Part Two - Training a Wild Mustang
by Sharla Wilson
I hauled chewy up to my friend, Susan’s house and we saddled him up in her dressage saddle, he opened up his shoulders and extended his trot. He has such exquisite movements and so much drive from behind. He willingly tries regardless of the surroundings. All of these exercises help to build the muscles for self carriage, lead changes, and fantastic transitions, which are my new goals for the next couple of weeks. Chewy and I are on a great path.
T
he first couple of rides with chewy were pretty unevent- ful. Because he leads so well, he easily learned to follow his nose and change directions.
Lateral control is the
best way to get control of their feet. I always start with true small circles where I can get them following their
nose around and moving all four feet forward and around the circle. Then I change direction and keep them moving forward and around. Chewy is very round and easily figured it out. Then I add an outside leg and get him to step over himself as it teaches him to spin. I al- ways ask for a little shoulder yield and then step them back around the circle. So I put an inside leg on and teach them to make the circle larger. It teaches them to listen to my legs and gets them to move away from pressure.
Chewy is one of the most level headed mustangs I’ve worked with
and he figured out the leg yields after about a week of daily practice. The lateral flexion leads to vertical flexion and chewy quickly learned softness in his head and neck.
After I get him solidly moving off my leg at the walk, I move up to the trot and then the lope. It’s so very important to ask forward first and then around.
I hauled chewy up to my friend, Susan’s house and we saddled him up in her dressage saddle, he opened up his shoulders and extended his trot. He has such exquisite movements and so much drive from behind. He willingly tries regardless of the surroundings. All of these exercises help to build the muscles for self carriage, lead changes, and fantastic transitions, which are my new goals for the next couple of weeks. Chewy and I are on a great path.
HORSE & AG MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2017 29
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