Saunya's thank you's to ALL 8/25/09

The last two weeks have been like a whirlwind or maybe a tornado. I am running out of time in more ways than one. I took IlDivo tothe Mustang Burro show at the Reno Livestock Event Center. Nothing like a horse show to show you what you need to work on. He is very afraid of horses coming at him or running up behind him. The indoor arena made him very nervous. The second day he was much better but still needs work on adjusting to new places and things. The one thing I did discover about him is that he is fearless when it comes to trail obstacles. The Prison inmate program had an awsome trail course set up. They were gracious enough to let me introduce ILDivo to the new obstacles. He was fantastic. He really seemed to enjoy the new things he was introduced to.

Our fund raiser activities have gone extremely well. There are so many people that I want to thank for their time, donations, sponsorships, rummage sales, computer skills, donations of items for our rummage sale and it goes on and on. I will list all names in my last blog before I leave for Fort Worth. What started out as one trainer, one wild horse, has turned out to be a HUGE community effort, some people I know, some I don't know but many have contributed. I am, at times, overwhelmed by all the help that I have received to get this pretty little " once wildone" to Fort Worth.

Terri Russell and Walker, her camerman, from KOLO 8 will be filming again this Friday evening. I think we will have another story airing soon.

8-17-09 ILDivo's progress

The last few days have been full of firsts and a lot of event's for IlDivo and I. Before I get started with my horse's progress, there are other things that I would like to tell you about. I have my first large sponsor's name on my trailer. Check out the logo on my trailer, it looks fantastic.

Terri Russell will be doing another story on our progress this Thurs. evening 8-20-09@5:00 p.m. I will be taking IlDivo to the Mustang, Burrow show this coming week end, actually Friday and Saturday the 21st and 22ND. He will be in a red pen and will be there from 10:00 to 2:00 each day for anyone who would like to meet him. Also, we will be selling horse treats, made by Terri, to make money to help finance our trip to Fort Worth.

Rhae and Ron Testa, from here in Lemon Valley, my dear friends, will be having a rummage sale to benefit ILdivo and I and our trip. It will be held on Lemon Drive in the Wayside Bar's parking lot. Anyone who would like to donate their unwanted stuff to our cause for the trip can contact me or Ron and Rhae, 775-971-3787 or drop it off to Rhae on Friday. Take 395 North to exit 74, Lemon Drive, and follow to the Wayside Bar. The sale will be from 8 to 4 and all proceeds will go to the Saunya and ILDivo trip to Fort Worth. My many, many, thanks to Rhae and Ron.

Again, I am still seeking sponsors. I have donated all of my time and expertise to this wonder full cause of saving our wild Mustangs. With that being said, the trip will still be very costly, fuel, hotels, unexpected expenses, all my travel expenses, etc. Also, part of my sponsorship will help pay for our KOLO 8 team, Terri and Walker, to go and film live from the Extreme Makeover Competition in Fort Worth. We could not possibly think of leaving them behind. They have dedicated many hours, and many hours to come, on this story. Our common goal here is to help increase the public awareness to the beauty, train ability, and the adoptions of the Wild Mustang's.

IlDivo is progressing very well. The two of us will be ready to go, Sept. 12Th on our departure date. What is uncertain, however, is our finances. While I have received generous donations, I am still in need of help. If there is anyone who reads this who would like to be a sponsor, email me @ saunyajo@charter.net

Last week was a huge week of firsts. The little guy had his first pedicure!!!!!My farrier, Curt Sprague gave ILDivo his very first trimming. All in all, thanks to my gentle Giant, Curt, it went really well. He is so patient. I am still working on the electric clipper issue. I took ILDivo with me to Fallon on the weekend. My friends went with me. Elaina and Marilynn decided to work on his muzzle whiskers while I judged the horse show. By the end of the day, he had a shave, with a Bic razor, still a BIG improvement, and the two worked on it all day. Patience and persistence prevailed. He hates having his mouth messed with. He is very selfish.

I want to start riding him in a snaffle, again, he is selfish with his mouth and does not want it messed with. He is wearing the snaffle reluctantly.The training is going fantastic. Everyone thinks he is adorable and he is. He is talented, willing, and somewhat an over achiever. He tries so hard and gets frustrated. It's OK, we just keep moving along at a pace that he can handle. Stay tuned, there will be more to come.

Don't forget to watch Terri's story this Thurs. Send in your comments!!!!!!We want your input. Thank you

August 11 ILDivo goes thru the truck wash

I have to share this story. IlDivo had a very adventurous day. I had to take my trailer down to the graphics design place for them to measure and make some signs advertising my sponsor. I decided to load him and then stop and ride at the arena on my way back and save some time.

Yesterday I had my trailer acid bathed at the truck stop. It's a special chemical they use on aluminum trailers to take off the dirt and residue from the roads.During the process it left some streaks on the sides where my name is on the trailer. I thought I would just go back there and have them look at it and see if they could remove whatever it is. To make my long story short the manager said, " lets just run it through again". I told him I had a horse in the trailer, he said, "that's OK". So, I closed the drop down windows and pulled through the truck wash. IlDivo handled it fantastic and now he has traveled to a new place, through the truck wash!!!!!

9th week with IlDivo

Here we are, 9Th week. Everyday with ILDivo gets easier. He's loading and hauling like a seasoned show horse. I am riding him out in the huge public arena. Our loping is getting much better and I can guide him around some half way correct circles. He is real balanced and very fun to ride. Teaching him to lope from walk is really making him mad. He is getting it but today I thought I had better BACK OFF!!!!! Lots of long trotting and then loping. I started teaching him some trail, side passing over poles, trotting over poles and some very wide back thru's.

His biggest issue right now is the electric clippers!!!! Not a happy pony when it comes to the buzzing noise!

One thing that is a huge PLUS with this horse is that he is a very low energy Horse. I spend very little time lunging. He is really honest. I have not had any feelings of him being bad or wanting to buck. It's a real good feeling to have when riding a " once wild mustang".

8th week Riding in the large arena 8/2/09

I am down to less than 45 days until leaving for Fort Worth. My Little Guy is learning very quickly but I still have so much to teach him. I was amazed at how well he did riding him in a huge arena this week end since we have only been in the round pen up until now. He is brave, very honest, very loyal, and SMART. He gets confused like any young horse in training will do. We are loping, trotting/jogging all over the place. He is adjusting real well to other horses and people. Each outing is better. This next week he has to learn to lope from a walk. this is a huge step and will be real hard for him. I expect some rebellion and frustration. It will pass.

I introduced him to a hackamore today. I have been riding him in a sidepull and martingale. He has a real soft nose and is willing to learn. I think I will be showing him in a hackamore. Stay tuned for more.