Pretty Pony Ranch News

A Cold Colorado Morning

2008-12-16T10:10:00.000-08:00

Yesterday morning, it was -5 degrees when I went to feed my mares. They are in a pasture that is 4 miles down the road on 2000 acres, running with about 80 head of cows (and a couple bulls). There is water in spring fed ponds year round. I like having the mares moving around, being horses instead of in stalls or small pens. I think they even foal out easier. I just have to hay or grain them each day.

Anyway, as I am walking into the trap to feed the mares yesterday, one of my fillies was standing over this lump in the middle of the trap. First the filly would look at me, then lowered her head to sniff the lump and even pawed the air with her front leg, but never touching it. As I got closer to the pile, I realized it was a dead calf. Over near the stock tank stood a big Hereford cow. The cow had just given birth to TWINS! The first calf never even took a breath or if it did, it's lungs collapsed from the freezing air and it died. It was still wet, steaming in the cold. The second twin was standing on the side of the tank. It had managed to struggle to its feet and was shaking so hard, it could barely stand. The momma cow was doing her job, licking the calf and bumping it, getting it to move.

I drug the dead calf out of the trap so momma cow would concentrate on keeping one calf alive. I will admit that I am not brave enough to get in between a momma cow and her calf. Too many of my cowboy friends have taken hits trying to tend to calves. I have taken one guy to the hospital with a broken collarbone, broken ribs and a collapsed lung after a momma cow freight trained him. So, I wasn't excited about getting too close to this momma. But with one dead calf and the other struggling for life, I really needed to do something.

I took a couple of bales of hay out into the trap, hoping to keep the horses out of the way and to give momma cow something to do besides knocking me down. As I managed to get closer, I took handfuls of hay and rubbed the calf hard, all the time keeping one eye on momma. I got the calf rubbed down pretty good and bedded it down with the rest of a bale. Momma was being good and I left to call the ranch manager.

Here's where I get really frustrated. This outfit is run by a man who lives in town near the fancy country club and drives out a few times a week to "check on things". If the weather is bad or if his back is sore, he has his nephew do the feeding. The nephew is a good guy, tries hard but isn't paid so there isn't much enthusiasm to do anything above and beyond feeding. Fences are down everywhere, cows are busting out daily and out on the road. No one cares too much about anything. When it comes to gathering in the spring and fall, I ride out on my horses while the ranch owner gets his country club buddies to be "a cowboy for a day" on 4 wheelers. It is a wreck most of the time because the cattle are all bucket broke sons of b*tch's that would just as soon run over the top of you and your horse. It's like herding cats.

It is a year round calving operation because the bulls never come off the cows. The calves are nursing until the next calf is born. And no body seems to care. Nobody rides out to check for newborns and I am sure that if that momma cow hadn't been in the trap yesterday morning, the coyotes would have gotten both calves. Every calf should count, right?

Hank at WRCA Ranch Horse Show

2008-11-21T07:25:00.000-08:00

Just got back from WRCA Ranch Horse Show in Amarillo. Hank and I were entered in the Cowboy Class. I just love going to this show. First of all, I love watching the Ranch Rodeo and seeing all of the friends I've made throughout the years. It was the first place I showed Maverick and so many people remember him being there. Secondly, it is a GREAT place to shop. The Trade and Trappings Show is one of the best I've ever seen. The only bad part of showing in Amarillo is that I have to get up so early to be in the arena at 6 a.m. to warm up before the class and it is usually so cold.

This year was Hank's turn in the show ring. It was just his third show but I really think he is finally getting what his job is and he is doing it quite well. He never really travels very well, gets lonely without a travel partner and usually doesn't eat well. I try to arrive a couple of days early to acclimate him. Show day comes very early, you feed in the dark and have to be ready to ride in a cold, windy arena at 6 a.m. Hank and I are just not morning people.

We did the reining pattern and his lead changes were right on the money. Hank is not the best spinner but we can work on that. When it came time to call for the cow, you always hold your breath in Amarillo. You can get a cow with firecrackers up their butts, charging straight at you and blowing snot or you can get a good cow that you can show your horse off with. One guy showing got whistled 5 new cows, each one worse than the last one! Anyway, we got lucky and drew a good one. We boxed it a few times then took it down the fence. I remember going down the fence on Maverick. When I would ask Mav for speed, his stride would lengthen but you wouldn't feel that burst of speed. With Hank, you get rocket fire! He just takes off and he is really moving at a high rate of speed. We get the cow moving down the fence and turned, but when I went to turn Hank to the right, his head went up in the air and he kept going straight! I was shocked because this has never happened before! We almost hit the bucking chutes at the end of the arena. I finally get him turned and got back after the cow to make another turn, this time to the left. No problems. Again, one more turn to the right and I can't stop or turn Hank without his head coming into my lap. I looked down and my rein was disconnected from the bit! Now I still have to get my rope down and rope my cow, with one rein. After I get the kinks out of my loop, I ride up, swing a few times, and roped the cow without a problem. I turn and drag the cow. Afterwards, I tie Hank up and try to figure out why my rein came off the bit. Nothing was broken, but the solid ring at the end of the rein chain somehow came off the swivel at the bottom of the bit. I tried getting it back on, my friends tried getting it back on and couldn't do it without two pliers. It was like those puzzles at the restaurants or bars that you have to get two pieces exactly in the correct spot before you can get them apart. It was very strange. We still got through it all without a wreck, we still roped our cow and I was still very proud of my Hankster!

The Good Ol' Days

2008-11-08T19:50:00.000-08:00

Before the Internet or the MAC, Before semi-automatics and crack

Before SEGA or Super Nintendo Way back ... ...

I'm talkin' bout hide and go seek at dusk.

Sittin' on the porch, Hot bread and butter.

The Good Humor man, Red light, Green light.

Chocolate milk, Lunch tickets, Penny candy in a brown paper bag.

Playin' Pinball in the corner store.

Hopscotch, butterscotch, doubledutch Jacks, kickball, dodgeball, y'all!

Mother May I?

Red Rover and Roly Poly Hula Hoops and Sunflower Seeds, Jolly Ranchers, Banana Splits Wax Lips and Mustaches

Running through the sprinkler

The smell of the sun and lickin' salty lips...

Wait... ...

Watchin' Saturday Morning cartoons, Fat Albert, Road Runner, He-Man, The Three Stooges, and Bugs, Or back further, listening to Superman on the radio

Catchin' lightening bugs in a jar, Playin sling shot.

When around the corner seemed far away, And going downtown seemed like going somewhere.

Bedtime, Climbing trees, An ice cream cone on a warm summer night

Chocolate or vanilla or strawberry or maybe butter pecan

A lemon coke from the fountain at the corner drug store

A million mosquito bites and sticky fingers, Cops and Robbers, Cowboys and Indians, Sittin on the curb, Jumpin down the steps, Jumpin on the bed.

Pillow fights

Runnin till you were out of breath

Laughing so hard that your stomach hurt

Being tired from playin'...

Remember that?

I ain't finished just yet...

Eating Kool-aid powder with sugar Remember when...

When there were two types of sneakers for girls and boys (Keds & PF Flyers) and the only time you wore them at school, was for "gym."

When it took five minutes for the TV to warm up, if you even had one.

When nearly everyone's mom was at home when the kids got there.

When nobody owned a purebred dog.

When a quarter was a decent allowance, and another quarter a miracle.

When milk went up one cent and everyone talked about it for weeks?

When you'd reach into a muddy gutter for a penny.

When girls neither dated nor kissed until late high school, if then.

When your Mom wore nylons that came in two pieces.

When all of your male teachers wore neckties and female teachers had their hair done, everyday.

When you got your windshield cleaned, oil checked, and gas pumped, without asking, for free, every time. And, you didn't pay for air. And, you got trading stamps to boot!

When laundry detergent had free glasses, dishes or towels hidden inside the box.

When any parent could discipline any kid, or feed him or use him to carry groceries, and nobody, not even the kid, thought a thing of it.

When it was considered a great privilege to be taken out to dinner at a real restaurant with your parents.

When they threatened to keep kids back a grade if they failed ... and did!

When being sent to the principal's office was nothing compared to the fate that awaited a misbehaving student at home.

Basically, we were in fear for our lives but it wasn't because of drive by shootings, drugs, gangs, etc. Our parents and grandparents were a much bigger threat! and some of us are still afraid of em!!!

Didn't that feel good.. just to go back and say, Yeah, I remember that!

There's nothing like the good old days! They were good then, and they're good now when we think about them.

Share some of these thoughts with a friend who can relate, then share it with someone that missed out on them.

Every American's Duty

2008-11-05T09:51:00.001-08:00

Ever since I was a small girl, my mother always told me how important it was to vote on election day. Her father came to this country by boat and each election day, he would dress in his best Sunday suit and proudly cast his vote. I hope you all got out and voted. Regardless of the outcome, it is our duty.

Here are some quotes I found appropriate.

“A government big enough to give you everything you want is strong enough to take everything you have.” - Thomas Jefferson

"I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle." - Winston Churchill

"A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul." - George Bernard Shaw

"Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys." - P.J. O'Rourke

The Age of Horses

2008-11-03T15:29:00.000-08:00

The Age of Horses

To tell the age of any horse,
Inspect the lower jaw, of course.
The six front teeth the tale will tell
And every doubt and fear dispel.

Two middle “nippers” you behold,
Before the colt is two weeks old.
Before eight weeks two more will come;
Eight months the “corners” cut the gum.

The outside grooves will disappear
From middle two in just one year
In two years from the second pair
In three the corners too, are bare.

At two the middles nippers drop,
At three the second pair can’t stop.
When four year old the third pair goes,
At five a full new set he shows.

The deep black spots will pass from view,
At six years from the middle two.
The second pair at seven year:
At eight the spot each corner clears.

From middle nippers upper jaw
A nine the black spots will withdraw.
The second pair at ten are white;
Eleven finds the corners light.

As time goes on the horsemen know.
The oval teeth three sides grow;
The longer get, project before
Till twenty, when we know no more.

(I don't know who wrote this but I liked it a lot)

New Stallion Photos

2008-10-18T08:26:00.000-07:00

The colts are weaned, the pasture "shuffle" I do each winter and spring is just about finished, the winter hay is stacked. It is starting to get cold, with a hint of winter in the air.

Finally I have gotten the new stallions photos taken and they really turned out nice. I actually forgot how pretty Goose is. It is hard for me to admit, but I still have not brought him home. I just couldn't bring myself to put Goose in Maverick's old stall, but it has been a year now and the time has come to bring Goose home for the winter. I need to ride him which I will love, and rope on him, which he will love. Goose is a real hard working horse. He just loves a job, mostly roping and chasing cows but that was just how Maverick was when I first started riding him, too. Then he transformed into an all-around performance horse. Goose will be the same way. I have already gotten quite a few breeding inquiries and looking at his photos, it's no wonder. I just forgot how nice he was.

Then there is my mini-Mack, as in "mini-Mack Truck". Mack is going to be a great horse. He is such a clown but he is still so young, just a 3 yr old. I will have to go slow with him. He is still growing and a slow maturing horse. When I had his teeth floated, the dentist repeatedly asked me his age. Finally he said, "This horse had the mouth of a 2 yr old, maybe 2 1/2 yr", and at the time, Mack was over 3 yrs. Same with his sexual maturity, so I have plenty of time to wait. I think riding out to check stock tanks and pushing a few cows this winter will be good for him. He will be a good size, too. At 3 yrs old, he is over 15.1h. I think he will be a nice one. I just might have something to show in the confirmation portion of the VRH shows that can win!

The one stallion "prospect" you haven't seen yet is Baby Huey. He is a big one. As a long yearling, he is almost as big as a 3 yr old. Sweet, big, blue roan with a nice head, he looks like a futurity colt. I'll be taking some of my own photos of Huey soon. I got him and Goose about the same time. Huey fractured his coffin bone when he was playing around and kicked a steel post. He is totally healed up, thanks to TOTAL HEALTH. These are the same products I used to heal up Rio so fast.

Just a quick update on Rio, too. He is doing just fine. There is still a scab about the size of a quarter on his knee that I am putting ointment on to keep it soft but, wow, he is sound and finally putting more weight on. I plan on starting to ride him by spring. He deserves the winter off!

The next big show for Hank is the WRCA World Ranch Horse Show in Amarillo in November!

Hank's First Show

2008-10-05T21:21:00.000-07:00

I just returned from the RMQHA Silver Jubilee which is the big end of the year Versatility Ranch Horse Show in Golden, CO. It was the first show I have been to all year. It was also Hank's first VRH show. There was no pressure on Hank to win. I decided that it was time to see exactly where Hank was at with his training, and to see how he would handle a show environment. We just went to enjoy ourselves and visit with all my friends that I haven't seen in over a year.

Hank really surprised me and I was so proud of him. The first class was the ranch cutting where you have to cut out a specific numbered cow, drive it up the fence, passed a marker and pen it within 2.5 minutes. No problem for the Hankster. He pinned his ears, made a few good passes controlling his cow and we went up the fence. The cow missed the marker but we never lost position or control.

Next class was the Working Cow class. We just started doing flying lead changes the week before the show but Hank learns very fast and remembers what I ask of him. I have always said that Hank was a fun horse to train because he learns, and remembers, so fast. Show him once or twice and he's got it down. In the Working cow class, you do a short reining pattern, then call for your cow, box it at the end of the arena, take it down the fence, then rope it. The reining went very well. Rollbacks and stops were nice. Spins could have been faster but were correct. I called for the cow and we never lost control. I went to take the cow down the fence and that was the first time Hank had ever run a cow down the fence. When you ask Hank for speed, you better be ready because he can really accelerate. We stopped the cow, turned it and it was time to rope it. I have been wanting to get better with my reata so I was using it in the show, which may not have been such a great idea in hind sight. I took it off my saddle and was building my loop as we tracked the cow around. I had a twist that I couldn't get out of my loop! It was twisted and the only thing to do was to throw a bad loop out there, and re-build a good loop. The bottom line is Hank was good, but I didn't rope the cow.

The next class was a Trail Class. Hank never blinked at anything. He was great and did everything I asked of him. After the Trail Class was the Ranch Riding Class. Just your basic walk, trot , canter kind of riding. For as big as Hank is, he is a very comfortable horse to ride. The judge even commented that he moved so nicely for being so big. We did well in that class.

Last was the Conformation Class, and I hate this class most of all. I know my horses a nice looking and correct, but the judges seem to go for the classic halter types. I raise big boned Ranch horses, not short, tiny footed, fine boned horses. Any way, I never score well in halter. But that sure didn't stop the compliments that Hank got all day long!

All in all, it was a very nice weekend and I really enjoyed showing off Hank. Maybe Hank even had fun, too! I will give him a few days off, then ride him mid-week. If he feels right, we might try another show next weekend. All building up to the WRCA Ranch Horse Show in Amarillo, in November.

One Year Ago

2008-09-15T13:09:00.000-07:00

It is so hard to believe that one year has passed since I lost my Maverick. I can honestly say that I still miss him so very much. It is said that amount you mourn is directly related to the amount you loved. If that is true, I am still missing him and loving him.

I realized now just how much I counted on him to take care of me. When I am riding big blue Hank, I have to be aware of our position in the herd. I have to put Hank in the right spot and watch the calves. Hank gets impatient and starts to fuss if he isn't doing something all the time, just like a little kid in the grocery store. Hank was just more work. Maverick was just so easy.

While branding calves, Maverick always knew where to be and what to do. He never got upset with me when I would do something stupid like hit him in the head with my rope. Maverick was a gentleman, always polite, always kind to everyone, just a pleasure to be around.

I went to my first horse show of the year in September. It was the same show last year that I showed Maverick in last. I haven't been to a Versatility Ranch Horse show or shown at all for that matter since losing Maverick. I just lost that desire for a while. Anyway, it was nice to see all my friends and many asked why I wasn't showing. It was hard to repeat the story of how I lost Maverick. Most of the people were shocked to hear the news and all were very supportive. I am not the first person to lose an animal that meant so much to us. If you are an animal lover, you know the empty feeling of losing a friend.

Every little milestone is important on life's highway. Each tear is important, each birth is significant. Everyday I can ride is a good day. Somehow, being in the saddle makes you forget your troubles. I just know that Maverick is watching from above and waiting for me to bring him some cookies. I miss you, Maverick.

I had three dun stud colts were born this year. Three little Mav's to worry about, three little boys to watch grow into shadows of their daddy. I wish I had a crystal ball to look into the future to see what lies ahead for them. But I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

Great Weekend at the All American Futurity

2008-09-02T23:01:00.000-07:00

What a great weekend! If you haven't been to Ruidoso, NM for the All American Futurity, the richest Quarter Horse race in the world, you have to add it to your Bucket List.

I have been to the Kentucky Derby a few times many years ago and have always enjoyed all the pageantry and hoopla surrounding the race. But it is different at Ruidoso. Instead of elegance, you get casual. Instead of champagne, you get beer. Instead of gowns and suits, you wear boots and jeans. Just think of a red-neck version of the Kentucky Derby. Casual and relaxed.

I met Heath Taylor last year when I hauled some of his race horses back to Texas for him after last year's yearling sale. Heath is a successful young trainer with a wonderful family and is the great trainer. This year, Heath had 3 horses in the 10 horse field for the biggest race of the year for Quarter Horses.

The race was a great one, complete with a spectacular stretch dual between the two favorites in the race. At the wire, it was Heath's horse, Stolis Winner by a half length, giving Jet Black Patriot his only loss of his short career. Another horse trained by Heath finished third, Jess Zoomin. I joked with the owners of Jet Black Patriot prior to the race over which horse would be in the winner's circle but at that level of racing, you are just thrilled to be part of it all - win, lose or draw. After the race, I gave a hug to the owners and we took photos together.

The winner's circle was full of media, cameras, family and friends, tears and hugs. The jockey, G. R. Carter did his traditional back flip off the winning horse in front of the grandstand, with the crowd roaring in approval. After the trophy presentation and photos were finished in the winner's circle, we moved inside to the museum for more celebrating, a champagne toast to the owners, trainer and jockey. In the museum, all the monitors played the race over and over. It was great to hear the stretch call again.

The next morning, the official press photo is taken for the publications against the green grass and the mountains. The horse arrives and is saddled for the photo. Imagine dressing a two year old child, and expecting a child to stand patiently for dozens of photos. Stolis Winner was very good for the most part and I even got a picture next to him.

Since I still am having trouble attaching photos, here's a link:
http://s199.photobucket.com/albums/aa256/prettypony99/AllAmerican/

Before and After Photos of Rio's Injuries

2008-08-18T12:54:00.000-07:00

I wanted you to see just how bad Rio's knee was right after the accident and how far he had come. In the first photo, you can see the bones of the knee and just below the bones, the streds of damaged ligaments that cross over the face of the knee.

Before:

After 60 days, the tissue has granulated in, the joint is no longer exposed and new hair is growing:

I am having problems posting more photos but I think you get the idea of what I have been doctoring for the past couple of months. The wound over his whithers was the size of a football, now it is the size of my forefinger. The wound on the right hip was the size of a melon, now is the size of an egg. Lots of scrapes but over time, the wounds will heal and the hair will grow back.

It sure could have been alot worse. I am amazed at all the stories I have been told about horses getting drug along side a trailer or a horse falling through the floor. It is truly a gift that Rio is still with me.

Rio's Remarkable Recovery

2008-08-18T11:56:00.000-07:00

It has been 60 days since Rio's trailer accident. Everyone is stunned at how fast Rio is healing. This week for the first time, Rio was trotting around the paddock, completely sound! It was just a few steps at first as if to test his leg. Then little by little each day, he takes more and more steps, even bucking and cantering. You can tell he is being cautious but he is taking the steps all on his own.

Since Rio returned home in July, I wanted to give him every possible chance to heal. I have taken Rio to a chiropracter to adjust his right hip. It was 1.5 inches lower than the left side. The corrections that were made two weeks ago are holding just fine. We do flexing and stretching excersises daily. Rio hates this part but tolerates my yanking and pulling on his leg. In a two week period, his range of motion increased by 50%! He still has a bit of a problem when he wants to roll. He will try to go down about three times before he really bends that knee underneath him. He knows best what hurts and what doesn't, so I don't want to push him too much.

I also had Rio to the Animal Theraputic Center of the Rockies for cold saltwater therapy, icy cold 58 degree water over his knee for 20 minutes for 10 days. This stimulates the blood flow to the wound, increasing the healing and decreasing the swelling. This therapy is well-known in Europe and just becoming more popular around the racetracks here in the states. It really helps soft tissue injuries. I would really like to swim Rio for a month over the winter to get those tendons across his knee re-attached. The tendons probably will not re-grow across the face of his knee but the swimming will strenghten the surrounding tendons and ligaments enough to stabilize and support the joint.

For now, I will continue to pony Rio around the pasture on Hank. Then taking him along on trail ride so Rio has to go up and down hills. Realistically, I think by spring, Rio could be back under saddle again, as a green 6 yr old! I have to keep from rushing things which is hard to do when I see so much progress in his recovery. I will just rely on Rio to tell me what he needs to do. And so far, all looks good.

It will still be a long road to full recovery but he has made it this far. I never used antibiotics or steriods since Rio left the vet clinic. I have used only all natural products from Total Health Enhancement. I used MyBeau Equine vitamins to keep his immune system strong and stomach ulcer free. There are alternatives to chemicals, injections, pills and steriods. If anyone wants to contact me for more information on what I have been treating Rio with, I will be glad to share the details.

There is a bright light at the end of the tunnel. I keep thinking that there is a reason I didn't have to put him down, that he didn't have a broken knee or leg. Maybe his big brother, Maverick, has been looking out for him from above.

Rio's Home!

2008-07-24T16:38:00.000-07:00

Finally, Rio is back in Colorado after his trailer accident! I went to Idaho last week to pick him up. How do you thank someone for taking care of an injured horse for you? My dear friend, Kathryn, had Rio in a big box stall for over a month. She wrapped his knee daily, hand walked him and fed him lots of cookies! I just can not thank her enough for all she did for Rio. True friends are such a treasure.

Rio really seems to be glad to be back home. His buddy, Handsome Hank, is right outside his pen. Rio relied on Hank to keep the bears and wolves away from him when he was unable to walk. Since Rio has been home, he is feeling better. When I take him out for his walks, he bucks a little, more like hops and even trots a few steps totally sound. I think he is just testing his leg a bit. In a few more days, I will start ponying him on his walks. I found a rehab facility not far away that will take Rio for aqua-therapy to help strengthen the tendons across the face of his knee. Other than that, time should heal all wounds.

Just when you think you have everything under control on the medical front, a colt ran through a wire fence and torn up his shoulder. Of course, it was a nice Maverick colt. So that little fella is getting doctored as well as Rio.

Did I mention the newest members of the ranch are two very cute mini-donkeys named Concho and Gringo? I have been taking them with me on some of my trips and they are so much fun. I hope to add their photos to my gallery page soon.

I should be home for the rest of the summer so give me a call. I need to get Hank back in shape for the ranch horse shows in the fall. The next big trip for me will be to Ruidoso on Labor Day for the All American Derby.

Have a great summer!

Another Day on the Alvord Ranch

2008-06-15T23:21:00.000-07:00

The day started at 2.45 a.m. The wind had been blowing 45-50 mph for the last couple of days. At 3 a.m. breakfast, the decision would be made whether we were going to saddle up and head out to gather 750 pairs off the Sheepshead pasture, roughly 50,000 acres of winter pasture. The water had dried up and the cow pairs needed to be moved closed to the well.

Saddled and loaded, we started out for Sheepshead. The hour long trip was down gravel ranch roads, and the stock trailers and ranch trucks rattled along the way.
The sun was just coming up when we finally unloaded and started the long ride up the mountains. We had to ride the canyons and waterholes to check for pairs, push them over the ridge and drive them down the mountain, meeting up with the other rides and the cattle that they collected along the way.

The wild horses were at most of the watering holes we checked, getting their first swallows of cool water before the heat of the day set in. The largest herd we saw that day was about 40 horses, big and fat from the abundance of rich spring pasture grass.

By mid-morning, we were heading down a narrow rocky mountain path, single file with about 550 cows and calves. The calves were growing tired and needed extra help getting down, wanting to turn back but needing to keep going straight. Calves are like a tube of toothpaste. If you put a small amount of pressure on them, you will get a small reaction. If you put the squeeze on them and push too hard, they scatter and you will spend alot of time getting them back in line.

After everyone finished and the cows were in the valley, we waited for the trailers to arrive at the meeting spot. I unsaddled my horse while waiting. I loaded my young horse into the last spot on the trailer and we headed back to the Alvord. It was hard to keep from dozing off in the truck after the long day's ride.

As we rounded one of the last corners about a mile from the ranch, the tailgate swung open. We were going about 40-45 mph at the time. The pin in the tailgate had sheared off and the secondary spring latch had given out. In a cloud of dust, we pulled to the side of the road and the cowboy in the front seat jumped out. When he returned, he told us one horse was missing. My brain was slow to realize that Rio, my grulla gelding was the horse missing and we turned around to find him. By the time we reached Rio, the rig that was following us had reached him, standing in the middle of the gravel road. I jumped out of the truck to find Rio surrounded by cowboys. The snap on the lead rope had broken off, otherwise he would have been dragged. As I walked around to his front side, my eyes scanned him, stopping on each one of his wounds and scrapes, analysing each one as to severity. I stopped when I got to his left knee. There was a hole the size of my fist, apparently where he had landed on it when he hit the gravel road. After hitting his knee, he rolled on to his back, scraping another hole in his whithers before rolling over onto his back then onto his feet. He looked like a kid that road a bike down a driveway too fast and crashed.

Amazingly, he loaded right back into the same trailer he had just fallen out of. We took him back to the ranch, by then he was shaking, dirty, and bleeding from all the scrapes but his knee really worried me. It was deep, full of gravel and I had no way of knowing at the time if his knee was broken or if there were any fractures. I wrapped it after flushing it out as best I could and loaded Rio up again for a 2 hour trip to the closest vet clinic.

I will pick him up tomorrow after he spent the weekend in the Idaho Equine Center. Rio's knee is wrapped from ankle to elbow, and is unable to even lie down at this point. But he is alive and as long as there is no infection in the joint, he should be fine in a few months.

Just another day on the ranch......

A Buckaroo Wedding

2008-06-06T10:46:00.000-07:00

It was a warm Nevada morning, with a breeze blowing as it often does at this time of year. The guests gathered at the corrals to saddle their horses by 8 a.m. Then everyone headed into the foothills to gather the cattle before the wedding was to take place.

By the time the 100 or so pairs arrived at the basin where the wedding was to take place, the clearing was decorated with classic old trucks, a sagebrush branding fire, water troughs and bales of straw for benches as comfortable as any you'd find in a church. There were no fences, chutes, corrals or traps to be scene for miles.

The altar was the back of an old flatbed truck, the candles were the blazing branding fire. The horseback guests held the rodear. The bride carried a small bouquet of wild sage and lilacs. The bishop performed the short ceremony with the cattle singing in the background as sweet as any choir you have ever heard. The bride and groom kissed, the crowd cheered and the branding began. It just couldn't get any better than this.

Congrats to my dear friends, Martin and Jennifer Black. May the trails you travel together be filled with love, laughter and happiness.

My Earth Day Soapbox

2008-04-22T08:18:00.000-07:00

It is Earth Day today and besides working in my garden, I felt the need to do something that's going to make a difference. But what exactly? I already recycle as much as I can at home. All my horse by-products go right onto my flowerbeds!

What seems to bother me the most is the fuel prices at the pumps. I have a big rig that gets amazingly good mileage but it still hurts to fuel up. I still need to pick up horses, get hay and try go to some shows this year. Then it came to me last night while watching tv. One news/talk show host said that if each one of us would adjust our driving habits and reduce gas consumption by just 10%, we the people, could force the oil companies to lower pump prices.

I have decided to drive 55 mph instead of 75. I am going to have a sign made that says "I DRIVE 55 not 75 to SAVE FUEL & $$" and put that on my truck when I'm going down the highway. This idea is not a new one. In fact, in the 70's when there was a certain peanut farmer in the White House and long gas lines nationwide, the national speed limit was lowered to 55 mph. It might be time to lower it again.

As Meryl Streep said in the movie "The Devil Wears Prada" - that's all.

A.A.A.D.D.

2008-04-19T08:02:00.000-07:00

I am sure some of you can relate....ohhh look at the butterfly! They have finally found a diagnosis for my condition. Hooray!! I have recently been diagnosed with A.A.A.D.D.! Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder... This is how it goes: I decide to wash the car; I start toward the garage and notice the mail on the table. Ok, I'm going to wash the car. But first I'm going to go through the mail. I lay the car keys down on the desk, discard the junk mail and I notice the trashcan is full. Ok, I'll just put the bills on counter and take the trashcan out, but since I'm going to be near the mailbox anyway, I'll pay these few bills first. Now, where is my checkbook? Oops, there's only one check left. My extra checks are in the desk. Oh, there's the lemonade I was drinking. I'm going to look for those checks. But first I need to put my lemonade further away from the computer, oh maybe I'll pop it into the fridge to keep it cold for a while. I head towards the kitchen and my plants catch my eye, they need some water. I set the lemonade on the counter and uh oh! There are my glasses. I was looking for them all morning! I'd better put them away first. I fill a container with water and head for the flowerpots - - Aaaaaagh! I left the TV remote in the kitchen. I'll never think to look in the kitchen tonight when I want to watch television so I'd better put it back in the family room where it belongs. I splash some water into the pots and onto the floor, I throw the remote onto a soft cushion on the sofa and I head back down the hall trying to figure out what it was I was going to do? End of Day: The car isn't washed, the bills are unpaid, and the lemonade is still sitting on the kitchen counter, the plants are half watered, the checkbook still only has one check in it and I can't seem to find my car keys! Where did I put my glasses again? When I try to figure out how come nothing got done today, I'm baffled because I KNOW I WAS BUSY ALL DAY LONG!!! I realize this is a serious condition and I'll get help, BUT FIRST I think I'll check my e-mail...!!

My First Foal of the Year

2008-04-16T16:06:00.000-07:00

This day has been one that I have been waiting for with so many mixed emotions. While anxiously awaiting the first Maverick foal of the year that brings such a smile to my face, I just knew I would have tears. Tears of joy and happiness, and tears of sadness.

I knew that the 18 yr old mare VooDoo has just huge big boned foals. Last year's bay roan filly by Maverick had to be pulled out. I decided to let Kathy at Key Stallion Station foal her out again. I was there just yesterday, brushing Voo, braiding her tail up and feeling bad that her legs were so swollen. She was looking very uncomfortable, but still she is so sweet, resting her head in my arms with her eyes closed. Voo looked ready to foal any second. I called first thing this morning, thinking that surely Voo would have foaled overnight when the cold front came through. But she wasn't ready yet. By late afternoon, when I got a call from Kathy that Voo had foaled this afternoon, I was so excited but not surprised. Kathy told me she needed help pulling this foal out because the foal was so big. I was so grateful that Voo was there, in the big foaling stall with all the help close by to assist her.

VooDoo had an enormous dun stud colt, the spitting image of his daddy. A dun colt just like Maverick, with his great heart, kind soul, and ability to draw in all those who lay eyes on him. A clone of Maverick that I can pin all my hopes and dreams on for the future of my breeding program.

Today brought a wonderful gift.

Never a Dull Moment on the Ranch

2008-04-04T11:18:00.000-07:00

Again, it has been another busy week at home. I thought I would have left for Texas by now but a few things have held me up. It has been sunny and warm one day, then snow and rain the next day. The horses aren't sure if they should loose their winter hair or hold on to it all. It's just springtime in the Rockies!

I got a call on Tuesday from Kathy at Key Stallion Station that Huey, my gorgeous blue roan yearling, was lame and on three legs! He is an enormous colt, big boned, pleasant attitude, and a real nice stallion prospect. He was just fine the day before. In fact, he was running, bucking and acting like a typical colt. Then he comes up dead lame on his right hind.

At first glance, it looked like Huey might have an abscess forming. We had the vet look him over, and he couldn't find a thing. We decided to nerve block his heel as it was difficult to tell exactly where he was lame. Once Huey was blocked, a few minutes later, he was walking around just fine. My farrier was called to trim down the hoof to see if there was an abscess forming. After the trimming, no abscess was found. The next day, Huey had an appointment for digital radiographs to see what the problem was.

Huey was diagnosed with a lateral coffin bone fracture! It could have happened when he was jumping, bucking and playing, who knows. Probably kicked a steel post. Thank goodness, that's all it was and not the P-2. I have opted not to have surgery on this fast growing colt. This type of injury can be corrected with a bar shoe and stall rest. I am so grateful to have a super farrier, Troy Kerr. He is a miracle worker as far as I am concerned.

One thing that Huey will be getting during his recovery are Total Health Enhancement products. One product to increase the blood flow to the hoof in the morning and one product to increase the collagen production at night. If you haven't heard about these amazing products yet, you will. Please go to the Total Health Enhancement web site for more information.

The hardest part about Huey's recovery will be trying to keep him quiet for a month. Maybe I should get him a little barn buddy to keep him company. Hmmm, what should I get?!

A Message from Maverick

2008-03-31T13:50:00.000-07:00

As many of you already know, I had to put my beloved Maverick down a few months ago. It really broke my heart and as hard as I have tried, I miss him so much. I still think of him daily.

When a mare owner recently told me about an animal communicator, I just had a gut feeling that I needed to reach out to her. I don't believe in coincidences. Everything and everyone is put in our paths for a reason. Just as Maverick was put in my life for a reason. Please read the following message sent to me from Maverick.

All too many times hearts wind around each others only to make the spirits, kindred souls.
When one enters your life and has left such an impact on so many behind, but left a whole in one heart, then their purpose in life has been accomplished.
My purpose in your life Sheri, was for you to find the passion in what you do , once again and to always carry that on, because of our great memories together.
You are so true to your heart of thinking, I will never be replaced. Because that is true. I wouldn’t want for me to ever be replaced, for all the times we had together would be lost to another.
This is what memories are made of. This is how new memories are made. Each and every one of us brings to you, lessons in life, lessons about yourself, lessons about others, lessons on how to improve what you have physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
We are your partners, your guides and always a shoulder to lean on.
Hank will step up and become what you want. You simply have to show him the way.
I have been blessed for the time we shared together, Sheri. My purpose in life was to learn what true love and sacrifice was about. You showed me, right from the beginning, when it was love at first sight, how wonderful people really could be. You showed me what companionship was, trust and mental stability was all about. Once I learned that, and I know you were well on your own path to carrying on, than you know longer needed me. With me, you would have gotten into a rut, because you always relied on me. So we have taught each other well.
I do not feel my passing was a sacrifice for it was my time to go. We come here to teach and to be taught. Everything happens for a reason. My card was full, so it was merely my time to go.
I know I will be a part of your life for a long, long time. I am proud to have been a part of yours.
So now carry on and be all you can be.
Forever grateful, Maverick.
There are a couple of babies that will be outstanding in their own rights. Do not compare them to me, for they will excel for who they are.

Back in Colorado..but for how long?

2008-03-29T10:53:00.000-07:00

I finally made it back to Colorado, long enough to drop off Hank, check on the mares that are due to foal soon, bail the dogs out of the boarding kennel and sort through the two bins of mail. Oh, did I mention that I took all my Christmas decorations down on Easter weekend? It snowed 2 inches that weekend and I almost didn't want to take Christmas stuff down!

All the mares are doing well and I will be taking a couple of them to the Key Stallion Station and Mare Motel to be foaled out. The older mare, VooDoo, had such a huge Maverick filly last year that needed to be pulled out and I worry about her again this year as she is bred back the same way. She just has the biggest babies.

Next week, I return to Texas for a short two weeks. This next trip, I will take "Rio", my grullo gelding with me. Rio is a 5 yr old, 3/4 brother to Maverick. I don't think he has more that 30 rides total on him. When I see him in the pasture, he is like a shadow of Maverick. I hadn't planned on keeping him but after Maverick died, I just couldn't sell Rio. He has been just hanging out since I've been gone most of the winter. It's time to get him going again and there is no better place than at Martin Black's "boot camp" for horses. It is really nice to be able to expose young horses to different arenas, cow work, roping and reining. All the things a good ranch horse needs to know.

Speaking of good ranch horses, I was so very impressed with one of the 3 yr. old fillies that Martin started in March. With just 12 rides on her, Martin took "Bunny" out to the cow field and heeled three heifers. Until that day, she never even had a rope swung over her head before! She was calm and confident. She's been ridden over hill and dale, water and rocks. She is really doing great and ready to go to the spring brandings.

Much more to mention, but check back for news on what I bring back from Texas the next trip!

Still in Texas

2008-03-04T10:40:00.000-08:00

Yes, as the title states, I am still in Texas. I hadn't planned on being here quite this long but that's a story in itself. Everyone back in Colorado keep asking when I am coming back. Everyone in Texas asked how long am I staying. What's a girl to do??

I arrived in Texas with two 3 year old fillies, Pepsi and Bunny, for Martin to start and my big blue gelding, Hank or "Hollywood Hank" as we call him since he's a star in Martin's new DVD Bridle Horse series - The Hackamore. Since a new group of apprentices where arriving for the Horsemanship School that Martin conducts each winter, there is always a need for colts to start. It is always a treat to watch the foals that you have raised get that first saddle, and then the first ride. Sort of like watching your kids take that first step.

After being able to see the little girls get started, it was Hank's turn. He has had to really step up to the plate as my next show horse since Maverick died. My goals for Hank this trip are to find a bit that he really likes, sharpen him up on his cow work and to work on his lead changes. Hank is getting pretty good on cattle. Keeping in mind that Hank is rope horse bred, it can be a challenge keeping him from wanting to chase the cow. By using Martin's A-pen theory, which helped Maverick win a Res. World Championship Amateur Cutting title, I am a firm believer in having the cows work the horses, rather than working the horse on the cows. The cows teaches the horse where the correct position is. Everyone used to tell me that big boned horses have slow feet. Well Maverick proved that wrong. Since Hank is another big boned horse, he needs to learn how to move his feet. And he is really catching on. I love that he pins his ears back, wrinkles his nose, and knows that HE is in control of the cow. We work the A-pen two or three times per week.

My next goal was to get Hank changing leads smoothly. Maverick had no problems in this area but started to rush or anticipate the change, sometimes really leaning into the bit. So I didn't want to create the same problem with Hank. One day, Martin took a load of horses and riders over to Jack Brainard's ranch. Jack has the best way to teach even colts how to change leads on a straight line, which is how he does his schooling for lead changing. After watching older horses and green horses change leads so effortlessly, I am so excited about having Hank understand how and when to change leads.

All I have to do now is find a bit that Hank likes. I have dozens of different bits but Hank just wasn't "happy" with the ones I have tried so far. Martin is really adamant on getting all horses he starts proper dental care prior to his training. I have always had a good equine dental program, so I thought. I would have my vet do the yearly floating of the teeth. While I was here, and since an equine dentist was coming, I had him give Hank a check-up. I wasn't expecting any problems since Hank had his teeth floated just 4 months ago. What a Surprise I got when I was told that Hank's last 3 molars on both sides looked like they hadn't been done in a year! He didn't even have bit seats and his canines where so long, the dentist nipped them in half. Maybe that explained why Hank would pull away from me when I took his headstall off. The moral of this story - I am going to find an equine dentist when I get back to Colorado. Whenever that is. It might be spring thaw before I return!

Just Getting Started

2008-01-23T09:12:00.000-08:00

This is another new adventure for me -blogging, but seems as though everyone has one. Hopefully it will be updated regularly and friends can keep up with me even while I am on the road.

This last week has me trying to get organized for a trip to Texas to visit Martin Black with some colts for him to start. Have to get the truck's wiring problem fixed, make sure there is enough hay for the horses while I'm gone and about a dozen other things I can't remember right now.

It is hard to get away during the winter months as I need to have a reliable, trustworthy person to keep the stock tanks free of ice, horses fed even when it is -10 degrees and make sure the house stays warm while I am gone for a week or three. Once I am gone, it is nice to be able to ride and train the horses, and not have frozen toes in the process. The cold toes part reminds me too much of growing up riding in Michigan as a young girl. Seems like we had alot of fun in the winter months with the ponies harnessed up to the sleighs and never got too cold!

Last week started out with an unexpected trip to the vet with my old Jack Russell female "Pipaqueak, the head of the household staff", to have some teeth removed. If it wasn't for her swollen face, you'd never have known she had two badly decayed teeth. Even after having the teeth pulled, she never stopped long enough to chew her food. By the end of the week, her son Chazz, came to visit while his parents went skiing. Chazz ended up having emergency surgery to repair the wounds he got in the backyard chasing squirrels. Bella Baloo, the Bullmastif, "Princess in Training", is a strong suspect for inflicting the wounds over his back and abdomen. Not sure what her problem is but it will require close observation. Chazz is currently home and recovering nicely.

That's all the news for now. Just trying to stay warm in Colorado, and heading to Texas.