So it has been a little while since I last posted. I was very happy to be getting the summer done, so that I would have more time on the weekends to do other things. Wow...was I not thinking clearly.
So summer is done and I do not have to go places, but because I was gone, all the little things around the place have been left un-done. Soooooo, now I am into fall and I have to get the little things done before winter. And in Klamath Falls, winter is not far away.
Point being: In May I agreed to lease our back twenty to the neighbor(VH). He has worked to clear it of sage brush, till it under and have it ready to plant. Plan was to plant in late September and pray for rain in October. So the standing joke around the family was to pray for rain in October. Well late September was hot, hot, hot and with all the news about global warming, one gets to thinking that fall might just be a hot dry affair. So VH, works and works and the land is beautiful. I know I may sound weird, but good, clean, dark dirt in nice neat form is a beautiful sight. So he decides to plant last week in September and someone was listening for on October 1st the heavens opened and it has rained everyday since the 1st. (Now, if I could just win the lottery.)
Well back to winter chore pondering. With the rain has come cold temperatures, my chickens have been hanging around the barn and the horses have winter coats. The deer we got this year had a nice layer of fat and the chipmunks are fat little things. I am thinking that it is going to be cold, cold, cold. So I really need to get the new coop done and more mats in the stall.
So since last time:
I have placed my roses and flower plants up for the winter with cover. The porch is cleared for easy snow removal. New latches on the stall door(last one would freeze and then not open). Have made room in the storage shed to house the lawn mower, jump standards and lawn chairs. Clear the tack room. Stored the camping gear.
What I have left:
Check the trucks to make sure they are ready for winter. Get the last of the lawn hoses up and stored. Get the gravel pile spread out. Finish a door on the new coop. Finish the nesting box for the new coop. Get lights in the new coop. Get the lawn mowed one last time and winterize the mower. Get the jumps and trail course put up. Paint the bridge. And that is just the outside items.
In general, the last three weeks have had their ups and down. I lost 13 chickens to the swather next door. My good seabright hen and her chicks. All gone at once. Very upsetting, but with free range, things happen. Last year it was skunks. I guess it comes with having animals, but I hate losing them like that. Dogs have been skunked again, this time full in the face. I love the Skunk odor remove by Nature's Miracle.
Boys have been good. Seem to spend more time with friends, then us parents. Jacob is starting wrestling again this evening and Kayvon just hangs out with buddies(they mainly do youth group, bike riding and movies). I think they would bowl if they had more money...
Wally's shop moved to a new location and had a big grand opening. The new shop is much bigger and allowed them to hire on two more techs...
Bow Hunting was good this year, we got one deer and have two tags left to fill. Saw lots of deer, both buck and doe, just could not get good shots. However I did shot at a cougar, missed it and thank goodness it ran the other way. I was shaking pretty bad when I got back to the rig. Next time I will have my carry gun and not just my bow...
So till next time,
Me
Monday, October 6, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
OHHA Western State Horse Show
So I have decided to brave the horse show world again. However I am going at it will a different mind set. Not one of to "win" but to make it thru the show with no issues and having fun, both my horse and myself.
Back when I was younger, I would go to a show with the sole goal of winning. Of course something would have been forgotten (show clothing, show supplies or some such thing) and I would have to school my horse at least once in the day. What was I thinking? Why was I so mean to my poor horses. They would be so gooped up with show shine, hair gel, baby oil, totally hairless from their ears to their white socks. Some would be set with fake hair, which I think looks as comfortable as wearing a tampon and the string is riding wrong. I am sure that my saddle did not fit well and I was concerned with if there was enough silver on it to compete. And that was just a pleasure show.
I only rode once at a "Games" competition, but did announce for two years. Wow, am I glad I did not get into that. All the horses with all sorts of gag bits to help stop them when their owners are whippin' or spurrin' them to run faster. Oh also the tie-downs so that the rider does not get popped in the face as the horse jumps out the gate (if they can get the horse thru the gate at all). More welts on horses sides than I care to remember. But there is money to be won and that is all the really matters.
Now do not get me wrong, there are thousands of good horse owners out there that love their horses and would never subject their animals to that, and then there are those who just do not know any better and believe what the "trainer" says is the in thing. And last there are those who turn a blind eye to win and those who do not care what it take to win as long as they win.
So that brings me to this weekend. I do not own a expensive horse, heck both are BLM mustangs, one cost me 125.00 and the other was free. Both are just bay with a few white markings. A ton of hair, which is beautiful, but takes some care. I own an old saddle that was given to me and just some plain halters I purchased from the local Co-op. I sold my expensive horses a couple of years ago and all my show gear. So why would I show??
I enjoy the company of people with horses, that have horses to enjoy horses. So my trail riding friend, said lets show the young'ens. What the heck, I have rode Jewel twice this summer and um, that's it. Why not?
My goal was, not to have her drag me anywhere, or to run me over in the ring.
So Friday, she gets her first 'show' bath. Have I washed this horse before? Ummmm, nope. She stands in the sprinkler, should be okay to wash her. What a dream, however I do not think she likes to be clean...Saturday morning, I needed to bring her back in and wash a second time. Heck while I am at it, lets see if I can clipped her bridle path and nose....Nose check, no big deal. Bridle path, I think the lawn mower could have done a better job with less toe pain. Oh well, I just wanted it to look like I somewhat planned to show her...
We arrive at the Fairgrounds and what a joy. She is 14 hands(okay maybe 13.2) and built like a little quarter horse. I think she is cute. However we do not compare to the turned out Paints and Quarter horses(all about 15.2 hands) We stand around well, like any four year old. Can I see this, how about this, is your show number edible, does your shirt need to be clean in the back? All the normal things. So we only showed the halter classes. We do not trot on line well and oh we do not know what setting up is either, let alone to stand quietly for 10 minutes. But she did not drag me anywhere, nor did she run me over in the ring. No bucking, no biting, no issues.
Was just a blast to be there, we both enjoyed the day. Got to look around, smell the sights and just be us. No gel and all our winter hair in its glory. No silver and no drama. We got two ribbons, both the last place in our classes, but I would not trade then for anything.
Till next time,
Me
(Will post a picture later)
Back when I was younger, I would go to a show with the sole goal of winning. Of course something would have been forgotten (show clothing, show supplies or some such thing) and I would have to school my horse at least once in the day. What was I thinking? Why was I so mean to my poor horses. They would be so gooped up with show shine, hair gel, baby oil, totally hairless from their ears to their white socks. Some would be set with fake hair, which I think looks as comfortable as wearing a tampon and the string is riding wrong. I am sure that my saddle did not fit well and I was concerned with if there was enough silver on it to compete. And that was just a pleasure show.
I only rode once at a "Games" competition, but did announce for two years. Wow, am I glad I did not get into that. All the horses with all sorts of gag bits to help stop them when their owners are whippin' or spurrin' them to run faster. Oh also the tie-downs so that the rider does not get popped in the face as the horse jumps out the gate (if they can get the horse thru the gate at all). More welts on horses sides than I care to remember. But there is money to be won and that is all the really matters.
Now do not get me wrong, there are thousands of good horse owners out there that love their horses and would never subject their animals to that, and then there are those who just do not know any better and believe what the "trainer" says is the in thing. And last there are those who turn a blind eye to win and those who do not care what it take to win as long as they win.
So that brings me to this weekend. I do not own a expensive horse, heck both are BLM mustangs, one cost me 125.00 and the other was free. Both are just bay with a few white markings. A ton of hair, which is beautiful, but takes some care. I own an old saddle that was given to me and just some plain halters I purchased from the local Co-op. I sold my expensive horses a couple of years ago and all my show gear. So why would I show??
I enjoy the company of people with horses, that have horses to enjoy horses. So my trail riding friend, said lets show the young'ens. What the heck, I have rode Jewel twice this summer and um, that's it. Why not?
My goal was, not to have her drag me anywhere, or to run me over in the ring.
So Friday, she gets her first 'show' bath. Have I washed this horse before? Ummmm, nope. She stands in the sprinkler, should be okay to wash her. What a dream, however I do not think she likes to be clean...Saturday morning, I needed to bring her back in and wash a second time. Heck while I am at it, lets see if I can clipped her bridle path and nose....Nose check, no big deal. Bridle path, I think the lawn mower could have done a better job with less toe pain. Oh well, I just wanted it to look like I somewhat planned to show her...
We arrive at the Fairgrounds and what a joy. She is 14 hands(okay maybe 13.2) and built like a little quarter horse. I think she is cute. However we do not compare to the turned out Paints and Quarter horses(all about 15.2 hands) We stand around well, like any four year old. Can I see this, how about this, is your show number edible, does your shirt need to be clean in the back? All the normal things. So we only showed the halter classes. We do not trot on line well and oh we do not know what setting up is either, let alone to stand quietly for 10 minutes. But she did not drag me anywhere, nor did she run me over in the ring. No bucking, no biting, no issues.
Was just a blast to be there, we both enjoyed the day. Got to look around, smell the sights and just be us. No gel and all our winter hair in its glory. No silver and no drama. We got two ribbons, both the last place in our classes, but I would not trade then for anything.
Till next time,
Me
(Will post a picture later)
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