Long Time, No Post....

Well - it has been a solid few years since I last posted.
So much has changed - so many adventures have happened. I have returned to Wyoming and the Pryors a few times, I went to Nashville to see the Opry, the sights and Jake Owen last April. Last summer, I made it to Vegas to see Mr. George Strait belt out all 60 of his number ones. I took a last minute trip to the Pryors to clear my head last August.

BUT - my favorite thing that I had happen was meeting Jake.

Jake - it was love at first sight. We connected instantly. Oh - by the way, Jake is a horse.

Jake came to me from the person who had been boarding Scooter at the time. A family friend of hers had been leasing land to someone for numerous horses and that person just stopped paying and left the horses. Eventually, he went through the process of making the horses his legally and my friend went in to see if any of them could be useful.

She brought back 6 horses and a mule. These animals had not been handled in over 4 years.
The first encounter I had with them - I just walked into the group of them. Eventually - this big blue roan came right up to me and just buried his face against my body and wanted love. At that second - he had me. I told my friend that if she could get on him without his freaking out, I would buy him if she wanted to sell him.

I have now owned him for 6 months. 

It has been interesting. It has been challenging. It has been rewarding.The more I get to know him, the more I am figuring him out. I know nothing about his past life. He can stand tied for hours. You can get a saddle on his back no problem. He seems a bit clueless with a bit in his mouth, He trailers like a pro. I suspect he may have been a pack horse.He has a large, deep scar on his rump. he can also be a bit nervous about things behind him. Something spooked him once and he remembers.

When I first got him - he was easy to catch, handle and get a halter on. One day in the big pasture - his rival charged us as I was haltering him. After that, he started to swing his rear end at me in protest. I have been working on that and it has dissipated. When I moved him to the new ranch - he was great to catch in the quarantine pen. We worked on his stubbornness on the lead rope. After he was put into the general population, catching him and haltering became a nightmare.

It's funny - I can get him isolated from the herd quite easily. He will follow me. When I need him to come to me - all I have to do is crouch down and he will come to see me.He will follow me into a pen and that is where I would work with him to get the halter on. A few times - it was hard. The last 2 weekends, I was able to just slip the halter on with no resistance at all. When I ca do that - I am so proud and happy. Every small accomplishment I have with him is a huge win. I feel that he is trusting me more and more.

I am guessing him to be somewhere between 10 & 15.

When I bought him, I had his feet done right away.. They had not been done in years. He was nervous but he did well. I had one of the best guys I know trim him.
After I moved him, I decided to use the farrier that the ranch uses. I admit - I was quite nervous about how he would react, especially considering his sudden change in behavior. I tell you - I could not have been more proud of him. And 
fella who trimmed him taught me a lot and could not have done a better job. He said that he could tell Jake had a good mind and that he should be easy to work with. I was happy to hear that from someone who has decades of experience working with horses. My optimism is through the roof. I wish I was able to go more - but I am having to board them fairly far away due to my old guys special needs for winter feeding.

Another reason I felt good about buying Jake - he and Scooter hit it off immediately. After that mare I had - who I clearly sold - I think he was happy to have a brother who likes him. There was one of Jake's buddies that didn't seem to like Scooter. The day I introduced Jake and Scooter over the fence - that horse was getting a bit snorty and huffy at Scooter. Jake just bit him on the chest and chased him back from the fence. Then he and Scooter touched noses through the bars on the gate and squished their nostrils together.






I can walk them together like dogs - and I am hoping to be able to pony Jake off Scooter - that should tell me if he was a pack or trail horse.
I spontaneously decided to put a saddle on Jake - and a put a bit in his mouth and I took him to the round pen. It was windy and we didn't do much but regardless - and work with him is progress.
I have no idea what I am really doing - but I am learning as I go. And the first ride I take on him will be the most rewarding part of this whole experience.

Welcome To My Little Herd Montana!

So... I was CASUALLY thinking about looking for another horse... or donkey or mule.

There was a potential donkey... but that fell through due to some very sketchy circumstances.

Then I spied a mule on a Facebook group. The list before me was a mile long. I threw my hat into the ring. Alas... he was snapped up.

A few days later I was messaged by a gal who runs a rescue/rehab for horses suggesting that a mare that she had might be a good fit for me after a friend of mine mentioned it to her. We chatted some about her and then decided to go see her.

So on Saturday - that same friend of mine dragged her trailer down to Alix Alberta with me to see this mare.

Montana is a 10 year old Percheron cross. Crossed with what - I have no clue. She is green broke but has the fundamentals and the right attitude and a willingness to please. She is friendly and well mannered... except when we went to load her. Haha. Had a little bareback ride on her in the round pen. She was a bit hesitant and I was a bit clueless... and nervous having 2 riding instructors watching me. But in all fairness - we were new to each other and the trust will take time.

SO.... needless to say the trailer didn't come back empty! Meet Montana! Looking forward to learning and growing with this girl!

Pryor Mustang Removals - My Opinion

So they are doing some minor removals of horses in the Pryors. All of the horses are young enough to be adopted and made rideable. And yes they get ADOPTED. Not just to anyone. You must apply to be a family for these horses.

YES - we ALL would all love to see them all run free forever. I would love to see that without a doubt BUT the truth of the matter is that if that were the case, they'd ...likely end up starving and horribly inbred.

I used to be against the idea of the Pryor removals... But they do it in a way that is not as awful as most. The BLM does a good job at tracking the horses and controlling the herd size to ensure that they are healthy and sufficient. They administer birth control to the very young mares to avoid babies from having babies and to the older mares as they have paid their dues as mommies and their bodies deserve to just be theirs through their golden years. They choose horses that might not be genetically strong to be adopted out so they can keep the strongest horses wild. They make sure the horses they remove go to wonderful homes. In a world where places are wiping out entire herds with no regard to what happens to the horses after the fact, I think how they handle the Pryor horses is pretty good.

I wish some of the folks who are commenting and outraged really understood the reasoning. I wish they would take the time to educate themselves on the unique situation in the Pryors. I have seen some very ignorant and uneducated comments regarding the removals. Having been out there and having taken the time to listen and learn, I understand that in reality it is the only way to ensure that the horses that are left do thrive. This does not make me "pro round up". This means I understand the situation in the Pryors. And it gives me peace to know that they make sure that these horses go to good homes... Homes where they have a purpose and have a chance and bring joy to those who are lucky enough to get chosen to have them.

 Meriweather was removed

Olivia was also removed.

My Day With The Pryor Mustangs

What can I say about the day I spent amongst the Pryor Mountain Mustangs?

It was one of the most incredible things I have ever done. The whole trip was fantastic, but there was something so incredible about those horses.

I went with Steve & Nancy Cerroni of the Pryor Mountain Mustang Center and 5 other folks - 4 from South Carolina and one from Ohio and I don't think I could have shared that experience with a better bunch of people!

We managed to see 118/120 of the horses up there - which was a one day record for them! The weather was beautiful, as were all of the wild flowers that were in bloom up there. They smelled so amazing - I wish I could have bottled that scent and brought it home with me.

Of course - we saw Cloud. I got a little bit of a lump in my throat when I laid eyes on him for the first time. Having watched him grow up as I grew up, it was truly an emotional and magical moment.

He is certainly showing his age - battle scars and all. But he is still spunky and full of life.

The horses are so trusting and accepting of people coming into their home. That makes the experience that much more special. I was sitting on a little rock ledge just watching Cloud graze. It was like sitting in my own yard watching my horse graze. He was close enough to walk up to and touch.

Watching them interact and just BE horses was so fascinating! They truly are majestic creatures and it was so mumbling to watch these guys in person.

NOW - before I even got this posted - I ended up with 2 extra weeks off in between quitting my job ad starting at my new one so I decided I was going to go back to Cody. Then - I asked the folks at the center if they had any room for me to go and they had ONE spot left for the 23rd. I said "I WILL TAKE IT!!". So - back to the Pryors I go!! I cannot WAIT!!

 

One More Sleep....

Less than 24 hours to go now!!

The place I need to be in Lovell on Monday to go on my mustang tour is 2.1km from the motel! It is overwhelming to think that in 3 short days, I may be laying eyes on one of the most iconic wild horses to ever walk the earth. Fingers crossed and double crossed that I can be so lucky to see him.

The weather where I am going looks to be good. A far cry from the snow I encountered last year when I went 2 weeks earlier. Mid 20's to mid 30's seems o be what I am looking at. Maybe I can even out my tan lines from last weekend!

I have been scoping out places to see and eat at in Deadwood, The Mount Moriah cemetery is a short walk from the hotel I am staying at - and on my list of things to see. It is where Wild Bill and Calamity Jane are buried. I need to see that. The eating establishments look pretty fantastic as well. I think I am going to eat a lot of steak... Haha!

Stay tuned.... photos to come!

8 Sleeps!!

So close now!!! It has barely even sunk in that I am going on this HUGE awesome trip! I will be rolling into Cody 2 weeks from now... Cody is my happy place and I need to be there to recharge!! I am burning out and need to go clear my brain.

I am so thankful that I get to do things like this. Life is amazing and I want to enjoy it while I can. I was almost thinking about going to Texas for 5 days for my birthday too! We will see though....

Anyways - here are a few more photos from the Farmer's Day rodeo in Stony Plain! I am STILL working my way through them and will be for a long time I imagine!! :)

EEEEEEK!!!! 2 Weeks!!

2 weeks until my amazingly awesome road trip!!

Wild horses, rodeos, amazing scenery and history.... for the better part of 11 days! I cannot WAIT!

Anyways - here are some photos from last weekend - after the rodeo I watched the draft horse pull. I love drafts. The size, power and beauty - there is just something so special about those gentle giants!

23 Sleeps To Go.....

I am 23 sleeps away from my epic road trip!

I caved in and booked hotels/motels. I also booked a tour in the Pryor Mountains(http://www.pryormustangs.org/).... with the hopes of spotting Cloud!!

So I am spending the night of June 28th & 29th in Lovell.

Then to Deadwood I go for 3 nights at Deadwood Dicks (http://www.deadwooddicks.com/), right off of main street. I have a goal of having a drink in every notable saloon in the area. I am also planning to take a drive to Rushmore. I cannot be that close and NOT go see it.

Then, off to Cody on July 3rd for 3 nights, where I will bee staying at A Wyoming Inn (http://www.wyominginncody.com/). I have my stampede tickets paid for for the 3rd & 4th and I am hoping to catch thee night rodeo on the 5th.

I am only winging it on the nights of June 27th and July 7th. I am hoping to take a wander through Yellowstone as I make my way back home.

Anyways - here are a few photos from the last week! Enjoy!