Day 48

Today I rode Bunny in English first. Then I tied Upendi up at the tacking area while I brushed him and cleaned out his feet. Then I took Upendi to the trailer and loaded him up. next We tried on a  Sleezy to see how big it was on him. Then we took a trip to the bull. At first he was nervous but then he wanted to go check them out. After spending a few minutes by the bulls we  headed back to Upendi's stall.

Day 47

Today I brought Upendi into the arena and ran him over a set up jump. Then I proceeded to send him over the jump in both directions. I am so happy I got a little jumping horse I have always wanted to jump. After jumping I set up a showmanship pattern. My sister had bunny and I had Upendi. I went thriugh the pattern first then my sister. The pattern included trotting, stopping, backing, turning, setting up for the judges insepection and standing quietly with other horses. Then I brought him to the tacking up area and brushed him. I also picked up his feet. Then I put him away while I rode Bunny outside. There is a new addition to our barn, 3 bulls. They are around the outdoor arena. I didn't know how Bunny was going to react the them but I rode in the arena by the cows anyway. And Bunny, she wasn't a least bit nervous.

Day 46

Today I tied Upendi up while I was riding Bunny. I was roping on Bunny so I did that around Upendi he was interested but he wasn't scared. I am guessing hat he wasn't scared because  I was tossing the hula hoop around a few days earlier. I am starting to put together some ideas for a finals routine in hopes I will make it to the final 10. I still haven't taken Upendi in a ride in the trailer. Although, he loads and stands in their nicely. Today was very hot so I took both horses to the wash bay again, Upendi was first today. He was hesitant about getting in the wash bay but as soon as he was in he was good. After being sprayed down I lead him out and then back in again.To see how he reacted to noise we brought a few balloons out and blew them up. I popped all three and he didn't mind.

Day 45

Today I took Upendi and Bunny out the arena and let them run around. I caught Upendi and did some basic stuff. Then I sent him over the cavaletti while I was lunging him and trotting. Then I worked on some backing and going over ground poles. Then we loaded into the trailer. I gave him a bath in the was bay then we left.

Day 44

Today we reviewed stuff from yesterday. Worked on the basics and did some new stuff. Then a lady came and did some trail lessons for me and Bunny and some other girls at the barn.

Day 43

Today I tied Upendi up in the arena in a new place that was new and he was alright. I brushed him and picked his feet out. Then I mostly did review, with the hula hoop, from yesterday. One new thing I did was send Upendi between cones. Today Bunny got her feet done and I was able to ride her again. Which felt very good.

Day 42

Today when we arrived at the barn I took Upendi to the arena and tied him up. I brushed him and picked up his feet. Today I brought a Hula Hoop to train Upendi with. I swong it around and hula hooped. and he was okay with it. we stepped over it then I put it around his neck. I rubbed the Hula hoop all over his body and then I managed to pull it up around his belly. I walked him around like this and he was fine. I took the hula hoop off and did the same things to Bunny because she was terrified of it. Then when Bunny could face the Hula hoop I I got out a railroad tie and got Upendi to put 3 feet on it. I also sent him over ground poles. The last thing we did today was drag a tire behind him. He was okay with the tire behind him but he didn't like the rope touching his butt. 

Day 41

Today was a pretty good day. The first thing we did was lead the horses to the outdoor arena and let them go. But once they were inside they weren't doing much so I caught Upendi and my sister, Jenna caught Bunny. Then I decided we were going to have a showmanship class. This was a good idea because in the competition Upendi has to stand quietly for inspection and in a line with other horses. It was also good practice for Bunny. My mom was the judge. The pattern wasn't to hard. It was walk about halfway to the judge, stop and back. Trot to the judge, without running her over, turning 360 degrees and stopping for inspection. Then you would turn and trot to the rail. Upendi and I were first I don't know how straight we were but we did great. Only thing was the turn we took a little slow and it took awhile to set him up. But while Bunny was going he stood still and quiet. And when Bunny came over he leaned over to look at her. After a minute he started stomping at flies. The next thing we did was take turns going over the cavaletti. He had no problem walking and trotting over it. By that time it was getting late and we had to take the horses back to their runs and leave.

Day 40 of 105

Today channel 7 news came out to our barn to interview mustang people again. I guess they are doing a series about the mustangs, in Five Star, journey to the Extreme Mustang Makeover. I wasn't interviewed today but Upendi and I did watch other people. When I first got to the barn I lead him to the arena and walked in. Inside there was cones, barrels and cavaletti. I sent Upendi over the cavaletti a few times in both directions then we weaved in and out of the cones. I tried to get him to jump a barrel but the barrel was to wiggly. Then I tied him up in the arena while the interviews were going on and there was a lot of horses. I brushed him and picked up his feet. Today he didn't do very well with his hooves. After awhile I opened the gate and sent him through it. Then we went to the trailer and tied him up and shut the divider. I also stepped out of the trailers when he was tied up. Then the other people with the mustangs were shooting off guns so me and Upendi went over to check it out he doesn't care about the sound. After leading Upendi around in the outdoor arena while the other mustangs were in it I lead him to his stall and we were done for the day.

Day 39

Today the first thing we did was put Upendi in the round pen and we ended up putting Bunny in the round pen with him. We took Upendi out of the round pen and took him to the tacking up area. I figured that we should brush him there because that is a new spot. After I picked up his feet and brushed him I took him to the arena. There was a few people riding and there was an obstacle course set up. We walked all over then we went over a cavaletti. Then I sent him over it and we lunged over it. We also checked out the ball and barrels. I was very surprised that Upendi didn't freak about all of the horses being ridden. The next thing we did was go to the trailer. I put him in once and backed him out then I sent him in again tied him up and shut the divider. He did great. When we were done with the trailer we went to the other tacking area to brush him and pick out his feet. When we were done we walked to the walk way and stepped into the wash bay. Upendi wasn't to sure about this. But he stepped in and stayed for awhile. After I took Upendi to his stall it was time to leave.

Day 38

Today we didn't get much done. First we took both horses out to the arena again and got them to run around. Then I caught Upendi and lead him around. It was getting hot so we brought them back inside and went over an obstacle course. Including jumps, a bridge and noodles. Then we tied him up and picked up his feet and brushed him.

Day 37

We threw both of the horses out in the out door arena again today. They both had fun romping around. They were bucking, kicking and rolling. After a few minutes I tried to grab Upendi, but he dashed away before I could. I think it might have been because of my shiny glasses, but in a few seconds he came back to check me out and I grabbed him. Next we worked with distractions like Bunny being loose in the arena while we were in it and umbrellas opening and closing. I hooked up Bunny to her halter and walked both of them around. Then I got on Bunny bareback and ponied Upendi. I couldn't get him to come closer to me he was hanging around Bunny's butt. But he didn't care about me being in top of Bunny. After that we brought them back to their stalls and I clipped Upendi. I got around his eyes, his muzzle, bridle path, his legs and part of his ears. Next we took him out side to give him a bath. We tied him up this time and I sprayed him with water. I put stuff in his mane and tail and then I rinsed it off. We had on freak out moment and it was because the lead rope went over his head not because of the bath. I took him back to his stall when we were done and brushed his hair.

Day 36

Today was great. The first thing that we did was lead Bunny and Upendi out to the outdoor arena and let them go. I was surprised that Bunny didn't throw a fit when he was in her space. I was funny to watch, Bunny would follow Upendi and then Upendi would follow  Bunny. There were barrels set up in the arena so we took one and started to roll and kick it. The first few times Upendi ran from it. Then he would stand there and watch. To get Upendi to get close to it I lead Bunny over to the barrel. Sure enough Upendi is right behind her. He checks out the barrel. But when he nudged it with his noise it moved and Bunny took off and Upendi took off after her. Next I tied Bunny up and set up the barrels so they would be a jump. at first Upendi didn't know what to think and eventually I pulled him over the top of them. Next I tried to send him over the barrels without me pulling him from the other side. Finally he did it once. I will have to practice sending him through stuff. Next I tied Upendi up next to Bunny and rolled the barrels to set them  up. This didn't bother him at all. Then I untied both of them and lead them around together because I eventually want to pony him. Next we took both of the horses out to the trailer. We loaded Bunny up first then Upendi. This was a test because we didn't know how either of them was going to act. They were both fine. In fact, they were both tied up inside the trailer and the door was shut. We will have to take the for a ride next time. We backed both of them out and took them to Upendi's run. We put both of them in the same run and feed them to see if their were any problems. The reason why I did this was because I want to eventually put them together. I put both of them back in their proper runs and cleaned out there feet.

Day 35

Today I groomed Upendi without him being tied up. He did pretty good when I picked up his feet but he moved a little bit. Then I put his halter on and walked outside his stall to see if he still respected me. The first time we stopped he got and front of me and on his own he got back pretty fast. After that he kept his distance and was sure to stop behind me. I set up and obstacle course that involved trotting, turning and backing. We backed over noodles. He now knows no contact backing. 

Picking out Upendi's feet without him being tied up.

Next we walked out to the trailer and loaded him up and backed him out, no problem. Then we shut the divider before we loaded him in. I shut the divider because that is where he would probably be. Instead of leading him in I sent him in and he walked in like a pro. I walked in behind him and backed him out. 

Upendi in the trailer with the divider shut. Backing out of the trailer.

Then we went back to his run and tied him up I rebraided his mane. Then I went to get the saddle. I let him see it and smell it. Then I put it on his back and cinched up. I walked him to the round pen and lead him around. I lunged him in the saddle so he would know what it feels like on him while he was trotting. Then I trotted him next to me. I took the saddle off when he was ground tied. After he was allowed to run around the round pen I put him away. 

Pictures

Upendi Bay checking out the bag in the round pen. After that he would bite it and pick it up with his mouth. Since then he will lunge but not very well. He will try to kick at the bag.

Day 34

Today was a day of many firsts. I took him to around to the rest of the barn when I got there and led him around. Then I finally tied him up at the tacking up area witch was a first. But before I did that I picked up all four of his feet in a new area while my mom was holding him. While Upendi was tied up he was a little nervous that is until I went over there and brushed him. He relaxed a ton when I was brushing him. When it was time Mark went with us when we went to the trailer. I was in the trailer pulling when I was supposed to and Mark would give him a suggestion to get in the trailer. Sooner than later Upendi figured out that the trailer was a better place that outside and he jumped right on in there. The first couple of times I lead him out. Mark backed him out once then I backed him out. So another first he got on the trailer! We will have to take him on a ride soon. Mark noticed that Upendi was up in my space when I was leading him and when I would stop him he would stop in front of me. That means that he thinks that he is in charge and he doesn't respect me. So I would lead him and each time he got in my space I would bump his nose. And every time he stopped in front of me I bumped his nose to back him up. Pretty soon he understood to stay behind me and stop behind me. So today he learned R E S P E C T! Vola! Another first. Then I took him into the arena to practice the stopping behind me thing. Then mark came back in and helped me put a girth on and do some other cool stuff. Upendi handled the girth awesomely. He was a little when Mark put it on him but when he started walking I was surprised. I was expecting him to pitch a fit. Nope he walked around like an old pro. 

Day 33

Today I didn't tie Upendi up when I was grooming him. But he stood completely still. I even was able to pick up 3 of his feet without him moving. He moved on the fourth foot when he heard the treat bucket. the next thing that I did was out his halter on and lead him to the round pen. I tried lunging him again. It didn't go as planned I couldn't get him to do what I wanted so I worked his but off by doing something else. We were both worn out after that so that was the end of the day.

Gist Ready to Win

Gist Ready to Win

Day 32

When I got to the barn today Mr. Upendi Bay came right up to me to greet me. I checked Bunny's hoof to see if it had gotten done yet. Nope. So I tied Upendi up and cleaned out his feet he did so good that he deserved a treat after that. While he was tied up I brushed him. Then I set up and obstacle course that included poles, a tarp and a bridge. He did very well with all of this. I was actually the one that was kicking the poles today. I found out today that my bridge is big enough that Upendi can turn a full 360 on his hindquarters. Then we went over jumps a few times. The next thing I did was take him out to the arena. We mostly walked, trotted, backed and turned. Next we took Upendi out to the trailer out for a second go. I don't know why but he will not go in there and I am clueless in how to get him to go in there. It started to rain so we had to go back inside. We went over the bridge a couple more times then I put him away.

Day 31

Today I didn't have much time. The first thing that did was pick up his feet while he was ground tied. He still doesn't get the idea of the ground tie. He tries to walk around. The next thing we did was walk across the chart in a different area. Then I set up a jump with the tarp underneath it. He jumped but we nicked the noodles most of the time. Then we had to leave.

Day 30 of 105

Man, time is flying I have had Upendi for about a month. I need to step up my game a little bit and do more each day. Today we brought the bridge that we made to the barn. Here is a picture of it for laughs.

We used noodles to keep the bridge off the car.

And here is the bridge at the barn all done.

Today when I got to the barn I tied Upendi up and groomed him. I cleaned out all of his feet. We set up obstacle courses that I lead Upendi through. Then I used buckets and noodles to make a jump. After numerous times we could actually jump over the noodles without nicking them or making them fall off the buckets. Then we got out the bridge. He was very curious. He pawed at it then I got him to put both of his front feet on. He was a little more reluctant to put

 his back feet on the bridge. But pretty soon I was able to get him to stand quietly on the bridge with all four feet on it. Then before we left the barn I braided him mane. And had some fun with the rest of his hair.

Day 29

Today wasn't one of the best days. The first part he did great and the second part he just didn't want to listen to me. When I got to the barn today Upendi came right up to me. I set up the tarp in his stall and then I put his halter on. We walked across it a couple of times without any problems. Then I took him out of his stall to groom him like I did yesterday. I wanted to see if he would pay attention a little more. I groomed him and then I picked up all of his feet perfectly. Then I took him bak into his stall when Matt had this big water hose and was messing with the waterer. He was fine through all this in fact we trotted and turned. When Matt was done I took Upendi to the round pen and hooked him up to the lunge line. Here is where the problem started. I used a bag to move him out. But instead of him moving he wanted to turn and fight it. I couldn't get him to get out of his corner.

Today me and my dad made a bridge to practice on for the competition. It looks great. However, I don't know how we are going to get it out to the barn. I'm sure whatever we do will be interesting.

Day 28

Today I brought bigger noodles and a tarp to mess with Upendi with today. The first thing that we did today was tie him up in a different place so I could groom him. I cleaned out his feet today it wasn't very good. He would kick out on his back feet and he did a lot of moving around. I think this was because we were in a newer place and he wasn't as relaxed and concentrated. The next thing we did was go over the bigger noodles. Then I arranged the smaller noodles on the ground so we could practice turning and backing in them. Next I tied Upendi up and brought in a folded up tarp. I rubbed it all over him and made a lot of noise with it the most he did was raise his head. Then I folded the tarp so it was about a forth of the size and put it on the ground. I lead Upendi over to the tarp and then he smelled it. After pawing at it with his hooves for a few seconds I was able to convince him to put two feet on it. Then after waiting a few seconds we walked across it. After he was used to walking across it I spread it out so it was half the size. I wanted to see if he would walk the full length of the tarp. He did! Then we took a little break from the tarp and took a walk around the barn. We walked through the tacking area, up and down were the stalls are, and then we took a different door outside. The mystery door lead to the out door arena and from there we walked back to the main entry. I was so surprised with Upendi's behavior. Besides being a little antsy because of the flies, he was outstanding. When we got back to his run I spread the tarp out so it was its full size and a different color. We walked across it a few times each time with out him getting nervous. I think I maybe able to walk him around with the tarp on his back tomorrow. I have already put a blanket on him and he was fine with that. So he he just has to accept the noise. 

Day 27

Today I feel like Upendi and I accomplished a lot. The first thing that I did when I got to the barn was tie him up and fly spray him. My goodness the flies are bad this year. Then I brushed him all over. Next I pick up all four of his feet with out hesitation and him kicking out. YAY! I brushed his mane and his tail and then I brought out the long, floaty things. Pool noodles seem to be a favorite desensitiser for the Extreme Mustang Makeover Nebraska. Previously, Upendi only went over one noodle. But today he was forced to cross 3 noodles spaced 3 feet apart. This was no big deal to him, except he kept kicking them out of place and stepping on them. Next I picked up the noodles and rubbed him with them. He didn't care for them touching his belly or his back legs. I put them on the ground again in other fashions that made Upendi back through them and turn while in them. The next thing I did was bring out a tarp sounding flag and rub it all over him. Then I brought Upendi to the round pen. I hooked up a lunge line to his halter and grabbed a flag. We started working on stopping, changing directions and trotting. Tomorrow we will work on crossing the dreaded tarp!

Day 26

The first thing I did today is braid his mane. Then I brought Upendi outside to the trailer. He walked right up to it but he wouldn't put a foot in it. We will try again tomorrow and maybe get some help with that. Then I brought Upendi into the arena and tied him up. He was much calmer today. While he was in the arena a horse was born. So I left him there and saw the baby. Next I brought him to the round pen and ran him around. Then I got his read rope and lunged him. Then I brought him back to his run and did the steps to get into a trailer.

Day 25

Today I brought a big yellow pool noodle with me when I saw Upendi to see if that phased him at all. And of course it didn't in a minute I was rubbing the scary thing all over him. Then I put it on the ground to see if he would walk over it. The first time he walked slowly over it. Then he got better and better. That means he stopped kicking it when he walked and he didn't step on it any  more. The next thing we tried t0 do was pot the noodle on top of two buckets to see if he would jump over it. That failed he walked right through the noodle and knocked it off. So I got a hay thing and tried to get him to go over it. Success! He went over it  beautifully. I think Upendi really enjoys jumping. We would just trot over to the hay, jump over it and trot or canter off. I have always wanted a jumper. The next thing I did with Upendi was clean put his feet. Then we brought him out to the tacking up area. He was nervous, we are going to have to go over there more.

Day 24

Today I tied Upendi up and pick up his feet. I was able to pick out all of his hooves. Then I took him out of his stall and outside to the second row of runs. There was a hose out there and we gave him his first real bath. When we turned on the water he wanted to nibble on it like everything else I have introduced to him. When we got back to his stall I went through the steps I would go to if I would load him into a trailer. My other horse, Bunny, lost one of her shoes today :(. Hopefully she will get her feet done soon.

Day 23

I gave Upendi the day off because I was in Missouri.

Day 22

Today the bobcat was going back and forth in front of the stalls and making horses spook. I decided that this was a great distraction for Upendi. When I first got there he was running back in forth through his run. When I got inside his run he stayed in the front half when the bobcat went by. Then when I put his halter on he didn't go any where but I could tell he was nervous. By the end of the day I could tie him up at the front of his stall with the bobcat going back and forth. He wasn't nervous at all. While the bobcat was going I did the normal stuff like trotting, leading Upendi around and turning. I also picked up his feet and picked them out that still needs a little work. I also did lunging on his lead rope.

Day 21

Today was the deciding day for my saddle, and I decided on keeping it. The first thing that I did with Upendi today was bring him out into the main barn again where the tacking up area is. Then I brought him into the arena and tied him up where he could see stuff going on outside and inside of the arena. Then I brought Honey Bunny into the arena and tied her up in a different place in the arena. Upendi calmed down a bit when Bunny came in. When I rode Bunny he was moving all over to get a good look at us. When I was done riding her I tried leading my two horses next to each other. It worked great Upendi listened to every command and he didn't mind the saddle that was still on Bunny's back. And Bunny was awesome because she has never like small horses (including babies and ponies), and it just seemed like when Upendi was in here face it bugged her. I let Bunny go in the arena while I worked with Upendi in there also. She didn't do much she just stood at the gate. I worked on trotting, stopping, turning, and backing with Upendi. We also journeyed down to the end of the arena and we found cones and a big ball. He was very interested in the ball and he wanted to sniff it. Before we put it away Upendi was nudging it around with his nose and I could kick the ball around him. I also took a cone and put it on his back.