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*** Crusty's Ramblings ***

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Well Howdy Wranglers, Cowpokes and City Slickers!

For once I do not know where to begin. Unbelievable as it may seem, spring is here and the first fencing project has already been completed successfully! I am sure it will go down as a “first” in history for this Ranch that, in the year 2010, we set fence posts on March 23rd.

There are so many things to share and write about. The grass is greening as we speak and there is no time for “spring sleepiness” as Nature is pushing us busily into pasture season.

That means that the bulls are chomping at the bit! Our bull pen has been retooled somewhat for this coming breeding season: “Rambo” will get his first go at the mature cows. He will be joined by the recently purchased “Mr. Congeniality”, who we bought a few weeks ago at the 19th annual Pick of the Crop Bull sale. Thank you to Wranglers Mikey Blue Eyes and JJ for their timely advice and guidance during that exciting event. Another purchase was “Bandit” who will be helping out Rambo and Mr. C. take care of the larger herd whereas “Tank” will, for one more year, look after the first calf heifers and the heiferettes. 

This early spring also means that this calving season is almost at an end and we are busy getting fences up and ready for the “big release”. Well, we will be busy with that after Easter to be honest, not before, but very early indeed.

The newest event this spring, and very exciting for us to do, Rawhide is sponsoring the People Power Ride for Public Trails” this May 29th. This is a 20 km ride that will start in Dundalk Ontario and finish in Shelburne. It is part of a big People Power Gathering to highlight the need for local resources as well as access to a Public Trail network. Our ride will follow the railway bed, along the wind farms with lots of beautiful scenery. We will supply 10 horses for this event, 4 are already spoken for. All other riders will trailer in, drop their horses and riders off and then drive to the Shelburne Fairgrounds, where the big party will be. Hikers will come in from Camilla; wagons and carriages, motorbikes and all kinds of folks will gather for a Vendors Market, BBQ, “Creemore Beer” sponsored tent and live music from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Details can be found at the www.NDACT.com website, or by emailing me. We hope that many of you can help us spread the word, choose to participate in a truly unique local event, and of course, think about if you want to join us either on foot or by riding. The hikers can use the People Power Hike to raise funds for their own causes if they wish.

The main goal for this day is to show our local politicians that people are indeed engaged in the future of this province. So come on out, have a great time and participate in any way you can, sending an invitation on to your friends and bringing your own party to the town is one great way.

Another local event to be aware of is WHOA (Women’s Horse Owners Association) is hosting their 4th annual event in early June. You can bring your horse (plus friends & family) for an entertaining & educational day of fun!  Riding Clinics, Demos, Networking, Practitioners & Vendors!  Check out their website:  http://www.womenhorseownersassoc.com  for specifics on the date and more information on this really fun filled event.  We will be there with our horses all learning wonderful things (like dressage for Charlie and Barrel Racing for Gunner!) and also Sandy will be on hand entertaining the crowd with some lessons from the ground on up!

 With as little snow we have been busier than usual and thus all the horses are gaining their mid summer shape. Well not all the horses: Abby is another special case who found her way here, and I am not sure if we will ride her at all this year. Her attitude is, shall we say, very unique. NJ and I have a wager on it and, once I win, you can be sure I will let you know. :-)

Also, earlier than usual, we have our 2010 Calendar of Events on the website. Both kids’ camps are already booked, thank you so much for being so proactive about that. Instead of adding another kid’s camp, we have decided to run a one week adult camp in late July. That is another first for us, and if you are like us and want a serious change of pace, want to learn in more depth about horses and ranch life, experience something really unique, lose your fears and find adventure, come and join us. Lots of one on one attention and a real “learning by doing” opportunity, three spots are currently still available for Adult summer camp!

We have also shortened some of the County Forest outings to 2 hrs of riding; I hope that finds favour with some of you. Please remember, if you want to sign up for these rides, you have to have been here at least once before so we can match you with a horse and saddle that suits you.

And one last reminder, for those of you who order their beef from us, time is running out and all orders must be received before the end of April or we will not be able to fill them. Also, check out the new offering for authentic grass fed beef to be ready this August. Having your orders in does not mean that you have to pick them up now, it just helps us to organize supply and time at Metheral’s so that we do not disappoint you.

You will find a link to Harmony Ranch on our website, www.harmonyranch.ca . Saskia and Heather do some great work giving lessons and clinics and we have enjoyed a very good working relationship for more than 10 years now. Do look them up, and if you do meet with them know that you are in very capable hands.

 Another new thing for me to do is to leave you with a western joke - Thanks to Bill and Ken who sent it to me. Since my daughter never misses an opportunity to point out that I have joined the “old cowboys” club, I delight in this opportunity to point out the last bit of wisdom below to her!!!!!!!!!

Have You Ever Danced?
An old prospector shuffled into the town of El Indio, Texas leading an old tired mule. The old man headed straight for the only saloon in town, to clear his parched throat. He walked up to the saloon and tied his old mule to the hitch rail. As he stood there, brushing some of the dust from his face and clothes, a young gunslinger stepped out of the saloon with a gun in one hand and a bottle of whiskey in the other. 

The young gunslinger looked at the old man and laughed, saying, "Hey old man, have you ever danced?" The old man looked up at the gunslinger and said, "No, I never did dance... never really wanted to." 

A crowd had gathered as the gunslinger grinned and said, "Well, you old fool, you're gonna' dance now," and started shooting at the old man's feet. The old prospector, not wanting to get a toe blown off, started hopping around like a flea on a hot skillet. Everybody was laughing, fit to be tied. 

When his last bullet had been fired, the young gunslinger, still laughing, holstered his gun and turned around to go back into the saloon.  The old man turned to his pack mule, pulled out a double-barreled shotgun, and cocked both hammers. The loud clicks carried clearly through the desert air. 

The crowd stopped laughing immediately. The young gunslinger heard the sounds too, and he turned around very slowly.  The silence was almost deafening. The crowd watched as the young gunman stared at the old timer and the large gaping holes of those twin barrels. 

The barrels of the shotgun never wavered in the old man's hands, as he quietly said, "Son, have you ever kissed a mule's ass?" 

The gunslinger swallowed hard and said, "No sir..... but... I've always wanted to."

 
There are a few lessons for us all here:
 
Never be arrogant.
Don't waste ammunition.
Whiskey makes you think you're smarter than you are.
Always, always make sure you know who has the power.
Don't mess with old men, they didn't get old by being stupid
 
I just love a story with a happy ending, don't you?

Enjoy all life has to offer and expect one more snow storm!

Cheers for now and God Bless,

Happy Trails,
Crusty
 

 

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