 RED One of my students from the Aug. clinic in the valley sent me an email yesterday with an update on how she is getting along with her horses. We sent out an email announceing the date of our Nov. clinic, on the 11th and 12th, and she was replying to make sure she was on our list to be there. I asked her how she was getting along with her horses and here is some of what she said.
Mackie, I have always hated ground work but with the clinic and DVD to take home - and the fact that you make the lessons "bite sized" I am able to find both the time and the enthusiasm.
Looking forward to November.
I can't tell you what it means to Kathy and I to get an email like this. Someone who really appreciates what we have to offer, and not only that, takes it home and gives it a try. Most of us are busy folks with jobs, kids, husbands, and it's not always easy to spare, even a little time, for our horses. But what I have been trying to help people to realize is, you don't have to be a professional trainer to get things done with your horse. Whatever time you have, if you can spend even a little time, fifteen minutes, you won't believe what you can get done, if you have a program. The program that we offer is not the only way, but it's a good way, and some folks are seeing that in their own work.
I can't express how excited I am to get a chance to work with this student again in Nov. A chance to help someone become a better leader, a better horseman, is pretty special.
Last night I was watching Austin City Limits and they had Lyle Lovett on. He made a comment that I wanted to pass on. He said that, it's pretty special when you get to do what you love, and then to meet people that love what they do, makes it even more incredible. That's how I feel about working with horses. What a joy it is, for me, to get to do what I love, teach horses and people, and then to be around people that love what they do and their horses, makes it pretty special.
Well I better get at it, but first coffee.
 Well Sue has done it again, she has nailed down a date for our clinic in Nov. I tell ya, I wish I could bottle Sue and sell her, I wouldn't have to train another horse. She has so much energy and loves horses and people that love horses, and I can't thank her enough.
The dates for November are the 11th and 12th, at Sue's place in the valley. If you are interested or want more info just contact us. We are asking the folks that attended the first one day clinic that we did at Sue's back in Aug. to be a part of this two day clinic first. Once these folks have had a chance we will open it up, but only to a limited few, so think about it.
A two day clinic will give us a chance to really work on some skills together, and we won't have to be in such a big hurry to get everything in. One day clinics are a great way to get your feet wet, so to speak. They let's you see what is possible. A two day clinic let's you see what's practical. On the second day your horse has made such a big change that you won't believe it, but more important, you will have made such a change that you, and your horse won't believe it. So Kathy and I are very excited about this chance to really show folks what we can do for them and their horses.
 With a two day format I will have the chance to work with each person more closely then in a one day format, cause theirs more time. I'm hoping that we can address problems that each person is having in their training program or with problems that may be unique to their horse. So can you tell I'm excited?
Yesterday got the tires for the hay trailer and am ready now when my hay guy calls. My hay guy's name is Clint. He and his daughter attended a one day clinic that Kathy and I put on here several years ago. I remember when he came he just brought his daughter to be involved, but before we got started Kathy had convinced Clint that he needed to get involved too. Well before the clinic was over Clint could not believe the change, not just in his horses but, in himself. He had been pitched off his horse not long before the clinic and was a little fearful, but when we were finished with the clinic, he told me that he could not believe the change in himself. His confidence, his knowledge, is understanding were through the roof. He and his daughter have become good friends over the years and he is a pleasure to do business with.
Well I better feed the boys.
Yesterday I started my day off without coffee. Please remind me to never do that again.
Coffee time.
 Russ and Sherry! Well it's about time. But I was not looking forward to it. Unpacking after our trip. Started, and then was not feeling well so just got the stuff in the house. Will deal with it later, but at least it's inside and out of the weather. We had a great time in Winfield. Gave us a chance to see our girls and the grandkids and a chance to spend with good friends. Russ and Sherry, you may remember that they have been out to see us a couple of time over the past couple of years. Well they are both wonderful folks and musicians. The picture above is them. They are about to sign Kathy's blue bass. She decided to have folks, who she admires, sign her bass. Russ and Sherry were the first to do that. Was great to see them, and we hope they will keep coming out to see us.
Need to get the old tires off the flatbed trailer and get them to town today, if I feel better. Will need it the end of this week for the first of next, to get hay for the winter. I'm guessing around twelve ton will get us in to spring of next year. Hay is a big deal for us. We don't have pasture and the boys got to eat, so is always a worry.
Took the horse back last night that had colics the night before. He was fine and he was glad to get back to his own herd mates.
Had dinner with Ted and Heidi. Ted is having some work done around the barn and it really looks good. I will try to take a picture or two so you can see it. He is putting a split rail fence around part of the place, mostly where you come up their drive to the barn. Really looks nice.
Have not had a chance to get on a horse sense I got home, hope that changes in the next couple of days.
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 Yesterday was a day for getting back into the swing of things. We were a little short of hay in one of the barns so I had to move little hay, a ton, from my barn to Ted's barn. It's not very far, only about seven miles or so, but when your moving it with the tractor it seems like it takes forever to get there. But got that done and a few business related thing done on the computer. I did a private lesson with a lady in Deming NM and we video taped it so that she could have it to look at later, and so she could send a copy to her mother. I had to order a special cable to get that done, but it came out pretty good, so need to get that in the mail to her today.
Then last night around eight or nine pm. I got a call from one of my neighbors out here on the ranch, that their horse was acting like he wanted to colic. So, in my pj's I hooked up the trailer and when over. Sure enough he was just laying there and did not want to get up, but after a little conversation with him he got up and I loaded him in the trailer and took him for a ride. You may remember me talking about what I do when I think a horse is trying to colic or is, that I will load them in a trailer and take them for a ride. That way they are up on their feet and having to keep their balance as we are moving. Is easier then saddling a horse at nine pm and ponying them up and down the road. Well we road around for about an hour or so, then brought him home to our place and put him in a pen. Went out just before I went to bed and he was up eating and had done some business, if you know what I mean, in the pen. This morning he is up and was ready for breakfast.
I need to get the tires off my flatbed trailer and take them in to town to have new ones put on. This tire deal is killing me. Need to up pack too. I have not wanted to even think about that but needs to get done, so that's on the list.
Is great to be back with the boys. They all look great. When we are gone it is a bit of a deal for Ted. He feeds our horses, he and Heidi take care of the dogs and Ted waters Kathy's plants for her while we are away. Can't thank them enough for all they do. We would not be able to go anywhere if we did not have good neighbors like Ted and Heidi, and Charles and Nancy. They will tell you, that's what neighbors do for neighbors, but you don't see that much when you go to the big city.
Better get the coffee down and get to it.
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 Mackie and The Band! I made it home last night. Kathy will stay with her family to give them a hand for another week or so. Already miss her.
Before we left for our vacation we played at the Hillsboro Festival. Was a good group of folkd, and a good time. Kathy is getting better, and better on the bass, and I'm very proud to get to play music with her.
Now that I'm home I'm gearing up for a full month of horse, and people training, I have a young lady coming out on Friday to work with me and her horse, so am excited about that, and should be getting a young horse from T or C to start, starting the first week in October.
Still working on a clinic here on the ranch and one in Nov. in the valley and one in Dec. in T or C., so if you think you might like to be involved let me know.
Have a lot of unpacking to do this morning. Then will head over to Ted and Heidi's to pick up Wally and Kevin, our dogs. I know they love being at Ted's, we call it camp. They have a swimming pool to get into when it get's warm outside and two poodles to play with, so they are in heaven I'm sure. Will be good to see them and have them around again. So I better get after it.
Remember if you have any comments or complaints about what you read here in my blog, please let me know, I can take it. Plus it will give me an idea if what I am writing about is of any interest to you.
Now it's time to have some coffee and get to work.
Miss Temple will be home today, sometime this afternoon. Her doc came in while we were there last night and said he would make it all happen latter this morning. It has been seven weeks sense she went to the hospital and we can't wait to get her home. Everyone is a little nervous. She will need a little more care then in the past and Kathy wants to make sure the boys are up for the job. We think they are but she wants to be here to help the first couple of days. So we are all busy getting everything in order, mostly our stuff out of her bedroom...
I'm looking for folks that would be interested in a one day clinic out on the ranch so if you are interested or you can think of someone who might be have them contact me asap. Also want to do one in Nov. in the valley with Sue so if you are interested or know of someone who might be have them contact me.
I have a horse coming in, starting the fist of Oct. so am getting excited about that. The owner wants to leave him with me for ninety days. That does not happen very often. Most folks think that you can get a young horse where they need to be in thirty days. Truth is, they don't want to swallow the magic pill, time, cause it cost money. I can get a lot done in thirty days but I'm really just getting to know their name in thirty day. And it takes that long for them to get to know me. If you are thinking about having someone start a young horse for you, understand that there is a lot more to it then you might think and it takes TIME! It will be time well spent if your trainer uses the time wisely. I think that most trainers don't always have the best interest of the horse in mind at times. They are running a business and they have to make money if they are going to stay in business, and sometimes they cut corners. But it does not take long, if they are cutting corners, before it will show up in the horses they are training, and it won't be long before people are not coming back to them. I keep saying this but it's true, it takes the magic pill, and if you are not willing to swallow that pill you probably should take up something else, like toy trains or something, cause if you rush the process, your horse is going to know, and your progress will be slower then if you just took the time the first time around.
Ok enough of me.
Coffee
We have had a little change of plans. We are going to stay here with Kathy's family a few more days till Miss Temple gets home. Kathy wants to make sure that she gets settled be fore we head home. So a few more days away from the pony's.
Miss Temple continues to improve and she can hardly wait to get home, and I don't blame her. Seven weeks is a long time to be away from home.
I got a nice email from Sue. She just returned from Portugal where she did some riding and training with a guy, can't remember his name. She has lots of pictures and lots of stories to tell, and I hope that she will let me share them with you all. You may remember that I have been working with Sue and a couple of her horses before we headed out on our trip. So I'm excited to see what she has learned and what I can learn from her and her experience.
I'm always looking to learn, all I can about not only horses, about how to get along with them and train them. I think that some folks get a little to narrow minded when it comes to horses, thinking that there way is the only way. Now don't get me wrong, I think that some ways are better then other ways of training but I know I can always learn something from other trainer or other folks, if what I learn is what NOT to do, I'm still learning and that it what is important. I have a WAY, it's not the only way, but it is a good way, that has served me, my horses and a lot of other people and their horses well for a long time. But that does not mean it is the only way. I encourage folks to look at other options, or training methods when they are working with their horses or have a problem in their training program. If you have an open mind when it comes to your training program you will find that your horses will have an open mind when you try things out on them, and from time to time you may find something that works really good for YOU and your horses.
Coffee
Kathy and I got a chance to visit with Miss Temple yesterday and she is doing great. She walked all the way to physical therapy, which is quite a little walk, by herself and then back again. She says that the doc is going to let her come home on Friday. That is good news for all of us and especially her. She has been in the hospital for seven weeks.
We are getting caught up on our rest here at Kathy's parents home. Is nice to be with family. We will spend the day getting ready for the trip back to the ranch. Laundry and packing up the truck and trailer for the trip.. Can't wait to be back home..
Time for coffee.
We are finally heading home. We had a good time but can't wait to get back to the horses. I will have some pictures to share when the dust settles.
We are at Kathy's parents home in western Kansas. Kathy's mom is still in rehab, but is doing much better. They hope she will get to come home in the next few days, if things go as planned.
The festival was a great time. A good time to be with friends and with our girls. Montana and Natty fly in from Nevada and Missy and her family drive over from Mo. I don't get to see them much so is always a sad time when they have to go home, but they are all doing great and making their own way in the world, with not much help from me. When the girls were young they wanted to marry their Pop when they grew up. I tried to keep it that way for as long as I could lol...
We will head home in a couple of days and we will get back to work. I am planning a couple of clinics before the year is over. Hope to have one there on the ranch and one over in the valley in Nov. for the folks that attended the first one there. Then am working with Tim, he's the guy I by my deisel from in T or C. He seems pretty excited about getting something together at his place so am really looking forward to getting back and getting those plans in the works.
Well it's late in the day so think I will pass on coffee.
I'm having a little trouble with my internet connection here in Kansas. I 'm working on it and hope to have it fixe
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