A belated Happy New Year!
We are packed, locked and loaded, and leaving! Finally heading south! We stayed longer than usual this year just to remind ourselves why we go to Arizona in the winter! The snowy weather kept us from leaving for awhile, but now it's cold, clear, and sunny, and the roads are good for traveling.
Our southward migration this year will include a couple extra days' stay in Wickenburg, Arizona, and we should arrive at our Tumbleweed Outpost in Cochise by the middle of next week. Lord willin', we'll be settled in at the ranch by January 26...just in time for Beverly's birthday!
You can now reach us by leaving a message at our Arizona number, 520-826-0188. If it is urgent, you can reach us while we're on the road this week on Beverly's cell at 520-820-1096.
Happy Trails...
the "Snowbirds with Horses",
Beverly & Wil Howe
Pick Before A Trip!
Wil always insists that our horses' feet are picked as soon as they are tied, before we hobble them for saddling, or when tied for any reason. If you make this a habit, your horse will stay mannerly about his feet and you can relieve their soles of the mud and packed manure and often rocks that can be wedged up in the frog. Not only is this beneficial for the health of your horses' feet, but your horse shoer will appreciate a horse whose feet are handled regularly.
Remember, you shouldn't have to struggle, pull, or tug at him to get your horse to offer you his foot. He should "hand you" his foot--simply run your hand down the leg and ask for it by using your fingernail or hoof pick on the cannon bone (insistently if necessary) until he lifts it, then catch it as he gives it to you (see Beverly's Little Things that Count Part 1 DVD for proper hoof handling).
With that said, we are also very insistent on picking our horses' feet prior to loading up and hauling them any distance. It only takes a few minutes, but it could literally save you from serious problems down the road. A horse hauled with packed feet can bruise his soles to the point of stress foundering. We have witnessed sound horses loaded, only to be unloaded hours later barely able to walk, simply from traveling on packed soles. Often the manure in their feet picks up rocks or gravel in the driveway during loading, then they stand on the rocks the whole trip. That is why we always pick before a trip!...right before they step into the trailer.
Check out our Winter Schedule! We still have openings available,
and are booking dates for Private Clinics as well.
We also have a great string of geldings we're offering this winter,
so check it all out online. See you in sunshine!
Comments