Early December Tack Shop Update
December 8, 2008
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 15th. 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
December 3, 2008
Thankful for Horses
November 20, 2008
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 1st, 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!
November, Already?!!
November 7, 2008
Dear Friends,
Aren’t you glad you don’t live in Deadwood, SD today? With almost 4 feet of snow, 60-70 mph winds and twenty foot drifts it made our “cleansing breezes” here yesterday seem not so bad!
Thanks to Kim Heavey for a hosting such a wonderful clinic in Elbert at her beautiful facility last Saturday! We worked on everything from ground work to flying lead changes, whew! Sure kept my brain working! Was a great day for Steve and I, thank you Kim and Lon!
With the days getting shorter and nights getting longer it gives us an opportunity to catch up on some reading or watching those DVD’s and videos that the great horseman/woman have put out for us. Bridle Bit Tack shop was the fortunate recipient of a life time collection of equine books and tapes from Connie and Bob Brown which we have put into a “lending library”. The list of books and tapes is too long to list here but if you are interested give us a call or email and we can let you know what we have. Bob and Connie have also put on consignment their life time of tack and gear they accumulated on their ranch in Wyoming. There are three very nice saddles, 2 from King’s Saddlery in Sheridan, along with everything else you can think of for your horse and barn. Again, too much to list so give us an email or call!
We have openings on Saturdays for private lessons or half day clinics on the following dates;
- November 8 and 15
- December 6, 13 and 20
Give us a call or email if you would like to schedule either a lesson or a clinic.
Mark your calendar for our 13th Annual Christmas Open House on November 28 (9-5), 29th (9-5) and 30th (1-5). There will be big discounts on selected items and back by popular demand the “pick your discount” off the tree!! Refreshments and time to catch up on your year’s happenings is our favorite part, look forward to seeing you! I (Steve has asked me to leave him out of this category!) am glad to be your “personal shopper” so call me for gift ideas and I can ship it to you. We are also discounting special orders, so if we don’t have it in stock we can order it for you….just don’t wait too long, there are only 7 more weeks until Christmas!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Bridle-Bit Horsemanship Clinic in Elbert, CO
October 27, 2008
- 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!
October Update
October 14, 2008
Dear Friends,
The first freeze of the season hit last night and the plants that were still trying to survive have now all turned black…. The good news is that the flies should have taken a “hit” with the cold and hopefully will be less of them bothering our four legged friends! It is supposed to warm up this week though, WHOOHOO!
The weather for this weekend’s, Oct 18th, Horsemanship/Trial clinic looks great! We will start at 9:00 with horsemanship then head out for the Grasslands, eat lunch and then ride out, getting you back to your trailers around 4:00. We will work on all the things that show up with our horses outside the comfort zone of the “arena walls” and give you the tools to make it a safe and fun ride out.
The last weekend in October (25-26) is our Halloween clinic which will include everything, groundwork, horsemanship, trail, cattle, fun competition and prizes! Costumes are not mandatory, but if you do wear one there will be prizes for best and worst! And refreshments too!
The tack store has been getting new items in for the holidays and we are running sales on EVERYTHING to help keep your cost down in these tough economic times. Let us know if there is anything you need us to have for that hard to shop for person and we will do our best to get it for you at a discounted price also. We still have our 50-90% off table and a nice selection of used tack on sale too.
Huge thanks to all of you that helped, donated and shopped at the yard sale we did for my sister and brother-in-law. We were able to raise over $2500.00 which will be a big help to them while they try and get back on their feet, physically and financially. God bless you!
Be sure to email or call if you have any questions or comments!
Kindly,
Amy
A Quick Reminder About This Weekend
September 17, 2008
Another reminder of our Horsemanship/Trail clinic this Saturday, September 20th. We will work on horsemanship as it applies to riding out on the trails and then haul out to the Pawnee Grasslands to put our skills to the test! We will also talk about and begin work on getting our horses ready to hobble in this clinic. Bring your lunch and any other trail gear you might want to take on your ride out. The cost for this clinic is $150.00, call or email for a reservation form.
September… ALL READY?!!
September 3, 2008
Dear Friends,
I had to break out the wild rag and jacket this morning before heading out the door! What beautiful fall like weather we are having as another summer comes to a close….
August went by in a flash with the flurry of friends, family, clinics, horses and 4-H county and state fairs. Congratulations to the 4-H kids who did so well at the Weld and Larimer County Fair and State Fair in Pueblo! What a privilege to work with such wonderful kids helping them get ready for the new 4-H Ranch Horse division! I enjoyed judging the Ranch Horse Trail and Ranch Cattle Sorting at Larimer County Fair and then off to State Fair to Judge the Ranch Trail class again. What a pleasure to see so many outstanding young people doing such a wonderful job with their horses.
I still can’t believe September is here already…only 112 shopping days until Christmas! There is a nice variety of clinics offered for September starting with Cow Working clinics on September 13th. These are half day clinics, Cow Working I (less experienced horse or rider on cattle) in the morning from 9-12 and Cow Working II (for the horse or riders that have had more experience on cattle) in the afternoon from 1:30-4:30. The cost for half day clinics is $80 plus a $10.00 cattle charge. If you would like to ride in both sessions it is $150.00 with a $15.00 cattle charge. Bring a lunch if you can stay for all day! Call or email me for more details.
The next weekend is a Horsemanship/Trail clinic, September 20th. We will work on horsemanship as it applies to riding out on the trails and then haul out to the Pawnee Grasslands to put our skills to the test! We will also talk about and begin work on getting our horses ready to hobble in this clinic. Don’t panic if you can’t make this trail clinic to the Pawnee because we are going to do it again in October. Bring your lunch and any other trail gear you might want to take on your ride out. The cost for this clinic is $150.00, call or email for a reservation form.
Last but certainly not least is the Ladies Yoga/Horsemanship clinic in Silverthorne on Sept 27-28th. This clinic will offer yoga as it applies to horsemanship, classical horsemanship, round pen work and hot tub! This clinic is almost full so don’t wait too long…the cost is $300.00 and includes the clinic, room and board. There will also be a massage therapist available if you want to spoil yourself even more! Trailer pooling with me is an option if you live in this area. Don’t hesitate to call or email for more detail.
We have several very nice young mares for sale that are really coming along nicely with their training. Brown Girl is currently under saddle with James Morgan and making a super nice horse, big stops!! Missy is scheduled to start her training in October. Mayada and Cowgirl are FINALLY being ridden by their owner, ME! I love these two mares and would keep them if I could but I have too many to ride and no time. Training/lessons included in the purchase of any horses owned by Bridle Bit! For more information see them on our web site, www.bridle-bit.com. James Morgan also has a nice big quiet QH gelding for sale that I have ridden a couple of times and really, really like. For more information on “Charlie” visit James’ web site at www.jamesmorganhorsemanship.com.
My brother in law, Del Franz, had a major stroke the first of June and my sister and he had no insurance….so I am doing a “garage sale” Friday and Saturday, Oct 3-4, to raise some money to help offset medical expenses and get rid of some “REALLY GOOD STUFF”! There will lots of nice used tack, household items, clothes, etc…. new and used! We will have live entertainment (no kidding, a real band!) and refreshments. More details in the next update……
Thank you so much for your time! Look forward to seeing you soon!
Kindly,
Amy
July Update
July 13, 2008
Dear Friends,
Yesterday’s cow working clinic was sure close to perfect for me, good weather, good friends and good riding. Thanks to Nicholas, Laura, Marty, Jody, Rich, Shannon and Ronda for a great day! We even threw a few heal shots as we moved the cows back to pasture. Nicholas is becoming quite the top hand!
The Horsemanship/Yoga clinic and retreat in Silverthorne is this coming weekend, July 19 and 20th. There will be great food and drinks, comfy beds, hot tub along with yoga sessions applied to good horsemanship and then applying good horsemanship to our rides out on the beautiful trails in the mountains and meadows. I will work horses individually on Saturday afternoon also. Lodging, meals and clinic for the weekend is $300.00 and we are trailer pooling up to help cut the cost of fuel. Let me know by Monday (tomorrow) evening if you can join us.
The group lessons on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (young horse class) mornings are very popular and so much fun. We are all learning from each other and especially our horses. We are working on scheduling some trail rides so we can go out and hopefully beat the July heat! Let us know if you are interested in joining us for any of those and what days work best for you for early morning trail rides. Again, trailer pooling is working great and cuts the cost for all of us. And individual lessons and riding these wonderful horses I have in training are keeping the rest of my day pretty full!
A shipment of Wells Five Star Pads has just arrived, lots of color and thickness choices to choose from, along with lariat/lass ropes from Double Diamond and Max Tack (Randy Winter) halters and leads. More Sunbody hats arrived with big wide brims to shade you on these hotter summer days along with the traditional cattleman crease hats too. We still have a 15 ½ inch McCall Lady Wade, 15 ½ inch Steve Mecum (half breed) and 16 inch Robert Chavez (rough out) wade tree saddles for sale. Thanks to Loren on her purchase of the McCall trail saddle! There are lots of bargains on the 50-75% off table and beautiful, almost new tack that has come in on consignment at low, low prices.
We are going to Granby in Aug for a Ranch Working/Trail clinic Aug 9 & 10 and working on some half day clinics for the last weekend in Aug, let us know what you would like us to schedule, horsemanship (I & II), cow working, ranch roping, trail, colt starting, green horse? Check out our clinic schedule for more information and dates!
Let us know how we can help you with your horsemanship or tack needs. And as always, thank you all so much for your support and business with us!
Stay cool!
Amy
June Updates
June 24, 2008
Dear Friends:
Welcome to June and the beginning of summer! Sure warmed up in a hurry….from winter to summer!
June has been super busy with group lessons, clinics, training, and watching the babies playing in the pasture. Still waiting for the last mare to foal…. Hope you are having lots of time to ride and enjoy your horses!
LESSONS
The group lessons on Tuesday and Thursday morning are very popular, a great way to get some work done with your horse in a low pressure and fun atmosphere. The weekday afternoons have been filling up with private lessons, and I am doing a few private lessons on some of the open Saturdays also. Please contact Cheri (CarstenCK@aol.com) if you want to be included in the Tuesday or Thursday group or private lessons with me. Also, please let us know if you are interested in joining a group lesson on Friday mornings at 9:00 with the young horses. We will work on preparing them to be ridden some day!
CLINICS
On June 28 we have a one day clinic that applies horsemanship to ranch working and trail riding. We will work on things encountered on a daily basis on a working ranch, and on things encountered on a trail ride. The limit is 10 riders and the cost per rider is $125.00.
Our July clinic schedule is as follows:
July 12 is a 1/2 day Cow Working clinic in the morning to beat the heat, 9-12. Limited to 8 riders and the cost is $90.00 including the cattle charge.
July 18, 19, 20 – Horsemanship and Yoga for Women Only Retreat in Silverthorne hosted by Debbie Stringfellow. I will be teaching the horsemanship and Debbie incorporates the Yoga at it applies to balance and strength in the saddle. Limited to six. Gorgeous cool mountain getaway!
August 9 – 10 – Ranch Working Clinic in Granby, CO, horsemanship, trail, ranch roping, mock competition hosted by Lisa Pratt and Sandy Vernon. Another wonderful opportunity to ride in the mountains and beat the summer heat! We are looking at trailer pooling up the hill to save on fuel….spots are limited to 10. Email for details on horse and human housing.
There are still some open dates in July (the last weekend in particular) and we are always open to your comments/feedback on clinics you like best or what clinics you would like to see in the schedule. Please let us know what you thoughts/ideas are at either CarstenCK@aol.com or amy-steve@bridle-bit.com.
TACK STORE
We have 3 used wade tree saddles in the shop, all 15 ½ inch, 2 lady wades and a Steve Mecum. We also have a good stock of SunBody hats with wide brims for ladies and the traditional style for men with more arriving soon. As always, we can custom order almost anything you need for you, your horse, or your house. Send Cheri an email (CarstenCK@aol.com) and let her know what you need.
Check the web site for horses we still have available for sale. Their training continues with myself and James Morgan who is starting my colts for me now. After 30 years of starting and riding colts for myself and the public I have decided to retire from that end of the business….very, very hard to do but feel very good about turning them over to such a fine young man as James to get them a good solid start.
Look forward to seeing you soon, be well and stay safe!
Amy
