Subject: Re: MtMan-List: On horse "wild" horse training.
Brother,
My wife got a bright idea about 20 years ago to pickup one of these animals (wild mustang), we already had 8 good horses at the time. Anyway we go get him with the stock trailer ("open slots in side so our new boy can see out and this will make loading a little easier"), brother is that the dumbest statement my wife ever made. This was an animal about 14 1/2 hands in height, maybe 750 lbs. and "dune" colored, like the horse in the "Range Rider" series. Anyway the vet says after his exam he pretty old according to his teeth and will need to be cut - that's fine. We go to load the little bastard (no other word to describe him than that), the fight goes on for 3/4 of an hour with the usual methods, finally 3 of us just pick the little guy up and throw his butt in the trailer, funny when everyone is mad how strong you get. Now we should have seen what the game plan was going to be !!!
We get him home and call the college at CSU to have a vet and the students come out for the grand cutting. Turns out after closer inspection, he's younger than first thought, his teeth are wore down from eating off poor range and the sand wore his teeth, like the Asian folks eating rice with fine sand - poor teeth.
After being broke which was a chore and some good schooling, "Nugget" turned out to be the hardest working of all the horses, couldn't wear him down, even took him to a friend for the winter months to be worked in the stock yards with some pretty rank steers, he just never quit. Plus being a character, had a real funny personality, could do little pranks that made you mad at the time but later made you laugh. Best damn horse we ever had (of the 30 plus in 15 years), even with some hard fights at first.
Have talked to several people that have gotten these little "wild mustangs", seems we all have like stories with them, and would take another one in a heart beat. Good luck and just take your time, he'll come around.
Buck Conner
_________________________
I am wondering if anyone on the list has had experience in training a wild horse; more specifically one of the BLM wild mustang breeds. I've got a bee in my bonnet and want to take the "bit", as it were, and "run with it." There can't be too many ways left to replicate the horse culture of the plains as it related to the mountain men and this is something I'm seriously
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------------------------------
Date: 28 Mar 1999 08:21:45 -0800
From: <buck.conner@uswestmail.net>
Subject: Re: MtMan-List: On horse "wild" horse training.
Brother,
My wife got a bright idea about 20 years ago to pickup one of these animals (wild mustang), we already had 8 good horses at the time. Anyway we go get him with the stock trailer ("open slots in side so our new boy can see out and this will make loading a little easier"), brother is that the dumbest statement my wife ever made. This was an animal about 14 1/2 hands in height, maybe 750 lbs. and "dune" colored, like the horse in the "Range Rider" series. Anyway the vet says after his exam he pretty old according to his teeth and will need to be cut - that's fine. We go to load the little bastard (no other word to describe him than that), the fight goes on for 3/4 of an hour with the usual methods, finally 3 of us just pick the little guy up and throw his butt in the trailer, funny when everyone is mad how strong you get. Now we should have seen what the game plan was going to be !!!
We get him home and call the college at CSU to have a vet and the students come out for the grand cutting. Turns out after closer inspection, he's younger than first thought, his teeth are wore down from eating off poor range and the sand wore his teeth, like the Asian folks eating rice with fine sand - poor teeth.
After being broke which was a chore and some good schooling, "Nugget" turned out to be the hardest working of all the horses, couldn't wear him down, even took him to a friend for the winter months to be worked in the stock yards with some pretty rank steers, he just never quit. Plus being a character, had a real funny personality, could do little pranks that made you mad at the time but later made you laugh. Best damn horse we ever had (of the 30 plus in 15 years), even with some hard fights at first.
Have talked to several people that have gotten these little "wild mustangs", seems we all have like stories with them, and would take another one in a heart beat. Good luck and just take your time, he'll come around.
Buck Conner
_________________________
I am wondering if anyone on the list has had experience in training a wild horse; more specifically one of the BLM wild mustang breeds. I've got a bee in my bonnet and want to take the "bit", as it were, and "run with it." There can't be too many ways left to replicate the horse culture of the plains as it related to the mountain men and this is something I'm seriously
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------------------------------
Date: 28 Mar 1999 09:09:01 -0800
From: <powderhawk@uswestmail.net>
Subject: Re: MtMan-List: Re:history channel--the mountain man (long)
Linda,
Think Buck and myself talked to you at this movie and again at La Veta, what Buck said brought back some good memories. Brian Keith, Big Step & Crazy Bear were at our camp in Hoback Junction just about every night, what a group, sad that Brian and John have gone to the other side now.
I missed the American Sportsman Shoot for the "John Wayne Memorial" at Jackson Hole, Buck was the Range Officer, Keith and Heston showed up for the egg shoot, Keith shot in the ground then eat his egg, Heston tried to lay down over a log. Buck turned around and headed over there with the TV camera's following, he told Heston to stand up and shoot like a man. Hear Heston didn't care for that remark, but stood up and shot and missed his egg. Then started to walk away, but Buck went and got the egg and took it to him, TV camera's got it all. Heston ate his egg, looked a little quezzy after.
Powderhawk
_____________________
On Sat, 27 March 1999, Linda Holley wrote:
>
> Thanks for the memories. You are right. All we saw were the credits before
> the screen went. I do miss the old days of Crazy Bear and the CAt soldiers.
> And the sweats.
>
> Linda
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------------------------------
Date: 28 Mar 1999 09:20:53 -0800
From: <powderhawk@uswestmail.net>
Subject: Re: MtMan-List: Trade Goods
Check out Clark & Sons Mercantile, Goose Bay Workshops is now starting to handle some stuff also, both are on Dean's AMM list for URL's.
Powderhawk
On Fri, 26 March 1999, "Austin, Tim" wrote:
>
> Loaf sugar: Good explanation has been given for this type sugar........
>
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------------------------------
Date: 28 Mar 1999 09:20:53 -0800
From: <powderhawk@uswestmail.net>
Subject: Re: MtMan-List: Trade Goods
Check out Clark & Sons Mercantile, Goose Bay Workshops is now starting to handle some stuff also, both are on Dean's AMM list for URL's.
Powderhawk
On Fri, 26 March 1999, "Austin, Tim" wrote:
>
> Loaf sugar: Good explanation has been given for this type sugar........
>
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------------------------------
Date: Sun, 28 Mar 1999 10:52:39 -0700
From: jbrandl@wyoming.com (Joe Brandl)
Subject: Re: MtMan-List: On horse "wild" horse training.
John,
The honor farm in Riverton Wyo breaks and trains wild horses. They had 85
of them and only 23 were broke to ride. I believe it is a waste of time
when so many good horses are around. They are not that close to the spanish
barbs. Many mtn men and buffalo hunters perfered the larger eastern bred
horse to the Indian ponies. I can find the source for this if you want.
Joe
Absaroka Western Designs and Tannery
Call us about our professional home tanning kit-307-455-2440
Write for custom tanning prices
We produce rawhide lampshades and carry a large selection of leather and
hair on robes
Fine lodgepole furniture, pillows, Indian reproductions, paintings, baskets
check out our new web site: http://www.onpages.com/absaroka
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 28 Mar 1999 13:41:34 -0500
From: "sean" <sean@peganet.com>
Subject: Re: MtMan-List: On horse "wild" horse training.
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My neighbor has such a horse, and he is GREAT!!! His names is Ash... He =
is Dunn color mostly, and the rest of him looks like he has been rolling =
in an ash pile... He had to be taught what apples were... loved carrots =
but would spit out apples. He plays with our 2 dogs who think he is =
nothing more than a big "dog"... They haven't figured out yet why he =
whinnies instead of barks, but hey... the world is full of mysteries.
The lady who has him tamed him the "Indian way"... For 3 days she left =
him in the corral... no food or water... then on the third day, brought =
him cold spring water and grain and hay, then talked soothingly to him =
and stroked his neck while he ate. She has done that every day since. =
She proably saddle broke him via the way we do today... not sure. He is =
a kind and gentle horse, and FULL of love for everyone. He keeps =
trying, no matter what the task you give him, and doesn't know the =
meaning of tired, I don't think. He sees us by our pool and will =
whinney until we go bring him some carrots or apples... Then just =
nuzzles us and rubs against us like a cat... *LOL*... almost knocked =
Mouse down... She is 5'2", 120#... Ash is about 15 hands and near 1000#.
I have just over an acre that hasn't been cleared (house sits on 3 =
acres) and I am contemplating doing the same thing next year possibly. =
Being in South Florida, you don't have to wory about the cold, so a =
nice, open pole barn will work great for the horse. I wrote via the web =
to BLM(?) regarding their wild horse program, etc... and got a great =
brochure about the horses, what kind of accomodations were required for =
them (they even inspect your place), what my responsibilities were, =
etc...
Addison Miller
aka SeanBear
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Subject: Re: MtMan-List: On horse "wild" horse training.
<SNIP>
> I believe it is a waste of time when so many good horses are around....<
Sorry to disagree, but as long as you are keeping them from going to a dog
food plant, or from being otherwise destroyed, it's not a waste of time,
IMHO...
No, I am not one of those animal rights nuts... love hunting, etc... I just
have to see good animals destroyed when they can be made "useful" and others
can enjoy them...
Addison Miller
------------------------------
Date: 28 Mar 1999 12:01:18 -0800
From: <powderhawk@uswestmail.net>
Subject: Re: MtMan-List: On horse "wild" horse training.
Brothers,
I helped break and work with the horse Buck referred to, he turned out to be a strong little man, but the amount of effort to get him there was qusetionable to me. Like others have said, there's many good broke animals needing a home that are better than some of the wild ones. You may want to give this some thought before jumping into something more than wanting to deal with for a long period.
Bones take a long time healing, ask Buck, he left that part out.
Later
Powderhawk
____________________________
On Sun, 28 March 1999, buck.conner@uswestmail.net wrote:
> After being broke which was a chore and some good schooling, "Nugget" turned out to be the hardest working of all the horses, couldn't wear him down, even took him to a friend for the winter months to be worked in the stock yards with some pretty rank steers, he just never quit. Plus being a character, had a real funny personality...........
>
> Buck Conner
> _________________________
> I am wondering if anyone on the list has had experience in training a wild horse; more specifically one of the BLM wild mustang breeds. I've got a bee in my bonnet and want to take the "bit", as it were, and "run with it." There can't be too many ways left to replicate the horse culture of the plains as it related to the mountain men and this is something I'm seriously...........
>
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------------------------------
Date: 28 Mar 1999 12:01:18 -0800
From: <powderhawk@uswestmail.net>
Subject: Re: MtMan-List: On horse "wild" horse training.
Brothers,
I helped break and work with the horse Buck referred to, he turned out to be a strong little man, but the amount of effort to get him there was qusetionable to me. Like others have said, there's many good broke animals needing a home that are better than some of the wild ones. You may want to give this some thought before jumping into something more than wanting to deal with for a long period.
Bones take a long time healing, ask Buck, he left that part out.
Later
Powderhawk
____________________________
On Sun, 28 March 1999, buck.conner@uswestmail.net wrote:
> After being broke which was a chore and some good schooling, "Nugget" turned out to be the hardest working of all the horses, couldn't wear him down, even took him to a friend for the winter months to be worked in the stock yards with some pretty rank steers, he just never quit. Plus being a character, had a real funny personality...........
>
> Buck Conner
> _________________________
> I am wondering if anyone on the list has had experience in training a wild horse; more specifically one of the BLM wild mustang breeds. I've got a bee in my bonnet and want to take the "bit", as it were, and "run with it." There can't be too many ways left to replicate the horse culture of the plains as it related to the mountain men and this is something I'm seriously...........
>
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------------------------------
Date: 28 Mar 1999 12:01:18 -0800
From: <powderhawk@uswestmail.net>
Subject: Re: MtMan-List: On horse "wild" horse training.
Brothers,
I helped break and work with the horse Buck referred to, he turned out to be a strong little man, but the amount of effort to get him there was qusetionable to me. Like others have said, there's many good broke animals needing a home that are better than some of the wild ones. You may want to give this some thought before jumping into something more than wanting to deal with for a long period.
Bones take a long time healing, ask Buck, he left that part out.
Later
Powderhawk
____________________________
On Sun, 28 March 1999, buck.conner@uswestmail.net wrote:
> After being broke which was a chore and some good schooling, "Nugget" turned out to be the hardest working of all the horses, couldn't wear him down, even took him to a friend for the winter months to be worked in the stock yards with some pretty rank steers, he just never quit. Plus being a character, had a real funny personality...........
>
> Buck Conner
> _________________________
> I am wondering if anyone on the list has had experience in training a wild horse; more specifically one of the BLM wild mustang breeds. I've got a bee in my bonnet and want to take the "bit", as it were, and "run with it." There can't be too many ways left to replicate the horse culture of the plains as it related to the mountain men and this is something I'm seriously...........
>
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------------------------------
Date: Sun, 28 Mar 1999 15:58:41 +0000
From: Laura Rugel Glise <lglise@bellsouth.net>
Subject: Re: MtMan-List: Trade Goods
Lanney Roux in a clout? Doesn't scare me. Maybe you menfolk ought not
to go on and on and ON about things of which you have no experience.
A woman
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 28 Mar 1999 19:25:20 -0600
From: "northwoods" <northwoods@ez-net.com>
Subject: MtMan-List: On horse "wild" horse training.
>>>Hello the camp,
Since the mode of travel, in those better days, was done mostly on horse
back and there seems to be little information regarding the capturing,
gentling and training of wild horses, I am wondering if anyone on the list
has had experience in training a wild horse; more specifically one of the
BLM wild mustang breeds. I've got a bee in my bonnet and want to take the
"bit", as it were, and "run with it." There can't be too many ways left to
replicate the horse culture of the plains as it related to the mountain men
and this is something I'm seriously considering.
So, if any of you'll have trained one of these wild critters I'd sure like
to pick your brain(s).
Yr Mst Humbl.......
John Funk<<<
This reminds me of a time several years back I was driving to work,( I am in
the logging business and this particular job was a ways back in the bush, on
federal land, not near any habitations of any kind) anyway it was a November
morning with about 2" of fresh snowcover and I was the first one in, and I
came across the strangest set of tracks I have ever seen , so I pulled my
truck over and followed it into the woods a ways to see what it was. They
where moose sized and it looled like it was dragging something which
partially obliterated the tracks and made them hard to read. Really had me
scratchin my head there for a while. Well, to make a long story short, one
of the locals who lived a dozen or so miles off had decided he needed to get
a couple mustangs, which he did, then brought em' home and put em' in his
pasture figuring his regular fence would be adequate, except he left a lead
on them to make them easier to catch, boy was that a bad idea since they
where gone in no time. I know he caught one several months later, don't know
if he ever got the other one. I would spot one occasionally on my way in and
out of work, couldn't get close to it though, it was really nervous.
If your familiar with breaking horses and have worked with horses in general
than a mustang isn't an impossible thing to get working for you. Your just
trying to teach an old dog new tricks, except this dog can do worse than
bite you if it has a mind to.
the last book I read on the subject was by Monty Roberts called "The Man Who
Listens to Horses" I think that is the title. The movie "The Horse
Whisperer" was based on this guys life. Really enjoyed this book. He breaks
a mustang IN THE WILD without ever having restrained the horse whatsoever.
Read the book and you'll find out how.
From the northwoods,
Tony Clark
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 28 Mar 1999 19:29:19 -0800
From: "john c. funk,jr" <j2hearts@shasta.com>
Subject: MtMan-List: Horse training (and such)
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Gang,
My most grateful thanks to those who responded to my quire regarding =
their "horse training" experiences. I know this may be a bit off the =
historical link but it's all in an effort in helping this follower of =
the fur trade finding his niche therein.
Tony: BLM (in Calif.) now wants a minimum of 400 sq. ft. pin and =
strongly recommends that the new adoptees not be let out to pasture till =
thoroughly "trained." Sounds like sound advise even it they hadn't =
suggested it. I have followed Monty Roberts for several years and =
thoroughly subscribe to his training methods. His, I think, methods =
have similarities to the old Native American ways. Gentile =
training....not beating into submission. "Beating" may be too harsh, =
but I think you know what I mean.
Powderhawk: I wholeheartedly agree that a good home with good and =
loving care is far better than a bitter and sparse existence on the open =
range. I kind of look at it this way; he's giving up his freedom ....to =
give me mine.
Sean: I too have read of the "Indian" way of breaking and =
training.....several days alone ..then water, food, gentile coaxing and =
familiarization with human contact. The principals are sound and hold =
much validity.
I would be happy to keep in contact with you to let you know how it goes =
with my "critter." And, would be greatly interested how you do. Be =
happy to exchange information.....and any help. I'll take all I can =
get!!!
Joe: I think that things that are "a waste of time" can be considered =
....relative by nature. What is a waste of time for one can be an =
extremely rewarding thing to another. No offense intended, just my =
observation and I respect yours.
Buck: Nugget sounded like a heck of a horse and no doubt held in great =
pride by "his owner." I had the opportunity to watch a gal work with =
one of these horses yesterday and within TWO hours this wild animal that =
was only 90 +/- days off the range allowed her top place her hands =
anywhere. She even brought in a white plastic tied to a 5 ft. fishing =
rod and slowly moved it about the 20 ft. ring. The horse watched it =
intently never taking his eyes off it. He'd shiver, move back yet all =
the while wanting to move closer to inspect it; smell it. Was it =
dangerous? Would it hurt him? He truly wanted to know. His front feet =
moved backward while his rear wanted to move foreword to complete the =
investigation.. A true picture of "flight or fight."
Well, I've rambled on enough. Guess you can tell I'm hooked and will =
very likely move on with this adventure. I tend to look at it this way. =
I'm at a point in life where I've decided I not going to my grave =
wishing I'd done something that I could have done if I had =
only.....................
If anyone would like updates on my progress I'd be happy to keep you =
posted. And, any other input will be gratefully accepted.
