September 14, 2019
Jan Swan Wood
It’s always so nice to handle horses that have been started right and are gentle around the body and feet. But, they’re not all like that. With all of the good clinicians and forums to learn the “right” way to do things with our horses, it’s probably hard for some people to decide to do […]
September 10, 2019
Savanna Simmons
If you use Amazon as I do, for basic staples, necessities, gifts, and everything in between, you may be leaving a lot of money on the table that could be doing some good. Now, I try to shop local as much as I can, but living 40 miles from town and 120 miles from the […]
September 2, 2019
Jan Swan Wood
Many moons ago when my oldest nephew was just a little feller, my sis told me that they were looking for a good sized pony for him to ride on the ranch. They had three kids, so the pony would probably have to be a starter horse for all three. So, I was looking for […]
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 […]
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 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, […]