Mustang Boot Camp - Day 1

Poor Spade. He has had a day. We are here at Dan Keen's house. Yesterday Spade settled in really well. And he was super friendly. Kelley Dan's wife had pet him and he was very sweet. Today he has had everything under the sun thrown at him. Dan and I went out to his pen that was attached to his round pen. First thing Spade did was refuse to go into round pen. I didn't take to long that he was going in and out. Then Dan started spraying the round pen with water. Spade was a little jumpy but Dan told me to saddle him up. I am thinking this could be good or this could be bad. Spade was perfect and didn't budge as I saddled him. Dan grabbed his lead and started working with him. I stepped back and just watched. The whole time explaining the issues that we have had. Especially the not loping and the kicking. After he worked him a while I asked him what he though. He said "he is really bad!" Of coarse I replied "so it isn't just me??" LOL. Dan was shocked that I could saddle him and do he things that I already could do. After he worked him he took him to the trailer. It took Dan, his assistant and me to get him to load the first time but soon he could load and unload with no problem. Dan decided that we would take him out to his 100+ acre ranch where there were many natural obstacles. While every one was getting ready we tied Spade in the ally of the barn. There were so many people moving back and forth working with their horses. I held my breath the whole time hoping he wasn't going to kick anyone. He was nervous but really trying to take it all in. He was surrounded by horses that were 17-18 hands. We both felt like tiny elves among these giants. We loaded five horses including Spade and headed to the ranch. When we got there Dan jumped in the trailer to unload Spade and he was not happy. I guess Dan wasn't down with getting kicked because next thing I knew he was crawling through the window at Spades head and backing him out from there I was a little worried about ponying (leading him from horseback) him in such a large area. But I jumped on my 17 hand mare and off we went. Dan was ponying him at first. And at one point he had to drop the line. I was worried Spade was going to take off. Dan told me he was fine. And he was. So we just let him follow behind us and drag his rope. Eventually I lead him off my mare and he was acting like such a big boy. Then he got loose on the way to the trailer so I just let him follow. As we walked past the pond Spade took a left to get a drink. We turned around just as he dove in! I was worried about my best saddle that was on him but then I figured it will dry he was loving it. When he realized that we were leaving without him he bounced his way out of the water and came quickly to the trailer. It was really great to see how sound he can really be. Later we saddled him with the flank strap and saddle and let him loose in the arena. He did good even though he had his moments. We will see what tomorrow brings. This has helped both our confidence. I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.