Wild Horses: Mica Goes to a Trail Obstacle Clinic with Carol

Carol and Mica, photo by Jody

On April 29, Mica and I went to a Trail Obstacle Clinic at Jody Marken and Marty Marten’s beautiful place in Berthoud Colorado. Last year, Rich Scott had done a demo with Mica as a yearling going through the obstacles for the first time, but this time I was handling Mica by myself. Beth Beymer was the guest trainer for the clinic, and there was a nice group of people there with their horses, including Cathy Bryerly with her mustang that she had adopted the same time I adopted Mica from Canon City. Jody took some wonderful photos that I will include as did my friend Susan Kniebes who bravely grabbed and used my big heavy camera. I am more used to being behind the camera, so it was a treat to have 2 friends take photos of Mica and I.

Cathy and Carol with their mustangs, photo by Jody

Once we began, we had free rein to go to whatever obstacles we pleased, take as long as we wanted, with plenty of help available from Beth, Marty and Jody as needed.  It was a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, the ideal way to introduce a young horse to new things.

Mica walks over a bridge, photo by Jody

The curtain is an interesting obstacle, but I led Mica up to it and just waited for him to move in his own time. He peeked though, then moved through quietly.

Mica peeks through, photo by Jody

Mica goes through the curtain, photo by Jody

There was a big ball that the horses could push with their feet, but Mica enjoyed pushing it with his nose – which did not surprise me as he put his nose  and lips on every obstacle before going through or over it.

Mica meets the ball, photo by Susan

Mica likes moving the ball with his nose, photo by Susan

After the first curtain, this one is easy – he walks right through.

Mica walks right through this curtain, photo by Susan

My favorite obstacle was a big tractor tire, securely anchored into the ground. Once Mica got his front feet up, it was only natural to get all 4 up there, and I think he liked the view!

Mica gets his front feet on the tire platform, photo by Jody

Now he's a really big horse! Photo by Jody

All day I was very pleased with his willingness to try anything, and we became more and more confident working together.  That is what the clinic was all about.

Mica runs to find his friends

He turns and sees them

Once I brought Mica back home, he ran to reunite with his two buddies Claro and Cremosso. Once he makes it over to them, I think he had to tell them all about the day with all the horses and people and funny things to play with.

Mica talks about the clinic