You know those super fun delivery “clubs” you can sign up for online that sends you monthly packets, bags or boxes of makeup, clothes or wine? Did you know there was one of these services for us horse people?
Western Lifestyle 365 Photo Challenge – Week One
On January 1st, after celebrating my grandparent’s 71st wedding anniversary, I was talking with a photographer friend of mine who came up with the idea of creating her own Western Lifestyle themed 365 day photo challenge.
Sunset in the Meadow
The whole time we were out in the field this evening I kept telling @hikenorthidaho , over and over, “oh my gosh this is so beautiful!”.
Pat Wyse Clinic Notes
Since my childhood, Patrick Wyse has been the horsemanship mentor to myself, my family and many of my friends. His yearly visit to Sandpoint, Idaho for a four-day community clinic was anxiously awaited and highly anticipated. After many years of traveling the country teaching clinics, Pat announced his retirement from traveling to teach community clinics. He informed us that he would continue to teach summer clinics at his ranch in Townsend, Montana. We were thrilled this Spring, after years and years of begging Pat and his wife Doreen to come to our ranch, to get the green light from them for a wrangler training clinic taught by Pat.
What follows is my clinic training journal from the Pat Wyse Basic Handle clinic at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch.
What is Western Pleasure Guest Ranch? A job and a lifestyle.
Western Pleasure Guest Ranch is truly a family owned and operated ranch. The owners, Roley and Janice, will likely cook and serve you breakfast each morning. Their children will saddle your horse and guide you through the valleys and vistas of the ranch that was their childhood playground. Their grandchildren will play with your children when you stay at the ranch, teaching them where the best hiding spots are for a game of Sardines, and sharing their favorite horse with your child. There is no corporate safety net, trust fund, or bottomless pocket. What you see here on the ranch is us sharing our home and our love of the western lifestyle with you.
Growing Up Guest Ranch
Family ties hold us together; connecting us across time to those who came before us. Connecting us to those whose decisions about life have affected the direction of our own life. Their dedication to hopes, dreams, and goals in life leave a legacy to us who follow. The idea of being who you are because of the choices someone else made years before you were born may seem stifling to some, but not for me. I will be forever grateful for the pioneer spirit of my great great great grandparents who first settled in the place I now call home.
A Photogenic Winter on the Ranch
Every season at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch has its special beauty, but I have to admit that winter may be winning out as my favorite season to photograph. Winter photography presents an interesting predicament for me as I am always cold. I can relate to Charlie Brown’s little sister, Sally, when she declares, after trying in vain to apply multiple layers of winter clothes, “I wasn’t made for winter!” Know that while capturing the following photos, I either looked like the Michelin Man, or I was acquiring frostbite.
Becoming a Horseman – Part One
It seems winter may have begun to move in here in the northern panhandle of Idaho. It is a beautiful day from where I sit here at my kitchen table, warm and cozy. My view of the foothills of the Cabinet Mountain Range and the valley full of the ranch pasture land is missing one thing today: the horses. Our herd of 50+ horses just made their last run up the county road from the field to the barn for the winter. They are all tucked away in their winter housing close to the barns and an abundant supply of hay.
Groundwork Update: Day 15
Saturday marked the half way point through my 30 days of Clinton Anderson Fundamentals groundwork on my little 3 year old Appaloosa/POA gelding, Zeus. After a good long session working pretty much entirely on desensitization, I decided he was ready to ride. It was nice to be in the saddle again. I will continue with the promised 30 days of groundwork with the addition of a little time under saddle.
Here are a few pictures from Saturday’s ride. They are horribly blurry but you will get the basic idea.
