Valentine and how she got her name

The weather was perfect for my day to pickup the mustang. My mustang was ready, a 3 yr old black filly. They put her in the shoot and asked if I would like a halter and lead rope on her, I said sure, the nice little filly didn't even try to bite when the BLM person put the halter. I enjoyed the opportunity to run my hands down her neck and back. She was like what is going on, not very afraid of being touched at all.

So in the trailer she went. On the drive back to Colorado she startled me the first time she moved her nose to touch my hand. But she got pretty relaxed with the idea of the trailer and me poking my head in.

We arrived at Los Pinos Equestrian Center in good time. By closing some openings we where able to let her move from the trailer to her new pen in a calm easy manner. The gals at the barn where instrumental in giving Val her new name. As we stood around admiring the nice looking beauty we tossed around names. We quickly settled on Valentine. The next 2 days where all about letting her settle into her new area.

Day 3, was all about convincing Valentine to let me touch her. We worked for several hours before she decided to allow me to touch her all over her left side. Then later I got an email from Marlene,

Valentine has mostly startled away when I've fed and would tentatively turn back while I stand there. But tonight, she was totally different – almost started taking the hay out of my hands before I dropped it and she stood right there and started eating while I watched. So your work today had a big impact!

Marlene Moss

Wahoo! we are on our way.

Make your plans early to come meet Valentine & Michelle Myers!
Norco Extreme Mustang Trail Challenge contenders

Los Piños Equestrian Center is proud to host trainer Michelle Myers and her BLM Mustang Valentine for their 90 days of training in preparation to compete at the Norco Extreme Mustang Challenge!

Visit www.LosPinos-CO.com(http://www.lospinos-co.com) for directions to the barn.

Following is a series of demonstration clinics Michelle is offering to the public so people can watch her work with Valentine. Questions welcomed!

Time: 1PM-3PM

March 1 (Sun) - How to catch your horse 101
Going over the basics of how to enter and approach a reluctant horse.

March 7 (Sat) - Despooking 101.
How to introduce your horse to scary items.

March 15 (Sun) – Trailering 101
Teach your horse to trailer.

March 21 (Sat) – Despooking 102.
Despooking Continued. Introduce your horse to more spooky items.

March 29 (Sun) – Problem Solving
How to influence how your horse thinks.

May TBD - Graduation party for Valentine.
Demo of arena routine. Carrot Cake and Pop.

Interested in seeing the daily sessions? email: auroraequine@yahoo.com

Wahoo!!! The Narco Extreme Mustang Makeover has accepted my application.........

I will be picking up my mustang on Valentines day, February 14 in Ridgecrest, California. I'll head back to the mustangs new home at Los Pinos for 90 days of training for the big event in Norco, California May 14th.

Thank You, Marlene, Stace, and Joan of Los-Pinos Equestrian Center (http://www.lospinos-co.com/).

Their sponsorship made my dreams come true. Marlene's positive upbeat attitude helped keep me centered and positive as I waited to hear if I was accepted.
The Los Pinos owners are big fans of mustangs, having owned, bred and boarded several.