Noya’s Journey: The Accidental Hippophile’s Mustang Dream Day 1
January 19, 2023
When Shapour, the host of The Accidental Hippophile, decided to fulfill his childhood dream of adopting a Mustang, he never expected it to be easy. But he certainly didn’t expect the journey to be as difficult and rewarding as it was.
Shapour’s journey began with a visit to the BLM facility in Ridgecrest, California. He had no intention of adopting a Mustang on this visit, but when a Buckskin caught his eye and slowly made her way towards him, he knew she was the one. He named her Noya Cherokee for sand, and requested information from a friend who had adopted Mustangs from the same facility before.
Unfortunately, Noya had already been moved to a storefront in Arizona. But Shapour couldn’t forget her kind eyes and the way she seemed to be reaching out to him. He decided to follow up on the adoption process, and after much persistence, was finally able to adopt Noya and bring her back to a ranch in Lutheran rally, just two hours away from his home.
When Shapour finally met Noya in person, he knew he was in for a challenge. Noya was a wild Mustang, and Shapour had only worked with domesticated horses before. But he was determined to go through with it, hoping to survive the training in one piece.
On day 1, Shapour began by testing his luck and seeing if Noya would come to him and smell his hand. He quickly realized that patience was key, and decided to put a halter on her before the end of the day. Noya turned to him and gave him “two eyes,” a sign of respect in horse language, but Shapour knew at this stage she was only facing him because she was afraid of him and positioning herself to strike if necessary.
Shapour then moved on to the round penning exercise, which is used to move a horse’s feet at the trainer’s command and establish communication. He used a lariat and softly hit his legs to put enough pressure for Noya to move, and then changed direction by turning towards him rather than the fence. Noya was resistant at first, but Shapour praised her actions by relieving the pressure and walking away, showing her that every time she looked at him, there would be no pressure.
By the end of the day, Shapour had made progress with Noya and felt confident that with patience and consistency, he could successfully train her. But he also knew that it would be a long and difficult journey, and that Noya would test his patience and determination every step of the way.
Through this journey, Shapour will be sharing his experiences and lessons learned with his followers, providing tips and advice for
those interested in training their own wild Mustangs. He will also be discussing the importance of adopting Mustangs from BLM facilities and giving them a second chance at a domestic life.
Adopting a wild Mustang is not for the faint of heart, and it requires a lot of patience, dedication, and hard work. But the rewards are immeasurable, and the bond that develops between horse and trainer is truly special. Shapour’s journey with Noya is just beginning, and he is excited to share it with his followers.
As he continue his journey, Shapour will also delve into the technicalities of the Clinton Anderson Method which is the method he follows and believes in. He will be showing how this method can be applied to train a wild Mustang and how it can be adapted to different horses with different personalities.
Shapour’s experience as a horse trainer and his passion for the animals will also be highlighted as he shares his insights on horse behavior, desensitization, and other essential aspects of training. He will also be sharing his thoughts on what it takes to be a successful horse trainer and how to overcome common challenges.
The Accidental Hippophile is not just a YouTube channel, it’s a community of horse lovers and trainers who share a common goal of improving the lives of horses and riders. Join Shapour on his journey as he transforms Noya from a wild Mustang to a well-trained and beloved companion.
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