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Karen Simmons writes:
Coyote is our first wild mustang. We adopted him from the Burns Horse
Corrals in March of 2001. He was a standoffish type of colt, but food was
a good icebreaker. It didn't take too many feedings with the wheelbarrow
for him to recognize the routine and was soon greeting me at the gate and
taking hay from my hand. But, after a month of working him in the round
pen and on the 20 Ft. lead, I still couldn't get my hand past his eye. He
just didn't want to have anything to do with that. I asked for a
suggestion from mentor Marie Towe, and she suggested John Sharp.
I luckily have John Sharp in the next town. We met with John and left his
ranch with videotape and bamboo pole in hand, filled with new inspiration.
After watching the tape 4 or 5 times, I headed out to the newly
reconfigured pen (24' x 24'). Within 45 minutes I had my hands all over
him! Coyote and I had come to an understanding!! It was such a thrill to
first touch him and think of where he had come from and how his life was
changing.
By the end of fall 2001, Coyote was gelded, receives regular hoof trimming,
trailers, and ponies along with my QH gelding on trail rides. His
disposition is very mellow, and he is just a typical young horse who likes
to investigate and stick his nose into everything. I'm really looking
forward to starting him under saddle this next spring for some light trail
riding. The following year, I will start training him for breakaway roping.
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Eating from Karen's hand for the first time
John Sharp "rope treatment"
first time out of the round pen into his 1 acre pasture
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