Golden Curls Ranch's Riding Camp 2011

Hey everyone, 

Even though it's been hot in Texas and everywhere else on the planet it seems, we find the best way to stay cool is Ride the Waves when riding a Curly{:>

Here are a few photos of our week long camp.

Of Course, Chester and I had great fun riding with the campers...Wahoo

We are also very lucky to have a wonderful Curly friend, John Upchurch. He is a great instructor and my friend. Wahoo....stay cool everyone and Ride the Waves....Angie in Texas

Golden Curls Ranch - American Honey teaches in our Summer Camps

Hello everyone,
Just wanted to share a short video of our sweet BLM Curly Mustang, Golden Curls American Honey. She has taken on a new role at Golden Curls Ranch as teacher. We have incorporated teaching our campers about watching a horse's body language and our gentling our Honey. Thanks for supporting us through this journey of trust and friendship.
Angie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUuhJu1Merw&feature=share

A working breakfast with Golden Honey

Hey everyone,

We are really good at getting into routines at Golden Curls Ranch and if we are one second late for breakfast we hear about it. Well, I was two seconds late bringing our Golden Curls American Honey breakfast and when John and I opened her gate she was standing there looking at us with the "shame on you look on her face". But, she quickly forgave us and we shared breakfast and chatted a bit.

 OK, gotta see this....

http://youtu.be/ySgqU-olvrQ

John and Honey are connecting so well that she allows him to place the rope over her ears{:> Wahoo, I am so proud of them.

A very proud Angie and her Golden friends

Honey - Small Steps

Hello all, 

Saturday, I decided to give Honey another five days of the antibiotic, she still has a lot of drainage but the meds are working as the swelling is going down. Her right eye was split open and infected but it is improving. At this point I dont think there is permanent damage. 

She is gaining weight, little by little. Our Honey is a tall girl and unlike me at 5'4" who gets a bit pudgy in the middle just by looking at food, she stands an easy 15'2 hands and can eat all she wants without gaining an ounce.

 She is really coming along and I am happy with the small steps,

Angie

Honey loves to munch, munch munch

Honey and I share a mid-day snack{>

Breakfast with Golden Honey

Hey good morning everyone,

Just wanted to share  Breakfast with Golden Honey my breakfast with Golden Honey....have a wonderful day, Angie

John and Honey share a mid-day munch

Here are a few photos I snapped today of John and Honey sharing a mid-day munch...

 

American Honey and Her new friend John

Hello all,

I am very fortunate to have a friend helping me with American Honey. John Upchurch is a wonderful young man with a heart of gold. He have all qualities needed for gentling a mustang and working with Curly horses such as compassion, calmness, gentleness, drive and desire to develop a lasting relationship. I was able to spend the first few days with Honey over the weekend. John and I decided to give her another day of rest on Monday. Then Tuesday we partnered up to "partner up".

Angie

Moonlight and Honey

Last night I sat with Honey for a bit and we talked. OK, I talked and she listened but isn't listening a form of communicating? 

The moon was so full and bright it showered us in a warm glow. Sitting on my steps we were the same distance from each other as earlier in the day but I felt a closeness to Honey that I had not felt before. An emotional closeness. Her body language is less defensive. She seems more relaxed and open to my actions. I really feel we are making progress and gaining trust.

Angie and Honey

Golden Curls American Honey - Day 5

Hello all, 

Our sweet Carolina is fast becoming friends with Honey. Here are the two of them at supper time.

and here is my favorite photo...Honey smelling my boots. She is beginning to associate my smells and me with good things like food{:>

I am honestly beginning to fall in love with this sweet mare{:>

Golden Curls American Honey - Day 4

After yesterday's progress I was hoping for much more today. Well, I guess this is little be like the Texas Two Step. She seemed to ignore me much of the day. Again, I mentally begged her to eat as the sooner she gets the antibiotic in her system the better. Her right eye has been injured and is infected. I really feel the shipping fever is there and only a matter of time before we see more symptoms

A funny note, our sweet Carolina, who I brought back to the ranch from a family visit to North Carolina after my brother-in-law found her in a ditch on the side of the road is my right hand cowgirl. She was laying by the fence waiting for me while I sat with Honey. Honey walked over and smelled her then let out a big snort. It spooked Carolina but Honey remained calm. Love these Mustangs!

While not much progress was made today, I was intrigued when a Hummingbird flu up to me as I sat by the feeder. I am sure he smelled the sweet apples I have been asking Honey to eat. Still, I will take this as a good sign. Angie and Honey

Golden Curls American Honey - Day 3

As I sit with Honey and talk and sing she has one ear towards me. Again, I can only wonder what she is thinking. I have noticed she is dragging her back right toe when she walks. I suspect a minor injury but feel putting some weight on her can only help. So, I mix up every type of concoction I can think of to get her to eat. Since she is not use to grain it is a battle. Reminds me of trying to get my sons when they were little to eat breakfast{:> After a few years and using my eldest, Martin, as a guinea pig I decided cold cereal wasn't so bad after all, it at least met two of the food groups. So Cheerios became a staple in our pantry.  

Today, I sat with Honey a long time, when all of a sudden she walked over to me and smelled my boots. OK, I realized how really big boned she was as I was looking up at her. My heavens I thought, she has tree trunks for legs. I froze and she snorted. She just walked away and I regained my breathing. The emotions of fear and jubliance raced through my body. Then after another fifteen minutes or so she walked over again and smelled me. Then she moved to the feeder and started munch out on the feed I was mentally begging her to eat. I guess she decided; "hey I am hungry and that strange smelling creature appears to be no threat" so let's eat. 

I got up and walked around not looking at her directly but noting her ear was on me the whole time. I pawed at the dirt for a few minutes like another horse might do. Then I walked back to my bench and sat down. She continued to eat but gave me a clear snort that this was her food. 

Honestly, it was a small step today but one I will cherish.
Angie and Honey 

Golden Curls American Honey - Day 2

Hello all, 

Today was a wonderful day, the weather was perfect for being outdoors and a great day to spend with our new friend. Honey has not shown any aggression and is very curious. Great traits for gentling and training. From what I have observed she was not the highest in rank of her herd. She has many scars and bite marks. I also feel she is underweight by over 300 pounds. I know, I am accused of having "healthy on the heavy side horses" but as an old cowboy saying goes; "the best color on a horse is fat" and well my friend Leann stopped by and immediately agreed Honey needs some extra calories. That can be tricky for a wild horse, first they are not use to rich grains so we have to introduce them slowly and we have no idea of the health of their teeth. But, I love to feed my family both two legged and four so I am all over it and as my Grandmama also said;  "the best way to man's heart is through his stomach". Maybe this is true for Mustangs too!

I picked up an antibiotic from my vet this morning for Honey. She has drainage coming from her eyes and all of our other Mustangs needed a course of antibiotic for shipping fever. It was several days before O'Sparky showed symptoms but I decided to get her started right away as it can be fatal. Again, this is tricky as we can only give it to her in her grain as it is a powder. 

She also looks like she is in need of deworming. This coupled with the need of dental care could be contributing to her low weight. We will not start the deworming till she has completed the antibiotics and her teeth cannot be looked at until she has been gentled and haltered. Meantime, we are keeping an eye on everything to ensure she is as healthy as can be. 

Today, I moved my bench into her stall and sat beside her feeder. She snorts when something new is introduced. Funny, so does O'Sparky{:> I read more of the National Geographic so she can associate my voice. I do wonder what she is thinking. Hopefully, it something like; "This crazy looking creature keeps coming over to me and making funny noises...but she does bring me goodies to eat".

I am careful not to stare at her as that is what a predator would do. I also keep my fingers closed so she doesn't consider them claws. While these things sound unusual to humans, I feel it is important to put myself into the horse's mindset and I feel it is working as she came to her feeder and ate with me sitting on the bench beside it. She snorted and I never looked up but we knew each of us was curious and that is the first step to trust.
Angie and Honey

Golden Curls American Honey arrives!

Hello All, 

Today, I woke up to a beautiful Texas morning, with our many species of birds singing and the donkey's braying. The critters at Golden Curls Ranch know we have a new member in our herd but they haven't met her yet. American Honey arrived home yesterday from BLM"s Holding Facility in Paul's Valley, OK. The trip started out interesting as the lights on our new trailer didn't work and we left before dawn. As John and I  rolled down the interstate I was praying for the sun to rise listening to the radio DJ's remind me that it was Friday, the 13th{: I cannot described my feelings as there were many, each vying for top place in my brain, excitement, apprehension,  self doubt, trepidation and passion for the first moment I would be able to connect with our new girl, American Honey.

John first noted the many, beautiful, mustangs as we turned off I-35 and onto the road leading to our destination. We pulled up behind the earlier birds who were sitting in their trucks with their horse trailers parked in a neat line down the road. We hopped out and I realized that I wasn't in Texas anymore as it was chilly. A few hundred miles north and it was down right cold. Still, bracing the coolness we walked over to the check in and showed our ID and asked for our loading ticket. Chris, was a sweetheart and full of good morning cheer. She noted, that a young man did ask what was wrong with our Curly girl as her coat was quite shaggy. I laughed and she is a Curly and we will be having a Spa day soon. 

As we waited our turn we watched the other Mustangs load up into their new friend's trailers. Some were quite spirited. After the loading of Golden Red at the exact same spot a few years ago I never watch. It is extremely scaring for these horses and like Golden Red many try to jump over or beat themselves up in the process. Instead I looked for Honey and she was with a group of Mustangs who was affected by the commotion and they were huddled together for emotional security. 

 

The other trainers and owners were a lively and friendly group of folks. You could tell they had done this quite a few times. They joked with one another and it was well organized. Soon it was soon our turn, and my friend Pat, who runs Paul's Valley, asked joking if I had a curry comb when he discovered I was there to get our Curly Mustang girl. Another lady, joked I would have the best before and after photos as I clicked a few shoots of Honey and her friends {:>  The loading went smoothly. From what I could tell we were the only ones who chose not to have them halter our Mustang. We chose that for safety as she could get tangled up and hooked on something and at this point we could not get close enough to free her. This would set our trust back quite a bit. And, I feel putting a halter on a horse is an intimate action, I guess it's like a wedding ring, and there is a lot of trust and respect that goes along with it. 

Soon we were safely on the road. The trip was smooth with a little bit of construction in southern OK along I-35 but we hit Dallas around 1 pm and missed all the crazy drivers and traffic. We pulled in the ranch around 2 pm and the horses knew we were home with a new friend. We backed up the trailer and opened the doors to her new living quarters and she was pleased to check them out.Calls were coming with greetings and questions from the others and I noted Chester was especially interested in this new lovely lady as this photo shows. 

American Honey settled in and I gave her hay to enjoy while she listening to every moment. A few hours later I pulled my steps into the adjoining stall and opened the latest National Geographic. I read how the Great Barrier Reef is disappearing out loud so she would become accustomed to my voice. She was listening. I bit into an apple and dropped small bites into her feeder for her to gather my smells. Funny girl, she snorts when something new is introduced to her just like O'Sparky. (O'Sparky is our three year old stud that we brought home last August and he was gathered at the same time and location as Honey) I sat for a little time marveling at how close they resemble each other. Here are photos to compare with O'Sparky in the middle.What do you think, am I on to something? 

                                                                                

Well, once Honey feels more trusting I will get samples over to Dr. Gus and know for sure{:>

Today, our goal is to became better acquainted as we wait for our round pen to dry out. Angie and Honey

Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover - yeehaw

Yeehaw Friends,

Just wanted to share a link to the Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover....

http://www.extremem ustangmakeover. com/

I consider myself lucky to be a part of a fun loving group of folks who see the value of Mustangs...and yes, our Curly Mustang, Golden Curls American Honey will be the first to show the equine world what a treasure Curly Mustangs are.....yeehaw{ :>

Angie and her Golden Curly and Curly Mustangs

Golden Curls Ranch welcomes American Honey

Hello Friends,

I'd like to announce the newest addition to Golden Curls Ranch.; Golden Curls American Honey. In January, a fellow Curly Mustang friend, Linda in Kansas contacted me with a note saying there is a Curly Mustang in Mustang Heritage Foundation's, Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover. I followed the link to the video to see the beautiful, bay, mare and I saw my Sparky in her eyes. So we set out on a new journey.
This journey was not one of gas stops and odometer numbers instead it was an emotional quest filled with a most difficult task; waiting. This is something my friends know is very hard for me as a certified ADHD. Still, we submitted our application to BLM in January and waited. They extended the application period; another test of patience; but, my good fiend Connie was there every step of the way. In fact, when I called her in January and explained about the first noted Curly Mustang in a Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover she immediately exclaimed" Let's do it". You see our Curly Mustang friends are not only a supportive group but are also an adventurous bunch.
So after over three months of waiting we received word. Golden Curls ranch was approved to bid. OK, now to wait for April 16 to bid. Meantime, I would ask Sparky if this beautiful, tall (over 15 hands) Bay mare was his mom or sister when I'd spend quite time with him. They both were gathered in the Black Rock East area of Nevada at the same gather . The answer was simply;  "she is a sister, in that we are all related in this big ,wonderful world".
So, the days slowly clicked by, and were checked off the calendar one at a time. Then, April 15th arrived and my friend Connie flew into Dallas to join me in the bidding. Our good friend, Dr. Mitch Wilkinson who is a wonderful Curly Mustang mentor called ofter to say, I'm here for you in journey and was supportive in every way.
The energy level increased as we headed to Ft. Worth. John are barn manager and trainer, his cousin Adam, my wonderfully supportive husband, Hank, Connie and her friend Howard who drove over six hours to join us and my fellow horse friends, Leann and Billy.
Not sure of the bidding time, I insisted on getting there early. It was great to see the folks as we walked up and down the beautiful brick cobbled streets that has seen so much history in the steps of the many different shaped hooves. Connie and I met a wonderful cowboy and his 17 year old horse Clinch who walk the streets meeting and greeting folks in their cowboy attire and crack their whips as they wait to take part in the cattle drive demos. Wonderful artists sitting peacefully strumming their guitars, ladies in period customs who look like they walked out of of the Ft. Worth Stockyard Hotels a hundred years again and the fabulous smell of slowly and tenderly smoked BBQ. Oh, and of course, lots of cold beverage to keep the nerves settled and parched, mouths comfortable.
One O' Clock, the televised bidding begins, and it's standing room only. I walk in with my bidder number, 165. Lucky numbers I feel, and my friends are all there waiting to either catch me as I fall or hug me with gusto. I watch the people, some cowboys who came right out of the corrals, you can tell by the boots, yep; grandpa always said you could tell a lot about a man but the shoes or boots he was wearing. And, there were others who looked as if they stepped right out of Rodeo Drive.
Eyes darted around the room and we quickly sized up each other up without moving a muscle. Folks, who were chatty, were the the employees of Superior Productions, the company handling the auction. There was as banquet table laid out with snacks and goodies; but, who could possible nibble at a time like this? So, the bidding began. The camera man zoomed in and out, the four monitors were showing videos of Lot #1, Lot #2 OH MY Goodness did that Mustang just sell for $5000. I looked at Connie, she just smiled. I looked at John he smiled....I looked my husband and he smiled...but I was not sure what all those smiles meant.
Now, they were auctioning Lot #8. I sure wishes that fella in the Black Cowboy hat would slow down and speak a little plainer. I am just a small town, southern girl and processing all those numbers was getting harder by the minute. I tried to see a pattern, they would go up to $500 and then down and up again. OK, so I decided our strategy would be to not place the first bid.  I could feel John standing closer to me as Lot #20 comes up on the video. I hear someone say,
a "Curly Mustang". I step up quickly to make sure my bidder number can be seen over the crowd and make eye contact with the fellow who is in charge of the relying the bids to the cowboy in the Black Hat with the microphone.. Time seems to slow down for a brief moment and I see another fella across the room raise his hand. The cowboy with the microphone calls him Bill. The phone rings and the numbers start. My man sees me and realizes I am in the game. OK, we will go. What was the budget Connie and I agreed on again? Oh no, deep breathe. The phone rings again and Bill agrees with the newest number. My fella looks at me. I agree (not sure where we are on the numbers as they sure to seem to go and then down a lot) The cowboy looks at Bill, and asks again, Bill shakes he head no. The cowboy with the microphone looks at me and asks me I say yes....bamm, I see the gravel hit the block and she is ours!
The waiting is over.....American Honey is coming to Golden Curls Ranch.

Hugs, and more hugs, paperwork is completed and we head out into the wonderful sunlight of a beautiful Texas Saturday afternoon. There is music and friends and I feel the greatest relief of emotions in months. I want to just sit down and rethink it all but it's celebration time. Wahoo, we head to the White Elephant and toast with good friends. Phone calls to my sister, Dr. Mitch and emails starting popping in and I even receive a call from a good friend in Missouri, "did you get the Curly Mustang" yea.

My husband and I head back to ranch, I doze. Amazing how the body needs to recuperate from all the pent up energy. Our Curlies are waiting and it's dinner time. I love the rhythms of life at our ranch. It helps keep me centered. After feeding everyone, I head to bed.realizing tomorrow a new journey begins.

I would like to thank everyone for all their wonderful support and invite you to join us on Golden Curls blog found at www.goldencurlsranch.com for updates with American Curly and her journey to the Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover which will be held September 15-17 at the Ft,Worth Will Rogers Colosseum.

Angie and the Golden Curlies and Mustangs
 

Chatting with Curly Girls :> - April 2011 RAC Challenge

Hello Friends,

Well our Curlies are such a fun loving and competitive group that the girls and I decided to have a "girls verus fellas" competition going while we are working on our obstacles for RAC this month. I explained to them that they were out numbered over 2 to 1 with the guys and our BLM Curly Mustangs mares were unfazed.

I know these ladies they can handle it as the BLM Curly Mustangs are not only beautiful they are extremely smart.. So, here are photos of the girls and I chatting on the cell phone today. Blossom really got into it and Sunny was certain it was something good to eat. Golden Red was a little more shy about the device and had those ears working, moving to the rythum of the music, each time it rang..She will make a wonderful dance partner when we begin working in western dressage.

 Blossom BLM Curly Mustang

  Sunnie

 Golden Red BLM Curly Mustang

 

From All the girls from Golden Curls,

Chatting with Curly Fellas{:> - April 2011 RAC Challenge

 

Our Curly friends are having a great time desensitizing their Curly horses and competing with each other.
Here is a video of Lakota and I.....talking on the cell phone while in the saddle.
Join us for other wonderful fun at
http://rideacurly.blogspot.com/
Angie

Sparky never meets a stranger

Hello Curly Horse Friends,

Whats better than having wonderful Curly horses to love and spend time with everyday? Sharing your wonderful Curly horses with others!

My good friend Connie Rivas, caught a flight into Dallas week before last to visit our Curlies. Connie is a horse owner and true friend of Curly Mustangs. She also has allergies to horses. So this was a test of sorts and a great opportunity for me to learn more.

Connie has Archer, a three year old gelding, BLM Curly Mustang, who is related to our Blossom and Golden Red. They were gathered at the same round up by BLM.

Here are a few photos of Connie and Sparky, our Wild Mustang. OK, really folks does he look wild? Sparky has never met a stranger and immediately partnered up with Connie. He allowed her to do the same ground training techniques I do such as picking his feelt, grooming and leading.


It was a very wonderful feeling to see our young man so well behaved. I am truly a proud Mama mare.

BTW, Connie had no allergic reaction to our curlies...she did have a reaction to our sweet Quarter Horse/ Paint, Allie, who, like Sparky, has never met a stranger and is always ready for a gentle rub.

Angie and Sparky in the Lone Star State.