Out West Blog
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Ranch Sorting Practice Tonight and Jackpot Tomorrow
June 5th, 2009
Hi from OutWest! We’ve been busy this week getting everything ready for our first Ranch Sorting Jackpot of the season. In fact, we’ve already set up the smaller pen for tomorrow’s jackpot, so tonight’s practice will be 2-person teams. Practice starts at 6pm and cost is $25 per rider.
I’m going to assume that the rain will hold off until later in the day tomorrow, but should anything change between now and tomorrow morning, I will send another blog posting with an update. We’ll also change the message on the office phone 763.477.6629 if there is a change to current plans.
Registration is from 10:30 to 11:30 on Saturday, and we’ll begin at noon. There will be concessions, including hot coffee, hot chocolate, walking tacos, hot dogs and more.
Hope to see y’all tonight and / or tomorrow.
Melissa (aka Lloyd’s wife)
Introducing Angie Gebhart
June 4th, 2009
Hello there! My name is Angie Gebhart, and I couldn’t be happier to introduce myself as part of the “OutWest Team”. I call Maple Grove home, but during the school year I attend South Dakota State University, where I am double-majoring in Biology and Spanish. During the summer, you can often find me here, at OutWest, spending time with the horses.
I have been riding at OutWest for several years in the team sorting and ranch horse show events, along with showing my own horses in reining competitions for almost ten years. As a member of the SDSU Women’s Equestrian team, I am learning to show a wide variety of horses, so helping out at OutWest during the summertime is a perfect opportunity to get experience riding all sorts of equines (from mules to cutters!) I can’t get enough of being at OutWest, and I love helping to get horses ready for sales and shows.
I’m pretty lucky to work with such a great group of people, and I look forward to learning as much as I can this summer.
See you at OutWest!
Angie
Results & Recap of First OutWest Ranch Horse Show
June 2nd, 2009We want to thank everyone who took part in our first OutWest Ranch Horse Show of 2009. This is our 7th season of Ranch Horse Shows and I was struck on Saturday by how much the quality of horses and horsemanship has improved over the years. It’s very rewarding for me to see how these shows have grown and the how level of competition has increased. In the Conformation classes, both mares and geldings, we had a set of horses that anyone would be proud to say that they owned. And, in the Pleasure class, there were several horses that would truly be a joy to take out west and use for ranch work.
We added two new classes this year, Ranch Roping and Pole Bending. I always wanted to have roping part of our shows, and we at OutWest will continue to work to make this a better class. Thanks to everyone who participated in these new classes. As always, we’d love to hear your feedback.
Congratulations to our high point gelding, Shelly Johnson and high point mare, Tim Hanson. Our high point youth rider was Maria Hanson. It’s great to see the youth riders doing so well in all of the classes. I think it’s so important to continue to focus on encouraging our youth, as they are the future of the horse business. Thanks to all of the parents and participants who cheer them on at every show. It’s all of you who make OutWest feel like family, and we thank you for your positive encouragement of all competitors.
Thank you for your support and patience as we strive to go paperless with our registration process. To ensure that we are beginning our shows promptly at 9am, we will be changing the registration time to 7:30 – 8:30am. You may still add classes during the course of the day if you desire.
The next OutWest Ranch Horse Show is scheduled for June 27. We hope to see you there!
Lloyd
Ranch Horse Show This Week!
May 28th, 2009We were very happy to see so many new, and familiar, faces at our OutWest Spring Auction; and congratulations to the proud owners of new horses. Thank you for coming -we are already looking forward to the Fall Auction, which is now scheduled for Saturday, October 3 2009.
I am excited for the Ranch Horse Shows that are going to be underway this Saturday, May 30. I have been busy riding our string of horses along with awesome help from Angie Gebhart, a good hand, and a student at South Dakota State. I am glad to have her helping us through the summer!
In past years I have found that I can get nervous taking my horses to a relatively unfamiliar environment. There is a lot going on when you go to a show, and it can be difficult for some horses that haven’t been around so much action. I like to prepare myself, and my horses, for these situations as much as possible before I go.
I think that it behooves me and my horse to practice some patterns that I will be showing in, as well as to set goals. Whether I am showing for fun, or for competition, it is important to have attainable goals. I like to do my arena work and then go down the trail and through the woods to expose them to different places. I try to make sure my horses are in shape so they are not fresh the day of the show.
I keep odd items in the arena to help my horse prepare for versatility courses. I practice walking, trotting and loping down the road at different speeds to help in the pleasure and reining classes. You can set up barrels or poles, and pattern your horse at a trot and lope. Keep in mind that the Ranch Horse Shows are all about having a versatile ranch horse. Enjoy time with your friends, family, and horse. Stay relaxed, meet new people, have fun, and smile!
I look forward to seeing you at OutWest!
New Auction Consignments and More Pictures
May 13th, 2009We have just received consignments of two very nice buggies -take a look at the picture below.
Horse-drawn Buggies
Other sale highlights include the two 60′ round pens shown below, as well as horse trailers -scroll down to see pictures of two.
Preifert Round Pen
Round Pen
4 Star 4 Horse Slant Trailer
WW 3 Horse Slant Trailer
See you on Saturday!
May 16 Auction Features Broke Horses from OutWest
May 13th, 2009Here at OutWest we work hard to find quality, all-around ranch horses; and we hold high expectations for these horses. They must be quiet, gentle, and have a good handle. At our auction this Saturday we will have a great line up of versatile mounts, including quality ranch quarter horses, ponies, and quiet trail horses. The horses we will sell have all been ridden and tested by me and others here at OutWest; and these are all horses that we own.
One of the horses we are very proud to be selling is a very nice 11-year-old red dun mare. This mare has been used extensively in a feedlot and has had many miles of outside riding. She is easy on the eyes and easy to ride. Her quiet and unique disposition makes her a joy to ride. If you want to swing a rope off her, sort cows, or take her on a leisurely trail ride, she will do it and will be safe for all ages and all levels of riders -a super family horse!
This is just one example of the kind of horses we will have here at our auction on Saturday. We take pride in our horses and represent them with integrity. So have at ‘em, and mark us on your calendars for the 16th (this Saturday!) The auction will start at 10:30am and horses will sell at approximately 1:00pm.
Photos of Auction Items
May 13th, 2009It’s Wednesday morning and we’re looking at a great collection of items for auction on Saturday. A few of you have asked that we post some pictures to show a sampling of what we have to offer, so please scroll down to view all.
If you still are considering consigning your hobby farm or ranch equipment, please give Lloyd a call today or tomorrow at 763.477.6629.
Hope to see you all out here on Saturday at 10:30!
Western and English Saddles
Trailers of Tack
Many New & Used Panels
Stall Fronts
Round Bale Feeders, Gas Tanks, Horse Trailers, Manure Spreader, Fencing Equipment and More
Correcting Bad Horse Habits
April 23rd, 2009Well, it has been a great week of riding and I am enjoying the warmer weather! I have been able to spend most of the day working with our horses here, and everybody has been acting happy to be out and worked with.
I did, however, notice that a few of the horses that I have not worked with for a while seemed to be a little “pushy,” “space invading,” and have annoying ground manners. Kind of like the 8 or 9 year old kid hanging on your arm, pulling at your jeans, and whining at you when they want something. What is it? Annoying, disrespectful, and immature! So after you’re done round penning, working your horse, or any time, here are a couple of exercises you can work on to keep those bad habits away.
First, in the round pen with your horse, have a halter and about a 12-foot lead rope and do circle work. I like to start by sending my horse to the right. When my horse is looking at me, I have my right hand about 4 feet down from the snap, with that hand I push my horse’s head away at his cheek. Keeping my feet in one spot I make my horse move first. Do this at a walk. To encourage your horse to keep moving I use the tail of the lead rope in my left hand, twirl it to add pressure and tap the horse with it for more. While my horse is going around, I keep a “bubble” between me and the horse (3-4 feet). I do this until he moves out freely at a relaxed walk. Be sure to go both ways.
Here is another easy exercise I practice anywhere and any time. When I am walking and feel like my horse is going to walk over the top of me, I stop, turn around and make my horse back away from me. I keep my left hand out in front of me, directly underneath the lead snap, bumping the horse’s nose with the halter. After he backs up well, I turn around and continue where I was going, or repeat if he needs it. You have to keep your space!
In both exercises be sure and pet your horse on the shoulder when they do well to create that respect! Don’t let the horse rub on you. If that happens, back him away from you and then let him be. This has helped me keep my horses from being “space invaders.”
I look forward to the even warmer weather this week and hopefully some rain to green things up more! Remember that it is spring and your tack has sat most of the winter. Take the time while watching American Idol to clean and oil up that tack! Look over your equipment and make sure the leather is still good and isn’t going to break on trail when you’re an hour away from home; it’s not a fun walk!
Take care for now and remember to smile when you ride and take the time to thank God for all the wonderful things in life that you see and experience.
OutWest Spring Consignment Ranch Auction May 16
April 17th, 2009If you’re like us, that shed could use a little spring cleaning. Am I right? Consign your hobby farm and ranch equipment that’s just collecting dust to the OutWest Spring Ranch Auction. We’re accepting consignments from May 1 through May 15. Questions? Contact Lloyd at 763.477.6629.
Round Pen Work Can Benefit Both Horse and Rider
April 16th, 2009Spring has finally come! It seems like we all have endless projects to accomplish during our intermission of winter! If any of you are like me, there are a few things that you have fallen behind on, and one of them might be your horse. When preparing for that first spring ride, I like to round pen my horse -keeping things simple and safe.
I believe that round penning is a great non-threatening approach to maintain leadership and dominance over your horse. It also works to ‘knock the fresh out’ of your horse and get rid of those unbecoming attitudes they may have from being set aside over the winter. I like to make sure and send my horse around in both directions, letting him hit all three gaits at different tempos and practice their transitions between gaits. If they can do it without me on him it will be easier for both of us once I am aboard!
My objective is to get my horse’s head and mind right. I look for body language that shows I am achieving that. Here are signs I look for:
- Softening of the eye
- Licking of the lips
- Relaxing of the neck and lowering of the head
- Making sure his eye and/or ears are ‘looking at you’
- Relaxed movement
After round pen work, I feel like I am dealing with a more sensible and quiet horse. I am more at ease swinging my leg over the saddle because my horse feels more at ease after working with him!
That’s my thoughts for this week. Check back and see what we have for you next week!
Grant
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