2025 Meeker Mustang Makeover

I’ll head to Meeker, CO this weekend to pick up an untouched mustang for the 2025 Meeker Mustang Makeover! In the last few days, I’ve increased the height of the panels in my training pen and done some spring cleaning around the ranch. This week is all about spending time with the other Rainbow Ranch horses, laying the marketing foundation for my horse training business, watching colt starting videos, and preparing for the big day!

Meet #4869! I had a lucky day in the horse lottery, and was able to choose one of my top picks. This horse is a 3-year-old gelding from the Conant Creek HMA in Wyoming. We had a chance to participate in a clinic with Nick Mantle on Sunday to build a foundation for our next four months together. Our trip back to WY was smooth, and the new guy is settling in to life at the Rainbow Ranch!

Holy cow! Spot is really making strides. In spite of a rainy, muddy couple weeks, we had our first ride on Day 12 together! And Spot got a name! We sailed through groundwork basics, desensitization, haltering, leading, ponying and trailering. I’m getting to know this little guy — he got his name because, well, spots…but also because he really reminds me of a character in a children’s book. He wants to be good and generally is, takes most things in stride, and sometimes has big feelings! Check out my Instagram and Facebook pages for regular updates.

This week saw some major milestones for Spot! On Wednesday, we had our first canter in the arena, Spot joined Sammy and Muffin in the pasture after learning about electric fences, and Spot wore fake loads in the middle of a pack string! I’ve been guided in the under saddle work by Warwick Schiller’s principles; I think he has a really nice approach to early rides on young horses. I rewatched the video linked below before my first arena ride this week with Spot. You can also find a full-length video of this ride on my YouTube channel and shorter updates on Instagram and Facebook.

The highlight of our week was Spot’s first trail ride! Sammy, Spot, Ruthie and I headed to state land southeast of Lander and rode through the desert together. I lead out on Sammy, ponying Spot, then swapped horses. At first, Spot was more interested in eating grass than in going for a ride, but it only took a little encouragement to get him moving! Spot walked out with purpose, was unfazed by Ruthie running up behind him, and led Sammy like a real professional. Back at home, I also packed Spot for the first time, and led him in a string. Spot will head into the mountains to start working in June, and all the pieces are coming together!

This week I moved with Spot, Sammy, Otter and Cub to the NOLS Three Peaks Ranch in Boulder, WY. I’ll be working as a horse trainer over here for the next month and took a bunch of my own horses with me! Spot settled right in to life in a new place. I’ve introduced the snaffle and we’re working on lateral movement on the ground and under saddle. Spot got a bunch of exposure to new people while a NOLS course was in town, getting ready for a two-week horsepacking expedition in the Red Desert.

Spot and I kicked off Week 6 together with a trip to Rock Springs for a clinic with Jim Hicks. What a fantastic experience! I rode Spot and Otter in the clinic and left with some transformational learning. Spot and I focused on moving his shoulders and starting to accept contact through the bridle. Not only did we have time in the clinic together, but Spot rode out through unfamiliar desert terrain without batting an eye! He was a great traveler through and through — a new barn, new arena, speakers, crowds…not a problem! I can’t wait to keep practicing some of the things we learned next week!

What a big week for Spot! He got shoes, had his first obstacle practice, and went to work. I stood up on Spot for the first time, and we traveled to Meeker together for the Back on Track clinic. Phew! Riding with Jim Hicks last week helped me start to develop a feel with Spot. He’s getting softer and softer through the bridle, I can increasingly put him exactly where I want him, and he’s happily jumping over barrels and cantering over tarps! Spot and I rode in the mountains together on Thursday to deliver food to a NOLS course in the Wind River Range, and this little horse — whether packing or riding — never put a foot wrong. I feel so lucky to spend the summer with this special mustang!