Hello one and all.
Great news.
On Monday 13-6-16 Shilo is going for 4 weeks up to a 'ranch' in the north of Denmark to a very special trainer.
This ranch imports Mustangs from the US and also breeds from them, they have I think about 35 Mustangs and some other races too.
Henrik, who owns and trains and breeds these Mustangs has agreed to take Shilo for 4 weeks and 'break' him to ride, I hate that word ' break'.
I have been to this ranch today to get a feel for the place and the people and I tell you it's very very good. His horses are treated like kings !!! and plus when I talked at length with Henrik about Shilo, training and everything else he came with the 'right' answers.
He is a behaviorist and he has two people to ride for him.
I'm so lucky that he agreed to take Shilo.
There is 24/7 video cameras EVERYWHERE on the ranch and I get to log in and watch as I can't go there everyday, so I can see Shilo at all times and what he gets up to and follow with the training.
The first two weeks Shilo won't train, he has to get used to the place and the people first, so that's good.
I did ask on this forum about I should go back to training myself but with an offer like this, I can't say no to it.
Anyone interested the ranch is called Best breed mustangs or US- Mustangs, there are videos on YouTube of the place .
Henrik is also in agreement that of course Shilo can trains without a bit in his mouth, it's not necessary.
I will be filming Shilo when he gets to the ranch , also some training videos will be posted on YouTube on my channel - Dionne Møller if anyone wants to see them.
I'm going to miss him, but it only takes 2 hours to drive out to him.
I'll keep you posted.
Best regards from Dionne.
Hi Dionne,
This is a dive into deep water, you're going to have to trust Henrik and his team!
If your gut-feeling says it's OK, then it's a wonderful chance to start all over with your boy. The fact, that they register all on video helps a lot in trusting...
If you can, go there as often as possible, it's not only Shilo they're going to help, it's YOU also, you're going to be the one to continue after the 4 weeks to work with him. Learn as much as you can and ask as many questions you can think of!
I'm going to check Best Breed Mustangs or US-Mustangs out, when I find a moment, I'm sure you picked this ranch with great care. It's always good to know there are people out there, that help horses in a positive and constructive way.
Looking forward to your posts!
Miriam
Thanks Miriam, it's always a bit of a gamble but I got a good feeling when I was there, and just watching Henrik and one of his helpers with the horses I could see that they train in the way we on the uni would like.
Henrik is a very gentle man around the horses, calm and collected.
I know I'm doing the right thing and yes I will be attending just as much as possible.
I like the use of the video cameras, so I can see Shilo 24/7.
Now we are doing some trailer work in preparation for Monday, I just watched Montys loading videos again all the way through.
It's going to be tough without him at home. But I know that this will mature him some more, socialize him and also make him stronger mentally
I'm looking forward to hearing Henriks thoughts after a couple of weeks of getting to know Shilo, and I know that if we get to the stage where I can actually ride my boy without the big panics I will just cry of happiness, knowing that it's the start to a life of trekking around my home village and discovery together with Shilo.
Even my husband is starting to talk about a riding horse for himself..... that would just be the best if we could ride together so fingers crossed that he will ( he is a man who was scared of horses 3 years ago and now owns his own little Shetland pony Marco.)
Well, this is not getting my trailer training done..... !!!
Bye for now
Dionne.
I was sad that you couldn't make it to Sjaelland, but it seems that if one door closes another one opens! :)
All fingers crossed this will be the best opportunity for both of you! Looking forward to hear about your progress!
Thanks Kicki.
Hello one and all.
Well, two weeks have past and Shilo's settling in time at the ranch is over, his training started today.
I was not at the ranch but received a telephone call from the ranch this evening.
They have started with a bit of ground work and have quickly progressed to walking with two longe lines to teach Shilo left and right and stop signals.
Shilo had other plans and bolted.....just as he has done so many times with me.
He throws his head in the air and takes off.
It's good that he has shown his true colors from the off so that Henrik and his team know what they are dealing with.
All of the training is done in the round pen.
It's true, says Henrik, that I could just mount him and let him run and close him down with a one rein stop, however, that doesn't get us anywhere in the long run, and especially when you ( myself) has to deal with him alone at some point, we have to get to the root and see why he does it and what we can do to stop it.
-
So, once again, the correct answer from Henrik.
-
I'm going up to the ranch on Thursday and Friday- just to observe- and because I miss Shilo.
So, exciting and interesting times ahead.
I have also made a deal with Henrik that when the training with him is over I will stay there for 3 or 4 days and really get some intensive input around basic riding and handling, because Henriks methods are different to my own.
Hope everyone here on the Uni is having some nice times together with their horses and ponies.
Best wishes
Dionne.
That sounds so promising, Dionne! Seems yo have found a real gem in Henrik. :)
Smart move to stay with him for a couple of days. No trainer, really, should let a horse they've had in training go before they have made sure owner/rider and horse speaks the same language.
Looking forward to hear more about this!!!
Hi Dionne,
great news from you and Shilo!
Looking forward to see how the two of you grow, together..
Keep the good work going
Miriam