The Carrot Stick
It is called a "Carrot Stick" because it is usually orange. However it can be any color. It is approximately 3 feet long with a thin rope attached. This is a great tool for touching the horse. It is absolutely NOT used to whip or beat the horse but only to touch him/her. Taser learned it was ok to be touched and even enjoyed it getting a little scratching in the right place!

Fly Mask and Braids are not just a fashion statement. Taser is sporting a fashionable fly mask which helps to protect his eyes from pesky flies. Not only are they an irritant that can cause infection but they can also lay eggs in the corner of a horse's eye! Braids are also not just what the stylish horse is wearing to look good, braids help keep manes as well as tails from being tangled, rubbed out, or damaged. It is also a great way to condition the mane & tail by working a conditioning product into the hair prior to the braiding, then once braided, it will work its way into all of the hairs.

Hydrotherapy
This is a way to "touch" the horse without harming the horse or trainer. Eventually the horse realizes that being touched isn't so bad. By the end of this session Trish was able to work on his mane, that before, Bullet would not let anyone touch.

Can't Have Enough Love
The two most important tools when gentling a Mustang is patience and lots of love!  Trisha's method of training involves a lot of both and the horses respond quite well.

Hey I think I am liking this!

Under Saddle
Before a horse can have a human on his back he must get used to having a saddle on. Before the saddle he must learn that the saddle pad is ok. Taser is learning from Trisha, her husband Sawyer, and good friend Tammy that the saddle idea is not so bad.

Good Job Taser !
You are ready for High School - then, you go to Tech School.

Photos courtesy of Sandra Lineberry