Mackie Redd

I mentioned my little buddy "T" in my last blog, well I got the chance to spend some time with him yesterday and he helped me aoround the place, cleaning, draging pens and other stuff... It is always a treat for me to be around young people that are respectful and want to learn. Whenever I asked him to help me he always was willing and did the best that he could do... Am proud to call him a friend. He will be here for a little while so I hope we get to spend more time together. I thought it would be a good idea for him to learn to drive Sliver, that's what we call our ford bronco. It is a standard shift, which most kids now a day have no clue how to drive. So I put him in the saddle of the bronco and down the road we went. He did great. Had a bad habit of looking at his feet, trying to figure what peddle was what, and did not keep his eyes on the road a couple of times.. but what is he going to hit? A bush? But he kept in in the tracks and we made it to the barn. So I gave him a manure fork and said "get after it" and he did.. Then we needed to drag the pens.

But the best thing we did yesterday was work with Tim my gray horse. I have been doing round pen demos around the area all summer and have worked with all sorts of people with different horse backgrounds so I thought it would be fun to let "T" work with on of my boys.. I showed him what I was doing and why I was doing it. I then asked him if he wanted to give it a try, he said sure. Now remember "T" does not own a horse or have a horse so I was very excited to see what was about to happen. Often folks are intimidated by the size of a horse and they show that to the horse. Then it does not take long for the horse to figure out he doesn't have to do much. But that did not happen.. I explained to "T" what to look for in a horse when you are schooling them and he saw these sighs the first time they came around and then I asked him to have the horse come to him. And you can see the results in the picture. A horse that has no problem with him and is glad to get to stand next to him. I have found that horses are sometimes, most of the times, afraid of children. I think it is because of their size and because the move quickly and unpredictably. I have seen it time after time when a young one come in or near the pens a horse will head for the back forty. But I think in this case, because "T" handled himself with confidence, the horse saw no need to be fearful. "T" took direction and payed attention something I don't often see in adult let alone a kid...What a treat for me....

Coffee

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Yesterday was slow on horse work. Karen could not make it out to work with her horse so after cleaning pens and dragging the arena I headed back to the house to work on the barn. Charles and Nancy are getting finishing touches done on the garage and yesterday put up the guttering on the shed roof they put on the barn earlier this year for us. They got the gutter up and realized that the company that they got the gutter from, did not send them the hanger for it.. So I think that Charles is going to hunt down the hangers today.  

I don't think I have mentioned the addition to the barn. It is providing the horses with shade. Funny thing is, they hardly use it.. If I feed them in there they will, but other then that, in the heat of the day, they will be out in the arena standing side by side in the heat and the sun. Which brings up a point that I have often found to be funny about horses and people. I see people, often, doing thing that they think is best for the horse, when the horse is trying to tell them that it's not. Example. We all like our horse to look nice, horses don't care but we do. So we spend time and a ton of money to make them look good. 'we braid their mane's and tails. We put conditioner on them to they have soft and silky hair and we feed them stuff so they will have a shinny coats. So your think what's the big deal, some horses seem to like to get a bath and all the fussing.. And I answer nothing, as long as you understand why you are doing it. Here's how I know that it means nothing to the horse. I give my horses a bath and what's the first thing they do? If you turn them lose? They go to the first place they can find and lay down and roll in the dirt or the mud or......you know what....Now don't get me wrong. I don't have anything against giving horses a bath. After a long ride on a hot day, or a long day of training, I will hose my horses off too, but either way if I do or I don't, they are going to go and roll in the dirt. So really I do it for me, it makes me feel good about being the horse's owner. I think is shows that I care, and I do, but my horses could care less and they tell me that by their  actions. There are so many things that we do, thinking we are doing it for our horses, and , the commercial side of the horse world have convinced us that if we don't do it, wash, blanket, and a whole host of other things that we are bad owners. Again don't get me wrong. I have no problem with folks doing, whatever they want to do, for their horses. But if we understand why we do what we do, then when our horses rebel or don't like it, we won't take it personal.... I could go on and on about this one...there are something that we do to and say it's for our horses that I don't understand.. anyway, what I'm trying to say is I spent a ton of money building these horses shade, and they won't use it unless I force them to... go figure...

Butch got the trailer to my buddy, Randy's house yesterday. He had some truck trouble but I think Randy got him fixed and back on the road. Butch is kinda like a horse. If things can go wrong, they probably will..

My little buddy Mr. "T" is here on the ranch staying with his grandma and grandpa. I'm going to pick him up this morning and take him to the barn and have him help me... I have a picture of "T" on my website somewhere.. he is the little guy that I'm leading around on a horse. He had a little lesson last year and I'm hoping that we will get a chance today to get him in with a horse or two... He is a great kid. He lives in the city in California and does not see much country till he comes out here.. should be fun will try to get some pictures.
Better get and feed and get to work...

Yesterday Stan had another riding lesson. I must say he did a really good job compared to his last lesson. The horse, quatro, was willing to move out more. In the past the horse would not move forward because Stan was just sitting, a passenger, but this time Stan had more life in his body and the horse could feel that, and was willing to move... I think that for a time yesterday Stan could feel what it was like when you don't think so much about what you are doing and start to FEEL what you are doing.. He started to get in rhythm with his horse and it made all the difference. I could tell that toward the end of his lesson he was getting tired and the horse started to do that thing horses do when we are not focused on riding.. Stopped a lot and would only go in very small circles...but during the corse of the lesson Stan even did a little trotting.. very cool... A trot is the easiest gate for the horse but the hardest gate for the human. It takes us awhile to learn to sit the trot. It's one of those things that takes time...  your not going to lick it off the fence, you have to get out there and do it.. In time, when you start to feel the rhythm of your horse, it will come together, but it takes time. That magic pill again.

Came home after the lesson to work on the barn. Charles and Nancy were here doing some finish work on the new garage. I bet they will be glad to be done with this project. Has taken them longer then they wanted. Charles got really sick, spent time in the hospital, durning the project and I know he is happy to have it finished. My golf buddy Carlton was here as well. He was showing me his new golf grip. Was a nice visit with all of them. 

We are going to pour another little slab in the barn and a small pad in the new garage. Has been a long time sense I did any dirt work and I was way wore out last night... hope to get that little project done in the next week or two.

Butch made it to Tx. He is delivering a trailer of ours to my friend Randy. Randy is going to finish the living quarters for us.. We have put this off for a long time because of cost. Randy is a hand not just with trailer stuff but a heck of a horseman himself.. He has been out her several times and the two of us are always looking for ways to improve. He is a great sounding board for me to bounce Ideas off. Hope to get to see him soon..

Russ and Sherry are heading out our way later today. They live in Ks. They were out last year and we had a great time. Russ and I use to play in a bluegrass band together for about 12 years or so. Sherry is a heck of a mandolin player herself and we always do some pickin when they are here so can't wait for that...

Karen will be out this morning to ride her little horse. She comes out so she can  use the round pen. Is a nice safe place for her to work and is nice to see her out with her horse...

Better feed now...and then coffee..

Yesterday was the long awaited demo for the BCH. We tried to do it in the spring and had the equine herpes out break. Wanted to do it then so it would be cool... I think it was 100 degrees yesterday.. but we got it done and had a good turn out... I counted 28 folks. This group of folks  loves their horses and they are very in tune with their horsemanship. Like all horseman they were eager to learn.. We started in the round pen. I used one of my horses to show how it should look when you have them understanding what you want. Then we had a big boy come into the round pen, Marty's boy .. I always watch as folks bring their horses up to see what is going on with the owner and the horse. This horse was really pushing on his owner... once he was in the round pen I talked about how important it is to study the horse and see if we can tell what he is thinking or in this horse's case not thinking... In other words when you first get in the round pen with your horse, do NOTHING.... Once we got started it was obvious that this horse could care less that I was there. And that's ok... The reason I use a round pen is, first to gain the respect of the horse by showing myself to be the leader, and I hope a good leader and the second is to teach my horse how to be caught or how to catch me.... this horse was a hard case... it took longer then I think the folks in the audience wanted it to... One fella was pretty vocal about it. That he would do this or he would do that... and I'm sure that his ideas would have worked but it would have required me to put more pressure on the horse and the horse already wanted to jump out of the round pen as it was, and I did not want to create a wreck... I told them all that if we just give him a little time, the magic pill, he would begin to see what I was asking... Well I had sent Kathy to the truck to get a lead rope and halter thinking that this was going to take to long for these folks... while she was gone I kept working with him and then just as Kathy got back with the halter the horse figured it out... he moved his hip when I asked and came to me... when I asked.... It was very cool to see that all happen and I think the folks there were impressed... At least the fella that was telling me how I should do it saw what was happening and did not have anymore suggestions after that... and it is my hope that he at least saw what I was talking about... that you have to give the horse TIME to figure out what you want... and some times that takes more time... than most people are willing to go... but if  you do... it will make all the difference to the horse and in the future to it's owner.....

The next couple of horses came around much faster then the first. Silke let me work with her little horse and she was a little defiant but it was not long before she was moving her hip and coming to me when I asked...

 Even Sue, our host for the clinic, let me work with one of her horses... she is very protective of her boys but was willing to let me show the folks what I could do with him....

The trailer loading demo was very interesting. I had my stock trailer and showed them how my horse loaded so they would see what it should look like and will look like once they put their horses in a trailer loading program... The couple that brought a horse and a mule for me to load were great. Doug and Dixie.. They wanted me to load their horse and mule in their trailer... I agreed. When he pulled the trailer in to the arena I could not believe it... it was a two horse straight load trailer from the 60's it was so small that I was not sure anything, other then a mini horse could get in it... I demonstrated using my horse first... and when we went up to the trailer, Car, my horse, looked at me like, "you have got to be kidding". It only took a couple of tries and Car got in but you could tell he did not feel safe... Next I loaded the demo horse. I loaded him in my stock trailer first and he had no problem with it at all... The method I teach, if done right, will always have the same result, a horse that will load every time and do so safely. Next it was time to see if he would go in the little trailer... It took several times before the horse would even look at the little trailer... once I got him close to my trailer and as he went by he jumped into my trailer... You could tell he did not want to go in that little trailer at all... After a couple more tries he got in the little trailer... and stood quietly. I suggested to Doug that he sell that little trailer and get a bigger trailer... I even offered to sell him my stock trailer... was just teasing him... but not really... sometimes we make our life harder because of the equipment that we have or use... it was obvious that the horse had no problem in my trailer but it was a real issue in Doug's...

 Next came the mule... I have never worked with mules before so it was a treat for me to get to do that... Again the mule would load in my trailer, using the method I use, but you could not convince her to get in that little trailer... she would step in with her front feet but when she touched her side on the entry of the trailer she would back out... I worked at it for awhile and decided that it would not be worth making her work so hard when all we had to do was give her more room... I kidded Doug and Dixie about their trailer.. They are great sports, but more importantly I could see that Doug was getting it... he was beginning to understand the reasons why I load the way I do.... we had to help the mule in the trailer when it was time for them to leave but he loaded his horse without any help... I was very proud of him.....and I think he will at least think about getting a trailer that will make his life  and the life of his horses much easier..

This group asked some great questions.. which showed me that they really wanted to learn and help their horses... I had some of my friends and clients there too... They were very supportive.. Ted and Heidi, Mark, Butch, Norma, louise. These are folks that I have been working with over the past months and years and some of them shared their experience working with me.


It is very gratifying when you meet someone that appreciates what you do. And they see the value of what you are trying to do to help people and horses...
 Thanks Sue, for everything...

I had a great time yesterday working with a couple in Deming New Mexico. Diane and Craig. Two folks that really love their horses and want to learn to be better horseman.. We spend the day, all day, working together. We started out by working in the round pen and I showed them why I do what I do in the round pen. Why I use the round pen and how they can get the most from the round pen.... We worked with three horses, who's names I'm sure I won't get right, Mack, Lucy and Ninna. All three horses were a blast to work with. I had a little trouble with Mack. He is a big boy and was making great progress... coming up to me and Diane when we asked but he got his nickers in a not and would not let us put a halter on him... So we moved him to a separate pen so he could rest and settle... Before the afternoon was over he would let me in the pen and would let me rub him on his near side... after I was finished Diane got in with him and loved all over him... I'm sure he will be fine with their care and patients. The other two horse made great progress too... Diane was amazing... she stayed in there despite the over one hundred degree weather.. and she got a lot done with her horses... I'm so looking forward to hearing about how they are all doing and will in the next week or two stop by for a little review... It is a lot of information to assimilate in one day.. and as I told them will take time, the magic pill. 

Got up yesterday morning and went out side with my cup of coffee to check on the progress of our new garage. It looks great and they pretty much finished up on it yesterday. I had parked the truck and trailer up close to the house last night so that Butch and I could unload our horses.. Anyway... as I walked around the truck I notice that I had a flat tire... got out the air compressor to air it back up and the air was coming out as fast as it was going in.. That meant I had to get the spare out from under the truck... they guy that came up with that should be shot... and then had to head to town... to get tires... I just bought 2 for the back. I'm hoping that the front tires will last a few more months... Could not believe what tires cost... Guys has to take out a loan at the bank just to get two... anyway... it's done... but got in the way of working with horses... again....

My buddy Mark came over yesterday... he brought his horse... he was exploring where I had seen elk. He has a tag for this area and is getting ready...am hoping that I will get to go with him and help... we will take a couple of pack animals to bring the elk back if he gets one... will be a hoot...

Well I'm off to Deming NM this morning to work with a couple there and their horses... She came to a demo that we did at Norma's a few weeks ago... so am excited about working with them and helping... will let you know the results in the morning...

we are at Sue's in the Membres Valley to do a round pen and trailer loading demo... will be hot but fun... Staruday

Yesterday I helped my neighbor gather and brand their cattle. Was a great day to be horseback. Butch went with me and we had a good time... Is such an honor to see folks work at what they love the cattle, horses and the land... we branded about 120 calf's. Was a lot of work. This ranch still ropes and drags their calf's to the fire for branding and that's sure the way I like to do it too...

Spent most of the morning working with Tim... the gray horse. He is  doing pretty good... we are working on a brake...he stops but not as quick as I would like... he is getting better but it is something that for some horses takes a little learning... 

Had one of our horses try to colic yesterday. This does not happen very often at our place. I think it is because we try to keep things as close to what they would be like for the horse in the wild... having said that there are some things we just can't do... Anyway I loaded him in the trailer and took him for a ride... When we were back in Kansas my vet back there, he's still our vet, told me that most of the time if I could keep my horse moving around and on his feet they will usually come around... he said by the time I put him in the trailer and drive an hour to get to him he would probably be ok... so I did... and by the time I got to his place the horse was fine...Now I'm not trying to tell anyone that ALL they have to do is load your horse in a trailer and take him for a long ride. Some folks just can't do that.. they just have to go to the vet and I think that's fine...  but I have found that most of the time... if you live a long way away from your vet, by the time you get your horse there he usually will be ok... Some folks can't get their horse in a trailer...which in this case, can cause you some real problems.. so they really need to work on trailer loading and have a program for it... so if you can't get them in a trailer... take them for a long walk.. I would not suggest riding the horse that is trying to colic but you could pony the sick horse off another and you could take them both for a long ride... the important thing is to keep your horse on his feet and moving... if it doesn't improve then some how your going to have to get your horse in the trailer and into town.... After a couple of hours in the trailer he was doing fine and when we got back to the barn he was eating and drinking and doing his business like he should....

This past weekend was busy! We did two shows in the same day in two different places... Was a good time even though it was busy.. A good friend of mine ran the singer songwriter stage Daniel Boling. if you don't know him you need to. www.danielboling.com is where you can learn more about him and his music.. He travels all over the country playing his music and he is a dandy..

Will get back to work on the horses today. Stan is suppose to have another lesson this morning so need to get ready for that...