Problem Solving 101!

Our second May clinic was all about

PROBLEM SOLVING. The weather
still wasn't cooperating with us SO...

thanks to the McCarroll's just outside
of Camrose, we were able to move

inside. Thanks Dirk. It was sure nice to be dry!
The first two days we spent in the

round pen learning exercises and

techniques for earning the respect of the horses. Cause "It's not about the bag!", right guys?!!

By the third day everyone was experts and we were able to practice a lot of obstacles

I was afraid of Angus because of a wreck about a year ago, thought it was trust issues, but now I know differently. Terri & Brenda you were awesome with me and Angus! I learned so much and can't wait to keep working with Angus... I wish that the world would know about your training techniques! You guys are going to have to write a book one day!!!!! ...but you know, you need to see it in real life, it doesn't get any better than that! Awesome, awesome, awesome and Thank you, thank you, thank you! Gail Weiterman

Thanks troops!

Brenda

1st Spring Clinic

Happy Spring Everyone!! Isn't this awesome! I love the rain/sleet/snow/ & whatever else wants to come down! BRING IT ON.....!

We ran the first of our two spring clinics last week. The first one was a two-day "Building the Foundation." Unfortunately we had to shorten the last day because of the weather, but by-God our participants were hardy!

No, this is not me on the cell phone in the round- pen!

Here's the brave crew. You guys were awesome! Thanks for the great clinic!

Brenda

Wild Deuce Contest

Our Latest Contest!

Well the grass is turning green (finally!), the weather is great...time to get out your cameras and get some pictures! But not of green grass. That would be kind of boring. Put your 'artsy' hat on and get a great picture - featuring a horse.

This year we're aiming to raise $10,000 for STARS at our Working Mountain Horse Challenge and Sale. And you'll be part of it! Your photo will be featured in our STARS silent auction and you'll receive an 8x10 copy of your photo with a Wild Deuce / STARS prize as well.

Click here to enter - good luck!

Foal Update

The little colt isn't scared of anything! I brought a big orange tarp into the arena where I had him and Belle. Did he run away from the noisy thing? Nope! He ran AT it, jumped on it, peed on it, then dragged it away.
It's his now. I don't need a pee-tarp for anything. He likes it as much as his exercise ball.

He's become good friends with the cat.

Yesterday he rolled himself up in the tarp and went to sleep. The cat crawled under the tarp, onto the colt and curled up. All you could see was the foals head sticking out one end and the cat's tail sticking out the other end!

Branding Time!

Today was branding day for the second group of 340 calves the Bar E Bar Ranch where Guy works. The action was already started when I got there, but I sure had fun taking pictures! Here's Mika getting excited as we drive in

The crew

Bringing in the calves wasn't just for the adults!





The brand

Afterwards the lady's had a great meal ready for the crew. What was it....? Prime Rib of course! This is the view going for supper. Can't get much better than that!

Looking forward to getting even closer to those mountains!

Brenda

May CLINICS just around the corner!

We are getting ready to move back to the farm in Camrose to prepare for our May clinics, we are hosting two!! Good news for anyone who might want to book last minute we had a cancellation so please email Terri asap if you would like to join us! See you all soon to everyone who is booked! Bags are packed and the cabin is clean...horses are saddled oh wait we don't leave tonight (I better un-saddle....smile). Going out to feed Jessie her warm mash and heading to bed! night...sorry for the lack of blogging, days are filled with packing & riding!

Fun Mother's Day ride!

Working in the arena with the horses, Chuck on Rusty!

Taylor on Drifter.

Taylor and Blue playing in the barrel.

Taylor providing a good obstacle for the ponies when she would go rolling in it! (Rusty checking it out)

Taylor-Blue and Drifter!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

To all the mothers both four legged and two....ENJOY today!

I added a picture from last summers very special Mother-Daughter trip, thank you ma today!

Raising money for STARS

Yesterday, Susan and I went to see her brother Howard, who is the Store Manager at AGRO in the NE of Calgary. Howard is helping us to raise $10,000 for STARS this fall at our Working Mountain Horse Competition. Each year we usually are able to give $3000 to STARS for their great work, but this year is their 25th Anniversary so we have set our goals high!

Howard was very generous, letting Susan and I choose from their wide array of John Deere paraphanalia, to donate $250 worth of merchandise. And do they have some cool stuff! Who knew??!! :)

I wanted the John Deere steering wheel cover..., but we opted for a Remote Control John Deere Gator (how cool is that!?), a John Deere Crib Board, a hoodie and two styles of hats (one for the ladies, one for the men).

It is very obvious that Howard likes his job. When I asked if we could get a picture of him for the blog and website, he said, 'yeah, let me go pull a tractor up!' A little more than I was expecting, but he sure had a big smile on is face! Very cool Howard! Tractors are sure fancy these days! Not like when I was young.... LOL. :) If you want to check out what John Deere has to offer you can go to WWW.AGROALBERTA.CA.

We appreciate any donations for our STARS Silent Auction. Anyone wanting to help us meet our goal of raising $10,000 for STARS, can contact us via email.

Thanks again Howard & AGRO!

Brenda

I love the puppy stage!

Only two puppies left! Real names pending but for now I call them Toes and Keg. They are three months old and it's time to learn some more manners. This week's lesson....how to be happy on a leash! If anyone's interested, they are still for sale.



Brenda

Sierra Wind is healthy & her naval infection is GONE!

We had quite a scare with these two before the clinic...Jessie coliced and my new little filly had a naval infection. I am very happy to annouce everyone is doing well! yeah...

Our dogs are bored and want to work after a long winter....if Blue could talk here!

Teeko all dressed up and in her summer coat!

When you miss the bus you take the limo!

After our long flight (just over an hour..smile) We missed our park and ride bus so Bren though hey...this car looks good! Our driver opened the doors, picked up all our luggage and he was even famous in a magazine once. (no that is not Bren in the magazine...lol) The best part was when we were finding the jeep. The driver asked "is that your big dually?" He was maybe thinking we were rich...smile. I had to fess up, nope that jeep with the door all smashed in from the 3 ton is ours...then the couple of doors that don't open and the smell of horse that came out when we opened the working door REALLY impressed him!!

Always good to be home!

So, after the third day of wrapping things up, (We had some obstacles out for people to test themselves and their horses with), Terri & I had a GREAT night sleep and headed home the next day.

Bill (Gale's husband) was the lucky one who got to drive us to the airport. Did I also mention that Bill is an exceptional cook?! He was our chef all weekend when it came to full course breakfasts and suppers! Our hats off to you Bill!


So, we HAD to take pictures of the very official airport staff. Note the casual attire!

Also, the handwritten boarding passes that no one checked anyways.... I love it!

Central Mountain Air got us there and back safely. And like Terri already mentioned, we played our own flight attendants and shared a great wine on the way home. Still no in-flight cookies though! :(

Had to add a picture of Gale & Bill's dogs. They're so wonderful!

Even though the weather was 10 times better there than the snowstorm here (I KNOW! Go figure!), we're still glad to be home!

We look forward to seeing everybody in the hills very soon!

Brenda