On one of the hotest days of the year, we hooked up a sprinkler and put it in the middle of the corral. “Hondo” decided that this was a whole lot of fun.
First it was the face
Then it was the whole body!
Hondo ended up a little muddy, but a lot cooler!
Finding just the right packing equipment for Comet for our Backcountry Drop Camp Adventure was like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
After searching the internet for days… Dalton fianlly decided that Outfitters Supply in Columbia Falls, MT. had what he was looking for ” The Trail Max”. You can use it on a sawbuck pack saddle, a Decker pack saddle or convert it to a regular old saddle. One phone call and $400 later we were proud owners of our very own brown Trail Max! We met the UPS truck at the gate excited that our new purchase had arrived. After opening the box and looking over “The Trail Max” we were a little disapointed that the seams were not double stitched. The quality of the canvas was good and the design was excellent. Then we had to find Sawbucks to to attach our new found purchase. After a couple of calls we found a set that fit Comet and $300 later…we were proud owners of our very own sawbucks. 
The first trial run..Comet didn’t know what to think. She was used to her old packs and not quite sure about this new fangled contraption. Like a good Mule she took it with a grain of salt and decided that maybe these crazy things would be alright.
Even though they do make her hips look wide- It’s a girl thing!
The first Drop Camp with Comet’s new gear went off without a hitch. The Trail Max lived up to it’s reputation and packed back all of the guest’s camping gear in perfect conditon.
At the end of the day everyone came home safe and sound.
It is like watching your first child go off to kindergarden on the first day of school. You just know that things will never be like they were before. They are not babies anymore.
After weeks of training, our “baby” who is almost 3 took his first drive around the yard.
What a handsome guy. Corteo.
He is the foundation for all the new Tennesse Walkers babies to be born on the ranch. He doesn’t know that yet…and he hasn’t figured out he is a in tack male yet either…that’s for another day.
A couple of days ago, Dalton decided that we needed a place for people to camp. So he called his good friend Rick, who just happens to have his very own excavator to help him out. So they picked the place and moved a little dirt and some blackberries and Wah-La….. the new campsite was created…
It is even” Zolla” Approved.
A COWBOY’S BANDANA WAS A WHOLE
LOT MORE THAN JUST A RAG.
IT WAS….
A breathing mask on a dusty trail
A hat tie-down in windy weather
A washcloth, towel, bandage, tourniquet,
napkin, water filter, pot holder & flag
A temporary repair for saddle or bridle
A cover for spooked horse’s eyes
Hobbles for horses
Wild Rags …as they are now called come in pure silk, and patterns I am sure that “Good Ole Cowboys” would just scratch their heads in amazement, wonder’n why a fella would wear such a funny color.
We are now offering Wild Rags for sale in our General Store and who better to model them but our good friend and fellow horseman…Gearhard.
No fences to mend.. No horses to shoe..
Dalton got to do today what he loves to do…
Start the babies…..
The Tennessee Walker Babies especially!!
Double Dip, a Tennesse Walking Horse is only 2 years old ,but it is time for her to be introduced to a saddle. No one will ride her until she is 4 years old. With her owner, Monica holding her, Dalton introduced her to the saddle blanket. No Big Deal .
Then she was introduced to the saddle.
Now the introduction to the cinch around the belly…..this is where it can get very interesting…..
No Buck..No Jump..No Spins..No Kicks….This girl is a pro.
A little parade around the corral and the lesson was over.
Joey and Charlie’s first day at Trail Camp was a trip down the River Trail.
Now mind you, either of them has been ridden for over 2 years. Just getting them to leave the OK Corral and head down the trail was a small circus act.
Between the spinning circles, running reverse and Joey’s butt-bucking we could have sold tickets to our very own Wild West Show.
Joey’s new nickname is now AKA Crow-Hop.
Once the boys got into the woods and headed down the trails, they seem to forget all about misbehaving and started to enjoy having a job again.
They even enjoyed a little time at the beach!
Zolla & Bailey thought the beach was great fun!
Armed with the Lister Shearing Wahl Star deluxe clippers the challenge was on!
Expecting anything to happen, since this was the first haircut of the season, I planned for every escape imaginable, only to have Bailey lay her head down on my lap and quietly get her summer cut.
Comet the Mule on the other hand wasn’t sure about that big buzzing thing. The vibration felt good, so it must be okay. Her mane clipped off with out a hitch, until we got to between her ears. She let us do everything but one last strand.
Since you always want to end on a good note with mules and horses…. Heck you should end on a good note with people too, we just left it for another day.
She looks just like “Alfalfa” from the Little Rascals. We just may have to rename her!!
Last week the “oldest son” Matt, came to visit from Malibu, California.
It didn’t take long: half-a- day- and the laptops-cell phones- I-phones- internet- text messaging all went by the wayside.
First he was recruited to go on a White Water Rafting trip with Outdoor Adventure Center in Index. Our Paddle & Saddle Adventure.
Then he was recruited to be a “Wrangler In Training”.
First job at hand was to move the horses to their pasture. (They get to hang out on lots of green grass when they aren’t working).
Of course you can’t be a Wrangler if you don’t look the part! After checking out Matt’s attire, we affectionately named him “The Malibu Kid”.
Add a little island exploring in front of the house……some good food….plenty of sunshine….and he tells us that he is coming back in August for a whole month,
It’s Just Too Much Fun Here…..
On two of the hottest days we have had this year, (close to 90 degrees) Dalton, Larry and Miles decided to take a pile of lumber and turn it into a 50’ x 50’ corral to hold the horses overnight.
The point of this exercise was to save shuttling the horses back and forth to the pasture between rides.
Armed with the trusty John Deere tractor and posthole digger, the 3 took on the challenge.
With Comet “The Mule” and Joey keeping a watchful eye on the process,
that pile of lumber turned into a work- of- art.
From this pile of lumber- Great things will Come!
The post are Set!!
Joey gives his advice
A Job Well Done
Comet looks on with her "Watchful Eye"
The new "Diggs" meets their approval.
All most finished.
