The Latest & Greatest of All Goings On.....

Stay posted for the newest stories & happenings and pics to follow... it's safe to say someone's been quite busy!
Update in the works!

It was bound to happen....

“Life is 10% of what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it” - John Maxwell

Warmer Weather And Calving Season!

March came in like a lion but is turning quite lamb like as the month is progressing. Snow is melting in a hurry and mud holes & bogs are now forming in the pastures. This should make for some nice obstacles during calving season. Seems it is inevitable for cows to calve on creek banks so their little woobies can roll into the still freezing water. Just yesterday the neighbor had one roll under a log stopping him from his impending doom, and wouldn’t ya know it, mama was not too impressed with human interaction despite the help her little precious was receiving. It is in these times where you learn to appreciate the use of a good dog if you have one, or even a bad dog for that matter. As far as high headed mamma cows go when tagging or doctoring new calves a distraction is a distraction and she’s more apt to go after the more coyote-esque of her tormentors. Now when I was young and it was just dad and I checking cows I did not always bring my dog. It should have been a lesson I learned fairly quick but sometimes you just don’t have time or leave the barn in such a hurry with all supplies and said dog is out screwing around doing other dog things. I have many happy memories of being mauled, pinned to the ground or mashed between cow and 4 wheeler, being chased in circles practicing my near non-existent bull fighting skills and/or being nearly knocked off my mount by a horse charging new mom while dad was busy drenching a near frozen calf or injecting vitamins in a still slick baby bovine all the while yelling at me to “not weaken” which sometimes was easier said than done. Crawling underneath the pickup is always an option if it’s there and I’ve seen more than one grown man engage in this tactic. Yes, a distraction is a distraction and unfortunately for me I was the quicker of the two of us and I suppose the more dispensable as well. .

In this maiden voyage of calving season without dad this year I fully intend to execute the dog plan. It has worked wonders for me in the past and I don’t think that being chased and or mauled while I’m out checking cows by myself is quite on the top of my adventure list this year. Zip, who rarely gets coerced out of the tractor while it’s running will be my back up so I hope Tuck is up to the challenge this year if she needs called upon because I don’t think Pony Scout will pose quite the threat to snuffy new mammas as she doesn’t look to be much of a menace and comes across as nothing more than a giant black prairie dog. In hindsight I guess we shouldn’t have bought those twenty high headed replacement cows two years ago, they honestly didn’t seem that bad in the ring but once those first babies started dropping their attitudes changed immensely… this should be fun.

Pull It One More Mile

"PULL IT ONE MORE MILE"

This photograph was taken about 1917 in an underground mineshaft.
The horse was totally blind, as were all such horses due to a lifetime in total darkness.
It is the most impressive image I have ever seen.
It depicts the American way of life and the effort it took our forefathers to build this great country.

"Often, when I have been discouraged and despondent beyond words. I have looked at this picture and said to myself. "I will pull it one more mile."
With that attitude in mind and with an average amount of intelligence, any person can certainly make a success of their life in this land of free enterprise." -Ross Taylor

I had to pass along one of my favorite pieces. This is such a great photograph accompanied with such a strong and inspirational message and it is definitely worth sharing.

February Update!

We’ve been busy as ever in this new year and it seems the crazy schedule has only just begun! We’ve been dealing horses and puppies, new colts are coming in for starting, clinics are being booked and filling up fast.

On to horse & ranch related business, we have sold Banjo to a great new home in Three Forks., MT. He is now the prized posession of a very happy 2 year old little girl but will be equally spoiled by her older sister, who although already had her own horse still showed him as much love as anyone. Congratulations to the Russell family, we sincerely hope you enjoy him and to the young Ms. Russell’s, we hope you fully take advantage of every little girl’s dream of growing up with your very own pony.

We would like to welcome Tucker to our horse family as well. This spit-fire of a little bay is sure to make someone an excellent ranch hand someday.

Be sure to look for us at Northwest College’s Winter Horse Expo at NWC Equestrian Center in Powell, WY February 11th – 13th where we will be conducting a colt starting demonstration Friday and Saturday, starting colts Friday and working with them during Saturday's demos so make sure to come check it out if you're in town. On Sunday will be giving private, semi private clinics. Cinics are open to anyone and everyone no matter your riding level/experience and open for personalization for you to come work on what ever you need to. If you want a semi private session but don't have a friend to come with you, no worries, we will pair you up anyway by what you wish to work on and rider level!!! Call Ashley at 307-899-7713 or email horsemansclub@live.com for more info and to get enrolled.

I am back to working at my "town job" for a few more months at least. Having the last three months off I am already missing the free time I had grown accustomed to. I got to take advantage of the fairly nice weather, holidays and spending time with family, watching the puppies grow, a long weekend in Vegas and an interview with Western Horseman for their Women of the West series. It was an exciting winter all around and we are looking forward to an even more eventful spring. Calves will be hitting the ground in no time and I am on my maiden voyage calving without dad. With luck we will have easy weather, little snow and no wind!

Hope everyone is enjoying their winter but we are looking forward to an early spring!

Happy Valentine's All!