Horse Tradin 101

As you know, Jet got hurt a few weeks ago and Hollywood needs another horse besides Duck. We've been shopping - looked at everything from a 14 year old at $600. with a smooth mouth (nice way of saying he's got some age on him) to a $5500. beautiful quarter horse. Now, I must say I really liked this horse trader - he's 71 years old - been trading horses for over 30 years - he says, "well if he don't work out bring him back and I'll give your money back" Now, thats a guarantee! He was so funny flipping thru his book showing the horse's papers and telling us where he got them. The funniest story was one of the horses was penned by himself - now, if the horse isn't hurt, ain't a mare then raises a red flag being penned alone - so, I casually asked why the horse was penned by himself. He says thats AWOL. Seems he's from Mexico and the first night he managed to open three gates - let out all the other horses from MX and then he went missing for eight months. Then he sold him to the Border Patrol & he went AWOL again. Thus, they brought him back! I said AWOL needs to be a city horse in a stall.

Post from Dudley Do Right -

OneCowgirlie is lettin me blog agen! This is Duck and me in the snow - we only came to the fence becuse onecowgirl wasn't holden a haltir & we was thinkin we might get a treaat. Wrong! Don't we look pretty? Duck has hard time splainin how he got his name and I know folks are askin - I call him Pato Feo (which is Spanish for Ugly Duck).

Hollywood Dancin

.......because he's all dressed up and going to town!

Lifeline of the West

Snow at the Ranch

Babies, Babies & More Babies

These little calves are so cute. But don't get between momma and baby!

Only in New Mexico

I know its Valentines Day and I should be posting something sweet and romantic about Hollywood but I'm not! Princess aka puss did send Hollywood a card - it read....you really make me purr! BTW I did not spray paint this bush - I found this way at a rest area. Happy Valentine's Day!

Snuff!

I am posting this picture for Copenhagen Kisses! Check out her blog! Did you know when you buy Copenhagen it is most important to check the date on the back of it - Hollywood insists that is fresh, fresh, fresh -

Want a Llama?

Did I ever tell you there are two llamas on the ranch? No one really knows the story of how they got here or I've never heard it. Sometimes we can go weeks/months and not spot them and then they just appear. I think they must be the same sex since we haven't had any cria (word for baby llama). Dudley thinks they look quite odd and won't ride near them! Now this presents a problem when they appear between me and the cows! Another time we were checking water tanks in the truck and one wouldn't get out of the way of the truck and kept trying to stick his/her head in the window. It was really funny - finally I slung water from a water bottle at him and off he went - it was 100 degrees outside so I don't think he minded!

Horse Surfing

Look OneCowgirl - I know I hate water but I want to do this! Load me up in the stock trailer and takee me to the beech. Luv, Dudley To read bout it click here.

Rainbow

Funny we had some really strange weather early this week after the winds had practically blown the roof off the house. I mentioned to Hollywood you know this seems like a rainbow kind of day and lo and behold as I was driving to town there was a rainbow! Wierd eh?

Hollywood Got a New Ranch Truck

I would of never thought SHOCKS could make such a world of difference!! Now, Smiley dog doesn't like it as much and has a hard time jumping in but Hollywood says "she'll just have to adjust!" Doesn't that just sound like a typical male?

Jumporama!

This is a really fun game! Yes, Onecowgirl used to ride English and jump over fences! Dudley hates to jump and thankfully I love riding Western! Click Here for the Jumporama Game. I scored 1250! Also, figured out how to "grab" a screen shot for my blog! Have fun!

I Will Never Make it as Wild Life Photographer

Yes, this is a Wild Hog often referred to as a Javelina, Wild Boar or Musk Hog, Collard Peccary! They have poor eyesight but good hearing. They like to eat prickly pear due to it water content. In many parts of the country there are Wild Hog Cook Offs. I once attended a Wild Hog Cook Off in Cotulla, Texas. Wildlife on the ranch include - coyotes, fox, deer, antelope, javelina, squirrels, Hollwood, rabbits, hawks, immature eagles, crows, elk (though I've never seen one).....

Now, if Hollywood happens to shoot a javelina - I'll be ready with SusieQ's Recipes.

Stacey Westfall Bridless Bareback Reining

I've shown this video to Dudley several times but we just can't compete! This is incredible to watch & brought tears to my eyes!

Make a Bucket List

Corporate billionaire Edward Cole and working class mechanic Carter Chambers have nothing in common except for their terminal illnesses. While sharing a hospital room together, they decide to leave it and do all the things they have ever wanted to do before they die according to their bucket list.

So, I'm making my bucket list ....more to follow
1. Travel extensively in Africa including but not limited to - Hot Air Balloon Ride over the Serengeti, African Safari Ride in Botswana, Victoria Falls....
2. Own a Large Cattle Ranch
3. Own a string of horses like Dudley
4. Learn to speak a foreign language and play a musical instrument
5. Read the entire Bible

Now, I want you to make a Bucket List too.....(Ok, I got this idea off another blog but they didn't ask me to play!).......So, I am asking all of you to make a bucket list and post it on your blog .....
1. Copenhagen Kisses
2. MapperSnapper
3. The Little Red House
4. BlackJack Land & Cattle Co.
5. Quilted Hills
6. The Horseshoeing Housewife
7. Changes in the Wind
8. The Park Wife
9. North View Dairy
10. Frazzled Farmwife
11. Midwest Horse
12. The Poor Farm
13. Mustang Diaries
14. Scary's West

Birthing Party has Begun

Hi - My Name is Duck!

Yes, I've got a very short tail - don't laugh. This past summer when the flies were thick & very bothersome a girlfriend of Onecowgirls decided to make me a tail out of hay twine - it was luxurious as I swatted away those nasty flies! Then Hollywood came home and was appalled with my new tail and immediately removed it. Who votes that I need a tail like this next summer to swat flies?

Post from Jet

Jet & his new friend Duck. (Don't tell Dudley)

Jet sticking his tongue out at Dudley. We all know why!

Jet & his hero rescuer Hollywood!

Feeling Pregnant!

I am talking about the cow! This is not just water weight! A few calves have already dropped and by looking at some of these cows I think we're going to have a huge birthing party soon!

Feeelin Guilty & Prayin

My dear buddy Jet had to go to the vet today! We were playin, feelin frisky and he went to kick me and me being the agiile one - moved out the way - and then KABOOM he caught his hind leg between the guard rail and the fence. Ouch. Red stuff was runnin everywhere. Handy Hollywood had to use the blow torch to get his leg loose. My buddy was very calm and well behaved - meee I would of freaked out with a blow torch - OneCowgirl hasn't trained me that well! Jet just called from his bag phone - he sliced two tendons but not all the way thru - if he heeals well he should be as good as new! Keep him in your prayeers.

Tweaking on the Computer in iphoto!

Seems my visitors like variety...one dear childhood friend that can ride circles around me wants photography lessons - I'm tempted to send her a recent comment "anyone can take a picture, I like when you're a cowgirl" some like Dudley posts and some just like checking in to see what randomness I'm up to...why do you stop by?

Dudley Here!

Howdy OneCowgirl! I'ma gettin used to having so many days off!! - did I tell u how much I LOVE runnin around in this big ol pasture....as soon as I hear you unlatch that gate even if I haven't finished my alfalfe I'ma ready to run up the alley and go go go!! Ima usualy the first one outof the gate not Jester - but I wanted to show off my hiney! Hey - I need a new saddle blanket - please make it a manly color so no one thinks Ima sissy! No pink!

Moving Cows

There is something very satisfying about two people being able to gather and move 120 head of momma cows - NOW don't think they were all together in this nice little bunch waiting to be moved like the photo above or that the pasture that we moved them out of looked anything like this! Actually, the pasture we moved them out of had an overgrown creek - that didn't have many places to cross and the banks were 20 feet high in places - do I need to go on? The cows were on both sides of the creek and in the creek. And did I tell you Dudley hates water. Between getting Dud to cross the creek, going thru overgrown thick bushes and wrangling cows I had be a cowgirl and not a photographer! So, you are seeing the pasture we drove them into.

Riding is in my Blood!

This is my mother and uncle on horseback and then just a shot of my mother (she is celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary this week!) - cute don't you think? As long as I can remember my mother has supported, encouraged and been one of my biggest fans when it comes to my love of horses. I thank her for that and am very appreciative that I have horses in my life because of her. A few years ago - I wanted to take a riding vacation in the South of Spain with a dear friend and was having a dilemma as to whether to put in the master bathroom in the house or go on the riding vacation - so like a good child - I asked my mother - She didn't even think twice and immediately responded - "Take the trip! The bathroom can wait"

Born to be Wild........

Think Easy Rider.....
Get your Motor Runnin'
Head out on the Highway
Lookin' for Adventure......

Feeding in the Dark

As you know, I hate tacking up in the dark but when the sky looks like this I really don't mind feeding even if it is cold (18 degrees) and dark! Now, the horses do get suspicious getting fed this early....but we had to get an early start!

Feel Like Fencing?

I actually like to build fences. Now, it does help to have a hydraulic post hole digger (that is if its rocky or the ground is really hard) and Hollywood2 Manpower! Of course, there are all types of variables - one of which is how close can you get the truck? (Dudley is not ready to become a pack horse) and the trailer with the ATV's. Are we building or repairing, length of fence etc? I get a great deal of personal satisfaction from building fences - it is fun! Have you ever built a fence?

Amazing Dudley!

Dudley loves my blog! I wonder if this is because he is constantly featured? He has become quite the “blogee reader.” He emailed me this pic of himself trying to duplicate the photo from yesterday or is he sticking out his tongue at me? Yes, Dudley got his very own computer from Santa. I am beginning to think all the critters on the ranch are making faces at me - first Smiley Dog, Pregnant Cows and now Dudley! Sign me paranoid cowgirl...

Can You Do This?

Perhaps I should have a name that photo contest? Can you believe this cow's tongue? I should cut her some slack she is very pregnant and has been visiting the syrup feeder. What do you think? What should we call her?

Shadow is my Name!

AKA - Smiley Dog! She's Shadow because she is always beside Hollywood. She craves affection and love - two things we all need! She has separation anxiety spells if left alone. One time she ran off 8 miles to the neighbors house because she thought we had left her home alone.

What's my Name?

Quick what do you think OneCowgirl calls me? BTW this photo was not staged!

We're going Green!

Well we're trying. This is a solar powered windmill. Unfortunately, its expensive to put in a solar power windmill - Hollywoods want to build something in order to move the solar panels around the ranch to different windmills. Some of the windmills are electric, some are powered by generators and some rely on the wind. Of course, with electricity and generators there is more of a guarantee that you have water provided you don't have a water leak, busted float, busted pipeline....

Why they call me Dudley....

I got my name because my momma was a paint and when I as born they expected me to have some color - I didn't...so they said, "What a Dud" I'm glad at my young age I didn't know what a Dud was! I like to think of myself as Studly Dudley! This computer thing is kind of fun I hope onecowgirl lets me post some more...guess I should brown nose a bit a tell her how much I love her!!

Sweet and Sticky on the Ranch

In the winter we put out syrup feeders - this concoction is full of nutrients and molasses. We have winter grasses but the cows need a supplement. Its funny the old cows that recognize the syrup feeders can't wait for you to get it unloaded and filled - they give you the "hurry up" look. The feeder itself has four wheels on it and the cows like the wheels which turn in the feeder. Sometimes we bait the cows by pouring syrup on top of the feeder. That's Dudley licking the syrup feeder - which is a no, no - it has some ingredient in it that is bad for the horse's liver. Dudley is doing fine and now I no longer let him lick syrup feeders!

Moving Syrup Feeders

Is there a syrup feeder in quartz pasture? Is there a syrup feeder in Lizard? Pick up this syrup feeder and move here....you get the picture! There is an art to loading and unloading these feeders if they've got any syrup left in them. I'm getting paid not to post one picture! P.S. Hollywood doesn't mind having his picture taken but if I'm supposed to be helping or he needs help I better put that my camera down PDQ and quit supervising!

What do you have there missy?

I've seen COWS exhibit numerous behaviours and emotions - nice, tender, mean, curious, playful...this one was ready for some syrup! Blacky is saying "Its cold out out here and I need my strength hurry up!"

Christmas Presents Made on the Ranch

Everyone needs a good bread box! What do you think of these homemade Christmas presents?

This makes me mad!

Circle K, El Paso, TX. We should NOT accept foreign currency in the United States of America. I offered to pay in Euros but was they refused them! What do you think?

Hollywood Strikes Another Pose

Of course, this photo is from this summer - Hollywood would NOT be caught dead wearing a straw hat in December. Do you think he likes having his picture taken?