Mustang Saga

My good boy wore my good saddle today for the first time.  It has a lot more squeak and creak than the synthetic saddle.  Plus it weighs twice as much, has a back cinch and saddle bags.  I took the breastcollar off initially.  He took to it pretty well.  Don't mind his silly parked out stance here, but take note of how long his hind feet are:

Now check it out.  That's a lot of growth.  I wonder if he's ever been trimmed.  The BLM sometimes puts them in a chute that tilts them horizontal so they can trim their feet, but I kinda doubt they did that with this guy.

The other hind hoof is seriously overgrown too of course, but looks different because the bars haven't worn off, they're just as overgrown as the outer hoof wall.  

It started raining so I threw another saddle blanket over my saddle.  He thought that was dumb.  As a matter of fact, he thought all the proceedings were dumb.  He was really a good boy though.  I just trimmed him with his rope draped over his neck, and gave him a break whenever he seemed like he needed it.  It took quite some time to get him trimmed.

When we were done he got a good long break and then I did a lot of fiddling with the saddle, standing over him on the mounting block, hopping up and down, and putting my foot in the stirrup.

I need to work more on getting him accustomed to rein commands.  I forgot to mention the other day, I got a good look in his mouth.  He has BIG wolf teeth.  And his canines haven't erupted yet.  Which makes me wonder if he's younger than they say.  But going back to the wolf teeth.  I'm going to have to wait until after I have those pulled before I put a bit in his mouth.  So I'm thinking we'll either use a bosal or sidepull.  I'm leaning toward the bosal - the sidepull doohickey that I have isn't quite to my liking. 

Then I put the breastcollar on, moved him around a bit with it, and we went out into the great wide open.  (I don't normally have a breastcollar that low - I lowered it so he could graze more comfortably.)

He's even handsome when he's eating.

 

Blue was enjoying the sunshine with us.

Happy times, just being.

I could have taken a nap just like Blue

 But I was aware that something might happen and I might get run over.

Eventually Joseph ate all the good grass within reach, Blue started barking at something, and my bladder demanded attention.  Our magical moment was over.

I had intended to get Scout out and ride but the weather took a nasty turn.  Glad I was out when the sun made its brief appearance.