Volume 16, Issue 33
“As a rider, you must slowly and methodically show your horse what is appropriate. You also have to discourage what’s inappropriate, not by making the inappropriate impossible, but by making it difficult so that the horse himself chooses appropriate behavior. You can’t choose it for him; you can only make it difficult for him to make the wrong choices. If, however, you make it impossible for him to make the wrong choices, you’re making war.”
― Buck Brannaman
Where has this week gone!? It felt like just yesterday we had started our October 10-day and now everyone is on their way home and we are gearing up for winter. This week has been all about tying up loose ends on projects that we were hoping to accomplish before the winter weather sets in. And for us that includes putting rides on some of the young colts we have here at the ranch!
Shayne helping Des put her first ride on Hadlee
Des has been working tirelessly to get several young colts, between ages 2-4, ready for their first rides and it’s something I have always been eager to be apart of. The method Shayne has taught her and her unwavering dedication to the process have produced horses that don’t know trouble. Sure, some might be a little touchier than others and some might be a bit more independent but in the end the horse trusts the human 100% because she has never put them in a situation to show them otherwise.
Shayne working colt Hadlee
Watching her and Shayne work these babies on the ground and under saddle has really been eye opening and you can bet I’ve been taking notes! I recently picked up a started 4 year old colt who while very friendly and gentle to ride proved that his foundation on the ground was nonexistent. It’s ok though because after working with Des and Shayne and watching them work their colts I know what I need to do to get through to mine. I have all the time in the world and no agenda, I just need to make sure I don’t get him into trouble and that I focus on that connection.
Lefty on the Mountain
Kev also has a 2 year old he has been getting ready and soon he too will be on his colt working him through the process. It’s really cool how we have such an opportunity to learn and to share what we have going on with one another and to have the support of Shayne and Des who have helped us every step of the way.
Emily and her colt Tig sharing smores on the mountain
Aside from working the colts we have also been prepping for the departure of the cattle. We have pulled them from the mountain and they are now down in our meadows grazing until they ship out next week. They all look really healthy and have certainly packed on the weight but we will still cross our fingers until we get them on the scales for the final weigh in.
Well that’s all for this round folks. Until Next time!
Em