Whew. What a night. Weston and I got an invite to ride all over the Valentine's Rodeo at Albany Expo tonite. Thank you Howell Rodeo-you guys are the best. We saddled up and wandered the expo center-Weston wondering what I was up to. We entered the ring for warm ups with the gutsy barrel girls. I can't believe I use to go that fast. He was excited, but not bad until everyone started running away from him. He thought we should go to, then we passed the pen of sheep. Whew-I say again. He took off bolted a third of the arena, then got it  back together. We did that twice, I thought it was the loud speakers which were booming, but I HAD NOT YET SEEN THE SHEEP OF DEATH.

The he ralaxed. We walked, trotted and cantered around with the "can chasers." He worked great-my favorite moment was when the horses were all scared of the bucking bull ride-Weston went up and stood in the corner by it to help the other horses relax about it. I had to laugh.

Once the rodeo started I rode around out side in the dark a bit. Then I waited to see Weston not react at all to the crowd noise, and got ready to go home. He is so cute the way he nickers glad to see me when ever I return, just like my other horses do when they see another horse. I am so honored to be a part of his herd. It is a gift I don't take lightly. I know my job is to keep him safe and learning.

I did have the honor of meeting two wonderful Mustang owners this morning who cam e to the open house, but at our barn in stead of Lynn's. Their dedication to the breed is amazing. It was such a pleasur eto talk with them, and we gave them a mini demo of Weston the Wonder horse. They know many other contestants too. They are also the people responcible for bringing Extreme Mustang Makeover to Oregon. Thank you!

Jasmine

Posted by sealrockstables at 2:12 AM EST

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Over all consenses he is better behaved than most domestic horses. It is hard for a horse to go somewhere completly new and go to work. He was very good. Canter was not perfect, is had a lot of energy. Did great cross overs, two tracking, loved her bridge. It was great. They had chairs at one end, and were right there in the arena. Weston loved the end getting to maul people for loves.  Everyone was moved by his progress, and his mind, and movement. Mostly they love his personality. Juli was ready to take him home.

I turned him loose at first and he really liked the free time, he was not sure I should catch him and put him to work. He gave in, and he was such a good boy. We taught people how to teach the bow, and then had Weston Lay down too. It was great to see great friends. I can't belive the eye opening Weston does for the mustang breed. He opened mine so wide it hurts! We answered a ton of questions. Got a few more people excited about expo-and those sweat shirts look incredible!

On the spoiled side Weston was not sure about loading into the trailer in the dark. He stood outside the trailer nickering at me, so he trained me. I went up and turned on the lights, then he hopped right in. Spoiled or smart-I call him smart.

Go team Weston!

Posted by sealrockstables at 1:36 AM EST

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Weston had his first dental visit today. Dr. Sarah Metcalf DVM, DS has her full dentistry Trailer parked at our place for a week, and Weston had his turn today. He was the best patient, walked right in the stocks inside the trailer, he looked around, but had a nice clam heart rate so he even started with a tiny dose. He weighed in at 975, and a perfect in weight and condition from Sarah. :)Sarah also agrees BRINDLE- IS REALLY THE ONLY COLOR THAT EXPLAINS HIS COAT COLOR! He had grulla and black hairs mixed even all over his body!

However he is not three and a half yet say his teeth. He has his 2 1/2 yr incisors, but no 3 1/2 yet. No wonder he is three inches butt high. I cannot believe how balnced he is for this age either. Oh-and he also had the biggest wolf teeth I have ever seen. Huge and almost an inch in frount of the mollars. Woppers. Those were also pulled today. He had normal sharp points, some ulcerating soars, and new molars growing in. Most horses have some sores until the points are taken down...

SO I am very excited about our open house tommarow-Lynn Honney's river bottem stables 6 pm.....any barn folk want a ride over let me know...I should have team weston tees up by then.... I will post the demo of them for you to get an idea. Weston was great for the dentist. He may be a little sore for our open house.

Posted by sealrockstables at 10:26 PM EST

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What a power house or have I already said that. Whew. He knows so much and still has so much to learn. I love him just the way he is. Did I intend to find a great partner, no. Have I , yes. We had another great work out-still keeping them short. Then we tooled around-trail plunking. He is so alert and careful but safe and easy to ride.

I like his scared but totally inquizitive attitude. Well all you blog fans-come meet Weston and hear our story, and what you may have missed at our 1st open house this Friday. 6pm hosted by Lynn Honey at River Bottem Stables right behind Tack Box in Corvallis. We will have Team Weston sweatshirt for sale too. I am so excited for this weekend!

Posted by sealrockstables at 10:36 PM EST

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We went up to work in the arena and I am still limiting my workouts for Weston's sake, at least until he finishes his antibiotics. He was dead on with everything I had asked. 30 minutes in, he was working bridless, and did 4 perfect lead changes in the frount (not rear yet), so we stopped. He is very athletic and very sporty. I am so glad he is off his forhand and balanced on his hind. He has so much speed and power. We headed out for a great leisurly trail ride with Miss Vikki and her rock steady stead-Patriot. We wandered our 80 acre pasture in the break betwwen hail, snow and rain today. It was great to head out and change pace for a mellow ride. I love it when a horse can change gears and put it away. Use the power and speed when ness, and have the head oh him to be quiet when asked.

I had developed a fear of MUD-muddy slippery down hills. This fall I took hank up a slippery hil, he rolled down it, over three times landing with me pinned under him. By the grace of god-and kindness/trust of Hank I am still alive. I was dismounting for every muddy up or dow hill.

I can tell you I held my breath on a few muddy spots, but Weston (and Pate) took things very easy and slow one great step in frount of another. Weston has great balance and is very careful for a baby. He is also very strong which helps too. He made it easy. I am so proud.

Then we headed out frount and let them graze by the road! It was amazing.  Stitting watching trucks fly by. Then we rode over and checked the mail. It was not there yet. We had a few gaits to open and close. I felt like I was rushing him, and once I was hurrying him he was not quite sure what I was looking for. They are kind of obscure gaits and he did them just fine.

We shall see if I get time to work him tommarow-I have palns in my head I would like to see happen. Friday we have our open house, and our beautiful sweat shirts will be in......Yippy. By a sweat shirt all proffits go to Mustang Herritage Foundation.....

Posted by sealrockstables at 10:21 PM EST

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The weather has been so nice we are all pretending it is summer here. Cool in the eves, but what beautiful days. I decided to take the family to the beach-of course this includes Weston. I have never seen his eyes so big, and him so tense, wow. We rode for a couple of hourse, but the first thirty it was hard for him to comprehend anything of where we were, and what was going on. What was most scarey-a burnt log. The dog that came to chase us was really fun to turn and chase.

He moves just like a dressage horse, what power. He tracked beautifully, and had even some nice relaxed lopes. He was easy to get into the water, but not sure about the rushing water, we went in there backwards. I tried another hard spot, and Weston turns tail like a normal horse would, but then start to back himself in. Weird horse, but a great horse. I cannot say I have been on a horse with his strength, and stamina. He did not even break a sweat. It was a great experience for us.

I am glad we are getting back to work. I am not sure the beach was my best idea after a day off, but he was great. He was really tense when a hellicopter passed over, but as he does when he is scared he stood stock still until it was gone.

I cannot wait to get over to see Kim this week I hope. Weston is starting the passage as she said he would, he gives a kick up with both hinds and then the frount. It is amazing to feel a horse love what you are asking. Kim says horses love passage if they are taught right and they get all excited-he does, he is not sure what it is, but he loves it.

We ran into some horse people on a horse less vaccation from Lebenon who were blown away. It was great talking to them. Weston is so handsome, and tall, very beautiful, he surprises people. His manners are also amazing, however I am seen a bit of the pushy treat monster, as he gets treats from every human that comes by. He does a great pitty the mustang face, what can I say.

I am so excited for Expo!

Here is a group trail ride shot-Weston on the left. Bree was so smart to use the timer and get us all in!

Jasmine&Weston.....

The sweat shirt designs are in and I will blog them in here soon for sweatshirt orders!!!! Team Weston!

Posted by sealrockstables at 11:27 PM EST

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I forgot I was going to give you our link to the Mustangs before pics..

http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/wild_horse_and_burro/northwest_extreme1.html

Posted by sealrockstables at 10:37 PM EST

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I have a funny story about a wild horse, who let's himself out at night of his stall, and runs back to his stall when he hears us coming. He let's himself out, eats grass in our yard. Then the dog hears him and rats him out, we go out to see what is going on, and it's nothing. Nothing until I caught on to the drill and secured the stall tonite after an escape, however it is with a heavey heart I had to do so. I hate to take it away form him. Oh well, soon enough this too will be over.

He was great today ready to work, super willing, low and belhold as soon as we picked up a trot-COUGH! So I returned to walk work and kept it very simple-we need to spend time on this too. Easy one step at a time, (the boring stuff). We worked on backing though poles, and bridges, and his bow. I am not sure we will use our bow, or how. I am also not sure we will use our mounting trick either. When I get up high he comes over and gets under me on the rail-he does it every time, but he decides how long it will take to get there and what route he will take.

I have a song for our finals-I am so happy. I started this quest before I met Weston and finnaly I have a song! SO all you Extreme Mustang Makeover Oregon folks-I claimed it first and it's my song-go find your own! I just think every horse person should hear this song-it is deffinatly written by a man who loved a horse woman. It is "between a girl and a horse", by Carbon Leaf. I first heard it on itunes. If you have the equiptment I recomend the 99 cent download. I am so thrilled to have something set in stone. I just have to make it to finals so you can see our big plans!

Well Coughing Wess will have to see the vet again-I wonder if it is an allergy????? AHHHH.

It's a good thing I love the boy.

Posted by sealrockstables at 10:34 PM EST

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What a motor, the dressage movement balanced him-really got him off his frount end. I do have to find a way to slow down in work outs. The poor boy tries so hard, and I am putting on the pressure and teaching so much. I can't believe an animal with no proir training could have such a desire to please, and try. He gets confussed, but never angry. To error is human, and to truely forgive is equine. I heard that once, and now I get it.

We are now getting flyings with consistancy in the frount.

Check out the BLM site for Oregon-you can see great before pics of all the horses, along with trainers name.....

Mark your calendars Feb 13th Weston and Jasmine will give a talk about our journey so far, and the program. Show you were we are at in our training and where we are heading. It will be at Lynn Honey's-River bottom Stables in Corvallis behind the (Tack Box). 6:00 pm. I will have team Weston shirt for sale there-a must have for Expo. I am selling the shirts to fundraise to purchase Weston if I can dredge up what I am worried this horse will go for.

We will have an open house at our place soon too, but with more inside info too.....Wanna know what your missing on the blog?

Posted by sealrockstables at 1:21 AM EST

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