needed to learn to toss it up with her knee like I had to do when I was a short kid.
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Post by caryn on Mar 19, 2007 3:07:32 GMT -5
Wow, that really sucks and you're right, she doesn't "need" to be lifting that heavy ass saddle of hers!!! Good lord, that must hurt. Tell her not to be such a tough girl and TAKE IT EASY. Is your cheap saddle synthetic? It doesn't sound like she should be lifting anything at all, but if she's going to do it, it should be less than 30 pounds.
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Post by caryn on Mar 27, 2007 20:20:28 GMT -5
Well, my little girl continues to astound and amaze with her beauty We were working on circling last week and Kay said to let her circle in a close circle if she wanted to. All she had to do was keep moving forward. I didn't have a halter on her, so she could have left me if she wanted to. She didn't, she circled a safe, but short distance from me. When I asked her to speed up to a trot, she continued on a slightly larger circle, but arched her neck and kept nose pointed in at me when she went around. It's hard to describe because I don't know much about the finer points of collection (Kay said it was perfect ), but her movement was sooooo beautiful!!!! When she settled into it, she actually pranced. Not in a scared, spooky way, but in an athletic, natural way. Does that make sense? I really need to get a picture of it. The first time was during my lesson last week, but she's offered it up consistently since. Now, just need someone with a camera right next to me to take a picture....I'll have to work on it.
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Post by caryn on Mar 30, 2007 22:17:22 GMT -5
I took some pics of the little gypster today It's really hard to get good ones when you're manning the camera and trying to get a horse to pose!!! Goofy Girl... Still Goofy... Looking pretty... Yup, still porky... (BTW, that's 12 ounces of grass hay pellets so that I can mix in her flax and vit/min supplement and psyllium 7 days a month...no grain at all, yet still round )
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Post by caryn on Mar 31, 2007 22:25:52 GMT -5
Played with Gypsy again today and had a blast. I broke out the plastic bag and tied it to the end of my carrot stick. I figured we'd spend some time on de-sensitizing. LOL...we spent about 10 minutes with it. She's so cool. She was a bit nervous at first, but got over it really quickly. I was able to rub her all over with it (including face) in practically no time flat. I then used it to direct her on a circle, being careful to be friendly with it in between the directing. She was totally cool with that too Such a good girl!!!
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