Don't squat with your Spurs on

Cowboy Wisdoms.....The cowboy and cowgirl's guide to life. Let's explore these sage bits of advice and see how these wise words passed from Cowboy to Cowboy can improve and impact our live today. Whether on the horse, in the barn, in your relationships, I think these sayings are worth spending a little time "chewing on".

Wisdom #1 "Don't Squat with your Spurs On'"

This seems to be familiar to most people, cowboys or not. I've seen these signs being sold in catalogs, outfitting and tack stores . They are displayed in bathrooms and barns. The meaning is obvious....so just don't do it!

By definition a spur is a metal tool designed to be worn in pairs on the heels of boots for the purpose of directing your horse to move forward or laterally while riding.

There are many dangers associated with spurs, some far more dangerous than the poke in the behind as this quote implies. Improper use may provoke dangerous or undesirable behaviors in a horse such as running or bucking away.

OUCH!!!

I have tripped over my spurs, caught them under the accelorator while driving, hit my other leg with one, so far I haven't irritated a horse enough to illicit any dangerous behavior, but I've seen it done and it isn't pretty for the horse or rider.

So, today's wisdom encourages me to be kind and sensitive with my horse while wearing spurs - Don't squat, don't abuse and nobody gets hurt!

The "Bogie Blog"

So the story goes.....when you turn 5o and your husband doesn't know what to buy for your birthday, you get another horse! But as I begin to explore this just a little more I'm finding how appropriate this horse is for me. I call it my "change of life" baby. Four years ago, when Bogart was just a glimmer in his mother's eye, hormones were raging - literally. Apparently the urine of a pregnant mare contains the hormones that are used to make "premarin" (if you don't know what that is...wait until you're about 50 and you have the little talk with your Dr.) Some horses have stronger urine than others, such as a draft horse. This is where Bogie comes in. In Canada they would breed Thoroughbred stallions to Percheron (type of draft horse) mares. This gave them the hormones they desired and a nice moving horse that could possibly bring in a few extra dollars. Interesting.....

A dressage instructor told me of the unfortunate circumstance of a woman who owned 3 horses and lost her job. Her youngest, green horse had just started training and showed some pretty good potential as an upper level dressage horse. So this is what I tell Arnie and...so the story goes!

Bogie is very green, but doing great in his training. Chelsea has been doing ground work with him and was able to ride him with just a rope halter after 2 days! He is walking, trotting and bending with what seems to be very little complaining. He loves people and seems to be saying "aren't I just the cutest thing you ever laid your eyes on?" So, maybe in about 3 weeks, this 50 year old may actually be able to ride her "change of life baby"!

Farriers - friend or foe?

Why don't I look forward to Farrier days? Why can't the excitement of "new shoes" and pedicures influence my time with my Farrier Friends? I guess listening to woes of wives, girlfriends, sore backs, other farriers, bad horses just don't do it for me any longer. I am really amazed at how much and how often they can spit! I guess the snuff keeps them goin, but really! I'd love to write a "Manners for Farriers" book. But probably a "How to survive the Farrier" would be a better read. Maybe they could read it when they decide to go use my "heated head" Did I mention my duty of sweeping up after this farrier so that standing on the hoof trimmings doesn't give him a sore back? And who's job is it to pick up the poop while the service is being performed. Oh well, enough of my "belly ach'n" - Ive got 10 pairs of shoes and 5 pedicures goin on today....oh yeah! Tons of fun for mucho money! I feel better already. Thanks for listening!

Calendar Items and News

2009 Summer Day Camps
Mother and Daughter Camp
9am-2pm
A special time for mothers and daughters to bond and grow in their relationship while sharing in the experience and fun of horses and riding together. Lunch included.
June 16,17,18

HORSES: HEAD TO HOOF 9am - 3pm
A great opportunity for new or infrequent riders to learn and advance through a week of basic horsemanship skills. No previous experience required. Participants must be eight (8) or older.
June 8-12
June 22-26
July 6-10
July 20-24
July 27-31

PONY PALS
9am - noon
A mini 3 day camp for students ages six (6), seven (7), and eight (8).
June 2,3,4
June 30-July 2
July 14 - 16

Please contact us for Registration forms Each class must have a minimum of 6 participants and a maximum of 10 participants per session to be held. Availability is on a first come, first served basis. We will do our best to accommodate all applicants.

All camp sessions must be secured by a $100 non-refundable deposit ($25 Pony Pals) with reservation form (Deposit may be applied to lessons or another camp).

Winter Lessons

Lessons will not be held if the temperature is 20 degrees or below. Please call if you are unsure if a lesson will be held or not. Lessons are held Monday thru Friday afternoons and evenings and Saturdays. There are a still few openings for early afternoon or morning lessons.

Women's Friday Morning
Bible Study
This is an informal time for women of all ages and stages. Come, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, develop friendships and discover more of God's Word. Just show up at 10am or contact Char for details.

This old dog can still learn a few new tricks!

I really don't need to spend more time in front of my computer, but this may be a good insomnia activity. In an attempt to save money on postage (going up again), I've been brainstorming on ways to keep students, boarder and friends posted on what's going on around the barn. Will this work? Who knows, but this "old dog" is really trying to keep up with some of these "new tricks"!

New Year's resolution progress:

January - rode 14 times, surpassing my goal by 2! I even earned a pedicure on that one, but am waiting for when it's warm enough to show my toes!

February - so far I am behind - only 6 rides. But I will try to not kill myself on Snuffy today and ride my boy, Blu tomorrow.

Observation - It is much easier to ride when it's above 25 degrees and you don't have the flu, so the stats should be going up.

4H news - We are still working on names for our new club - JUST RIDE or Still Ridin'. Any comments would be appreciated. Thank you Tracy H for taking care of the paper work. We will be a legitimate club (with a name) in no time!

Enjoy the day! Sunny w/ highs in the 50's today and tomorrow - JUST RIDE!

Horse of the Month Club

Nominate your favorite horse by writing a small poem about why

He/She should be

the Still Waters Ranch "Horse of the Month"

Entries due by the 10th of every month