Well I managed to get a rope on the colts today. Not always the easiest thing to do. Next comes the halters... they have both been haltered last fall but they have pretty much had their way all winter.  Makes them a little head strong.  We need to geld one in the morning... that should be interesting. Then up to the other barn for some hoof triming. Now that syrup season is in the past, I have to turn my attention to the 2 yr olds...looking forward to it.

Little bit different note, I'm reading a pretty good book; the title is  "Half Broke Horses" by Jeannette Walls;   says it's a true life novel.  Check it out 

                   Later  MIKE

Boy do we need the rain....   sure is good to see,also helps the pasture. I have been checking out those articles on pasture and I think they have something. I think the best thing I can do is ..as they say...plant fence post, divide my pasture and control it. Mow it, drag it, and do a good job of managing it!!

 I love to ride but these back roads around home are getting pretty boring. I watched the RFD channel and there is a show called Extreme Cowboy Race.  Well I'm going to try and set something up like that here.  Cross a bridge or ride under or over an obstacle... might be kinda fun!!   I'll let you know how I do!   Anyone with any ideas, let me know.   As alwyas, Stay Straight in the Saddle!  MIKE

Winter is just around the corner and lots of things to get done before the snow flies. 

We set the poles for the syrup cook shack today.  It has been out in the open long enough!  Its only four months until syrup season and I know that will be here in a snap! 

I will start Banjo next week.  I'm hoping he will be in the harness before Thanksgiving.  That leaves me three months of driving before maple syrup season.

I received my Rural Heritage magazine today.  They advertised for drving school; I wonder what that would be like?!

We have one more mare to foal!  I predicted by Sunday the 26th but now I don't know.  The foals are coming along real nice.  Karie has been out to work with them everyday - That makes a big difference as they grow.  They all need to be started on a worming program, so I guess we need to get at that!

I have gone back to riding.  It sure brings on a few new muscle aches.  It sure is nice to be back up on horseback again though.  Hope to see you on the trail so,

Stay Straight in the Saddle

Mike

We are about ready to wean our foals!!  Yes, it will be a nervous time for us all.  We have four to separate but with the new barn and paddocks, we should be in good shape.  Doing it now will give those mares time to put on a few extra pounds for winter.

I have lots of plans for the winter.  I have a gelding that I intend to work in the harness. He has been handled some but most of his life has been on open pasture.... should be interesting!  My pulling mares are both bred and by spring will be heavy with foal.  So, I need replacements!  I also need wood so I will be out there all winter long.  My health is coming along real nice, so that means by midwinter, I should be back in the swing of things.

I talked with a lady the other day and she was telling me that her and her friends plan a ride each week, all Fall long.  Boy, that sure sounded nice.  Not to let it happen by chance, but to make out a plan and then do it. I'm a great one to let all the other stuff get in the way.  Like hauling hay or building this last stretch of fence, etc, etc

So let's do it!  Plan a ride!

Stay Straight in the Saddle

Mike

Fall riding is just around the corner.  Our cool nights seem to re-energize our systems as well as our horses!  It has been one of the nicest summers we have had for a few years.

It seems like I can't get out from under the doctor's care.  I ended up with back surgery in August.  I was pretty much well on my way from surgery in '07 and then this thing with my back.  Well anyway, I'm working my way through recovery.  No lifting any more than 20lbs.  I'm a little afraid to say anything about horse back riding just yet.  I have read that just brushing your horse is good therapy -- I can say, it really works!  I have brushed and walked my horse these last few weeks and it really does give me a calming feeling.  I'm on the mend, so 'till then, stay straight in the saddle! - Mike

Have you been reading any monthly horse mags lately?  Wow, they cover everything from flies to slaughter houses!  I think I have three different issues each month and to tell the truth, it's too much!  I'm looking for more practical articles I guess.  I'm not in the show ring and I'm slow to go out on the trail.  I'm somewhere in-between.

I had some medical problems late last fall and I'm slow to recover.  I have been driving my horses but I have yet to do any riding.  I hope to give it a try next week.  In my whole life, riding has been the best therapy I could get! So, I'm looking forward to being "Back in the Saddle"!

We experienced a fantastic maple syrup season!  We cooked down for 10 gallons of syrup and we sold 1,200 gallons of sap!

We also have three Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse filly foals on the ground and they are just gaiting like crazy with color to catch anyone's eye!  We will be posting pictures and we will be looking for buyers!!

So, till then, Stay Straight in the Saddle! 

Mike

Maple syrup season in underway!  My daughter and my son took the day away from their schedules and we went to tapping trees. It was a great day, sun was shining, horses were hooked to the sled and there was alot of spice and sass!!  But, with some hill climbing and sloshing thru the snow, they settled pretty quickly.  By afternoon, the pair of horses were willing to walk calmly thru the woods.  It's not all about the horses because there is alot of tree tapping, hauling buckets from tree to tree, drilling for the taps and of course a few snow balls that appear from nowhere....

Rough count was 150 trees tapped!  That means there are about 50 or so to go.  We did all right with doing 150 today.  More help tomorrow so the last 50 should go pretty well.  Then we need to get the pan positioned tomorrow and maybe collect the first time on Thursday.

Full days but lots of laughs and good food and good times.  We haven't collected our first gallon of sap yet and already our season is a success.

So stay straight in the saddle 'till nex time!  Mike

This year's plans include MORE RIDING.  I figure, if I keep on telling everyone that I'm going to ride, it will come true for me as well!  I have horses to ride and the chores are going to have to wait.  I say that now and I will be pretty good for a while.  BUT, I'm sure the fencing isn't going to get done by itself and I was thinking about a barn this year as well.  But, I will ride as much as I can.

We have a stud in the mix this year and I already see that he has love on his mind.  I'm not sure that's what it's called, but it sure is something!  The fences are going to be electrified; I'm going to keep at least one mare with him all the time.  He is just three but we are confident that he will do the job.

I read alot this past winter and I have alot of things to try out come warmer weather.  That's just around the corner and I'm looking forward to it.

We joined the Chippewa Valley Trail Riders club this year.  We're looking forward to going on some rides.  It sounds like some real nice people are in this club.  Hope to strike up some new friends, and some new places to ride.  I have been looking over the schedule for some of the big trainers.  They DO make it to WIS but you have to check out the dates.  Seems like I'm working every time there is a clinic!  It's a pretty good idea to try and make at least one each year.

If anyone has some news they would like to pass on just let us know and we will add it to our site.

So, 'till then,

Stay Straight in the Saddle,

Mike

Cold weather riding has its moments but over all it can be pretty nice. We own a real sweet 3 yr old and she hasn’t been ridden. Well it’s up to me to bring her along. I did a lot of the ground training late fall and now its time to get on. Believe me, when the books talk about spending time on the ground training it really works. A lot of the commands are already in place before I even got on.

When I talk about adjusting equipment, I’m talking about length of straps and finding stirrups wide enough to hold my snow pack boots. I also have been looking for a piece of sheepskin for warmth, found that as well.

There sure is a lot of gear out there for staying warm. You just have to look. But with the warm winter were having, just pick the right time of the day and its pretty nice.

Give it a try! But go slow at first; slipping on ice can hurt you and your horse.

So Stay Straight in the Saddle till next time!

MIKE

It’s been awhile!

I hope all you folks are still sitting up and able to take nourishment.  My view has changed and changed again.  With the winter I have been hooking my black mares.  We have added and subtracted from our herd of horses.

I pulled the file on my gelding “Dancer”.  He’s 11 years old this year.  WOW!  Where did that time go?  He is still the best ride around.  I read in one of my “horse books”, if I were granted a wish to ride any horse I wanted, which horse would it be?  Man-O-War?  Secretariat?  Sea Biscuit?  Maybe one of the founding studs’s of the mountain horses.  Well much to my surprise, after much thought, Dancer IS my ride.  I am relaxed, confident, and in control when I ride Dancer.  Those are the qualities I strike for.  Most of the time when asked if I care to try out someone else’s horse, I decline; as much for the horses sake as my own.  Oh, don’t misunderstand; I have ridden a lot of different horses.  Sometimes I feel sorry for the horse, I’m giving them cues and they don’t have a clue what I’m asking.

You maybe asking about now, yeah, so what?  Well in about one month or less, we’re all going to take to the saddle with the nice weather.  Some of those horses won’t have a clue what’s being asked of them.  I suggest, take a few days and reacquaint yourself to your horse, before you hit the trail.  Circles, stops, turns, stops ect. ect.  A fresh start in the spring “on” the right foot will go along way for the rest of the summer.

Hope to see you on the trail!

So stay straight in the saddle!

Mike