The Next Generation!

I have to write about something that I witnessed first hand this weekend.  I was checking in horses and assigning stalls at a well known horse sale in our area on Friday.  The weather was just awful!  The highs were in the mid 20's with windchills recording below 10 degrees.  The little bit of rain followed by ice and snow put a nice icing on the cake for the sale!  I enjoy  being around that sale because I get to work with a few people I really enjoy, meet new friends and see old ones, and get to look at some good horses.  Plus, who could turn down the opportunity to be outside all day in beautiful weather!!!!

As I was standing waiting on more horses to arrive, a young man that I had checked in earlier came and stood next to me.  I could feel him staring at me so I said, "How's it going, bud?"  He answered by asking me, "Aren't you the guy I met at Edd's that one time some years ago?"  Well I'll be darn!  It sure was!  I had met him one time while he was working for a friend on mine riding colts.  We exchanged introductions again and began a conversation pertaining to what he was doing, what horses he had in the sale, and what he planned on doing in the future.  He is a student at Texas Tech and almost finished with his degree.  He told me he dreams of working for a top named horse trainer and riding cutting horses.  After a nice conversation, he went his way, and I continued on mine.  It was really nice seeing a kid that took the time to remember me and acknowledge that.

The next evening as we stood in the brisk breeze watching the snow cover the ground, the kid rode by riding his little mare ponying his "old kid horse."  He was smiling ear to ear!  I asked if he made out alright in the sale.  He happily told me what he got for both horses.  The prices were really good, meeting more than his expectations and being very fair prices to the buyers!  He trotted off to his stalls.

As I was walking looking for a certain horse for it's new owner, I noticed this kid at his stalls.  He was rubbing on his mares forehead and talking quietly in her ear as he removed her halter.  As he continued I walked over to him.  With tears in his eyes, he looked up at me and said, "Dang, this is really hard.  This is the first time I have ever done this."  I told him, "Things that are worth doing are worth the emotion.  If those ponies didn't mean anything it would be easy!"  He proceeded to ask me for my number and ask if he could come ride with me sometime.  As we shook hands, we wished each other well and parted ways.

WOW!  I was so taken!  I thought a lot about it over the last couple days!  I am so glad that there is a generation following mine that has the desire to take horsemanship into the future for the right reasons.  Money and fame make the world go around, but, I will say it again, if fortune and fame are the reasons you own/train/ride horses then maybe you're missing the whole point!  Buck Brannaman says that one of the reasons he does clinics is because the next Tom Dorrance or Ray Hunt may be out there waiting to come forward!  If anything that I do influences anyone to make a better way for horses and people then my work is accomplished!  Keep working younger generations!  We need you!

Handmade buckaroo chinks!

Here is a great pair of 100% handmade buckaroo chinks. These are made from 5 oz. quality leather and are 32" long and have adjustable button and tab closures. They are adjustable from 22"+. The fringe is 4-6" long and bottoms are square. There is a string ring and an inside pocket (big enough for a can of snuff, keys, needles, etc.) on the left side. There is one small stainless concho on each side and stainless buckle with 1" heavy leather belt.

 

These are good working chinks and have enough look for shows.  I have these ready to ship so give me a call if you interested.  I am asking $175 for these.  Also call me if you are interested in a completely custom pair.  I will be able to make a few pair before Christmas!

Time and patience...

Two things that I have really found to be essential in becoming a horseman are time and patience.  Those two things are very similar.  In the fast paced world we live in, they are two things that are constantly overlooked.  And believe me, they are two things that I forget very often.

After all, if it takes you two weeks to get a horse prepared for its first ride, what difference is that two weeks going to make when that horse is 8 years old?  Better yet, what difference would 2 months make?  The only difference I can think of is a more willing, confident horse that would not revert back to a time when too many things were crammed into too little time!

There is also a money aspect involved.  A client may want a trainer to take a colt for 30 days to get it started.  There are many things to be considered before taking that colt.  What does that person WANT in 30 days?  What CAN be done in 30 days?  What SHOULD be done in 30 days?  There is a big difference in a 3 year old colt that has never been worked with and a long yearling that is halter broke and has had lots of ground work done with it!  It is our responsibility to relay the facts of what can really be done with a particular horse in a certain amount of time and to charge accordingly!

It is imperative for real horsemen to take the time and patience needed to make any horse all that it can be.  As we all know a horse can only handle so much in a certain amount of time.  True horsemen have to know that difference!  Make a difference in the lives of horses and clients by spending quality time and having patience!

Handmade Chaps

Here is a pair of 100% handmade, Texas bell leggins that I just finished.  They are pretty sharp, in my opinion!  These are step-ins with five 1 1/2" stainless conchos down each leg, string ring, mitten pocket on left, and cut-out of Playboy Bunny on stiffeners.  The measure 24.5" at the thigh and 38" in length.  They have a dark stained 1" belt and lots of brown buckstitch.  Any cowboy would be proud to work in these, and they are fancy enough to wear at the shows!  I am asking $350 OBO for these leggins.  Please feel free to make an offer!

If you are interested in these chaps or would like to order a custom pair, please call me at 210-913-3884.  JL Cowboy Leather offers great cowboy gear at cowboy prices!