One Week to Extreme Mustang Makeover, Tennessee!

This week is going to fly by!

For the past two weeks, Danny and I have been working on getting more neckreining, smooth canter departures and graceful collection overall. He is doing fantastic! Last weekend, we trailered over to a friend's farm and rode the trails with several other horses and riders. Before we went out, we did some exercises in the round pen just to practice in a new enviroment. He didn't miss a beat.

On one part of the trail, there was a straight even stretch where lots of riders like to have a little gallop. Danny and I were in the back and I was curious to see how patient he would be to wait for my signal to go, instead of surging on to keep up with the others. He wanted to go, but it would have been barely discernable to any onlookers. He stopped, softened to the bit and moved his hips in as I asked before making a beautiful canter departure. I asked him for a little more speed and he stretched out to a gallop as the other riders, who had reached the end of the straightaway, cheered us on!! We looped around them and made a great stop about twenty feet past them.

It's hard to believe that Danny and I have been working together for only three months. It seems like much longer. We've packed in so many hours of one-on-one time, we can sense each others' moods and inclinations. I know his favorite scratch spots after a sweaty workout. He knows how to read the difference between my asking him to look at me with only his eyes, or to turn around completely and face me.

Dear Danny is going to make his new owner very happy! On the auction day of the Extreme Mustang Makeover, someone very fortunate is going to take him home. He is a sweatheart, great thinker, easy going and charming guy. Through even the hard stuff that I've asked of him, he has always given a good try. He's been nothing but a blessing to me. And I feel confident he will be the same for his new owner.

See you all in Murfreesboro, TN, October 22 - 24, 2010. Look for Danny's stall, decorated in red and black curtains. We're looking forward to meeting you!