That video was awesome! He definitely has a personality, the end was so funny! I love that he doesn't let his disability hold him back in any way. He for sure has built trust in you as a leader and friend. just a few notes! - We will work on some riding skills in our next discussion video. Stopping will be one of those! Yukon could use a little tune up to make his stops. His collection was phenomenal! Great job getting him to use himself at the lope. He moves out great! - Lateral work is coming along great! This will actually help down the road with flying lead changes one day! -Keep in mind how you can challenge him with obstacles for that Performance at the State Show! tarps, bridges, pool noodles, liberty etc. - Let me know how the food aggressions progresses. We definitely don't want him taking that habit with him to his new home. Thanks Charlee! Keep it up! Excited to see what you accomplish next month! Lexi

You have done such a great job with Baby Que I can hardly put it into words! I think we can all agree you two have had the most progress since your first day at the Meet and Greet. It's hard to believe this is the same HORSE! You have really taken the time and patience that she desperately needed. It's sad to see her past, but I'm so thankful she has someone like you to give her life and hope again in her future. I am definitely going to shed a few tears at the State Show with y'alls performance haha! Just a few notes - Have you tried giving her feed or treats after she unloads from the trailer? I really think that will help her out! Maybe give her breakfast after you load and unload her. You don't have to go anywhere! Just work on walking in and out. - I LOVE that you taught her how to side pass and making it more challenging by adding poles. You can definitely use something like this for your performance. I wonder if she would be good at learning some liberty skills? - I'm so happy to see she made a friend in Bobby! - I know you are in the in hand section but did the adoption partners say if Baby Que could eventually be ridden? I have no problem letting y'all work on mounting and simple walk trot lope with her if they allow it. Obviously you couldn't use that at the State Show, but it could be fun to try and strengthen that bond and trust you have already built with her! I'm excited to see your progress and as always will be watching for your social media :) We all love seeing your videos and transformation pictures with Baby Que! Lexi

Thank you for the great videos David! The progress you have made with Haven is incredible! You can definitely use those roping and dragging skills in your State Show performance! Remember to start introducing other hard obstacles such as tarps, bridges etc. Anything you can create to help show off her skills and trust in you as a leader. How are her leads when lunging? Maybe she needs to be adjusted? Something to consider. We definitely want her to learn her leads :) You two are doing great, and I am so excited to keep watching you two grow and progress. I hope to get out to you and exotica for a site visit soon!

The progress you two have made since our last site visit is beyond AMAZING! I am so proud of you two for continuing to work on what we discussed. It looks like he is really starting to respect your space which I know was a huge hurdle to cross the last time we talked. Good job on becoming leader! I know he's a big boy, but he still needs to see you as boss mare haha! I'm so glad you were able to find him a headstall that fits so you can ride! Great job on keeping the lessons short and sweet. He is a horse that will thrive on short lessons rather than long exhausting lessons. I'm happy to see your pictures! Looks like a lot of fun is going on over there! I'm happy to see we were able to move him into a small herd! Horses are meant to be in herd dynamic so I was worried he was going to be alone. Great work on getting him moved to some friends he gets along with. He definitely thanks you and so do I! Keep in mind what obstacles and challenging things you can do with him for your State Show performance! I look forward to seeing you start desensitizing him to "scary" things haha! Keep up the great work Jaelyn! Lexi

Hey Savanna! I enjoy keeping up with you and Bam Bam on social media! He is quite the character haha. You are doing a great job desensitizing him to MANY things. He definitely has a lot of trust in you. Remember to keep in mind what you can do to highlight him for the State Show! Maybe some liberty, jumping, etc. If you are looking for some more advanced skills try blind folding Bam Bam and see if he will trust you to lead him around through different terrain! try through water, over a bridge, get creative! :) Also let me know if you receive your money from us so you can use it on his DNA test. I am really curious to see the results. Keep up the amazing work Savanna!

Hi there Micah! I really enjoy watching your progress with Scooter through your Facebook posts! You are doing an AMAZING job with him, and I know you two will be a very competitive pair at the State Show. I'm glad that you are getting Scooter used to both English and Western, especially if you sell him at the show to someone who only does one or the other! Great experience for you both. Good job on taking it slow with the spurs. Remember once he starts to listen to your leg continually, try taking the spurs off and see if he listens better. Also keep in mind some challenging obstacles you can add to your performance routine for the State Show! We will discuss some ideas in the coming months. Keep up the great work Micah!

Amazing progress Astoria! I loved watching your YouTube video! She definitely looks like she has gained weight in her hind end, and her back even looks a little more filled out so great job finding a good nutrition plan for her. I really appreciate you taking the time to teach her ground work manners. She definitely respects your space and moves off of your pressure really well. Lunging looks great! I like that you have listened to her cues on when it hurts her to do something. I'm hoping if you decide to sell her at the show that a kid will want her as their first horse! She deserves someone who will continue her training but won't push her too hard at the end of the day. Remember to start thinking about what obstacles you want to have in your performance for the State Show. Maybe some tarps, a bridge, sending her through pool noodles etc. Watch some extreme cowboy videos for some help on creating obstacles or challenging material! Keep up the great work Astoria!

Howdy Hope! Thank you for the update on Fritter! Just a few notes for ya! - When you try and trot off with her let's have someone behind her with a flag or a whip to put some pressure behind her! You look forward and give your vocal cues while the person behind you gives continual pressure until she starts trotting. Let me know if that works! - Send me a video of you trying to lunge Fritter so I can send you a video back with my notes and advice for you. I am still trying to see how soon I can get out to you for a site visit :) Probably won't be until Mid to late February. Keep up the great work Hope!

Great job Madison! I loved reading through your journal entry and can see you have made SO much progress with Exotica. Just a few notes for ya! - For her stalling issue let's try and feed her in her stall so she can associate it with a place of positive! Maybe give her breakfast or dinner in her stall and see how that helps. I would really like for her to get used to being stalled just in case she is sold to someone who can only board her inside. - I'm so glad you are getting her used to other people working with her! Your brother is so brave haha! Seems like they are learning together along the way. - I LOVE that you are starting liberty with her, especially since you can add those to your performance at the State Show! That will make her very competitive and catchy to the eye for our viewers! - Standing still. I have a problem with this in my own horse pawing so I know how you feel! If you want you could try hobbling her. If not you can try and wait her out and leave her tied until she is calm and then move her around. Some of that like you said will never go away. Her breed is just known for always being high energy! All and all I love the progress! Keep up the great work! Lexi

Yay Cinnamon! I am excited to see y'all this month and all of your progress :) Seems like she is a brave girl! Start thinking of obstacles you can highlight her ability for in the State Show! Keep up the good work Tava!

What a brave girl! She's doing amazing! I saw you were having a hard time uploading a video so maybe try and make it into a YouTube video and then post the link here :)

Terry + Kye Lynn Tomlinson Terry’s Journal By Kye Tomlinson. — Sept. 2021 September 12, 2021— PICK UP DAY What an exciting day. We got to meet some amazing people and horses. The ASPCA staff was so helpful and caring. They really wanted us to have all the information we needed about our horse. I could tell they loved the horse I was paired with. His name is Terry. He is a 28 year old gelding who had been surrendered by his owners to the ASPCA. I was able to work with Terry a couple of times before we left for home. He was hard to catch. It took several of us to convince him stand to be haltered. He is a bit pushy and needs some ground manners but was full of energy of an old guy. After a full day of classes from several great presenters we loaded Terry in the trailer. He went in after a few tries. Although he did paw a lot in the trailer on the way home he seemed to travel well. Unfortunately when we went to unload at home it was not as smooth. It was apparent Terry has not been hauled much and he did not know how to back out of the trailer. It took us 45 minutes to unload Terry from the trailer. He would back then come forward, back a bit more and stomp. With patience Terry finally unloaded from the trailer. He seemed to enjoyed his new stall and settled in nicely. Session 1— Today we loaded Terry back in the trailer and went to the Comanche Arena. When we got there he let me back him to the edge of the trailer pretty well but it was difficult to get him to step out completely. I put him right to the edge and pushed him to step out. After a few tries he finally but we got it done. I was so proud of his progress. Much better than the last time. After a few minutes of lunging I saddled Terry. He was very nervous when I went to put the saddle on. We practiced putting the saddle on and taking it off and putting it back on for a while. Eventually he stood calmly and I was able to cinch him up. Terry was also not fond of the bit. It took a few tries to get his bridle in the first time. Once it was it he did not have any trouble with the bit. Terry stood well until I went to get on. He was nervous and moved of a bit. After a few minutes he settled and we walked to the arena. He did not want to leave the other horses. It was difficult to get him to walk in the area. Even in a simple circle. He would just stop and refuse to move. Then we were able to pick up a trot. He feels like he may be gaited. Although he did try to run of 3 times we were able to trot and even lope a few times. At first he was on the wrong lead but soon he was taking my cues well. He was not able to lope a full circle but I feel he made some good progress today. Session 2 — Today I just spent time with Terry. Yesterday had been a hard day and we were both tired. I did some ground work and landing with him and lots of growing. He seems to like to be groomed. Although still push he stood well to be brushed. I think he enjoyed at the low key day. Session 3 — “TROUBLES WITH TERRY” My sister and cousin woke up early and took the horses to the Arena in town. Although at first Terry stats to back out of the trailer well, he suddenly wants to turn around. We knock heads…. It hurt. After a few minutes I try again. It is difficult to convince hime there is not a cliff behind him. I tried to tell him it was a small step and that I was not pushing him off into a giant cliff. But he had to feel it for himself. After he puts one foot down I push so he will put the other back foot down. He was half way out and doing great. He rested, licked his lips a bit and continued to back out of the trailer. I tied him to the trailer so I could saddle. He pawed and pawed. I moved him to the pole fence, nobody wants a torn up fender. He continued to paw the ground and move around. I let him chill for a few minutes. Later I saddled him and he did really well. Just a bit wiggly today. He really doesn’t like to leave the trailer. We walked around a bit then went into the arena. He is very buddy sour and wants to be by the gate of the arena. We walked and trotted but Terry really wanted to stay with the other horses at the ally. I pushed him by and we picked up a trot. He has a very smooth gaited horse trot. After trotting a while we picked up a lope. It was the right lead the first time I asked. I was super happy he seemed to be understanding my cues better. Terry and I work on trotting then loading for a few minutes in each direction. He is out of shape and working up quite a sweat by this time so we slow down and walk him out. When we got home he was much easier to back out of the trailer. Troubles and Progress. Session 4 — Today we went to another arena. He had some trouble backing out but its improving. Things were different for Terry and he was very spooky. It is interesting how some things do not bother him and then he would spook at random things. He defiantly keeps me on my toes. Terry and I did some of the same things we had done the day before. Walk, Trot, lope. Since this arena had poles I went through them with him at a walk. He did well but with him still being so green I did not push him to go faster. We continued to walk, trot, and lope in a large circle. Terry is catching on little by little. He still has a smooth trot and I have enjoyed seeing him become more relaxed. After our lesson he stood well to be unsaddled and smoothly loaded in the trailer. When we got home he had some trouble unloading but he is still making progress everyday. Session 5 — We had an easy day doing some ground work and lunging. I think he has definitely lunged before but is still getting to know my ground cues. Session 6 — Today we went back to the Comanche Arena. Terry has had a couple of days off and has enjoyed being a horse. He was easier to catch today than in days past. I took Terry with me to a friend’s house for a couple of days. I think the more he goes the better her will be. He loaded well and was calmer in the trailer. He is still very active and a bit spooky but making progress. When we got to my friends it was late so I did not have an opportunity to ride him. I walked him around and got him settled into his “Hotel” stall. He settled in well. I went to check on him later and he was just chilling. Session 7 — We woke up early to ride. I had several horses to ride so I got Terry out of his stall and tied him to the hitching post with another horse. After I rode my other horses it was Terry Time! I was not sure what to expect. He had been off two days and was now in a new place. He was not thrilled with being tied but only pawed a little bit. I saddled pretty smoothy. Just one spook. Terry and I went to the arena a walked a lap. Just to see all the sights. We continued to do the same exercises as before and although he was a bit spooky I thought he did well. We are still working on reading cues and picking up the right lead but it is progress and I am proud of him. Session 8 — Terry spent another night in his “hotel” stall and seemed to be settling in great. Much calmer. I was able to tie, saddle, and mount without him spooking so I was pretty proud. We spent the rest of the session walking, trotting, and loping circles. He is getting better but has a long way to go. All in all our trip to my friends house went well and I think Terry might have even liked it there but the end of our stay. Session 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16 After getting home Terry settled back in his stall run well. We continued to work on trailering by going to our local rodeo arena. He is making improvements slowly but surely. At times he still thinks there might be a cliff at the back of the trailer but is doing so much better. We continued to work on standing at the trailer, saddling, and simple turns. It’s a challenge for him and me at times. Each session we work on simple turns at the walk and trot. He also get to practice his leads. His left lead is his favorite. When loping he will pick it every time so we work on breaking down and picking up a right lead. At the end of the sessions I unsaddle and rinse him off. He likes that. Three things Terry has improved on this month— 1. Unloading from the trailer He is still working on it but improving. 2. Picking up on directional cues under saddle At first he would just weave but now will take some direction to turn. 3. Leads (taking the right) He loves the left lead and would not take a right lead at first. Although still working on it he can not lope in both leads.

Sienna + Stormi- This month has contained many struggles, and breakthroughs for Stormy. We began with the basics, hindquarter yielding, shoulder yielding, round penning, facing up, flexing, leading, backing up, and desensitizing. Stormy now does all these things very softly. However, there were some things she did not pick up so easily. Obstacles. That was a big struggle for her. When you asked her to get on the pedestal, or bridge she would freak out. This involved rearing, flipping over, and usually injuring herself in the process. Despite this though, we have moved forward and can now calmly execute those obstacles. Stormy can also now trailer load very well. If you approach it with her she just hops in, with little to no use of the halter. This was a big deal for her as she used to also freak out over the trailer. But, with patience, and a good groundwork foundation she now loads great! I have put her in some tough situations to help improve her panicky mindset. For example, carrying the tarp, or trailering to new places. From all these experiences her response to scary things has improved drastically. Stormy now carries a snaffle very calmly. This used to involve lots of mouth movement, and stress. However, with hours of practice, when you put it in her mouth she will stand very quiet with it. Additionally, Stormy went on her first overnight trip to a cattle arena and handled it very well. She started over very nervous around the cows, but eventually gained the confidence to try to move them from the other side of the fence. She also had her first sit and handled it perfectly! I am very excited for the future with her!