Lodgepole Quarter Horses

Originally published Wednesday, May 21, 2014

If you own a horse, you need the Eclectic Horseman magazine. It is the best single source for cross-discipline horsemanship and information found anywhere. This isn’t a paid advertisement; it’s just my honest opinion. Past articles yield a wealth of information from Tom and Bill Dorrance, Ray Hunt, Buck Brannaman, Martin Black, Paul Dietz, Joe Wolter, Wendy Murdock and Deb Bennett, to name a few. The magazine has been published bi-monthly since September, 2001 and most back issues are available. The publisher has a CD available with all back issues that I found to be excellent.

WARNING: You run the risk of information overload, so pick what is of immediate interest and application in your situation and enjoy your new found knowledge and your horse!

“EMPLOY YOUR TIME IN IMPROVING YOURSELF BY OTHER MEN’S WRITINGS SO THAT YOU SHALL COME EASILY BY WHAT OTHERS HAVE LABOURED HARD FOR.” – Socrates.

Originally published Wednesday, March 14, 2014

A good friend of mine’s son, Matthew, is graduating from Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.  I spent some quality time with Matthew when he was growing up.  I taught him to take day work cowboy’s money, one quarter at a time, on the roping dummy.  During his education, I took his money, one quarter at a time, and when his dad found out, I thought he was going to whip us both.

I also introduced him to a new partner in life, whom I know has influenced him to this day.  I had the privilege of putting together a string of horses out of Oklahoma for the ranch and in that string I had found a pony for Matthew.  We, or Matthew, called him “Poco” and I remember he’d been body clipped, wasn’t very pretty, and was a pony, on which I’m usually not very high.  But Poco was differnt.  He’d heel like a big horse, go about anywhere, and became Matthew’s partner.  Poco was something special and helped create something special in Matthew.  Matthew started shoeing horses in high school, has gone on to become a Certified Journeyman Farrier and in addition to helping on the ranch, will be a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine as of this Friday.  There are very few DVMs who are also CJFs and next on Matthew’s list is Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky.  I cannot wait to see what happens next.

My favorite author is Thomas McGuane, who wrote Some Horses.  McGuane talks about the special relationships between horses and people, the personalities of both, and the profound influences exerted between the two.  An old English proverb says “Show me your horse and I’ll tell you who you are.”  If more kids in the world could reflect on themselves through the mirror of a horse, the more positive would be our society and its future.  The more Pocos in the world, exposed to more kids, the more Matthews there would be.

Two people making a difference for kids through horses are Paul Dietz and his wife, Christine Cook-Dietz.  Paul Dietz Horsemanship is offering a free clinic spot July 4-7 in Kremmling, Colorado to the winner of an essay contest “Why Me and My Horse.”  See www.lodgepoleqh.com/essaycontest.html for entry details.

Some Kids have been positively influenced by Some Horses.  Let’s all do our best to further that influence.

Tim

Originally published Thursday, March 13, 2014

Yesterday marked the fifth anniversary of the passing of Ray Hunt, one of the most remarkable horsemen that ever lived.  Ray contributed greatly to the current interest in “natural horsemanship” and the soft, respectful approach being carried on by the likes of Buck Brannaman, Mark Rashid, Paul Dietz and many others. Ray was a tribute to Bill and Tom Dorrance and has provided a legacy for us all.  I never met Ray.  Thirty plus years ago, when he was in the area, I was “too busy cowboying and making a living horseback” on the Western Slope of Colorado, to take time for a “demonstration” or “clinic”.  I’d talk to people who saw Ray work and they’d describe what he did, and at times it sounded mystical.   Fortunately for me and my horses, I “re-discovered” Ray and those who are carrying on his work.  There were a lot of good horseman reminicing and toasting Ray last night.  May we all pay tribute to him and carry on his legacy.

Tim