Our Hosses
As of now we got 9 horses on the place. Here’s a little bout em.
“Bandit” - “Stetsons Lil Diamond” APHA Black/White Tovero gelding- My re-entry into the horse world after a pretty darn long layoff. Bought him as a weanling from in-laws. He’s now a 2 yo started under saddle. Everyone thought he’d be a bronc. I took him to an open show after his 3rd ride and took 4th in a western pleasure class. Guess they were wrong.
“Ginger” - “Dixies Lil Girl” PtHA Black/White Overo mare- My wife’s entry into the horse world. She’d never really been around horses much. Also bought as a weanling. She had a good disposition for wife to work with. She’s 2 now and I’ve got her started in the saddle. She’s more spooky when ridden than Bandit. We tried a show and she got unnerved in the practice area and showed me she could buck a little. Has the most beautiful trot you’d ever want to sit. She is tall and elegant, shows very good athletics and moves.
“Dixie” - “Generation Gap” PtHA Chestnut Tobiano mare. Dam to Ginger and Crystal. Given to us in foal with Crystal by in-laws. Definitely a Paint but papers lost somewhere couple owners back. Also a beautiful trot. Seems she passes it on. Was diagnosed as navicular which we are working through. Wife and kids ride her since she’s pretty well broke. Few times I’ve rode her she has very good potential. Next spring I hope to work with her more.
“Brandy” - “Sweet Donna Twist” AQHA Chestnut mare- Dam to Jack. Bought her as a Christmas present for wife last year. Got great deal since she was a cow bred horse at a halter/pleasure type barn. She was bred when we got her. I started her as a 3yo since she hadn’t previously been handled. She was a challenge but learns very quickly and definitely has the desire and ability. Next year she might be the one that’ll make it look like I know what I’m doing.
“Crystal” - “Dixies Lil Gem” PtHA Chestnut Tobiano mare- Daugter of Dixie. She’s a yearling now but was a late foal so not sure when I’m gonna start her. I’ve heard some say that good reiners are kinda short with laid back dispositions. If that’s true Crystal ought to be a world beater. I don’t think she’s gonna be too tall unless she has a spurt. And she is very mild mannered. I’ve done some groundwork with her but I’m probably the worst in the world in figurin a horse until I’m actually on their back. Of course have high hopes for her.
“Jack” - “Smokin Jack Daniels” AQHA Chestnut Stallion - Son of Brandy. He’s my boy. He’s got a long ways to go and a lot to prove but he might just stay a stud. So far I really like what I see. I know his mom is good and I was impressed with his dad. He’s a very quick learner like his mom. I’m gonna give him every chance to prove himself.
“Arco” - “Arco de Santa Fe” PFHA Chestnut mare - Paso Fino mare given to us by inlaws (see a pattern here?). Didn’t work out for mother in law’s uses. She’s 17 yo. About 14.1 but definitely a herd leader. I know very little about Paso Finos but she was a top level show horse in her day. My daughter seems to get along real well with her so hopefully she’ll be able to work with her.
“Jake” Bay Grade Quarter Horse gelding - Jake was “repossesssed” from borders for non- payment. He’s a good riding horse with good foundation of training. He’s a “big circle” horse…can go all day and ask for more. He’s what I’ll usually tack up when I gotta do something or go down the road. Hopefully can put some work in on em but if not we get along well as is.
“Parker” Sorrel Grade TWH/Quarter Horse gelding - Also Repo’d from same people. Parker was broke by a young “trainer” that rode him in a halter. Fairly well broke but definitely needs some ride time. I’ve started getting him in a snaffle and he’s taken to it ok but I think it’s going to be harder than usual because of how he was started. Very easy keeper…if he sees a feed bag he gains weight.
You definitely have your hands full. How do you even have a day job? It seems like it would take all day to just feed all of those horses, let alone ride them. Good thing your daughters and wife are helping out.
So Bandit is the one that dumped you–and he looks so sweet.
11 Dec 2007 at 7:23 am
Actually I usually feed them after work in the mornings since I work 6PM to 6Am at the “real job”. The one thing I am an expert at, and should be traveling the world giving clinics on, is training a horse to eat.
The routine: Feed is made up in hanging buckets in the feed shed. Each stall has a corner feeder on the aisle side except for the “foaling” stall which is in the back corner. Just a matter of walking down the aisle dumping the feed into each corner feeder since the stalls are open at top. Jack and Crystal share the big stall so have to walk in there and divide their’s between two feeders.
Open all the stall doors. Slide open the barn door. Get outta the way! They all come in and for the most part know which stall is theirs. Cuss at a couple of for em messin around and going into wrong stalls or lingering around the aisle.
Once they got their heads stuck in the grain bowls they ain’t going nowhere for a while…walk down the aisle and close doors. Give em time to eat while putting out hay, filling water troughs, cleaning aisle, etc.
Start turnin em back out. Some hate being in a stall and start pacing once their done eatin. They usually go out first but sometimes last to let em know little fits don’t always get your way. Some like to hang around the aisle and grab some grain that they drop when they hang head over stall wall. Use some creative language to get em moving outside. Right now they’re all turned out together but even when we have to walk a few out to a seperate lots they get in a routine and it don’t take but a few extra minutes.
Most days can be in the house drinking coffee in an hour. Sometimes when we get a new horse on the place they throw the routine off a little for a few days but we usually find a routine that works out.
My wife has a knack for efficiency. It’s her program pretty much. If it was up to me they’d have to eat every other day cause it’d take me one day just to get everything organized.
Ride time is where we still get in a bind. Since we maintain the place ourselves there just always seems to be something needed done. The regular job somehow needs to go but it’s what pays the bills for now.
11 Dec 2007 at 2:59 pm
Bandit is a really good fella. Like a big kid.
That was the first time he ever bucked when I rode him. He was actually really easy to get started. Just a little too much all at once that day for him.
I’d seen him buck sometimes ground working him when he was a little younger. He’s definitely is good at it when he does it. Shows good form and gets good altitude. But I don’t have any worry about it because it takes quite a bit to get him to bucking. He’s not normally tense or goofy. I’ve used him on the trails, on the road, had him at shows, galloped across fields, etc.
He has a lot of natural ability and flexibility. Actually one thing he shows right now is he carries his head too low once we get to working maneuvers. First time I backed him under saddle his form is almost right where I’d want it on a finished horse. He’s gonna be a goodun.
11 Dec 2007 at 3:11 pm