Extreme Mustang Makeover 2008 trainer- Lynn Decker

Sorry........!!!!! my final post here....conclusion

2008-11-10T14:32:00.003-05:00

I just want to apologize to everyone reading my blog. I guess I am only human....I guess I got a little burnt out, not only from the pressure of the makeover but also, the pressure of the blog. I just need a little time off from both.

I wanted to at least give an update and a final entry to this blog, so as to not leave anyone hanging.
Jimbo came home with us!!! He is a great horse. I love his personality. My only concern with him is his saddle sores. I just could never get a saddle to fit him and his white spots tell the tell. It really bothers me....anyway, about the competition... I guess what I have been telling everybody is, I had Jimbo completely ready, but I pretty much blew it!!! I could not keep my nerves in check, and it showed. We did much better in the riding course and I thought we were more prepared for the ground course. Go figure!!!! I think it is because I really have never showed before and it all just got to me. I plan to show in the coming years so I use this experience as my kindergarten. But because I entered in the Legends level, I feel I went straight to college and flunked out!!!! I never was confident in the decision to go Legends but it's done and life goes on....
We also brought home another mustang names Zion. He is for sale and will make someone a great trail horse.....
For my first real show experience it was by far the most unorganized ordeal that I will ever have to endure. The Mustang Foundation has its share of problems. I sent them a letter about my grievances but have not heard from them..my biggest was the fact that the trainers, other then the top ten, were never given any respect. They put us behind the monitor in the nose bleed section, at the competition, so we couldn't even see what was going on....At the press conference we didn't even get a mention. They excluded our support person at the meetings/meal....They helped pay for some trainers horses but not others......and they were only bringing a couple hundred dollars. They couldn't even give them away!!!! It was bad.

In the end, I guess I would say that I am glad that I got to have this experience. I really learned a lot about training a horse. And I guess that is really what I set out to do.. Jimbo really taught me about the horse and my abilities as a horse trainer. He is a great partner. He helped me build my confidence after a hard fall, and I will always have a special place in my heart for him.....If you want a great trail horse he won't let you down.

Thank you Jimbo

Almost time to leave!!!

2008-09-14T22:47:00.007-04:00

Images from our local horse center, in Lexinton, Va.

Sorry that I haven't posted lately. I have been really busy and this seems to be the last thing that is on my list and I can never seem to get this far.

Jimbo is doing awesome!!! However, I am very tired and he is tired and I have decided to give him a little break from the day to day pressures of trying to get to a certain point. It seems to me that it really isn't worth pushing him too hard. He is a great minded horse and I don't want to destroy his desire to learn.

We are ready for Fort Worth and I can't wait to go and have a GREAT time!!! We decided to go LEGENDS, and now I think I must be crazy!!! I look forward to meeting everyone and go places that I have never gone before!!! It is going to be a fantastic trip.

I know it is a competition, but I hope things aren't taken too seriously. It's not really worth it for the horses sake.

Hope everyone has a safe trip!!!! See ya there!!

Jimbo & I go for a Reining lesson

2008-08-26T20:53:00.006-04:00

I have been taking some reining lessons lately and decided to take Jimbo with me during the process. I can refine my training skills plus, he is getting a lot of experience trailering and meeting other horses. I have taken him twice and he has done great. I ride Jimbo and the trainer rides his horse then coaches me & shows me different exercises to get the results that I am looking for. My goal is to really get a light & willing horse. The trainer only trains Quarter Horses, but he has remarked a couple times about how good minded Jimbo is. He really takes to new things very well & he is very willing! I already knew that, LOL!.....

I HAVE A POLL TO YOUR RIGHT...

2008-08-20T18:26:00.002-04:00

I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FUN TO START A POLL. IF YOU GET A CHANCE PLEASE ANSWER IT. If you have a different answer, let me know and I will add it.

Jimbo is coming right along....no new changes.

We went back to the river w/ camera!!!

2008-08-17T16:22:00.010-04:00

Here are some pics of us on the beautiful State Park trails here in the highlands of Va. That is my husband, Steve on his horse Twister. Notice our dog, Kayla enjoying the river...It was 70 degrees no humidity. We are soo lucky here!!!

Coming right along!!

2008-08-15T21:27:00.002-04:00

Jimbo got today off but he has really done a great job this week. He is starting to stay in a circle at a lope. And we are working on our leads and lead changes. There is only about a month left and it is starting to get nerve racking now. I am trying to make all the arrangements for the trip. And I am sure I can find loads of stuff to worry about between now and then!!!My main worry right now is how my 10 yr old son is going to get to school. I am sure it will all work out. It always does.

Please check out our website soon.....

2008-08-10T22:40:00.002-04:00

www.dreamweaverhorses.com

I would love to have feedback.......Thanks a bunch!!!!!!!

HOrSe ShoW at the LocaL FaiR!!!!

2008-08-10T12:12:00.015-04:00

We went to our local fair last night and competed in our first show. It was a nice turnout & we were both very nervous. This was my first show PERIOD!!! and I didn't know what to expect...Jimbo was anxious and didn't know what was going on either, but I think it was a good experience for both of us....There were a lot of racking type classes and some of those horses really scared him. They had blocks on their hooves, saddle breds I guess, and their high stepping worried him a bit. I thought he was gonna start high stepping, out to the clear blue yonder!!! All in all, we entered 2 classes, potato race & open western pleasure, and placed in both out of Six other riders!!!! We got a 2nd place ribbon and $25.00 in the potato race & a 4th place ribbon in the other...I thought that was pretty good. We had some issues in the western pleasure class that I need to address, like riding with other riders at a lope. He thought that something was after us, like maybe a lion!!! and he was a little freaked out, LOL, and it being night time didn't help any, but all in all he did an excellent job and I am proud of him!!!! I will post some pictures...they will hopefully tell the story of out eventful night!!!!

Can't wait to meet everyone!!!!!

2008-08-07T13:49:00.003-04:00

It is a rainy day here in Va, so besides giving Jimbo the day off, I just wanted to sit down and thank everyone who is reading my blog & invite you to make comments. I really enjoy hearing from you and answering any questions you may have..If you have shown before, and you have any pointers, please feel free to share your thoughts with me. I love hearing from you!!!

We only have so many days left and I am sure some of you are keeping up with it to the minute. I can't wait to meet all of you. I have so much to learn in this business & it's people like you that make it all worth while!!!!!!

Thanks again,
Lynn

Keep on Keepin' on..

2008-08-06T13:52:00.002-04:00

Not much new with me and Jimbo lately. Jimbo didn't make it to the cattle sorting Saturday because it rained buckets and I wasn't risking taking him to a slop hole... We did go and watch because be had never been before, plus we wanted to see what we were getting Jimbo into. I'm glad we did because it just makes it that much more less stressful in case we do decide to go. ugh hope that made sense...anyway, I do plan on taking him somewhere before we head to Fort Worth, but I just don't know what.....

I forgot, we went trail ridding Sunday, and Jimbo went through his first creek/river. I think he would have laid down if I gave him half a chance!!!! He loves the water! sorry no pictures!! dang it...

HOT! HOT! HOT!

2008-08-01T17:31:00.002-04:00

Man, if it ain't hot, it's raining!! I haven't been riding a whole lot lately but I hope to take Jimbo to a cattle sorting practice tomorrow. If so, we will take some pictures and post them. I plan to ride this evening when it cools down and I want to just keep working on control at the trot and canter, rollbacks & spins. I live on a dirt road and I rode Jimbo Wednesday for 3 hours by himself down the dirt road....he did great!!! No spooks!

Control

2008-07-24T22:28:00.002-04:00

I worked with Jimbo in the arena today, mostly on control. I am trying to get him to read my body language more. And get tuned into me. He is getting better everyday.
I have started giving him grain everyday now so that he keeps his weight on. He neighs & meets me at the fence in the mornings looking for his breakfast. I really haven't done much or worried about the conditioning part of the event. Other then weight and muscling I'm really not sure what they are looking for. I definitely will keep his weight on but I am concerned about his cresty neck and wonder if they will take points off for it. He arrived here with it and it's not going away. I have seen some people using neck sweats but I am not going to all that trouble. It just doesn't seem right....... If you read this and have any pointers it would be deeply appreciated.

It was the most beautiful day in Va today. It almost had a fall feel in the air. It was the perfect day to ride............ :)

Day off

2008-07-23T23:04:00.005-04:00

I gave Jimbo the day off today but I wanted to share some pictures we took the other day....hope you enjoy.

Better & Better

2008-07-17T17:51:00.002-04:00

It was a beautiful day here in Va today. In the seventies and not too much humidity..... Jimbo did great in our session today. We worked on the same things and he is getting better and better.

Other trainers in this makeover!!

2008-07-15T17:05:00.004-04:00

I would love to hear comments or questions from other trainers out there about this great makeover event!!!This is our first time doing anything like this and we are having a blast so far!!!

Midwest Mustang Pre-works in Columbia, MO in August. We are thinking about going to the event and would love to know if any of you are attending.

Local News WOW!!

2008-07-15T16:59:00.006-04:00

I am so excited cause the local newspaper came out and took picture of us yesturday...I hope to get a big write up with lots of pictures of Jimbo. He did very well and it almost seemed like he knew it was all about him!! I interviewed last week with the story, and here is the Link. Check it out!!!

Grandbaby in town!!!

2008-07-12T22:50:00.002-04:00

I haven't been doing to much with my mustang Jimbo for the past few days, cause my grandbaby is in for the week. He is 3 yrs old & so excited about all the horses here on the farm.
I did get a chance to ride him for about 30 mi today, and only touched on a few things he learned last week, nothing new. He is getting lighter and lighter.

Gas peddle and breaks

2008-07-09T22:01:00.003-04:00

Today was a great day for us!!! We spent most of our time on our gas peddle and breaks, but we also worked on bending and softening....

Camping Trip

2008-07-06T21:19:00.003-04:00

Well after 4 rides, we decided to take Jimbo to Grayson Highlands on a 4 day camping trip.
The first day was a little nerve racking because we(five riders) trailered out to a small town called Damascus(here in Va), walk through town, down the streets,(cars passing) with 4 dogs in tow. We hopped on at the trail head and rode several hours, across the top of a ridge, all the way back to White Top, where we were picked up and trailered back to camp. But he did Awesome!!!!! He did a really great job the whole weekend and I will have some pictures to post too. We met up with some wild ponys, and he was really interested in them....The only problem I had with him, is he wanted to eat the whole time. So keeping his head up was a real chore.But we will overcome that...................we kept him stalled at night but I put him on the tie line during the evening so he could see other riders in the camp pass by. He was very interested in that.

First and Second ride!!!

2008-06-27T14:19:00.002-04:00

The past few days have been great. We finally went on our first ride. It went textbook!! We made it to a canter in both directions and ended with a nice relaxed walk. He is such a good boy. We rode again last night. I am trying to take over some of the control and wene myself off my helper.
I put on the snaffle again today and he is doing much better with it. He was trying for so long to put his toung over it. He is tied for the second day. Also, I put a tarp on him from head to tail. He handled it great!!

Jimbo settling right in

2008-06-25T16:19:00.002-04:00

Jimbo had his first contact with the farrier this week. He did better then the farrier!!! LOL I think he was a little nerveous and Jimbo could sense it. I am planning to ride him soon. Maybe today. His only real hang up was his first contact with the arena the other day with several riders. I think he was having flash backs of the round up. But now we are past that and all is well.

First Car

2008-06-20T15:08:00.002-04:00

I walked him out of his pen by himself today. We walked out to the mailbox and I let him munch grass along the way....He saw his first car pass with not even a care...No spooks what so ever!!! I walked him by the red trailer and stepped up in it, he followed me in, no real issues. It is hard to believe how good he is, he is the perfect horse so far.
I saddled him with the "real saddle" today. He did perfect..I even strapped on the breast collar. I was sooo temped to get on, but I didn't. I can wait. I think I am going to ride him Monday for the first time. I can't wait!! And the farrier is coming Monday also. I hope he does good for the farrier.
We did several new exercises today. He is so smart. He catches on so fast.

Saddle Time Jimbo

2008-06-19T16:20:00.002-04:00

I think we have finally decided on a name for our Mustang!! "Jimbo" We have a friend who's name is Jim, and he is Goofy. So we decided to name him after Jim....Plus, he said it would give me luck.

I saddled Jimbo for the first time yesturday. He did great!!! He only bucked a little bit not too bad...I saddled him again today and no buck at all. I think he is just to laid back to buck. I sprayed him with fly spray today also.. , acted like he'd been sprayed all his life. Maybe the mustangs have a fly spray party and don't tell anyone...he he he... I also got him to pick me up off the fence, I sat on his back for a few seconds. No problems, no worries.....man this is just too easy so far. He is spoiling me!!!! But I need it for a change, whooow!!

Mr Personality but NO name yet

2008-06-17T12:12:00.001-04:00

I still haven't named our Mustang. But he sure has a funny personality. I worked with him with a plastic bag at the end of my stick today. Before I got started I made the mistake and laid it down to get the water hose so I could wet down the arena. I turned around and there he was with the bag in his mouth. I squirted him with the water thinking he would drop it, but instead he takes off with it in his mouth, stick & string dragging behind it. And he ran around the pen twice before he decided to drop it!!! LOL!! He is sooo goofy!! I almost want to name him that, "Goofy" or maybe "Scoobie do" .
I got quite alot accomplished today. I sacked him out to the plastic bag, stick and string. I round penned him again. I worked on all the primary exercises. Picked up his feet. I threw the saddle and pad on him too.
He is doing a lot better with his respect issues. After a couple small battles yesturday, I can see a big difference in him today...He is respecting my space. "Thanks Clinton"
I had no real issues with him other then touching his ears but he is doing better then yesturday and that is all I can ask for..... He's a gooood boy!!!!!

Day 2 with Mustang

2008-06-16T14:11:00.001-04:00

Today went great!!! I am already catching, haltering, leading, picking up his feet, yielding his HQ, FQ and backing up a step or two!!! He is very smart and very quiet! Almost too quiet, if that's possible. I have been working so hard on getting him quiet that now it is hard to get him out of my space. He is starting to get a little pushy so now it is time to start sensitizing him and moving his feet. We did a little bit today but we will get right back on it tomorrow... We are still trying to find the perfect name.

Saturday First Whole day with my new mustang

2008-06-14T22:47:00.002-04:00

We had a great day with our Mustang today. After arriving late last night we bedded him down with some fresh hay & water. He was a really good boy on the way home yesterday too. We took pictures and as you can see it didn't take him long to find the hay!! And when he drank the water, he stuck his nose all the way down to his eyes. He is so goofy!!! But he was a little bit shy and didn't want to look at the camera. :)

Today he was a little leery of us but as the day progressed, each time we would pay him a visit, he would get closer and closer, until finally he let me scratch him from his muzzle down his neck a ways..... he has such a kind eye.

Mustang Makeover 2008 Getting Ready

2008-06-11T21:51:00.001-04:00

I have been selected as on of the 200 trainers involved in the Extreme Mustang Makeover, showcased on RFD-TV. I am very nervous in the anticipation of going after our Mustang. We will be leaving tomorrow morning. I can't wait until Friday. That is the day I get to meet the "Legend". We had to modify the back doors a bit with a 4x4 so he couldn't jump out, but it all worked out.