April Update – While Waiting to Hit The Road!

Dear Friends,

I am supposed to be headed to Poway, CA this morning, hauling horses out and teach a clinic….but the weather had other ideas for me.  All we have gotten is wind, hope you all have had some moisture in your area.  I will be heading out as soon as the roads open!

Just a reminder of the Cow working I (green horse or green rider or needing a tune up) & II (need to have ridden in 2 cow clinics with us before) clinic, April 4th & 5th.

Friday, April 10th in Boulder giving individual lessons.  Call 303-247-0667 or email patjarvis@river.com to check on availability.

Saturday, April 18th , in Longmont @ Windy Creek Ranch doing a horsemanship and problem solving clinic.

Saturday, April 25th, in Elbert @ Kim Heavey’s doing a horsemanship and problem solving clinic.

The tack shop is over flowing with new arrivals for spring, new hats from Sunbody, new Dorman Burns t-shirts, Reata Brannaman collection halters by Double Diamond, Body Wash for your horse or pet, beautiful new headstalls, and more bangles from Silver King.  The latest Dave Stamey CD came in yesterday!  Clinic participants get an automatic 10% discount for that weekend.

Thanks to all of you who rode in the Spring Tune up clinic!  Couldn’t have asked for better weather or a nicer group of folks to work with!

See you when I get back!

Amy

Another Passing… Lena

Lena and Steve

Squaw O’Lena

1992-2009

“If you are going to have them, you will lose them.  But if you don’t have them think of the joy you will miss out on”….W. J. Brown Jr.

Those were the words my dad told we girls every time we would lose one of our cats or a dog, and our horses…..

I went to look at Lena for a client’s 10 year old daughter.  As I drove to Warren’s house to check her out, I thought “ there is no way this 4 year old mare will be gentle enough for a 10 year old girl”…..I was wrong! I love it when the horse proves me wrong! This wonderful family ended up buying Lena, kept her with me for training and lessons for their daughter and when we moved to Wyoming we bought Lena from them….

Miss Lena was the kindest, sweetest horse that God ever created.  The kind of horse you could put little kids on and she would be so careful to take the best of care with, folks that had never ridden before she would tolerate their lack of skill and for us she would go out and do any job we asked of her with the skill of a top athlete.  She had an incredible way about her, physically and mentally that I will be comparing other horses to the rest of my life.  Our whole family adored her…she was a part of our family.

Tears stream as I write this, I grieve her loss terribly.  And I thank the Lord for giving me the opportunity to having her in my life these past 13 years.

Lena, you will be missed so much by the LeSatz family….until we see you again in the King’s stable…..

Steve, Amy, Liz and Ben

Ray Hunt, Our Friend and Teacher

The fall of 1981, Dad and I were headed to watch a guy named Ray Hunt start some colts off the area ranches near Wheatland, WY.  I had no idea how that day would change the rest of my life…..

Ray Hunt died this past Thursday, March 12, leaving a HUGE legacy of helping the horse by helping its human.  I knew the day would come but there is always a shock factor of losing someone who has had such a big impact on your life.  My dad passed away 10 years ago this month and he is the one who passed on a passion for horses that will be there until the day I die.  Ray instilled a hunger to be right by the horse that will be there until that day also.  What I saw Ray do with horses, that first clinic of his I watched, wow….   I had no idea what he was doing, but I wanted my horses to look like his, and so my journey began.

I talk a lot about Ray and use his “Rayisms” when I teach that….until you all are probably sick of hearing it over and over.  Ray had  a way of saying things that made you “think” and sets you up to find “it”, and when that happens it will stick forever.  I joke about “Ray Hunting” my kids, but jokes aside….my kids, Liz and Ben are 2 of the nicest young adults you will ever meet, outgoing, kind, respectful and thoughtful.  That simple principal of “make the right thing easy and the wrong thing difficult” applies to more than just working with horses.  What Ray taught was how to be a better person so you could look yourself in the “glass”, with your family, friends and your horses.

Tom and Bill Dorrance were exceptional horseman but it was Ray that brought this horsemanship, from the horse’s perspective, to the general public. Thanks aren’t nearly enough…just not sure how to put in word the incredible gratitude I have for Ray and what he did for me.

Ray is back in the saddle again…in the King’s stable…..

•     “Notice the smallest changes and the slightest tries.”
•    “You direct the life in the horse’s body through the legs to the feet to the mind.”
•    “Slow down so you can hurry up. In the end, it’s a good way. Speed ahead of accuracy is no good.”
•    “You think you’ve got to hold the horse, but you don’t have to. You’ve got to have a feel – a feel following a feel, not pressure against pressure. That’s what happens in the starting gate, pressure against pressure. We don’t really think about it in that manner, but the horse does because he learns what he lives. He learned it the way he lived it.”
•    “There has to be firmness and discipline. I’m responsible for running the show, and the horse is going to work for me. He’s going to go where I want him, but he’s not a slave. You make him want to do it. First thing you know, he’s your partner.”
•    Hunt compared the human-equine relationship to a dance between a man and a woman: “If I was going to dance with a lady, I wouldn’t just grab her and say ‘We’re going.’ I’d get slapped,” Hunt said. “A lot of people don’t understand that you are trying to get the horse to turn loose in the same way. There’s a place in there where he turns loose and then you give. I feel of him, I feel for him, and we both feel together.”
•    “I’m trying to get my idea to become the horse’s idea. It’s not like turning a dial that is going to work today. It’s what led up to today that you need to change. It’s the little things that make the difference.”
•    ”Keep in mind what you are working toward,” Hunt said. “You might not get him in (the starting gate) today, but when you feel he tries – which is a plus toward that – you can put him away. Quit on pluses, don’t quit on minuses. That’s negative; always quit on positives. He will never forget it. Build on positive things. When he finally wants to do things for you, that’s building confidence in him. By doing too much, you can take that confidence out. You’ve got to work from the horse’s point of view.”

– Amy

March – In Like A Lion!!

Dear Friends,

The past few weeks the windmills have been working overtime! Time for a break! Just get the witches knot pulled out of my horse’s manes and the wind puts them back in the next day…. If it would just blow in some moisture I would quit complaining!

Hope this finds you all doing well….the nasty flu bugs have hit some of you so hope you are feeling better soon. Speedy recovery to all of you that have had and are going to have surgery….hope this isn’t a trend for 09?!

Here is how our March is shaping up…..

• This weekend, March 7, is a Green Horse and Horsemanship clinic. We will work on ground work (from respect/manners to roping feet/hobbling), round pen work (hooking on, controlling the life in the feet, etc…) and everything else needed to help find the holes in the foundation of your horse. If time allows we can ride the horses that have been started under saddle and if you want to saddle your young horse for the first time we can get them prepared for that also. The afternoon will be fundamentals of horsemanship; finding and filling in the holes that create symptoms of less than desirable behavior! A great clinic for the uneducated horse or the horse that needs a refresher! Space is limited so don’t wait too long!
• The following weekend, March 14, is Cattle Working Horsemanship Skills. The morning is focused on horse and rider skills improvement; in the afternoon we will be working cattle. Again, we will check out the fundamentals that make a great finished cow horse.
• The third weekend, March 21St & 22ND, is our Spring Tune Up clinic. This is the clinic where you bring your wish list and we work on everything from ground work to lead changes, from getting your horse to “wait”, to turn-arounds…the “anything and everything” clinic!

If you have any questions, never hesitate to call or email. Like Ray Hunt says….”a finished horse is one that is really good at the basics”…..

Here are a couple of things to keep in mind — If you bring a friend to ride with you in any clinic or lesson you get Bridle Bit Bucks (good toward clinics, lessons, or tack shop).  Participants in any clinic get a 10% discount on the day of the clinic on tack shop items (except consignment tack).

I am also setting aside on my calendar one or two Fridays a month to travel to your place for private or group lessons. Let me know if you are interested in hosting or being included on those travel days and what dates work best for you.

Four different people have asked me to look for good minded geldings or mares that have enough experience for advanced beginners to intermediate riders. Word of mouth is the best way to find a nice horse likes that. Thanks in advance for your help!

Whew….I got a little long winded….(pun intended! HA!)! Be sure to check our blog on the web site, www.bridle-bit.com, for changes and additions to the schedule and tack for sale! Look forward to hearing from you!
Kindly,

Amy & Steve

As Much As I Hope Otherwise…. It Is Still Only January…

Dear Friends,

So last week teased me into thinking winter was about over…..today was a HUGE slap in the face that it was “just kidding”!  Ha, very funny?!  Hope you are all thawed out by now after freezing your hands and feet while feeding your horses tonight!

The tack shop is having a PRE-SUPER BOWL SALE (go Cardinals!!) this Saturday, January 31, from 9-5. After returning from placing orders for new products for 2009 and looking at the shelf space or lack there of, I decided that poor planning on my part is going to be HUGE savings for you!  Yes, I need to make room in the tack shop for new arrivals and for this ONE DAY ONLY SALE you can save from 50-80% off regular marked price on all the current-in-stock horse and human gear (including some but not all of the consignment items).   AND there will also be a drawing that will entitle the winner to ride for FREE in the March 21-22 Spring Tune Up clinic.

We are going to be doing some ∏ day horsemanship and ranch roping tune up clinics on Saturdays, February 7th and 21st from 12-3, call or email for a registration form.  Cattle will be coming back for CW clinics beginning in March….stayed tuned for more details.  Thanks to those of you that have scheduled clinics to be hosted at your facility this year!  The 2009 is almost finalized and will be posted sometime in February on the web site.  Please let us know if you have a special request for a clinic or learning opportunity we can help you with this year.

Was great to see some of you at the Stock Show, WESA mart and activities at The Ranch!

See you soon!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Years!

 

Berry's In The Snow - Copyright © 2008 by Jeffrey L. Ott

 

 

Dear Friends,
 
Hoping your Christmas was wonderful and that your New Year begins with good health and lots of time to ride!
 
The tack shop is having a storewide clearance sale on January 2 (Friday) and 3 (Saturday) from 10-6 each day.  40% off regular priced items and the clearance table is 50-75% off.  All the used tack is “best offer”, including saddles.  Let me know if there is anything in particular you want me to look for when I make my trek down to Denver for the big WESA mart in January….I have a list started already with special requests from many of you, thanks!  This sale weekend will be your last chance to buy Bridle Bit Bucks (good toward the tack shop, lessons and clinics for 2009) at 10% off.
 
I am working on the clinic schedule for 2009.  If any of you would like to host a clinic, please give me a call or email and we can get that scheduled also!  The Tuesday and Thursday group lessons will start back on schedule the week of January 5th. If you are interested in joining the group lessons let me know and I will get you on the “list” for updates and information on those as well.  

Thanks to all of you for your referrals for training, lessons and clinics this past year, I really, really appreciate your support and confidence.  For 2009 any referrals made by you that for lessons, clinics or training entitle you to Bridle Bit Bucks.
 
Congratulations to Marty Marten and Jody Marken on their purchase of BridleBit Brown Girl!  I really have had second thoughts on selling this mare, she is so incredibly talented and I just love her personality but I couldn’t have hand picked a better home for her and am so pleased I will continue to get to see her often….and Jody and Marty too! And congratulations to Sheri Gulley on picking out the best of the weanlings colts too….our first colt our of our Lena (Doc O’Lena and Wyoming Doc) mare and by Chappo (double bred Peppy San Badger, Doc O’Lena and Handle Bar Doc)….Sheri has a great eye for a really nice horse!  Steve was disappointed she picked him because he was his (and mine) personal favorite but we know Ace will have a great home and we can raise another one, just like him!   I still have a couple of really, really nice mares for sale, one yearling (coming 2 year old) gelding and 3 other super nice weanlings (coming yearlings).  Call or email for more details and pictures on these nice horses.
 
We am looking forward to the New Year, lots of riding with old and new friends.  Look forward to seeing you all soon!
 
Steve and Amy 

Early December Tack Shop Update

 

 

Dear Friends,

A nice snow made things look like “winter wonderland” here in Eaton for a few days (see attached picture), made it feel more like Christmas! 

The 50% off discount tag is still on the tree and with more of the tags missing your chance of drawing the “big one” are getting better and better!  The “shop keeper” says to post some “regular” shopping hours for the tack shop so here goes;

Monday, December 8 – 10-3
Wednesday, December 10 – 11-3
Friday, December 12, 10-3
Saturday, December 13, 10-2

If those times don’t work for you to stop by just give us a call (970-454-3061) and we will find a time that works for you, no problem!

Congratulations to today’s winner of $25.00 in Bridle Bit Bucks, Sue Nichols from Howard, CO!  Our next drawing for Bridle Bit Bucks (good towards the merchandise in the shop, lesson or clinics) is Dec 15^th.  There are also surprise discounts on selected items each day through out the store, up to 50% off! 

Be sure to check out our new page on the web site featuring our nice selection of saddles we have on consignment also.  We have some really nice used tack (from complete headstall set ups, saddle bags, chinks, mecates, shooflies, halters and more) on consignment also that will help fill that “wish list” without breaking your budget!

Winners and Pony Tail Tangles

Thanks to all of you that were able to make it to the Christmas Sale at the tack shop!  Congratulations to the winners of the daily drawings of $25.00 of Bridle Bit Bucks (redeemable towards the tack shop, clinics or lessons). Friday’s winner was Leanne Schaffner, Saturday’s winner was Mary Lafferty and Sunday’s winner was Marty Marten!  And congratulations to the ‘big loop prize’ of $100.00 of Bridle Bit Bucks, Jim Newcomb! 

 

We are going to extend the sale through Dec 23rd with the discount tree (the 50% tag hasn’t been picked yet!) and 3 more drawings for Bridle Bit bucks (Dec 8th, 15th and 23rd). Each week we will have “surprise” discounts on items through out the store (up to 50% off).  We don’t have “normal” store hours, since the store keeper does lessons and rides horses too, so be sure to give us a call or email and we can set up a time that works for you to stop by and take advantage of the big discounts and drawings!

 

Yesterdays horsemanship and trail clinic at Eldorado Springs was great!  Huge thanks to Heidi for hosting and riding, you made a great trail boss!  And thanks to Pam, Janie, Sue, Leanne, Sabrina and Nicholas for riding and “cowboy/girling up” in in the wonderful cleansing Boulder breezes, HA!  Still trying to untangle the knots out of my pony tail……

 

Thanks so much again and have a great week!

– Amy

Thankful for Horses

Finally Get To Ride One of My Own!!!

Dear Friends,

Can it really be November?  And can Christmas really be 5 weeks away?  It was a wonderful day to ride today….got to go out to the Pawnee with Tuesday’s group lesson and actually rode one of my own horses (see the above photo.  She is for sale!…not me, the horse)!  It just doesn’t get better than a day like today!

The Christmas Open House and Sale flier for the tack shop Is below.  Download and save!!!  November 28-30 are the dates, good food, good friends and good time to “swap lies”!  Hope to see you then!

Monday, December 1^st, I will be in Boulder doing a horsemanship/trail clinic (Eldorado Springs).  Let me know if you could join us that day from 10-3 and I will send you details.  Space is limited and the cost is $125.00 for the day.

And may you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving day next week!

cmas_flier_2008-1

Bridle-Bit Horsemanship Clinic in Elbert, CO

Fallen Leaves Prepare the Earth For Spring Seeds

Dear Friends,

What a great weekend to ride!  Great weather, good friends, beautiful horses and gorgeous country….doesn’t get better than that!

I will be in Elbert this Saturday giving a horsemanship clinic hosted by Kim Heavey.   Kim’s place is near Prairie Canyon Ranch on Hwy 83.  If there is anyone from this area that would like to go and “trailer pool” with me, that would be great!  There are a few spots left so call or email if you can join us this Saturday or email Kim at Kim(dot)Heavey(at)firstdata.com.

The cattle will be headed off to the sale barn soon so if you are interested in a private lesson or clinic (public or private) with cattle let me know right away.

We are trail riding with our Tuesday and Thursday group lessons this week so if you are interested in joining us for those rides this week (and maybe next week, weather permitting) give me a call for information and directions.

Have a great week!