The Better Bucket

I saw this in the June issue of Equus. What a fabulous idea. I just ordered two. You can find the company that makes them on here, but I ordered them from Chick Saddlery.

Trailer Trip

The rain, the snow, the mud can't slow the girls of Painted Forest Stables down. We decided to load up and check out some new trails. I was nervous. This new trailer is a straight load, 17 feet long, and much heavier than my previous Trails West. Not to mention...I haven't worked Maddy in and out of the trailer, so I wasn't sure what she would think. Skye and Maddy loaded right in. When we got to the location, she was sweating pretty good, so the ride must have been a little nerve racking for her. They unloaded nicely, great to have a ramp. We hit the Port Blakely trails. We were only out for about an hour and half. Skye is still working up to full work from a leg injury and we didn't want to push it. We headed back home. The hard part was still ahead of me. I knew I couldn't fully relax until I had that trailer backed into its little spot. With the help of the girls, they got me in there. I need practice on backing...tend to over think it and go the wrong way with the steering wheel. The cool thing about this new trailer....a huge, huge, huge dressing room. I could put a cot in there if I wanted. I am slowly getting it organized, have some decals ordered and soon a blanket rack installed. We have officially kicked off our road tripping riding season.

Horses Shot and Killed

Investigators seek public's help in finding who killed three wild horses

PRINEVILLE -- Three wild horses were found shot and killed in central Oregon east of Prineville, and investigators are asking the public for help finding who did it.

KTVZ-TV in Bend reports that one of the horses was pregnant and accompanied by a year-old foal, which was found unhurt.

Crook County sheriff's Deputy Brian Bottoms made the discovery around 2 p.m. Monday while on patrol in the Ochoco National Forest about 18 miles east of Prineville.

Bottoms found the dead horse along a spur road off Forest Road 150 near the Ochoco Ranger Station. An investigation turned up two more dead horses. Two stallions were shot and killed in addition to the mare.

Deputies have gathered some evidence from the scene but are asking for anybody with information to call (541) 447-6398.

"Winning" Winners!

Congratulations are in order for five lucky winners of the Absorbine Give-away. Thanks to everyone for playing. The correct answer, which everyone got right was "Smoken Now", or as he is otherwise known "Pokey." Also, Maddy has a Hart Ranch freeze brand of a heart on her left shoulder. I picked five names out of a bowl...even shot some video to show it was fair. Drumroll please....Kacy from AllHorseStuff, Ranae Rose, Grey Horse, Allison, and Mikael of Rising Rainbow all get a free bottle of Natural Hoof Spray to try out. Please send me the address where you would like Absorbine to send the product and I will pass it along. Please send info to my email address, photogchic@hotmail.com

Free Stuff...you know you want it!

It is contest time! Absorbine has offered free Hooflex Natural Spray to the lucky five winners of this contest. I realize there may be more than 5 with the right answer...but if that is the case...I will put names in a hat and draw.

So...Here goes! You might have to do a little digging.



Name Maddy's sire. I have posted about him in the past. I have done videos of him. And he is listed on the ranch site where I purchased Maddy. He is the super hero looking horse pictured below.

Maybe for some bonus points...What is Maddy's freeze brand?:-)

Winning this spray is worth it. I have been applying it to the hoof recovering from the abscess to keep it from drying and cracking. Wonderful stuff and you can spray it upside down:-).

Good luck everyone. The contest closes one week from today, on Wednesday the 16th. If you are selected as a winner, I will contact you and get your address where you want your prize delivered.

Hiding til Summer

Love this picture Kacy sent me of Maddy hiding in the trees. It has been dumping snow the last couple days in Beavercreek, Oregon. My last visit to the barn was Sunday. I'll head out tomorrow and see how it goes.

Road to the Horse

It was wonderful to be able to experience the "Road the the Horse" from your own living room. This year they offered a webcast for $29.99. The first day we had a few freezes and audio problems, but they worked them out and the last two days went smoothly. What an amazing opportunity to watch 3 successful trainers, with three distinct methods, with three very different horses. It was fantastic.

Some things that happened along the way. Pat was bucked off on day two. He said "he had green lights the whole time, then it switched to yellow then red really quickly." He wasn't hurt and continued on. For a time, Pat went into teaching mode which riled both the audience there and those watching on the webcast. Many felt he was being disrespectful to the other clinicians. He came out for his finale speaking from the heart and seeming a bit more humble. He did an amazing job on his horse "Partner" and he announced that he would be taking this horse home with him after the show. Pat welcomed people in attendance to follow their journey.

I wasn't sure who was working harder, Clinton or his horse. They both were wringing wet and panting. There was definite tension between Pat and Clinton. At one point Pat offered free passes to his Colt Starting classes to attendees of RTTH, Clinton said "if it good, you don't offer it for free." Later they argued over a rule in the finale that got pretty heated before Tootie Bland calmed them down. I think Clinton struggled with his horse. He just never seemed to get him soft and was fighting his bit hard throughout his finale. Clinton took off his bridle at the end and galloped full speed around the arena...it was a bit exhilarating to watch, but the horse almost jumped out of the arena twice. The crowd went wild for it. It was clear, the majority of people in the arena were rooting for him.

Chris Cox was rock solid the whole weekend. He had a really difficult horse (reminded me of my own!) She was sensitive and escalated quickly if confused. Today on the way into the arena, the horse panicked, and nearly ran over a crowd of people. You could tell Chris was upset by the way the wranglers were bringing horses into round pen, so he had them change tactics and do it as a herd thing. In his finale, Chris shined. He was soft with his hands and did an amazing job with her. He deserved to win, no question.