It's Winter!

I tell ya what, winter is truly not my favorite. I've heard it said that people who say they love winter have never owned livestock. I think that's fairly accurate. Chopping ice out water tanks, draining every last drop of water out of the hoses to keep them from freezing, almost busting you butt when you slip on the ice pitching hay , trudging through several feet of snow to get here and there. It's damn exhausting. Not exactly something I'd say I love, but to each his own.

While winters here on the prairies can be rough, we've made it through them all. Every year we get better. Better shelters, better feeding and watering systems, better horse arrangements. Of course there's always more to be done but, now, is better than we've had it so far.

Since we've moved out with our horses, things have become infinitely easier. Gone are the days of making one or two trips 10 miles one way from home. It doesn't sound far, but in the winter, it's an eternity away. Especially, when the weather has made it half treacherous to get there. Only having the opportunity to see them briefly once a day and often times, only in the dark, made for some real faith in the good Lord to keep them from doing something freak that only horses seem to do when no one's around. But we have made it through many, many winters with little to no incidents.

For years we had lots of temporary electric fence. Sure, its handy but nothing ticks a person off more than witnessing a bold horse, blatently leaning through a frozen, grounded out electric fence. Such disrespect! It's soon followed by watching one of them run without stopping through it, snapping the tape like they just won a marathon. Flinging the insulators so far you don't find them until spring, bending a few posts in the process, and bringing the entire herd with them as you watch them, tails in the air, snorting and running like idiots down the road. We haven't had the electric fence configuration for a couple winters. We've upgraded to permanent wood posts and smooth wire and pipe panels. That, my friends, has been amazing!

When it comes to feeding, we used to feed small square bales. Now, I love small bales, because I can handle them myself. This meant that I (and my mom and Gabe) spent a lot of time moving, stacking, tarping (for the love of God, the tarping!) and feeding out bales by hand. Somedays, it wasn't bad. Other days, it was a near meltdown trying to manhandle a couple bales at a time, through several feet of snow, on a cheap plastic sled, amongst a herd of fresh hungry horses, with the wind blowing snow and hay in your face, and your hands and feet were so frozen you couldn't get the strings of the hay. Talking about it now stresses me out!

We have a high enough number of horses at this point (no, I'm not gonna say how many) that we now feed round bales. And to feed round bales, we have a tractor. And round bale feeders. Those! Are a must. There is no greater feeling of defeat than watching 4 horses, go though an entire bale in 2 days. Eating some but stomping most into the ground. Like seriously? I just bought that! Do you know how much it cost? It's food not a bed! A feeder will not only keep the peace but saves them from wasting your money, at least as quickly.

I really like to have a shelter available to all my horses. I do not believe in horses living their lives in stalls but having something to get out of the elements is important. We've gotten a few permanent structures up but we have also had to come up with some temporary arrangements. There have been some real creations over the years! Lots of tarps, pallets, hog wire panels, and t-posts were involved... One day all our shelters and fences will be permanent. That's the goal anyways... and when that day comes, it will be glorious!

I'm choosing to see winter as a season of recovery and preparation. I love being forced to slow down and letting myself and horses rest. It's a great time to set new goals and plans for the upcoming year. You know, after a little more thought, I feel a little sorry for people who don't have winters like we do. When do you rest? When is it ever a good time to take a break? If we had Arizona winters, I'd never stop or slow down, always feeling I was wasting a good weather day. I guess that's why my heart and home are in Idaho. I think I'll just go ahead and keep it that way. Snow drifts, frozen waters and all.

And some memories from earlier this year. When second winter arrived.....

Along For The Ride

 I've been thinking about my horse, Swiggy. He is... well, difficult. He is not super friendly. He looks mad 99% of the time. Shoeing him takes treats, time, patience, and caution. Worming him takes a lot, A LOT, of convincing and fast hands. He thinks about bucking quite a bit and does so once in a while. You don't just walk up to his face and try to pet him, especially around his mouth, you will get flat ears and a cocked head. And I'm sure many of you got the pleasure of seeing what a delight he is everytime I step on and ask him to get going (if not, there is video documentation on my FB page). He is a horse with serious boundries, it's best not to over discipline, he gets even...

 So, why would someone keep a horse like this, let alone, love him and consider him one of their favorite horses? Because he is a challenge. He is my challenge. I know he was given to me specifically. I have learned so much more about horses because of him.

I know horses. I've had them my whole life, they are in my blood. I don't hardly have a thought that doesn't include them. Then Swiggy came along. A horse that should be considered a lost cause because of the laundry list of reasons previously mentioned. However, this horse has made me so aware of myself. How I ask, how I do, how I react. He responds to everything differently than every other horse I've ridden. I've learned when to be quiet, when to be firm, when to let it go, and when to get after him. We disagreed quite a bit in the beginning. Him, flipping his pinny earred head and threatening to buck. And me cursing at him and telling him he wouldn't be here without me. We've since come to a common ground, at least for now.

 Earlier this month I took him to Pendleton. Our time onlys went pretty good. Race day, I decided to put a tie down on him which I hadn't done before (you think I'd learn, never has this strategy worked out for me) He turned the first pretty nice, then fought me all the way across the pen. In Pendleton, that's a decent argument. He would not get over for the second barrel, so instead of hitting the dirt, I decided to go with him, on the wrong side of two, looping around, queen waving to the crowd. He almost took off and I was fairly certain he thought about bucking. It made me laugh. What a little jerk!!! 🤣 This is evidenced by the photo of us, with no barrel in it! Moral if the story: I love the horses. Even the naughty, no good ones (or at least this one 😁). I love the process. Sure, winning is great but if you are in love with the winning, your satisfaction will be short lived. It's them, it's the horses, that are amazing. We are just merely along for the ride. And, oh, how I love the ride! 🤠🏇

Originally posted on Facebook on 7/19/18

Snowing Again!

It's snowing...again... I'd be lying if I didn't say I was more than a little annoyed. But honestly, what's the use? I can't change it, I can't stop it, and I dang sure can't just will it to disappear.

Perhaps this snow is a reminder of who is in control and who most definitely isn't. Maybe this snow is a reminder of how we should deal with all our problems in our lives. Slow down. Just keep plowing through. Find a way to live your life despite it. Be thankful when things are good, because they can get bad and then worse. Pray that things get better. Trust that things will turn around and look forward to it, because really, what other choice do we have? 

Being negative and angry will still get you to the end result but the journey will be far less enjoyable for you and the ones close to you. And once you get there you won't be singing praises of how great it is, you will still be complaining of how long and hard it was to get there.

 This weather has definitely put a damper on my spring plans. I've actually dealt with it better than I would have a few years ago. Though I may have complained, I have found I almost do it out of expectation. Since it's the feeling of the majority, I jump on board and complain a little. But I have had long, hard conversations with myself about it. I've decided this is a good thing for me. It's something so out of my control that I've had to totally rethink my spring plans and goals. I was very annoyed at first but when I really sat back and took it in, I realized I've been doing the same thing for several years and it hasn't gone how I'd planned by summer.

So, I'm going to take this huge inconvenience and work with it to see if I have a better outcome. It's definitely what's keeping me motivated and positive (with some brief negative meltdowns 😁) through this extended winter. Think of this snow as a test. Are you passing or failing? 🤔 Is it winning or are you? 😁

Originally posted on Facebook on 3/8/19

It's Easy To Be A Winner

It's easy to be a winner.
 Atop a horse that wins it all.
When they're on top, they can't be stopped.
Whenever they get the call.

 It's easy to be a winner.
 When all they do is win.
Their runs are fast, they bring home cash.
 Do it over and over again.

 It's easy to be a winner.
If obsessed with winning, you are.
 But when times get tough, and the going gets rough.
You'll find out if you are up to par.

 It's easy to be a winner.
But be wary of being on top.
Winning is fleeting, and like a heart beating.
 Both will eventually stop.

 It's easy to be a winner.
 Seen it time and time again.
 It was never the horse. It was me, of course.
I don't need that horse to win.

 It's easy to be a winner.
 On to the next prospect they go.
 How hard can it be? They're ridden by me.
 I'm the winner, don't they know?

 It's easy to be a winner.
Until all they do is lose.
This is now hard. And they don't get far.
 In settles the post-winner blues.

 It's easy to be a winner.
When you ride a barrel horse that's strong.
 But aware you must be, to be able to see,
It was always the horse all along.

 It's easy to be a winner.
 When you finally see it connect.
 It was actually the horse, who was the winning force.
 Now so easy to see in retrospect.

 It's easy to be a winner.
When your perspective is finally clear.
Priorities straight. You recognize great.
 And why those horses are here.

 It's easy to be a winner.
 When you learn from every one you ride.
The slow. The quick. The sweethearts. The pricks.
In all of them, you take pride.

 It's easy to be a winner.
 When God finally grants you the one.
 Because of your past, you remember the last.
And how few and far between they come.

 It's easy to be a winner.
But humble and grateful you must stay.
 Yes, you win money. But isn't it funny?
How quickly it can be taken away.

 It's easy to be a winner.
Keep in mind, it's only for a short spell.
 Until they're called home, to Heaven's pastures to roam.
And all you have is memories to tell.

 It's easy to be a winner.
 When next to you, they stand tall.
Here they are. They are the Star.
It's all about them, and not you at all.


 -Tobi Richardson, 2018

The little horse that made me, Fern. Grangeville Border Days Local Barrel Racing Champions, 1993 

The Travelling Saddle

Here's kind of a fun story...Right before I turned 9 years old, my mom bought me a used barrel saddle. I loved it!!! It made me feel like a real barrel racer, really grown up. It was a good saddle and I rode in it all through high school.

By the time I was in college I was running barrels in saddles I'd won and being a broke college student, decided to sell my old one. I have since realized that trophy saddles are often not the best made and that the one I sold, was of better quality, and better fitting. I've always regretted selling that saddle.

 A couple years ago, scrolling through FB I saw a picture of a girl sitting on her horse... noticing and recognizing the saddle immediately. It was mine!! I contacted the owner confirmed it was THE saddle and I offered to buy it when it went up for sale.

Well, a week ago, I was contacted and it was offered back to me. Of course, I bought it! 14 years after I sold it, is back home with me. Since it was used when I got it, I figure it is well over 25 years old. It's in great shape considering its journey. Rode in it tonight and it fits like a glove! Happy ending, or new beginning.... depends on your perspective. 😁

Originally posted on Facebook on 6/1/18

Always Pet Your Horse

When I was a kid my mom taught me to always pet my horse after my run. There has rarely ever been a time I haven't patted my horse coming out of the arena, good run or bad run. It's a habit and a good one, I think. A pat on the neck says "Thank You". It's just respectful to acknowledge the horse's effort he put forth for you, regardless of how the run turned out. Be the leader you would want to follow. And a good leader acknowledges your effort and thanks you for it. 😁

Originally posted on Facebook on 2/3/19

A Bad Egg or A Top Notch Chicken?

So, let me tell you about my least favorite, favorite broodmare.... her name is Streakin For Dinner but we just call her Tiki. My mom bought her sight unseen off of DreamHorse.com when she was just two. Her ad said she was just standing around being neglected and was looking for a new home. I think she paid $800 for her and had her shipped from Colorado. When she stepped off of the trailer she truly looked like she had been neglected... she was skinny, scruffy, big eyed, and had a pretty large set of ears that made a floppy sound when she shook her head. She was never a trusting mare and always acted like she didn't need people. She was difficult to catch, but once caught, was pretty agreeable.

When she was 4,  I did everything I'm willing to do with unbroke babies. Saddle, put a bit in their mouth, do some ground work, pony them out off a broke horse, and haul and tie. We had a few pretty exciting moments but overall she took it pretty well. I had nagged Gabe to get on her but he was busy. I was getting tired of waiting and I decided I'd give it a try myself. Sidenote- colt starting is NOT my thing, I'm not good at it, I don't enjoy that step in the process, I know my limits. But as it was, I was going to get things going my damn self! I didn't really set myself up for success on this day, that should be of note. I got on this mare in the middle of a rather large pen. I'd set up the barrels in this pen to practice at one point, it wasn't exactly small... I get on her, and that goes alright. Of course, I can't really get her to move out, so just a slight cluck and a squeeze with my heels and up comes her head, her breath draws in and even an inexperienced colt rider like myself knows what's coming next, is not good. Oh, shes moving out now! Bucking, I'm thinking pretty good, but I have no idea. I do know I'm coming off and land on my butt in short order. A little miffed that I've been unhorsed, I can't even remember the last time I've been buck off... I dust myself off and gather her back up. I don't want her thinking this is acceptable! So back on I get... in the middle of the same pen. Now, in retrospect it's easy to see the many mistakes I made, I'm sure you can too, let's not get judgey...😂 Just like deja vu, we literally replay the exact same scenario, ending with me landing on my butt yet again. I suddenly realize, THIS is a bad idea. I'm hours from help and I'm home alone with my 4 year old daughter, maybe I'll leaving the colt starting to Gabe.

 I come home from work one day and she's caught and saddled. Gabe tells me he couldn't catch her so he roped her and she flat checked out. He got her saddled but she was never the same. She wouldn't even let me hardly touch her. I've never had a horse do that to me. She never came back around like she was. We did try. Sent her to a trainer who didn't get much done with her. She bucked off my mom, who I told not to get on her. She ended up requiring a minor surgery from her sudden dismount.

 So what now? She was very athletic, her papers said she should be a barrel horse, and we felt her 'mental' shortcomings had been man made. So we took a chance and bred her to one of my favorite studs at the time, CalibsLackaCash. She had two babies by him, a sorrel with a blaze stud colt and my gray filly, Laynee. She turned out to be a great momma! We bred her to On A Gator and she had a gray/bay stud colt in a snow storm and he did not survive. We were supposed to breed to First Down French that year but ended up having to use the re-breed to On A Gator. The sorrel filly with a blaze, we call Wren, was the result. The next year First Down French's swimmers went bad so in a last minute switch, we bred to TKW Runaway Fame. Yet another sorrel with a blaze filly, that we appropriately named Switch, was born. So far, I really like all of her babies. Laynee is the only one I've ridden but I very much look forward to riding Wren next year. Shhhhh 🤫 I really like that one a lot!

 I've gotten so much grief from Gabe about Tiki. How we should get rid of her. Hell, after chasing her around trying to catch her for years, I've considered it myself. You have to come up with a different tactic everytime to catch her, she is very smart and can totally read your play. She acts like shes never been touched in her life until you get a halter on her, then she's a dream to handle. She also has, what we call, the Tiki Toss, where she flips her nose in the air in her would-be captors direction. It's basically the horse equivalent of flipping the bird. I believe sometimes God uses horses. And I think he has used this mare to teach me, my mom, and even Gabe quite a few lessons. It has yet to be determined how things will end up but we are very close to finding out how they are going to start! And that, I'm excited about!

Originally posted on Facebook on 11/29/19

"You ain't a cowboy, if you ain't been bucked off".

This right here is why I call Swiggy my outlaw. I've been getting around him and riding him for weeks without a hitch. And then there was today.... Just an every day trip through the stubble field, taking my new pony for some exercise. Start doing a little trotting that is going well until McSwiggin decides to kick a gear. I give him a check to slow him up and he cut in two. Not so much bucking as lunging (very high I might add) I quickly ditch pony thinking, two hands will regain control of the situation. It doesn't. He continues to get with it and I can see I'm losing the battle. I look for a good spot to land and check out. I land, self assess to find all is well, and watched the little jerk buck all the way to the pasture down the road. I take off walking, looking for pony, who I last saw at a dead run with his lead rope chasing him. I spot him in the distance, still moving at a pretty good clip but headed for home. I finally catch up to Swiggy, who remains just out of reach and I got to hike up the road staring at his arrogant butt! I ended up having to saddle up Seven to run the turd down just to catch him. Once caught he paid the price in sweat. We are even now. And since Seven was saddled he took pony for a trip around the fields, he needed rode anyways. I'd say win-win but it doesn't seem exactly appropriate seeing that I hit the dirt. Maybe win-not lose?

Originally posted on Facebook on 11/11/15

The Infamous Dickey McSwiggin

Dickey McSwiggin... this horse has never really had a job but has been a lot of work to say the least. That's not to say he isn't good at things, he just always looks like he is annoyed at anything you ask him to do. 

If he were a person, he'd be that decent looking, stocky guy that never works out but could run 5 miles tomorrow without stopping and drink a beer afterwards. The one who is actually pretty handy but will not put out any effort unless he wants to show someone up. The coworker who calls it like they see it, is totally rude in their directness but hilarious and likeable because of it. Definitely not a hugger and probably a conspiracy theorist because he trusts no one. He tolerates people and loves candy. 

You'd be surprised that he is in a relationship because he's kind of a cranky butthole. You think that girl must be crazy and be a glutton for punishment because he is kind of a miserable being. But she sees him like no one else does. Understands his quirks and loves him despite them. Puts the effort in with him because she likes the way he makes her feel when he chooses her and no one else. That is Swiggy and that girl is me. 😁

Originally posted 7/16/19 on Facebook.

All For The Love of Horses

How many do you have? Why do you need so many? Why do you have so many? These are some of the common questions I get asked about my horses. Not that it's anyone's business but mine but I do understand people's curiosity and desire to know why a person would choose to live to take care of something that financially, usually takes more than it gives. But I don't see it that way... obviously.

I wasn't raised in a family with a lot of money, though we weren't dirt poor either. My parents both worked and worked hard. I was taught the value of hard work and that money, while very important, was not the most important. I knew we didn't have it as good as some but always felt I had it pretty darn nice.

My mom, God bless her, saw a fire in me and fueled it to the best of her ability. She kept me in horses that did nothing but improve my abilities and confidence. Sometimes we owned those horses, sometimes, more often times, they were borrowed but she was the driving force behind finding them all. And there have been a lot of them along the way.

I was never a one horse wonder. I rode many different horses with different styles. They were all broke, seasoned horses, so to win, I had to learn how best to ride each of them. I couldn't have my style and expect them to change for me, that doesn't work or win. I got very comfortable riding any style or personality of horse and still today, I do best if I have more than one to run.

As a young adult, I recognized that I had an expensive habit. I don't mind working hard but I want my hard work to be compensated adequately to support lots of horses. I felt that nursing was a career that would allow flexibility in a schedule but give me financial security that would help support my hobby. And a hobby it is. I do not see my horses as a business.

My husband once told me I didn't have the right mindset to be in the horse business, and I told him I wasn't in the horse business. I'm in the horse hobby. While I would love to make money with my horses, it is not my goal to do so by selling them. I'd love to do it by winning in competition but that really is not a solid financial plan. So, I picked a career that would support my habit even if my horses didn't win a dime. Sounds silly really. But it's all for the love of horses.

I love horses so much. I love the winners, and the losers. I love the easy to train, smart ones, but also the difficult, challenging ones just as much. I talk to all of them like people. Tell them they are pretty or handsome. I feed them treats and give them extra goodies on holidays. I like to pet them on they foreheads and kiss them on their noses. I love burying my face in their manes and take in their horsey scent. I just love the horses. All of them.

So, how many do I have? It's in the neighborhood of 20. Why do I need so many? Because horses embody hope. Hope is the feeling of expectation and desire, and trust. If you ask any horse person about that colt that just hit the ground or that 2 year old prospect they picked up, or the finished horse they spent more on than they probably could afford. They will likely all give you a story of how they have high hopes for where that horse will go or will take them. Hope is what keeps people going forward. And I have a lot of it in my heart.

For me, horses also make me feel closer to God because they are such a tangible way to experience so much that He is. They are powerful but gentle. They are beautiful, sometimes in unclassic ways, ways you have to work to see to appreciate. They teach you to trust in something you can't always control and the more you try to control it the worse things get. You learn to feel communication because not everything can be seen or heard. The more time you spend with them, the closer your bond becomes and the better you understand them, yourself and life in general. They teach you lessons you didnt know you needed. That's God and that's horses.

I have goals and I know how few and far between truly great horses are. They are God given. I feel that all of the horses that have come and gone in my life were all on purpose. I've learned something from all of them, which I pass along to the ones I've yet to ride. It's my responsibility to use the skills and talents I've been given to make the horses the best I can make them. They may be for me, or they may be passing through me on their way to their intended person. It's hard for me to let any of them go. Not because I want them selfishly for myself but because I appreciate them so much for what they taught me. I've built a bond with each one and it hurts to break it and it give it to another. I know its necessary and right but it's still difficult.

So, the question remains, why do you have so many? I already said I have goals. And that those special horses that could take me there come along, sometimes, just once in a lifetime. I know that not all the horses we raise will be what I hoped for. Some will hate barrel racing, some will get injured, some will unfortunately not make it, that's just how things work. The more you have the more chances you get. Let's just say, I've given myself a lot of chances.

Another thing about me, is that raising, training, and succeeding on my own horses is very important to me. I have no interest in buying a finished horse or being a jockey, riding or training horses I don't own. I don't just want to win. That really means little to me if I'm not riding my own hard work. That's just a personal thing of mine. I'm not taking away anything from anyone who has done it differently. I also don't want to take away anything from the people and horses that I did jockey for and did well. Those were awesome opportunities and I got to experience where I'd like to go with my own horses one day. But just winning to win is not where my goals lie. Winning on horses I've raised and trained, is. It's also very satisfying to see them go on and be successful with someone else.

So, I have a lot of horses... because I can. I hope to accomplish my goals with them but even if I don't, I will love them anyways. Because it's not about winning, or making lots of money, or everybody knowing your name. It all for the love of horses.