Growing up the eldest son of a genuine horse trader (my Mom), I’ve accumulated a wealth of stories surrounding horses and horse people. Some are funny (at least in retrospect), and some are touching or poignant. Some of these stories are even true. Well, mostly true. Some of the names have been changed to protect the guilty, and to compensate for my failing memory. I certainly wouldn’t guarantee the historical accuracy of anything I say or write.
Horse-Drawn Ice Skiing
March 1st, 2010
When I was a kid, my family boarded horses, and at any given time we’d have 20 to 30 roaming the pastures. Occasionally someone would leave a gate open, or some section of fencing would fall down, and the horses would get out. Not as serious of an ordeal as it would be these days, since we were mostly bordered by other property. One edge of our pasture though was adjacent to a lake, and there was a gate there that some inconsiderate person left open one winter day.
Well, the horses all got out, and for some strange reason, they wandered out onto the ice. Maybe they thought the ice-fishermen had some tasty treats for them, who knows. Anyway, my brothers and I were sent to bring them home. We didn’t have any problems catching them, and we were doing fine leading 4 of them while the others followed, but the ice started to crack.
It’s amazing how fast horses can move on ice, given that their hooves are prone to slip on the stuff. There was really just no slowing them down once they got it into their heads that we all needed to get off the ice pronto! Stopping them was impossible. Keeping up with them was, too. That pretty much just left sliding on the ice while they pulled us along. And that is how we invented horse-drawn ice skiing.
Sparta Rodeo, and all the Wood I Could Carry
November 12th, 2009
All the wood I could carry for $3.00!
The Sparta Rodeo, for years the one annual event I and my comrades looked forward to all year long. For one long weekend of rodeo, horseback riding, camping, carousing, and of course, drinking, we planned, saved, strategized, and practiced. Considering the fact that our families were not particularly well off, and my friends and I were basically broke teenagers, we tended to scimp on expenditures. That’s why we couldn’t pass up this deal. The man selling firewood said “All the wood you can carry from my truck to yours, for $3.00.” So with a little support from my friend Phil, and recorded for posterity by my other friend Mike (see the Uncle Deano post below), I had the guy load me up. Boy, I’d say we got the best of this deal!
Honest Horse Trader?
November 7th, 2009
Horse traders are not generally known for their honesty. In fact, they have a reputation for being low-down liars, cheats, and thieves (my Mom excluded). I once new a horse trader who took a bet that he could not sell a horse that he absolutely guaranteed would not hurt anyone. He led the challenger (and a bunch of us on-lookers) into the barn and showed us a horse that he in fact could guarantee wouldn’t hurt anyone. He won the bet, because the horse in the barn was dead as a doornail, having passed away in the night. While he may have won the wager, he didn’t do anything to improve his reputation, or that of horse traders in general.
Which is why I was so surprised to see this Craigslist ad for a horse for sale (text copied from the original ad):
Big grade gelding. Been used as a pickup horse until he got hooked by a bull. Think he has a split personality, some days he’s great, some days he’s a real prick. No secrets here, you need to tranq him to shoe him or he will try and kick your head off. He has been used for branding, moving cows, ranch roping ect. And like I said, some days he is great, we have had beginner riders on him and they have done fine, I have ridden him in the hills or gathered on him and he was fine,He is not great to catch, although we have him turmed out on 140 acres so he can leave if he wants, but in a smaller pen he is much better. he just needs someone that isnt going to take his shit on a regular basis. He needs to be taken and used. If you are looking for a horse that you can ride twice a year, well then this is not the horse for you., But if you use your horse as often as you change your pants then he will probably suit you perfect. We bought him with the intention of selling him and because we have more than enough horses he has gone to the bottom of the priority barrel. He is not a horse for the faint hearted, if you are handy and need a project or if you think you are handy and need to try and prove it. Please call 406-239-8634. I think he is about 11 years old. 15.3 hands. Anwsers to the name of Dick. Ok, he doesn’t anwser, thats just what I call him. $2,500 obo.
You have to give this guy credit, he tells it like it is. What a refreshing change of pace!
Rakin’ the Yard – Inspired by Michigan’s Beautiful Autumn
September 17th, 2009
The weather is a bit brisk in the mornings, but absolutely gorgeous the rest of the day. Most of the bugs are gone. The leaves are beginning to turn the brilliant reds and golds that create the fabulous color tours for which Michigan is famous. It’s the best time of year for horseback riding.
The only thing wrong with this time of year is the fact that it is so fleeting. The temperature gets colder. The water troughs freeze. And all those beautiful leaves turn brown and fall to the ground.
I watch other people – particularly those living in neighborhoods – struggle against the inevitable. Every day they rake and bag or burn. For what? The next day there’s another layer of leaves covering their yard. This goes on for weeks.
Some people take an easier approach. They just run over the leaves with a mulching mower – preferably a riding mower. Suffering from a slight case of chronic laziness, I tend to favor this tactic. Besides, it’s “earth friendly.”
Still, I observe the futility of some of my neighbors, as they struggle in vain to keep their lawns looking neat and tidy throughout the season. Folks, they call it “Fall” for a reason! I was so moved by their untiring efforts that I wrote a little ditty in their honor. It’s called Rakin’ the Yard, and it’s sung to the tune of the Rawhide! theme song. Please check out Rakin’ the Yard on Authspot, where it’s been published. Be sure to leave a comment, letting me know you were there.
Yearlings – One Down, One to Go
August 28th, 2009
Well, one of the two yearlings we had for sale on our Horses For Sale page has been snapped up. A young lady took a look at Lonestar’s picture, came out to see him a few days later, and picked him up today. Proof that good matches between horses and owners can be made over the Internet.
My First Pony
August 20th, 2009
The world of print, and now also the internet, is filled with heart-warming tales of the bonds of love that develop between a child and her or his first pony. They relate the absolute trust between mount and master, the obstacles they overcome together, and the life-long memories of all the happy times on the trail or in the ring.
If you’re looking for such a story, forget it. You won’t find it here. Here, you’ll discover what many first-time buyers find out the hard way: most ponies are stubborn, cantancorous, and mischievous.
I got my first pony when I was 7 years old. My Mom eventually became one of the most knowlegable horse buyers in the state, but at the time she was just starting out. She bought “Casey” (or maybe it was “K.C.”) because he was small, cute, and cheap. Boy, did we learn that in a pony, those qualities just aren’t enough. Read more…
Yearlings For Sale
July 25th, 2009
See our updated Horses For Sale page for information on Lonestar and April, two young, smart, and friendly horses for sale. Remember to leave a comment if you’re interested in either of them. They would make great 4-H project horses, or just all-around kid-friendly mounts.
Newborn Foal with Pix
May 20th, 2009
First Glimpse
One of the extra horses we had for sale we acquired from a family who had themselves only had her a little while but could no longer afford to keep her. When they got her, there was some question about whether or not she was in foal. We sold her to a lucky young lady, and eventually we realized she was surely going to get two horses for the price of one! Yesterday, when I walked by the kitchen window for a 2nd cup of coffee, I spied an extra set of legs out in the pasture. Read more…
Remembering Deano “Uncle Deano” Day
April 13th, 2009
Deano Day, courtesy of the Detroit News
As a young teenager on a family-run horse farm, I envisioned myself a cowboy. What did cowboys listen to? Why, Country and Western music, of course. In those days, if you lived in southern Michigan and listened to Country and Western (it still had “Western” in it, not like today where demographic-minded marketing types have shortened it to simply “Country”), then you listened to Deano Day in the morning. WDEE, also known as “The Big D” was on the AM dial at 1500, and there every morning you could listen to Deano Day play all the great hits of the time plus the classics, crack corny jokes, and banter with the listeners who would call in.
Deano didn’t mind telling it like it was, and sometimes his opinions got him in some hot water. But that was part of who he was – a straight shooter who liked to have fun with his audience.
Deano’s career spanned not only the decades since then, but the United States, and the radio dial. Lately he was hosting a show on the new WCXI AM 1160, of which he was part owner.
I’ve been a loyal fan of Deano’s for over 35 years, but it was just last year that I met him in person for the first time. Mike and Christine, mutual friends, had arranged for Deano to provide DJ services for the wedding reception of other friends. Deano was warm and humorous, and chatting with him took me back to those early teen years. I’m grateful I had the chance to meet him.
Here’s what our friend Mike has to say
Deano Day was a kind of guy that we all wished we all could be: A kid that never grew up, a friend, a scoundrel, a voice on the radio, a guy with a big heart (literally and physically), my fish-en buddy, a guy that seemed to warm the room just with his smile, trouble with a capital T. A guy that just couldn’t get enough of his computer, friends, family, and wonderful wife.
To this day I will never forget on one of our fishing trips we ran out of gas. I had to pick up my wife from work. I knew I was in the dog house big time! Deano made the call to my wife from the boat and smoothed things out with her, Yes he had the talent to get away with murder. I shed a tear now not because he died I know god has a place for himbut because I know it will be a long time before we will be able to go out and play again.
His voice is silent now………….
Ah that voice, all I can think now is:
Good morn-en world I’m not afraid of you cus this is going to be a country day.
A country Deano Day WCXI Deano Day WCXI Deano Day.See you when its my time to get there buddy.
Mike
Horses For Sale
April 6th, 2009
While we’re not in the business of buying and selling horses, occasionally we find ourselves with more horses than we have butts to put on them, and need to part with one or more. With that in mind, I’m introducing our Horses For Sale page. Only one entry right now, but I’ll have a few more up over the next few days. Some will be ours, but some will belong to friends of ours who’re in the same boat. Maybe you’ll find your next 4-H project horse, or just a good trail mount. Enjoy!
