Life is short, SMELL THE ROSES!!

Today I am thinking about how short life is. Really, the time seems to go slow and things happen. We work, pay bills, cook dinner, all that good stuff. We always wait for something... What does that mean? I mean that we are always waiting for "this" or "that" to happen, then things will be alright. Well, things are alright TODAY. Right now. We cannot waste the beauty of NOW for things to be perfect. Guess what, they never are. And that is what is perfect. Look outside... if it is sunny... it is BEAUTIFUL. If it is raining... it is BEAUTIFUL. Snow? Well, a little cold but BEAUTIFUL too! Remember, things won't be what we anticipate so cherish right now!!

Riding... well, I'm having a blast with my Pecos... my Appaloosa mule who is relearning everything. He is the fairest, most amazing mule I have worked with in a long time. I am relearning everything which I love. He is challenging and yet, completely fair. Creating a relationship with a mule like this is special and only happens once in a great number of mules. I'm blessed!

Fourth of July Parade

This is a shout out to Jean. I'm so proud of you that you rode your mule in the Fourth of July parade in Benson with us. You are an amazing and accomplished rider and I hope to ride with you again someday, my friend!

Update on Pecos...

I am thrilled. Pecos is GREAT! What a beautiful and outstanding ride. I'm hoping he is having as much fun as I am!

Why do we work in circles?

So, my friend was here and has been working a horse. He has his horse going quite well. After a trail ride, I went to work in circls in the arena for just a few minutes. Our goal was a trot in a 60 foot circle without too much difficulty. At this point, my friend asks why? Surprising, he has never tried to work in circles!

Why do we work in circles? What is the point? Well, we work in circles for multiple reasons. First off, our goal is to strengthen the hind quarters. As you bend in a circle while walking, the inside hind leg steps under the body. At a walk, it should be pretty easy to walk in a fairly round circle. It is good to keep an eye on something central and focus on EVERY step as you go around. Try to bend each step as an individual. Strengthening the hindquarters helps lighten your front end which will aid in creating collection.

A second reason we work in circles is to bend and flex our mule. Every step bends them and this stretches the backstrap. Stretching and flexing will assist in reining.

Finally, we work circles to build rapport between you and your mule.

Remember this though.. the most important part of working circles is that we only work about 10 to 15 minutes. It's important that when you are getting bored, so is your mule. Reward yourself and your mule with a fun ride in the hills!!

Happy Trails!

The Fires of Arizona

We are praying for rain! The fires in Arizona are so sad and we are praying for rain.

Pecos... Wow!

Well, I have started Pecos.  He is around 10 years old and 16 hands.  He is an appaloosa with a full blanket.  He is a real looker.  We acquired him from our friend, Bob, whom passed away in May.  Well...  We started him by driving him.  To start him driving, we put harness on him and let him get accustomed to it.  Then we hooked him up to a wagon with an experienced mule and his brother, Yoyo.  They drove great.  We did train them in 2002 and we expected good results from our drive, however, we know they were not driven since then.  Fortunately, they drove beautiful. 

After driving him a handful of times, it was time to saddle him up.  We saddled him up and put him behind the wagon.  He did just fine.  Finally, I climbed up there.  We start all our mules in a 60 foot round pen, regardless of their experience.  We want it to be fair to the animal.  He didn't mind me up there, however, he would stop.  Serious stopping.  This is usually due to confusion.  He would also throw his head up.  This could be a dental issue.  I went ahead and demanded movement, simply walking in a circle both directions.  We had a successful ride and have had major improvements since then. 

To date, we have had his dental issue addressed.  We are now exploring the trail as well as working in the arena.  We are still battling the stopping issue, however, it is almost extinguished.  He has personality that is awesome.  He even shows desire to go on trails and up in the hills... I love it!!

To our Friend, Bob...

Bob... you are gone!  We saw you a week ago and now you have ridden off into that great trailride in the sky.  You loved your animals.  You understood your animals.... and they were your life.  We know you wanted to take them all with you.  Still, we are blessed with Pecos and Yoyo and will take care of them. 

To all who read this... Bob was a friend of ours who visited on Thursday a week ago and was feeling fine.  He unexpectedly passed Thursday night.  Remember, tell everyone you love that you love them while you have the time.  We never know when we will be riding our last ride. 

Ride like the Wind, Bob