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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 512
| I know there are several of you on this board that own Driftwood horses. We currently own two. A aged gelding and a 4 year old mare.
We purchased our mare about 4 months ago and came to us almost untouched. She is highly bred Driftwood at 29%. We have a very talented young girl that lives locally that is into the natural horsemanship/Ray Hunt style of training. We asked the girl to start her because we knew she would be in good hands and close by to us to watch her progress.
Personally I think the filly has progressed well, she has excelled in her ground work and now has about ten rides. But here is my question.
We know Driftwood horses are watchy. Our gelding is 14 and still watchy but never does anything dangerous. The family of this young girl tells us how watchy and how flinchy she is. The trainer is frustrated because she has had her 4 months and hasn't gotten the watchiness out with EXSTENSIVE ground work. They told us she will always need several jobs and never be suited for anything less than a "real" cowboy.
What are your experiences with the Driftwood line? Our older gelding isn't beginner friendly but he is user friendly and reliable. The watchiness wasn't a surprise for us. Just need some outside thoughts on other who have ridden those lines. Personally I feel like we need to quit tip toeing around her and get the job done. Ride her, expose her, and quit dwelling on the watchiness. I just feel the trainer is implying that our filly is explosive. The filly watches you and may jump but doesn't react farther. The young girl has never neen around a Driftwood before.
Edited by Blueridgedreaming 2016-06-15 10:50 AM
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
   
Location: Kansas | Sorry to say, but alot of that "watchiness" could be from the fact that she was untouched until 4 years old. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 512
| True!
She was halter broke and somewhat tied but that's it!
I talked about that with the young girl but she states several of her wild, untouched and aged mustangs were never watchy so to speak.
Edited by Blueridgedreaming 2016-06-03 8:03 AM
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 Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | Our gelding we just sold is 20% Driftwood. He was also very watchy. I found with him feeding him mushroom matrix ECP helped him to relax and focus and he wore a PHT Poll pack. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1481
Location: TEXAS | I'm interested in the responses to your question also since we just purchased a young Driftwood mare that is only halter broke.. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1273
Location: South Dakota | Blueridgedreaming - 2016-06-03 7:41 AM I know there are several of you on this board that own Driftwood horses. We currently own two. A aged gelding and a 4 year old mare. We purchased our mare about 4 months ago and came to us almost untouched. She is highly bred Driftwood at 29%. We have a very talented young girl that lives locally that is into the natural horsemanship/Ray Hunt style of training. We asked the girl to start her because we knew she would be in good hands and close by to us to watch her progress. Personally I think the filly has progressed well, she has excelled in her ground work and now has about ten rides. But here is my question. We know Driftwood horses are watchy. Our gelding is 14 and still watchy but never does anything dangerous. The family of this young girl goes on and on about how watchy our filly is, how flinchy she is, how dangerous she is. Yet, all she does is act watchy. The trainer is frustrated because she has had her 4 months and hasn't gotten the watchiness out with EXSTENSIVE ground work. They told us she will always need several jobs and never be suited for anything less than a "real" cowboy. They are extremely concerned with the way our filly is.. What are your experiences with the Driftwood line? Our older gelding isn't beginner friendly but he is user friendly and reliable. The watchiness wasn't a surprise for us. Just need some outside thoughts on other who have ridden those lines. Personally I feel like we need to quit tip toeing around her and get the job done. Ride her, expose her, and quit dwelling on the watchiness. I just feel the trainer is implying that our filly is explosive, dangerous, and I just don't see it. The young girl has never neen around a Driftwood before. I see a Driftwood! Watchiness but faithful to get the job done.
Our driftwood horses have been very calm. But I think you hit the nail on the head with your last paragraph. |
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Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | Timber Creek - 2016-06-03 8:10 AM
Blueridgedreaming - 2016-06-03 7:41 AM I know there are several of you on this board that own Driftwood horses. We currently own two. A aged gelding and a 4 year old mare. We purchased our mare about 4 months ago and came to us almost untouched. She is highly bred Driftwood at 29%. We have a very talented young girl that lives locally that is into the natural horsemanship/Ray Hunt style of training. We asked the girl to start her because we knew she would be in good hands and close by to us to watch her progress. Personally I think the filly has progressed well, she has excelled in her ground work and now has about ten rides. But here is my question. We know Driftwood horses are watchy. Our gelding is 14 and still watchy but never does anything dangerous. The family of this young girl goes on and on about how watchy our filly is, how flinchy she is, how dangerous she is. Yet, all she does is act watchy. The trainer is frustrated because she has had her 4 months and hasn't gotten the watchiness out with EXSTENSIVE ground work. They told us she will always need several jobs and never be suited for anything less than a "real" cowboy. They are extremely concerned with the way our filly is.. What are your experiences with the Driftwood line? Our older gelding isn't beginner friendly but he is user friendly and reliable. The watchiness wasn't a surprise for us. Just need some outside thoughts on other who have ridden those lines. Personally I feel like we need to quit tip toeing around her and get the job done. Ride her, expose her, and quit dwelling on the watchiness. I just feel the trainer is implying that our filly is explosive, dangerous, and I just don't see it. The young girl has never neen around a Driftwood before. I see a Driftwood! Watchiness but faithful to get the job done.
Our driftwood horses have been very calm. But I think you hit the nail on the head with your last paragraph.
Ours was wonderful under saddle. He was only watchy on the ground. I wouldn't hesitate to own one again. You definitely can't beat on them, but they'll be a great all around using horse. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1029
Location: TX | I have a White Lighting Ike gelding, he is super gentle, very aware of his surroundings but not a watchy/jumpy or dangerous at all. In fact he is probably one of the best minded horses I've owned and would love to find another. |
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 Lady Di
Posts: 21556
Location: Oklahoma | Personally, every Driftwood I've been around has been a little watchy, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. A little watchiness can sometimes keep you out of a bind. Driftwoods are just very catty and quick and need a job, personally. They're also very smart, and it's sounding to me like this filly has your trainer's number. I personally would not want a person who feels my horse is dangerous working with that horse....it's a recipe for disaster in my mind. Driftwoods need a confident leader, IMO, and it sounds like this girl is not. Find another trainer who can do a better job of bringing out this horse's potential. That's my advice. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 966
Location: Loco,Ok | dianeguinn - 2016-06-03 8:56 AM
Personally, every Driftwood I've been around has been a little watchy, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. A little watchiness can sometimes keep you out of a bind. Driftwoods are just very catty and quick and need a job, personally. They're also very smart, and it's sounding to me like this filly has your trainer's number. I personally would not want a person who feels my horse is dangerous working with that horse....it's a recipe for disaster in my mind. Driftwoods need a confident leader, IMO, and it sounds like this girl is not. Find another trainer who can do a better job of bringing out this horse's potential. That's my advice.
Amen. Thats not a bad thing. We get em all time. Go on with it. |
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  That's White "Man" to You
Posts: 5515
| My Stud is high percentage Driftwood (www.allbreedpedigree.com/pc+lock+n+frost) and I wouldn't classify him as watchy. I have a daughter of White Lighting Ike (www.allbreedpedigree.com/Ikes+high+lighter), also not watchy. I had a gelding when i was young that was also high percentage driftwood, also not watchy. Post the pedigree of your horses it might give us some more insight.
Edited by Whiteboy 2016-06-03 10:36 AM
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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | My mare is Driftwood, however not sure of what percentage. She is 12 now. I bought her as a 9 year old. She was started at 4, but sat from age 5 to 9.
She is very looky and snorty. Ears always forward. Never relaxed enough to just walk a loose rein. And she has been exposed to and hauled a lot in the past three years. We've also begun attending trail course competitions and other slower paced events. She loves cattle. Loves trails. Always watchy and flinchy.
In saying that, she's never been dangerous. Never has bucked. Not an idiot. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 512
| This is her: http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/myrtlewood+thrifty
I haven't seen the filly do anything much at all. Just watchy, but our gelding is that way. She is smart and needs a job!
I have heard the Drifts Chip horses tend to be more watchy. But just hearsay. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 878
Location: "...way down south in the Everglades..." | Whiteboy - 2016-06-03 10:27 AM My Stud is high percentage Driftwood (www.allbreedpedigree.com/pc+lock+n+frost) and I wouldn't classify him as watchy. I have a daughter of White Ligting Ike (www.allbreedpedigree.com/Ikes+high+lighter), also not watchy. I had a gelding when i was young that was also high percentage driftwood, also not watchy. Post the pedigree of your horses it might give us some more insight.
I have to agree with this with mine. But she also had a good working foundation on her by 4 and had already been working cattle and been hauled around quite a bit. She's definitely not watchy but she's every bit a worker and has the quickest walk in the whole barn.
But regardless, I also think Diane is absolutely correct. This horse has your trainer's number. I'd find someone else before someone gets hurt or before the horse learns bad habits.
IMO - If the trainer/rider/handler has fear of the horse, the horse is reading that big time. It's only going to compound the situation. I think the horse needs miles and needs a confident hand. Not to say your trainer isn't good, but she doesn't sound like a good match for this particular horse. |
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Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | Blueridgedreaming - 2016-06-03 9:47 AM This is her: http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/myrtlewood+thrifty I haven't seen the filly do anything much at all. Just watchy, but our gelding is that way. She is smart and needs a job! I have heard the Drifts Chip horses tend to be more watchy. But just hearsay.
I like that pedigree ALOT |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 512
| hoofs_in_motion - 2016-06-03 9:53 AM
Blueridgedreaming - 2016-06-03 9:47 AM This is her: http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/myrtlewood+thrifty I haven't seen the filly do anything much at all. Just watchy, but our gelding is that way. She is smart and needs a job! I have heard the Drifts Chip horses tend to be more watchy. But just hearsay.
She is super nice and a gorgeous smutty buckskin! |
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 Guys Just Wanna Have Fun
Posts: 5530
Location: OH | dianeguinn - 2016-06-03 9:56 AM Personally, every Driftwood I've been around has been a little watchy, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. A little watchiness can sometimes keep you out of a bind. Driftwoods are just very catty and quick and need a job, personally. They're also very smart, and it's sounding to me like this filly has your trainer's number. I personally would not want a person who feels my horse is dangerous working with that horse....it's a recipe for disaster in my mind. Driftwoods need a confident leader, IMO, and it sounds like this girl is not. Find another trainer who can do a better job of bringing out this horse's potential. That's my advice.
Good Advice. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1100
Location: Southeastern Idaho | I own 3 Driftwoods and none are flinchy or watchy. Tons of cow sense and they wake right up when you get them near or on a cow but dog gentle on the ground. edited to say all 3 of mine are AP Frosty Knight bred on sires side and Willywood on the bottom. Definitely need a job to keep them busy but not flinchy or dangerous.
Edited by luvropin 2016-06-03 2:59 PM
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 912
Location: Alabama | Not driftwood, but I own this mare http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/cowhands+dual+30+10 , two full siblings, and her dam currently. They are all what one would call "watchy". They are also sure footed, sensible, and athletic. They like to have a job and they like to have a respectful leader. I think it's a working bred thing and I like it!
Edited by Sockittoemred 2016-06-03 4:00 PM
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385
Location: Texas Big Country | Mighty Broke - 2016-06-03 10:10 AM dianeguinn - 2016-06-03 9:56 AM Personally, every Driftwood I've been around has been a little watchy, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. A little watchiness can sometimes keep you out of a bind. Driftwoods are just very catty and quick and need a job, personally. They're also very smart, and it's sounding to me like this filly has your trainer's number. I personally would not want a person who feels my horse is dangerous working with that horse....it's a recipe for disaster in my mind. Driftwoods need a confident leader, IMO, and it sounds like this girl is not. Find another trainer who can do a better job of bringing out this horse's potential. That's my advice. Good Advice.
We had a stud bought as a weaning, a son of Lone Drifter by Driftwood Ike. He and his babies were all watchy on the ground but good under saddle. The watchiness lasted until he was about 6 years old at which point it just turned off like a light switch and then nothing phased him. Nobody ever knew he was a stud and I ran on him for several years. Just a sweetheart. Just give them a little extra credit for seeing stuff and enjoy the ride. |
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