End of Summer?
Gosh, where did the summer go? Did I just miss it? It has been raining so much in Colorado that here it is nearing the end of August and the fields are still green. The good news is that there is plenty of grass for the horses. The bad news is all the rain kept the farmers from getting much hay put up. Just when I thought hay prices might be going down some, now there could be a hay shortage because of TOO MUCH rain.
Mack, the 4 yr old dun stallion went to a couple of All Buckskin Shows. What a fruit cake! He screamed, whinnied and hollered the entire time. It was a long weekend. Mack did come away with a Grand Champion Stallion win and some halter points so it was worth it. My mom used to say, "They don't get better at home, you have to get them out". And that is so true. The young horses have to get out and see the world. One more show for him at the end of August and then he goes back into regular training for the winter.
I didn't have many foals born this year and with the horse market as bad as it is, that's ok. I'd much rather have quality instead of quantity. Both babies were sired by Goose, the big blue roan. The first colt was sold at 5 weeks of age and goes to his new home in a week or two (Thanks Meaghan, you are going to have fun with him!). The other foal is a blue roan stud colt and was born late so I'll hold on to him until next spring. That makes all stud colts this year!
I spent most of July in Oregon on the historic Alvord Ranch. I have been going there every year for five years with Martin Black and his students. The place is wonderful, the people are as diverse as you could ever find. Many long lasting friendships have been made over the years there from all over the world. Truly an international crowd. This is not a dude ranch experience and the faint of heart need not apply! The Alvord is a working ranch, and everybody works hard. The Davis kids are some of the best hands you will ever find. Each year when I return, I marvel at how much they've grown. Ranch kids are different. They are hardworking, respectful, polite and just so much fun to be around. Just because the kids live in a remote location, they have visitors from around the world expose them to many different cultures.
It was a strange visit to the ranch this year. On Day two, while out gathering cows, Martin tangled with a couple of bulls and broke his leg badly. Thank goodness for cell phones! I have often wondered since that accident, what would a cowboy have done in the olden days if he wasn't able to call for help? Would Martin have tried to ride back to the headquarters? Would he have just stayed there, unable to ride and would someone have found him in time? Anyway, he is on the mend and hobbling around on crutches for a few more weeks.
On the way back from the Alvord, I stopped at a Ranch Horse Show and entered Hank. He was a good boy and finished with a Res. All Around Championship. by showing him in that show, he qualifies for the NVRHA Finals in Sept.
That's about all for now. Hope you all had a grand summer!
Mack, the 4 yr old dun stallion went to a couple of All Buckskin Shows. What a fruit cake! He screamed, whinnied and hollered the entire time. It was a long weekend. Mack did come away with a Grand Champion Stallion win and some halter points so it was worth it. My mom used to say, "They don't get better at home, you have to get them out". And that is so true. The young horses have to get out and see the world. One more show for him at the end of August and then he goes back into regular training for the winter.
I didn't have many foals born this year and with the horse market as bad as it is, that's ok. I'd much rather have quality instead of quantity. Both babies were sired by Goose, the big blue roan. The first colt was sold at 5 weeks of age and goes to his new home in a week or two (Thanks Meaghan, you are going to have fun with him!). The other foal is a blue roan stud colt and was born late so I'll hold on to him until next spring. That makes all stud colts this year!
I spent most of July in Oregon on the historic Alvord Ranch. I have been going there every year for five years with Martin Black and his students. The place is wonderful, the people are as diverse as you could ever find. Many long lasting friendships have been made over the years there from all over the world. Truly an international crowd. This is not a dude ranch experience and the faint of heart need not apply! The Alvord is a working ranch, and everybody works hard. The Davis kids are some of the best hands you will ever find. Each year when I return, I marvel at how much they've grown. Ranch kids are different. They are hardworking, respectful, polite and just so much fun to be around. Just because the kids live in a remote location, they have visitors from around the world expose them to many different cultures.
It was a strange visit to the ranch this year. On Day two, while out gathering cows, Martin tangled with a couple of bulls and broke his leg badly. Thank goodness for cell phones! I have often wondered since that accident, what would a cowboy have done in the olden days if he wasn't able to call for help? Would Martin have tried to ride back to the headquarters? Would he have just stayed there, unable to ride and would someone have found him in time? Anyway, he is on the mend and hobbling around on crutches for a few more weeks.
On the way back from the Alvord, I stopped at a Ranch Horse Show and entered Hank. He was a good boy and finished with a Res. All Around Championship. by showing him in that show, he qualifies for the NVRHA Finals in Sept.
That's about all for now. Hope you all had a grand summer!
posted by the Pretty Pony | 7:57 AM
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