Summer might be here

It's been a chaotic spring in terms of weather. We've had very warm days and lots of dry, dusty weather. Then a dusting of snow and a cooler period. We are back to hot and even had some very welcome rain last night. Maybe summer is really here this time.

The mares are bred for next year. It seems to require an enormous amount of energy and time to accomplish something so natural and basic. We upgraded our broodmares to just our Bayywatch and Miss Smarthash, so we should have outstanding foals in 2026. Our previous mares have all now found good homes to continue their leisurely lifestyle.

The horse market seems to be holding fairly well. It fell from those really high prices but people are still looking for good horses at fair prices. We are probably past the ridiculous prices of the last cycle. For a while it seemed that any horse with four sound legs could fetch well over $10,000 regardless of breeding, training or papers. The market feels a little more honest and real now, with quality horses, well bred and trained for their job, commanding top dollar.

The ranch is always busy, but this year seems more than ever! Branding is complete - after rescheduling to have dry enough weather. We had a great crew of helpers and it was an efficient operation. The cattle are anxious to get out to summer pasture in the mountains - and we are getting excited about their move too! Those young heifers cause havoc in the spring when they see and smell green grass just outside the fence.

Our bottle calf, Penelope, is well known by anyone who has visited the ranch. She's free-ranging and steals hay from all the horses. Making the rounds, you can find her trying to make friends with them, one by one. She goes for walks with the dogs and loves to help with the gardening by sleeping right in the flower bed. I'm not sure what her long term prospects are but for now, she is enjoying life.

Our arena survived the winter beautifully, draining a pile of snow and ice without damaging the sand layer. It is now ready for real work. We've had some cow work days and lots of dry work and flag work practice already. If you are looking for a low key practice location, gives us a call. Because the cows pay the bills here, we have promised not to run them into the fence - health & safety first, for all of us.

The summer show season for Working Cow Horse is well underway. Both clubs, ARCHA and ASHA have had several shows to get us warmed up for the season, including two qualifiers. We'll soon know who is invited to show at the Stampede Cow Horse event in July. Boss is looking good with his results to date.

And so we enter summer - breeding is done, arena is ready, grass is growing in pastures and the long, busy days of summer are here. The scent of lilacs fills the air in the evening reminding us to take a moment to enjoy the bounty around us.