A Message from Maverick

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?

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

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!