Funny Farm Mustangs, in partnership with the Mustang Heritage T.I.P. program and the BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program, utilizes only leased resistance training methods to gentle the Mustangs and Burros. We adhere to the practice of “Pressure and Release” type of training as it is proven consistent. We do not use food as a training aid, such as teaching to lead, etc. This “gentling” covers the basic requirements as set forth by the BLM which is catching/haltering, leading with halter, brushing horse/picking up all four hooves for cleaning, etc/load-unload from trailer. During the entire gentling process we utilize six principles for training, which are:
- Patience
- Consistency
- Rhythm
- Timing
- Make the Right Thing Easy, and Wrong Thing Difficult (Through Movement)
- Horses never learn from pressure, however, all horses learn from the release of pressure
These six principles of training have been passed down to us via our close friend and mentor, Ed Dominguez, whose family in South Texas has been using these exact principles since the mid-1800’s. Once the gentling process is completed and meeting the basic adoption requirements, we then move to phase II. That being said, Funny Farm Mustangs takes the TIP horses to a much higher level and will put a solid, safe foundation on the mustangs through several desensitizing and sensitizing ground exercises and if feasible, start under saddle, time permitting. We especially like groundwork, desensitization and obstacle training. While each TIP horse in our care will be available as soon as it meets the minimum training requirements, training is an on-going process and the horses will continue to advance in their training while they are here. If you are not experienced with starting horses we highly recommend you have a trainer put a minimum of 30 days and preferably 90 days of saddle training on your new horse. Again this depends on the horse and your own confidence level and riding ability.
Funny Farm Mustangs can and will put further saddle training on your mustang, but this will be done in as “fee for service” setting.