What more could you ask for?

This week was a flurry of activity as we prepared for Buck’s arrival mid week. Shayne, Roby and Des got everyone started off with horsemanship on Monday and Tuesday. The guests were working hard to get familiar with their horses and have a refresher on the tools we utilize while riding. We are so fortunate here at MMR that we get to study and learn this style of horsemanship every day- and when Buck is here it adds another level from which to learn, not to mention the excitement of having him here! We get to see the progress he has made with all of his horses since his last visit, and all the things he is working on.  I usually have to pinch myself to make sure I am not dreaming- am I really this lucky to be living this life??

We had 19 guests participating in the clinic as well as several interns. Wranglers were able to watch and observe much of it and boy that really gives you a chance to watch closely and see what Buck works on even while he is seemingly standing “still” as he teaches his students. He is riding Big Swede in the Bridle, Eddie in the snaffle and we got see him ride Finn, his newest colt as well. For the little amount of time he has ridden Finn, it is amazing how soft and

far along the horse is already.  Buck’s consistency with how he asks for something each and every time, is a study in and of itself. After watching him for 3 days, this is first and foremost on my mind every time I ride. Buck told us ” if you are asking the same way every day and every moment ( with seat and body position), the horse cannot help but learn what you are asking”, as opposed to him trying to second guess what it is you are asking of him.

Des had some great observations from this week: She talked about how much refinement he had on this same colt (and of course on his more finished horses), and how crisp all the movements are. The coolest thing with Eddie’s rides that she noticed was throughout all of the leg yields and haunches in that Buck asked for, the rhythm and cadence never changed from one movement to the next– and he never lost the softness.

Guests were advanced enough to work cattle on the first afternoon of the clinic and they learned a bunch about a proper stop, back up and turnaround- all necessary elements for working cattle. On day two, Buck had them practice holding the rodeer and cantering circles around it with attention on how to position the horse properly to get the correct lead.

By the third and final day, everyone had success with sorting out a steer, driving it away from the herd and then cutting with cow turns to keep it out there. It was so fun to watch the progress! All week they also had time to work with Shayne and Roby on the cutting ball. This is a perfect environment to dial in the movements of working a cow in a controlled setting.

Behind the scenes, Jessie, Sue and Kevin were out in the State piece gathering cattle and moving them to the next pasture we call McKillop. This coming week the remainder of the steers will be pushed through to McKillop as well, the last stop before summer graze on Davis Mountain. Speaking of Kevin, he left for home yesterday to continue his schooling and we will miss him greatly. He sure is turning into a handy horseman and nice young man. He’ll be back next summer though, and we look forward to hearing about the progress he is making with his new colt!

We are looking forward to absorbing as much as possible this coming week with Buck and then at the end of the week many will be heading to Kalispell for the next clinic at Majestic Valley Arena.  Until then, have fun with your horses and we’ll catch up again next week!   Janice