2011 Trail Trials

Registration form for 2011 Trail Trials Saturday July 9th.

Clark County Fair Mounted Patrol Trail Trials
Saturday July 9, 2011
Zumstein Family Farm
41316 NE 12th Ave., Woodland, WA
(360) 225-8694
email at TrailTrials@aol.com

The Trail Trials is a judged competitive trail ride that emphasizes safety and good horsemanship. It consists of a trail ride of 1-2 hours with judged obstacles for horse and rider to negotiate along the way. Obstacles can be natural or a simulation of naturally occurring conditions. This event will have 12-14 obstacles including a bridge, creek, logs and hills.

If you don't feel like you want to complete, come anyway and just enjoy a ride on a beautiful historic tree farm while you challenge you and your horse partner.

Sign in starts 8:00 a.m. with first out at 9:00 a.m. The start time will be assigned at sign in. The last Entry will be accepted at NOON!

The directions to the farm are on the entry form.

Fees per class:

Youth 12 – 17 $25.00
(Helmets required)

Adults 18+ $30.00

Extreme Trail Horse $45.00
(adults only)

Sleeping Around

I got this in an email today.....



It's ALWAYS the kids that suffer. His name is Zonkey

Budweiser Clydes

I just watched my DVR of the Jan 17th The Horse Show with Rick Lamb on RFDTV. He tours Anheuser-Busch’s 350-acre Clydesdale breeding farm outside Columbia, Missouri. It is Episode 268.

Rick has a link to this program but I found that it took a long time to load so I've included that link here.

He does his usual good interview with some interesting information. There is also some incredible footage of those magnificent animals running. They also show one of their stallions that weighs over 2000 lbs.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Jody

Dear Horse,

(from my inbox)

I love you very much, and I truly cherish your presence in my life. I would
never wish to criticize you in any way. However, there are a few trivial
details regarding our relationship that I think might bear your
consideration.

First of all, I am already aware that horses can run faster than I can. I do
not need you to demonstrate that fact each time I come to get you in the
pasture. Please remember that I work long and hard to earn the money to keep
you in the style to which you have become accustomed. In return, I think you
should at least pretend to be glad to see me, even when I'm carrying a
bridle instead of a bucket of oats.

It should be fairly obvious to you that I am a human being who walks on only
two legs. I do not resemble a scratching post. Do not think that, when you
rub your head against me with 1,000 pounds of force behind it, I believe
that it wasn't your intention to send me flying. I am also aware that
stomping on my toes while you are pushing me around is nothing but adding
injury to insult.

I understand I cannot expect you to cover your nose when you sneeze, but it
would be appreciated if you did not inhale large amounts of dirt and manure
prior to aiming your sneezes at my face and shirt. Also, if you have
recently filled your mouth with water you do not intend to drink, please let
it all dribble from your mouth BEFORE you put your head on my shoulder. In
addition, while I know you despise your deworming medication, my intentions
in giving it to you are good, and I really do not think I should be rewarded
by having you spit half of it back out onto my shirt.

Sometimes, I get the feeling that you are confused about the appropriate
roles you should play in various situations. One small bit of advice: Your
stone-wall imitation should be used when I am mounting and your speed-walker
imitation when I suggest that we proceed on our way, not vice versa. Please
also understand that jumping is meant to be a mutual endeavor. By "mutual",
I mean that we are supposed to go over the jump together. You were purchased
to be a mount, not a catapult.

I know the world is a scary place when your eyes are on the sides of your
head, but I did spend a significant amount of money to buy you, and I have
every intention of protecting that investment. Therefore, please consider
the following when you are choosing the appropriate behavior for a
particular situation:

- When I put your halter on you, attach one end of a lead rope to the
halter, and tie the other end of the lead rope to a post or rail or
whatever, I am indicating a desire for you to remain in that locale. I would
also like the halter, lead rope, post, etc., to remain intact. While I admit
that things like sudden loud noises can be startling, I do not consider them
to be acceptable excuses for repeatedly snapping expensive new lead ropes
(or halters or posts) so that you can run madly around the barn area
creating havoc in your wake. Such behavior is not conducive to achieving
that important goal that I know we both share --- decreasing the number of
times the veterinarian comes out to visit you.

- By the same token, the barn aisle was not designed for the running of the
Kentucky Derby and is not meant to serve as a racetrack. Dragging me down
the aisle in leaps and bounds is not how "leading" is supposed to work, even
if someone happens to drop a saddle on the floor as we're passing. Pulling
loose and running off is also discouraged (although I admit it does allow
you to run faster).

- I assure you that blowing pieces of paper do not eat horses. While I
realize you are very athletic, I do not need a demonstration of your ability
to jump 25 feet sideways from a standing start while swapping ends in
midair, nor am I interested in your ability to emulate both a racehorse and
a bucking bronco while escaping said piece of paper. Also, if the paper were
truly a danger, it would be the height of unkindness to dump me on the
ground in front of it as a sacrificial offering to expedite your escape.

- When I ask you to cross a small stream, you may safely assume that said
stream does not contain crocodiles, sharks, or piranhas, nor will it be
likely to drown you. (I have actually seen horses swimming, so I know it can
be done.) I expect you to be prepared to comply with the occasional request
to wade across some small body of water. Since I would like to be dry when
we reach the other side of the stream, deciding to roll when we're halfway
across is not encouraged behavior.

- I give you my solemn oath that the trailer is nothing but an alternate
means of transportation for distances too long for walking. It is not a
lion's den or a dragon's maw, nor will it magically transform into such. It
is made for horses, and I promise you that you will indeed fit into your
assigned space. Please also bear in mind that I generally operate on a
schedule, and wherever we're going, I would really like to get there today.

For the last time, I do not intend to abandon you to a barren, friendless
existence. If I put you in a turn-out pen, I promise that no predators will
eat you, and I will come back in due time to return you to your stall. It is
not necessary to run in circles, whinny pathetically, threaten to jump the
fence, or paw at the gate. Neither your stall mates nor I will have left the
premises. The other horses standing peacefully in adjacent pens amply
demonstrate that it is possible to enjoy being turned out for exercise.

In order to reassure you, my dear horse, I have posted the following message
on your stall door:

"Notice to People Who Complain About My Horse"

1. I like my horse a lot better than I like people who complain about her.

2. To you, she's an animal; to me, she's a big, hairy, four-legged daughter
--- and you know what they say about coming between a mother and her
children.

3. This stall is her castle, and you are expected to treat her as the queen
she thinks she is.

4. If you don't want her to steal your carrots, don't walk by her with the
carrots sticking out of your pockets.

5. Horses are better than husbands or kids. They eat grass, don't smoke or
drink, don't expect an allowance, don't voluntarily get their body parts
pierced, don't hog the remote, don't waste the whole weekend watching
football with their friends, don't talk back to you, don't compare you
unfavorably with their friends' owners, don't keep you awake with their
snoring --- and no horse ever left the toilet seat up after going to the
bathroom.

Finally, in closing, my strong and gentle companion, I would like to point
out that, whatever might happen between horses and their people, we humans
will always love you. In fact, our bonds with you help create new bonds
among ourselves, even with total strangers. Wherever there are horses, there
will be "horse people", and for the blessings you bestow upon us, we thank
you.

Most sincerely yours,

Your Owner

I Ride

Sharing from my in-box -

Below from an 87-yr old very active horseback riding mother I thought an
expression of a horse lover's thanks and feeling of empowerment--and
worthy of sharing in this season.

Subject: I Ride

I ride. That seems like such a simple statement. However as many women
who ride know it is really a complicated matter. It has to do with power
and empowerment. Being able to do things you might have once considered
out of reach or ability. I have considered this as I shovel manure, fill
water barrels in the cold rain, wait for the
vet/farrier/electrician/hay delivery, change a tire on a horse trailer by
the side of the freeway, or cool a gelding out before getting down to the
business of drinking a cold beer after a long ride.

The time, the money, the effort it takes to ride calls for dedication. At
least I call it dedication. Both my ex-husbands call it 'the sickness'.
It's a sickness I've had since I was a small girl bouncing my model
horses and dreaming of the day I would ride a real horse. Most of the
women I ride with understand the meaning of 'the sickness'. It's not a
sport. It's not a hobby. It's what we do and, in some ways, who we are as
women and human beings.

I ride. I hook up my trailer and load my gelding. I haul to some
trailhead somewhere, unload, saddle, whistle up my dog and I ride. I
breathe in the air, watch the sunlight filter through the trees and savor
the movement of my horse. My shoulders relax. A smile rides my sunscreen
smeared face. I pull my ball cap down and let the real world fade into
the tracks my horse leaves in the dust.

Time slows. Flying insects buzz loudly, looking like fairies. My gelding
flicks his ears and moves down the trail. I can smell his sweat and it is
perfume to my senses. Time slows. The rhythm of the walk and the movement
of the leaves become my focus. My saddle creaks and the leather rein in
my hand softens with the warmth.

I consider the simple statement; I ride. I think of all I do because I
ride. Climb granite slabs, wade into a freezing lake, race a friend
through the Manzanita all the while laughing and feeling my heart in my
chest. Other days just the act of mounting and dismounting can be a real
accomplishment. Still I ride, no matter how tired or how
much my seat bones or any of the numerous horse related injuries hurt. I
ride. And I feel better for doing so.

The beauty I've seen because I ride amazes me. I've ridden out to find
lakes that remain for the most part, unseen. Caves, dark and cold beside
rivers full and rolling are the scenes I see in my dreams The Granite
Stairway at Echo Summit; bald eagles on the wing and bobcats on the prowl
add to the empowerment and joy in my heart.

I think of the people, mostly women, I've met. I consider how competent
they all are. Not a weenie amongst the bunch.. We haul 40 ft rigs, we
back into tight spaces without clipping a tree. We set up camp. Tend the
horses. We cook and keep safe. We understand and love our companions, the
horse. We respect each other and those we encounter on the trail. We know
that if you are out there riding, you also shovel, fill, wait and doctor.
Your hands are a little rough and you travel without makeup or hair gel.
You do without to afford the 'sickness' and probably, when you were a
small girl, you bounced a model horse while you dreamed of riding a real
one.

"My treasures do not chink or glitter, they gleam in the sun and neigh in
the night"

Dear Horse Owners

Time for some silliness......


Dear Horse Owners,

Are you experiencing too many second and third finishes behind inferior horses at horse shows?
During a trail ride, does your horse forget everything he was bred to do?

Well, this simple chain letter is meant to bring relief and happiness to you. Unlike most chain letters, it doesn't cost any money.

Simply send a copy to seven other horse owners who are dissatisfied with the way that their horse is behaving. Then, bundle up your horse and ship him/her to the horse owner at the top of the list, and add your name to the bottom of the list. Do not use a return address or the post office may try to contact you.

In one week you should receive 16,436 horses, and at least one of them should be a keeper.
Have faith!! Do not break the chain!! One owner broke the chain and got his own horse back.

Just stuff

I read this in the Sunday paper and just had to share -
The article was talking about all the stuff that we worry about in our world today. A good thing for me to read cause my son and his family all have 'the flu' right now. Actually the point was to see how 'unsolvables' have been solved. I usually come from a different perspective but it was a good article and handled the issue well.

And one of the issues was Horse Manure.

As urban populations exploded in the 19th century (sounds like our county these last few years) horses were put to work in many ways. Horse power was used to pull streetcars, coaches and fire engines and quite literally for powering manufacturing equipment. The cities became filled with horses. An example - in 1900, New York City was home to around 200,000 horses. One for every 17 people.

Because of this there was what the economists of that time referred to as "negative externalities". These included many things like noise, gridlock, high insurance costs and far too many human traffic fatalities and one of the worst problems:

...... THE MANURE ......

The average horse produces about 24 pounds of it a day. In New York, at that time, that added up to nearly 5 million pounds - A DAY. (and we think we have it bad)

It lined the street like banks of snow and was piled as high as 60 feet in vacant lots and it smelled really bad. It was a fertile breeding ground for flies that spread deadly disease. City planners everywhere were confounded. It seemed as if cities could not survive without the horse - but they couldn't survive with it, either.

And then the problem vanished. The horse was kicked to the curb by the electric streetcar and the automobile.

Top 10 Exercises

They say it takes seven falls to make a rider. But there's a lot more to it than that.

Check out this humorous list of 10 simple exercises that will help you become a better equestrian.

10. Drop a heavy steel object on your foot. Don't pick it up right away. Shout, "Get off, Stupid, GET OFF!"

9. Leap out of a moving vehicle and practice "relaxing into the fall." Roll lithely into a ball and spring to your feet.

8. Learn to grab your checkbook out of your purse and write out a $200 check without even looking down.

7. Jog long distances carrying a halter and a carrot. Go ahead and tell the neighbors what you are doing - they might as well know now.

6. Affix a pair of reins to a moving freight train and practice pulling to a halt. Smile as if you are having fun.

5. Hone your fibbing skills: "See hon, moving hay bales is FUN!" and "No, really, I'm glad your lucky performance and multimillion dollar horse won the blue ribbon. I am just thankful that my hard work and actual ability won me second place."

3. Borrow the US Army's slogan: Be All That You Can Be -- bitten, thrown, kicked, slimed, trampled, frozen...

2. Lie face down in a puddle of mud in your most expensive riding clothes and repeat to yourself, "This is a learning experience, this is a learning experience, this is ..."

1. THE NUMBER ONE EXERCISE TO BECOME A BETTER EQUESTRIAN: Marry money.

Trail Trials

Just a quick reminder of the Trail Trials tomorrow.

It is out at the Zumstein Family Farm in Woodland. Just being able to ride though their land is a treat and you will have plenty of challenges if you want.

There are 3 classes - Youth 12-17 (helmets required), Adult 18+ and Extreme Trail Horse and there will be prizes awarded in each.

This is the major fundraiser for the Fence Riders (Clark County Mounted Patrol).

Come join the fun -

Just a note: we could still us a few helpers.

Rodeo week day 1

Because I am totally consumed with the Vancouver Rodeo this week, I'm going to walk you thru it with me.
Dennis is "Ted" this year so he was out at the Saddle Club about 9:30 this morning. He was there to check on some stuff and just hold some hands as people start moving in for the Rodeo that starts on Wednesday.


It is a great show because there is a bunch of work that goes on all year. But the rubber hits the road the week or so before rodeo starts when grand entry practice goes into high gear and the Saddle Club grounds get spiffed up.

Today the fence came so it is literally taking shape now.


Howells brought the stock in today, our announcer, Al Parsons, rolled in and a bunch of people have set up their live-ins for the week.



We spent the evening watching Pennie direct the grand entry practice complete with flags, stage coach and the National Anthem.
The show starts at 7:00 PM on July 1st at the Clark County Saddle Club, 10505 NE 117th Ave., Vancouver, WA

You can get your tickets just before the show but to save yourself some time, get your tickets online. The ticket office will be open all day tomorrow also.

It will be a good show.
Come join us.

Sorting Party

We had an end of the year sorting party out at Silver Buckle last night and it was a blast.

Horses, friends, food and fun.


The sorting has been very laid back and just fun. Great for newbies and seasoned alike. It has been a good place to try a horse on cows for the first time, to socialize (a term we used with our Guide Dog Puppies) young horses and to just get out for some exercise at least once a week. We have all gotten to be good friends so the visiting has been a bonus.


This was the last regularly scheduled sorting for the summer but Silver Buckle recognizes that we are having too much fun so they are offering sorting on a reservation basis thru July and August. Call out there by noon on Wednesday and if there are 10 people that commit to sorting that Thursday, they’ll have the cows available. So it is 5 teams or $200 to schedule a night of sorting.

With all that is going on out there this summer, that is a generous offer and a bunch of us are going to take them up on it. I’m guessing that there will actually be sorting most Thursday nights. So call to make your reservation by noon on Wednesday, sign in and pay your $20 starting at 6:30 and be ready to sort by 7:00. And join a really friendly and fun group of people.

Did you see the new picnic table and fire pit? Good times.



Speaking of lots of activity out at Silver Buckle, remember they are having some really fun camps out there for kids this summer. The camps are filling up fast so check them out on their website calendar

Adopt-A-Horse Benefit Dinner

Make plans to attend a fun event tomorrow evening and help out a worth while project at the same time.

The CCEHC is hosting the Adopt-A-Horse Benefit Dinner tomorrow night at the Clark County Saddle Club. The dinner will be pulled pork on a bun with sides and beer and wine will be available for purchase. During the evening, you will enjoy musical entertainment, a DJ and a silent auction that will be exceptional because these ladies are great at finding really good items. There will also be a raffle for a 5day/4night cruise and one for a set of tack decorated with turquoise and silver by Tina Olsen.

All of that and you will be helping local horses and their foster homes. The Adopt-A-Horse program was created to assist area horses that are in dire need and have been relinquished to the County Animal Control. CCEHC has a network of homes throughout the county that will foster these unfortunate horses until forever homes can be found. Some of these homes can provide the home and caregiving but need financial assistance for the maintenance of these extra horses and that’s where the Adoption program comes in. That group, mainly Lori Harris and Pat Brown, are continually working at raising funds to support this program that assists with feed and supplies for these horses in their foster homes.

Ok that is the why. Now here is the where:
Clark County Saddle Club
10505 NE 117th Ave
Vancouver, WA
Friday May 29th
6:00 pm
Tickets: $15.00 donation per person.

For more information contact Lori Harris – 360-798-3515
Clark County Executive Horse Council

Old Farmer's Advice

Not old farmers -

but I've got to show you where Dennis and I were riding this past weekend. We are up in the hills above Lyle, Washington with Oregon and Mt. Hood in the background.

It was an awesome weekend.




An Old Farmer's Advice:
* Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.
* Keep skunks and bankers at a distance.
* Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
* A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.
* Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled.
* Meanness don't jes' happen overnight.
* Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.
* Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.
* It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge.
* You cannot unsay a cruel word.
* Every path has a few puddles.
* When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.
* The best sermons are lived, not preached.
* Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway.
* Don't judge folks by their relatives.
* Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
* Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.
* Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't bothering you none.
* Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.
* If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.
* Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.
* The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin'.
* Always drink upstream from the herd.
* Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment..
* Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in.
* If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.
* Don’t pick a fight with an old man. If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

New Signature Event

I'm on my soap box again.
I just read this in a small 'box' in The Columbian this morning:

What is Vancouver's New Signature Event?
Without Vancouver's annual fireworks extravaganza, what will be our signature event?
Tell what event you think is the highlight of Clark County's social calendar.
E-mail your response to signature-event@columbian.com.
Be sure to include your city of residence, age and phone number.

Ok, so I think the Vancouver Rodeo could fill that hole.

• It is already on the July 4th weekend and used to be part of the Vancouver 4th of July events (a few years ago).
• There is wide appeal and it is unique for this area. There are two other rodeos but they are not close and they are not as 'home town' as OUR rodeo.

Yes, I am on the Rodeo Committee and we have been talking about how we adjust our event to provide something more for the community in light of the absence of the fireworks display this year.

The other part that I saw when I read that piece was this designation would be a chance for the 'other' folks to see more of the horse community. I know this isn't about all the horse people in the area but it is horse related and would be a great chance for the rest of the folks to recognize that we (horse people) exist and are an economic force here. A lot of local people participate in the rodeo both as contestants and as volunteers. And if anyone wanted to see the economic impact of horses, all they would have to do is look at the infield at the Saddle Club during the rodeo and see all the trucks and trailers not to mention the horses and tack. Even if they do a write up about the ones that are mentioned, if a bunch of people sent in this idea, we could get some really good press for the rodeo and the horse community as a whole.

A Horsey Weekend

I have had my horsey fix for awhile. Maybe not, but going to the Northwest Horse Fair and Expo in Albany for all 4 days certainly gave us a horsey high. ‘Albany’ is so much fun. We have now been in the horse community long enough to have a lot of ‘horse’ friends and a good share of them came down so we had a chance to visit and catch up. And we always make new friends.

This year we stayed in a hotel right by the expo grounds and the hotel was full of horsey people. We rode the elevator up with two couples that were there supporting their friend in her participation in the Mustang Makeover. They were in the room next to us. Peggy Brown was across the hall. In the breakfast room we visited with friends from Vancouver and visited with a lady that noticed Dennis’ Vancouver Rodeo vest and said she didn’t know about it but wanted to come. Another lady just walked up and started visiting (I don’t know of anyone who does stuff like that) and said she loved coming to Albany to see her once a year friends. We shared our breakfast table with the rep from Bloomer trailers. He was from Idaho, had a big handlebar mustache and a starched red western shirt with big white ‘Bloomer’ embroidered all over it. We rode the elevator with a guy wearing a Farnum ball cap. I said I had one just like it and he said it was from him because he designed them and passed them out. I got it at a winter feed workshop at a feed store in Pendleton. And it went on and on. Horse people everywhere. I was in heaven. Maybe if you have been around horses all your life, this wouldn’t be such a big deal. We just got our horses when we turned 50 (I just turned 60) and I have loved horses all my life so I am living a dream. And totally enjoy hanging out with horse people so this weekend was a blast.

We got to watch almost everyone on the schedule for at least a little bit and all of the clinicians were top notch. Craig Cameron was entertaining as usual and the Extreme Cowboy race was a hoot. My friend, Leeann Vanderpool from Washougal rode in it on Thursday night and Barbara Corigliano from Brush Prairie rode on Friday. They did quite well and a cowgirl won! Craig is very big on traditional cowboy ways and values and I really appreciate that. Just like Silver Buckle says - part of their mission is to teach 19th Century values to 21st Century kids. We could all use more of that.

We watched a bit of Kay Meredith on Sunday and she was wonderful. We are not Dressage people but her extensive knowledge and the two very accomplished horses (one was Grand Prix level) and riders gave a good demonstration of some of the movements as she explained their original purpose. They were maneuvers that were used in war to keep horse and rider alive. In close contact fighting the Piaffe (trot in place) and the Passage (trot very slow) were used in close contact fighting and then the extended trot was used to get the heck out of there. I don’t want to offend any of the dressage people with my oversimplification but her explanations were geared to people like me and I enjoyed it. (I just hope I got the names right) Kay had them come across the arena doing a half pass from several directions so everyone could see the beauty of the foot falls from the judge’s viewpoint, both coming and going. Watching those white wrapped legs cross each other was stunning.

I took in a lecture by Peggy Brown on “Good Hands”. That was very enlightening. She did a very good demo with reins tied to a chair back and then having someone hold the reins and play the part of the horse and what ‘the horse’ could feel through the reins.
Steve Rother had a huge audience and was entertaining while being a great teacher. Remember that he is having a clinic this weekend in Washougal hosted by Leanne of Eastwind Stables. The Friday Eve demonstration is from 7pm - 9pm and the tickets are $10 (buy one get one free) Click here for more information.

And the Mustang Challenge was awesome. Be sure to read about it in Wendy’s blog.

I thought the venders were very good this year. As usual, Coastal had a bucket and scoop giveaway so everyone was carrying around little black buckets. Those suckers are really handy. A lot of the feed venders had coupons and really cheap wormer. A good place to get your years supply. There were metal artists and tons of trailers to look at and drool over. There were a lot of tack venders and people with fun horsey clothes so there was a lot to look at and some bargains to be had. A custom hat maker out of central Oregon was there and it was fun visiting with him. BCH was there of course with their dedicated volunteers. There were several equine insurance specialists and rescue organizations, some saddle companies and supplement and feed reps so there were a lot of brains to pick and a place to get all your questions answered. Add to that, lots of specialties – leather workers, magnetic therapy, irrigation methods, potions for our tack and our hands, tractor dealers and of course food! And this didn’t include the rows of stalls to visit.
It is just so fun to walk, and visit and watch all the different horsey clothes that people were wearing. I’ve got to give Brent Skill special recognition in the clothes category. He was all dressed up in his signature Big Hat with a leather vest and an authentic elk hide hand stitched coat with fringe and elk horn buttons made by his wife, Sonia.

It was 4 days of thinking, seeing and talking horse. How much better can it get?

The show was over Sunday night but we stayed until Monday and when we went down for breakfast it was kind of sad. All the horse people were gone………
.

Here are a few upcoming horse activities. These are things that Dennis and I participate in and we are having a ball so I’m inviting you to come join us.


There is sorting every Thursday at the Silver Buckle at 7:00. Sign up starts at 6:00. $20 for 3 goes and we are usually done by 9:00 or 9:30. This is an easy and friendly bunch with some really good cow work.

This Friday, the 13th, Silver Buckle is offering a class to introduce your horse to cows. This will include some basic sorting stuff. The cost for this lesson is $20 per horse. Call Maryjo at 360-260-8932 to reserve a spot.

On February 21st there will be a sorting Clinic and on the 28th is a Sorting Jackpot. Call Maryjo on these also to get the particulars and to reserve your spot.

All of these are great activities to get you and your horse in shape for spring.
It is coming!!!! I can see my lilac bushes coming to life. I know the snow has been pretty but I am ready for spring.

See in the arena,

Jody

What a "Free Horse" costs you

Some fun stuff to start the week -

A friend gives you a horse...
You build a small shelter...$750
You fence in a paddock...$450
Purchase small truck to haul hay...$12,000
Purchase a 2 horse trailer...$2,800
Purchase 2nd horse...$2,500
Build larger shelter with storage...$2,000
More fencing...$1,200
Purchase 3rd horse...$3,000
Purchase 4 horse trailer...$17,500
Purchase larger truck...$23,000
Purchase 4 acres next door...$38,000
More fencing...$2,000
Build small barn...$18,000
Purchase camper for truck...$9,000
Purchase tractor...$23,000
Purchase 4th & 5th horse ..$6,500
Purchase 20 acres...$285,000
Build house...$185,000
Build barn...$56,000
More fencing & corrals...$24,000
Build covered arena...$182,000
Purchase Dually...$44,000
Purchase gooseneck w/living quarters...$45,000
Purchase 6th, 7th & 8th horse...$10,750
Hire full time trainer...$50,000
Build house for trainer...$84,000
Buy motor home for shows...$125,000
Hire attorney -- spouse leaving you for trainer...$35,000
Declare bankruptcy, spouse gets everything.
Friend feels sorry for you...
gives you a horse.....

New Years Resolution

I found this in my in-box and thought I should pass it on as a public service


At this time of year, after the holidays, ads for weight-loss programs saturate print media and the airwaves. Even TV talk shows devote time to the battle of the bulge.

I caught part of a Dr. Phil episode in which the prominent self-help guru was evaluating the situation of one overweight guest. The woman commented that she'd like to buy a horse so she could get exercise via riding. "That's great for the horse," responded Dr. Phil drolly, "but what good is it for you?" Obviously, Dr. Phil has missed out on the cardiovascular workout we women get attempting to get into a sports bra and riding pants.... Clearly, the good doctor doesn't own a horse. At least, not the right horse. A quiet, well-broke, agreeable mount may indeed not offer much in the way of fitness training. But, the right horse (and most of us have owned 1 or 2, haven't we?) will provide a body-building, cardiovascular-enhancing workout t hat would make Richard Simmons envious.

Allow me to explain.... With the right horse, you begin your fitness program by walking out to the pasture. As you stride briskly, you carry the halter and lead rope behind you, pushed up high on your back so the lead doesn't drag. The purpose of this is to tone your chest and upper-arm muscles (because you're not fooling your horse, for he knows what you carry). As you approach to within a few feet of him, he'll walk slowly away from you, but at a pace just so you can't reach him, then stop. This will be repeated several times in succession, until you're ready to jog. At that point, because you own just the right horse, he will trot, then gallop around the pasture. If you're at the advanced level of fitness, you may continue chasing after him for maximum aerobic benefits, or just stop and start throwing rocks at him to give your rotator cuffs a workout. (Make sure you switch throwing arms. Not only is this a benefit to you, your horse will think it hilarious). Beginners may prefer to toss the halter and lead on the ground, bend forward from the waist, and engage in heavy breathing and chanting (that's what we'll call it, anyway -- chanting) as the horse continues to circle the field. For those of you that have experience with this exercise, you may choose to throw the halter and lead, walk briskly, bend, pick up, repeat. When the horse determines you've had enough of this warm-up session, he'll allow you to catch him.

Now comes the total upper-body workout of grooming. The right horse, of course, will be caked in dried mud. The cement-like consistency of it will require work-to-exhaustion effort of your biceps and triceps. NOTE: This exercise has added value, the dried mud will stick to your face with perspiration, instant facial! Next comes the bending, stretching, and toning of hoof-picking. Bend over, pick up the horse's left front foot, then be prepared to jump back as he stomps it back down to the ground, narrowly missing your foot. (Keep your knees bent as you jump, to protect your lower back.) Reach down and pick up the foot again, hopping about with the horse to maintain your grip as you attempt to pick what seems to be dirt mixed with Super Glue from the hoof. Eventually the horse may stand still; you may be chanting by this time. Repeat the entire circuit 3 more times with the remaining feet.

Once you can stand erect again, it's time for the insect repellent exercise. True, with this one, your horse may actually get more of a workout than you do, but you certainly get more of the repellent. It goes like this: Squirt!-circle- circle. Squirt!-circle- circle. Squirt!-circle- circle--- and so on, until you're completely misted with repellent and chanting 'whoa you sonofab... whoa'. To receive maximum benefit from this exercise, make sure you are at the beginning of a deep inhalation during the 'squirt' cycle and exhale after the last chanting 'whoa'.

With the right horse, saddling up provides both aerobic and strength building benefits. The trick is to keep your feet moving as you heft the saddle blanket over and over (and over), trying to keep it in place on a moving target. The blanket exercise warms you up for the saddle exercise, for which the routine is the same, only the weight is much greater -- perfect for buffing those hard-to-tone shoulder muscles.

Now comes the mounting exercise. With the right horse, it's left leg up, hop-hop-hop, left leg down, heavy breathing. Left leg up, hop-hop-hop, left leg down, heavy breathing. For balance, go around to the other side and continue the exercise (right leg up, hop-hop-hop, heavy breathing, right leg down, heavy breathing, etc.). When your heart rate begins to exceed your target range, look for a bucket. Bend over, pick it up, place it upside-down next to t he horse, wait for the horse to move away, then bend over, pick it up again, place it next to the horse, and so on. NOTE: This is a cooling down routine, not to be confused with the warm up pasture routine. When the horse deems you've had enough of these repetitions, he'll stand still and allow you to actually mount.

At this point, of course, you'll be too exhausted to ride and your facial mask will be dropping off in chunks. It’s best not to overdo it, so dismount, grab a glass of wine, and head in to recover in a bubble bath.

Author unknown

Great Christmas Activity

Live Nativity Play
presented by
The SW WA Jr. Backcountry Horsemen
Friday December 12th @ 7:00 PM

Son Rise Ranch
24003 N E 44th St. Vancouver, WA 98682

The ranch is located on the corner of 242nd Avenue. It is
half way between Orchards & Camas on SR 500 near MP13

This will be a 30 minute program followed by a party from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.

Celebrate the season by joining us for this annual event! Featuring live animals & actors that take you back through time to experience the greatest event of the ages. Music, candles in motion, caroling, bake sale and petting zoo.
Fun, fun, fun!!!
Bring your cameras & See ya there!

For more info: Call Miss Pam (360) 834-9103

Lost Grandma -

This has nothing to do with horses but it was so cute I just had to share it.
And it does have to do with me.

My online signature -
Gmajody (grammajody)

Lost grandma

The computer swallowed grandma.
Yes, honestly its true!
She pressed 'control and 'enter'
And disappeared from view.

It devoured her completely,
The thought just makes me squirm.
she must have caught a virus
Or been eaten by a worm.

I've searched through the recycle bin
And files of every kind;
I've even used the Internet,
But nothing did I find.

In desperation, I asked Jeeves
My searches to refine.
The reply from him was negative,
Not a thing was found 'online.'

So, if inside your 'Inbox,'
My Grandma you should see,
Please 'Copy, Scan' and 'Paste' her
And send her back to me.

This is a tribute to all the Grandmas and Grandpas
who have been fearless and . ....

learned to use the Computer... ....