August 25, 2019
Jan Swan Wood
The creek of saddles accompanies, the frosty face beside my knee. The smiling boy on aging horse, brings back the memories. Like pages leafed through backwards, the images go by. Of miles of horseback living, by a little boy and I. Days on end spent trotting, over ridges, draws and plains. Checking cattle, […]
August 23, 2019
Savanna Simmons
If you’re anywhere near Sheridan, Wyoming, Sept. 7 and 8, 2019, and you have an interest in cow working, dressage, or horsemanship in general, count your lucky stars, then head over to Paul Van Dyke’s arena to catch the East Meets West Clinic, featuring Paul and his sister Betsy, pictured below. From Paul’s website: Paul and […]
August 21, 2019
Tristen Baroni
Ground work! You could say its a hot topic for some and a dreaded topic for others. For me personally it’s a good way to check in with your horse to see where they are coming from, evaluate for any potential lameness, and warm them up so when your riding begins you can shine. I […]
August 14, 2019
Tristen Baroni
Today I quickly go over some basic flexions on my horse, Merl, for his first ride in the hackamore. The goal of these flexions is to gain more and more willing control of the horse’s body. While doing so you are actually also helping the horse maintain suppleness, and lengthening and shortening his muscles, therefore […]
July 29, 2019
Jan Swan Wood
I was working for an outfit years ago that had lots of country to cover, lots of heifers and cows to calve, and I was mostly on my own. The cowboss was supposed to help me with a lot of the riding and work, but he wasn’t proving to be very reliable in that way, […]
July 27, 2019
Jan Swan Wood
From the kitchen’s west window I gaze outside, And see the saddle horses that I seldom get to ride. Slick hair glistens over muscle and fat, No sweat marks the long winter hair on their backs. I’ve watched the ranch seasons pass on this place, With cold window glass pressed hard to my face. And […]
July 25, 2019
Jolyn Young
I have been perusing horse classified ads lately, and man, let me tell you – the entertainment factor is satisfyingly high. Quality of horse flesh offered for sale varies, but I am thoroughly enjoying the wording of some of these ads. I’ve rounded up a sampling of some of my favorite horse-selling phrases for your […]
July 20, 2019
Jan Swan Wood
It’s been a big sweet clover year in the northern plains. For those who aren’t familiar, sweet clover with it’s yellow blossoms, gets really tall and thick. It doesn’t happen every year and needs a good wet spring to really do well. It’s a biennial plant, so, it blooms the second year of it’s cycle. […]
July 18, 2019
Jolyn Young
Rattlesnakes are a fact of life out West, just like droughts, John Wayne movies, and beautiful sunsets. Many cowboys and equestrians encounter poisonous snakes and other wildlife when riding outside, but not all know how to properly treat themselves or a companion if bitten by one of these potentially deadly reptiles. The Center for Disease […]
July 15, 2019
Jolyn Young
While driving into town a couple weeks ago, I saw a flyer advertising a rodeo at the local fairgrounds. I decided to sign up my two big kids for mutton busting and take all 3 of my offspring to the rodeo by myself, because I am insane. My husband would have helped wrangle our crew, […]