General Info

Flying M Ulises is a 10 year old gelding. He was born on the Flying M Ranch and lived there roaming the mountains of Montana for many years, remaining untouched by human hands. He has received some training in his life, but all has all been forgotten except for the stern manner in which it was given.

Brought to Florida some time in 2007, Ulises has been purchased and promptly returned by several different people who all said that he was crazy.

Crazy?  Well, Ulises' new owner and web developer of Ropa Ranch, Karen Nall, doesn't think so.  Karen tells us, "Ulises has been misunderstood. He has calmed down a great deal in the two months I have owned him.  He simply needs a soft hand."

Karen has been taking the videos of Tato, Ropa Ranch's new trainer, and of the horses. She was so impressed with how gently he works with them and how much progress they have made in such a short time span that she asked Tato to consider helping her with Ulises' training.

Most trainers would have turned Ulises away. At 10 years old, he is pretty set in his ways. In fact, here are some of the behavioral problems Karen describes of Ulises:

•	The ears cannot be touched. Not at all. He has broken the cross ties and leads many times during efforts to desensitize him.
•	Does not tolerate being cross-tied at all. Anytime he has more than one lead on him he begins thrashing violently. He has broken many leads.
•	Difficulty lunging...does not like to lunge to his left.
•	Rearing. bucking and outright running into trees at 50 miles per hour in an effort to unseat his rider.
•	Fear of all humans, though he does not seem to fear objects or animals.

Tato met with Karen and Ulises. He saw a bright spark of potential in the beloved horse. He, like Karen, believes with a soft hand and slow, consistent training that Ulises can learn to trust again and hopefully become a well behaved riding companion.

We welcome Ulises to the program!