Posts Tagged ‘American west’

Our First Sale Horse

September 7, 2016
Jolyn Young

We’re putting our first horse in a sale this month. At first I was apprehensive, then I was sad, and now I’m proud. So many emotions! We’re selling Bob, the first horse my husband bought as an adult. Jim rode Bob through a divorce, across numerous Great Basin ranches, to Texas and back home to […]

These South Dakota Skies

September 2, 2016
Jenn Zeller

The weather here has been gorgeous for August. We’ve had daytime temps in the 60s! Yes, I said 60s.  And the skies, the South Dakota Skies have been amazing. As I write this, it’s currently 50 degrees. Yes, I said Fifty. Now that I’m back from nearly 5 weeks on the road, I’m catching up […]

Waiting For The Feet

August 31, 2016
Jolyn Young

Most colt-starting theories and clinicians urge people to get their horse’s feet moving freely at all three gaits as soon as possible. If you’re not trotting and loping in the round pen on the first ride, you better be movin’ by the second. It’s a great theory that works on all horses except for the […]

The Positive in Roping Gone Wrong

July 13, 2016
Jolyn Young

I started swinging my rope in the box just like my husband advised me, then nodded for the steer and squeezed my horse with my legs. Shorty had me in throwing position in just a few strides, so I opened my hand and…watched my loop whack the steer on his back. What the heck. Who […]

Cavvy Behavior

June 29, 2016
Jolyn Young

I’m about to tell a “back when I was a kid…” story. Because I’m turning 30 later this summer, and that makes me old. Depending on where you are in your life’s journey, you may or may not agree with that statement. Either way, back when I was a kid, my mom took my older […]

The Kid’s Horse

April 30, 2016
Jolyn Young

“Jim, grab her off the horse. He’s going to spook. He doesn’t look like he’s okay with the situation. He looks nervous.” “I think you’re the one who’s nervous. Just lead her around, she’ll be fine.” I handed my husband the lead rope that was attached to the horse our three-year-old daughter was sitting atop, […]

War Knot Series, Part Four: Figure Eight And Rooster Tail Knots

March 16, 2016
Jolyn Young

In the final installment of this four-part series, learn how to tie the figure eight and rooster tail knot. As mentioned in the previous installments, buckaroo traditions were handed down from the California vaqueros, who learned their skills and customs from the Spanish conquistadors. In keeping with tradition, many modern-day buckaroos tie certain knots in […]

A Bronc, A Smart Horse, And Cholla

March 11, 2016
Jan Swan Wood

Years ago when I was working on a ranch in New Mexico, I had an experience that I wouldn’t have believed if I hadn’t seen it for myself. When I went to work on the outfit, I was told I could have one personal horse. I had a string of horses assigned to me when […]

War Knot Series, Part Three: Spanish Ring Knot

March 7, 2016
Jolyn Young

In the third installment of a four-part series, learn how to tie a Spanish ring knot. As mentioned in Parts One and Two, buckaroo traditions were handed down from the California vaqueros, who learned their skills and customs from the Spanish conquistadors. In keeping with tradition, many modern-day buckaroos tie certain knots in their horse’s […]

The Mare that Will

March 2, 2016
Richelle Barrett

I purchased a yearling filly last summer, and now that spring is nearly upon me, I find myself wondering what the hell I was thinking! Working full time off the ranch, raising young children, and helping my husband with our trucking business has all but left me with very little time on my hands. But […]