It's a beautiful day!

On Sunday, March 27, we completed Session 3 of the Beginner Horsemanship Series at Edd Farabee Ranch.  In the words of Bono (lead singer for U2 for those of you that don't listen to all types of music), "It's a beautiful day!"  Although the morning was quite brisk, we were all joining Bono in his chorus that afternoon.  Wow, what great weather!

The participants of the clinic did ranch horse pleasure in the morning.  We worked on gaits and transitions to and from each gait.  This is exactly as the category in ranch horse shows says, PLEASURE.  A horse that rates up and down easily through gaits is a pleasure to ride.  Hopefully, those attending learned the importance and skills needed to achieve those gaits.

In the afternoon we went through some trail obstacles and how to manage our horses and ourselves through them.  We had a bridge, back through L, side-pass L, trot-overs, lope-overs, and some up and down terrain.  It was nice to get outside the arena and quite refreshing for the horses.

1 Corinthians 13:1 says, "...and have not love, you are as a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal."  I hope these participants didn't find me as a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal as I repeated important keys over and over.  LOL!  I hope they saw the love I have for horses and the love I have for teaching what I have been taught!

A special thanks goes to Edd and Linda Farabee for the use of their place!  Thanks to David, Julie, Nancy, and Linda for attending!  Check back for information on "Starting Your Horse on Cattle Clinic" tentatively scheduled for May 22, 2010!  Details and fees to come soon!

Abilene, Abilene, prettiest town I've ever seen!

I don't think that was the Abilene that writer was talking about in that old song, but I wanted to let you know about my last Abilene experience.  I took a couple of great R3 Cattle Co. horses to Abilene on March 12 to show at the Stock Horse of Texas show.  I had an open stallion and a 3yo green horse stallion.  It was an easy trip on Saturday, but my open stallion was lame off the trailer.  He was pretty tied up in the hocks, so I chose not to show him on Sunday.

Today, I started the stallion, A Hollywood Cardinal, on Adequan, after talking with Dr. Steve Kennedy.  I should know something by next week after a couple more doses.  On a cow, he is so cowy he never missed a turn the week prior to the show but seemed a little rough on the reining stops and turn-arounds.  He has been extremely sound for years.  I think starting him on joint formulas at age 9 is saying something great for his stamina and soundness.  For those of you that may have a few broodmares, he is a great all-around horse that is foundation, cow bred.  He has plenty of go, plenty of stop, a great mind, and lots and lots of cow!!!

As to the R3 3-year-old stallion, Beacons Blue Hancock, he did really well for his first show.  I was really pleased with his trail and pleasure classes.  He still needs to be finished but is going to be great!  He handles everything so well.  The barns, other horses, and all the spooks didn't bother him one bit.  If you are interested in a prospect or breeding, call me about the R3 Cattle Co. horses.  Trey Sparkman has invested a lot of time and effort into building a great program in Victoria, Texas.

So, Abilene was a little disappointing but well worth the trip for the colt.  One thing is for sure, God has ordained me to train horses and go to those type events.  It is not because of my talents as a trainer.  There are so many more talented trainers out there.  It is not because I am going to be a great champion.  It is all because of the horses, the people that show them, and sharing with them the love and kindness in which He has blessed me!  "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths!"  Proverbs 3:6

I will be showing the 3-year-old again on April 2 in Lubbock.  Hopefully, the open horse will be sound by then, too.  Check back and see what happens at that show!