Hello Everyone!

It’s a pleasant lightly rainy day in the meadows. Folks are out fulfilling

their wishes; working cattle, learning to lope, visiting the old Larch tree

on the way to Moose Pond, roping Ugly in the arena…as they make their

way in for lunch the chatter downstairs is alive with excitement and

laughter. No one wants to think about tomorrow’s “Till next time’s”.

The week started out with everyone eagerly

waiting to see the horses come in.

Including Charlie! He moved to the pole

fence with the guests when the horses

came by and being typical cats, he and

Trouble were the center of attention in

many photos!

After two weeks with

us, these three gals headed back to Switzerland

early this morning. We had to check the herd to

be sure Turk, Chief, and Trouble were still here!

We had a lot of fun riding with them and look

forward to next time!

Tuesday everyone headed out to Graze to bring in cattle to work with this

week. Randy took the Kiwi’s up into the high country to gather cattle. I

asked if the term Kiwi for New Zealanders was safe to use; they assured me

that they proudly call themselves Kiwi’s. Nathan, Grace and I took the rest

of the crew – All women and one guy, Nathan! He didn’t mind one bit!

What a ham!

While having lunch out on the mountain,

I’ve been hobbling the horses I’m riding to

get them comfortable standing still. When

they are good to hobble, this can be handy

anywhere there is no place to tie. This is

Cookie, he’s a permanent client horse owned

by one of Shayne’s J & S Masonry Foremen,

Nolan. Nolan has spent summers with us

haying and has gone out with me to help at Graze during the Buck Clinics here.

Back to Cookie – he is a character! This horse will go anywhere and do anything

with gusto, but at the same time he is so laid back. Eden’s roped with him and while holding a steer,

he’d fallen asleep. On the highline he uses the straps to rest his head on. His mane always looks like

bed- head no matter how much you brush it. He does fidget… no… he farts around when he isn’t

sleeping! Above, while hobbled, he just wouldn’t settle in until he had this small pine tree wedged up

underneath him. “Wut?” He reminds me of the “surfer dudes” I worked with in southern California.

I was so tickled to see everyone challenge themselves on

that cattle drive. Long time guests/friends Linda and her

sister Kathryn have come back after a few years and despite

physical aches and pains, lasted the whole day. Bernadette

from Switzerland didn’t know if she was a good enough

rider – there she is to the right side of Linda in the picture

below.

We SORTED cattle. What a

challenge to keep your reins loose

and just flow through slow and

steady. The cattle were so quiet we

had to get them up at the end!

Reminded me of old times moving

and sorting cows with their calves.

The game room was used a bunch this week in the evenings.

Guests visited local attractions such as Kootenai Falls

and went fly fishing with our local outfitter Dave

Blackburn.

Yesterday we went on a 10 mile ride to see what kind of

critter activity was going on around us. We went high and

low hunting for tracks. Most the deer seem to be quite

comfortable hanging around the ranch with their new

babies.

On the horsemanship front

Shayne is diligently working

with wranglers and interns

over at his outdoor arena and newly enlarged round-pen; Reminded

me of a video of Ray Hunt teaching in a round-pen when I rode by one

afternoon.

Eden, Janice and Stephanie have been riding and teaching on their trail

rides. Here’s a picture of Eden on a young horse riding next to Chief

and Corina. There’s a slight difference in height I see!

Well tomorrow is another Saturday and again the summer is flying by!

Hard to believe we’re approaching the middle of July already. The outside guys are getting the haying

equipment ready, and the rest of us are gearing up for the Buck Clinic weeks. We are always striving

to keep the ranch running smoothly. Have a terrific weekend!

Dori