Owyhee Preschool

Sunday July 4 2010

The kids start preschool early in Owyhee.

These golden babies you're seeing here (LJ Owyhee Crystal, left, and LJ Owyhee Flint, right, both foaled in April) are from Rick and Carol's Lost Juniper Ranch next door (as is yesterday's LJ Owyhee Topaz), sired by their stallion LJ Owyhee Moonstone.

There's no slacking in education when you live on the crick. Carol starts working with her youngsters right away, at 1 - 2 weeks old, to get them used to handling, and to start getting them used to responding to pressure, from the rope, and the human hand.

Here LJ Owyhee Flint goes into the schoolhouse with mom for a preschool lesson.


The teacher approaches.



The Rope Lesson.


This is one preferred method: instead of using a halter and putting pressure on the head, a rope is strung around the barrel and under the chest, in between the front legs.


A little pull on the rope, a little pressure on the butt, asking Flint to move forward.


Lots of head rubs - don't want a head-shy horse.


Move the hind end away from pressure.



Move the front end off pressure (pressure is pushing Flint toward Carol)...


...and release.


Never too early to pick up the feet.


Front pressure (step left) and hind pressure (step forward).


A butt rope.



Neck rope asks Flint to step left, butt rope asks him to step forward.


Picking up the hind feet with the rope.



Picking up the front feet with the rope.



Good baby! Lesson over for the day.


A comfort meal...


...followed by a nap. School is exhausting!

LJ Owyhee Topaz

Saturday July 3 2010

She waited for the storm. An evening shower, hail, lightning, thunder; a great gust of wind that rattled the Owyhee boulders and whipped up the dust.

And in the dark of night, she came:

LJ Owyhee Topaz.

The Bromance Continues

Thursday July 1 2010

Little Tex still likes hanging around his big pal Stormy. He follows him everywhere.



Today Steph rode Tex out on his first trail ride (ever, we think), and his pal Stormy escorted him.


Stormy went beside Tex,



followed him,


led him,


and had a conference with him.


Tex did pretty good with the big, confident, calm (some might say: lazy), experienced former racehorse accompanying him every step of the way.

Remember the pictures of those handsome athletic muscle-bound guy pals Lance Armstrong and Matthew McConaughey having a great time running and cycling around the town?

These handsome athletic muscle-bound guy pals Stormy and Tex hitting the trails around Owyhee kind of remind you of Lance and Matthew.

Or... well, maybe "Mutt and Jeff," Steph said.

Whole Lotta Dudley

Wednesday June 30 2010

Can you say... Beach Ball?

Dudley kind of fell off the Diet Wagon. Once he does, it's laborious (and painful) for him to shed the pounds and climb back on.

Well, he is still quite handsome, don't you think?


He's a WHOLE lotta Dudley to love.

The West Selection Trials

Monday June 28 2010

Chris and MONK take a walk (above).

Cheryl and Reason.


This little puppy was literally thrown at Charisse a few days before the ride when a couple of drunks drove by in a pickup. "She looks good with you. Give us some gas money." So for $23, Charisse had a new puppy. We suspect she was stolen from somewhere - she wasn't hungry and her belly was full; and she was already smart (made her way each night to the back of the horse trailer to relieve herself, came when called (various names), and stayed around Charisse's trailer even if she followed people or horses around). Carl was resistant to having another dog. "We have enough mouths to feed at home already!" The Raven slept with and watched over the puppy.



See how resistant Carl is?


Soon Puppy was following Carl everywhere. "She's not my dog!" No sir, certainly not.


Team Malibu Huddle and Hug.


The final haircut.


Charisse and Talon, Christoph and Stars Aflame head out on a loop.


Pamper your rider when she comes in to a vet check!


The Bucket Brigade lines up and waits for incomings (horses).



The Bucket Brigade in action.



A group on a loop in the desert.


This enthusiastic soul has tattooed the name of his horse on his arm! (You know who you are!)


Team MONK.


Jeremy and Smitty head out on a loop.


Resting at a vet check under a tent.


US Team Veterinarian watching a horse trot out.


Heather and Sam, Jeremy and Smitty out on another loop.


"This is not my dog!" (Famous last words by Carl. The puppy has now been named "Saka" after Sakajewea, an Indian woman we all know who was stolen from her family then sold or gambled away to her husband. Saka now has a great new home with Charisse and Carl and is part of Team Malibu Endurance.)