Out West Blog

Photos of Auction Items

It’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

Posted in Auctions | 1 Comment »

Correcting Bad Horse Habits

Well, 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.

Posted in Grant's Blog | No Comments »

OutWest Spring Consignment Ranch Auction May 16

If 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.

Posted in Auctions | 4 Comments »

Round Pen Work Can Benefit Both Horse and Rider

Spring 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

Posted in Grant's Blog | 2 Comments »

Welcome Back to Another Season of Horse Riding at OutWest Arena!

Welcome back to another season of riding at OutWest Arena!  Spring is finally here (yes!) and we have plans to make 2009 at OutWest bigger and better than ever.   Check out our redesigned website (outwestarena.com) which will make it easier than ever for you to stay informed about all of the happenings at OutWest.  If you’re reading this, congratulations -you’re reading  our very first news/blog posting!  If you’re not familiar with how newsfeeds or blogs work, please take a minute to learn, as this is a great way for you to get all of the breaking news from OutWest.  Just subscribe to the RSS feed on our website, and all of our news postings and blogs will come directly to your news reader.  You will still want to subscribe to our email newsletter, which we will be sending out no more than a couple of times a month.  If you didn’t receive our first email blast from early April, be sure to subscribe by clicking on ’subscribe to our newsletter’ at the top of our website.

To kick off the season in the right way, we’re hosting a party this Saturday, April 18 starting at 6pm at OutWest Arena.  We’ll have plates, flatware and an assortment of drinks, but please bring a dish to share.  We’ll have the bonfire going and the shop will have plenty of space to sit and tell stories about that slippery cow that got away last year and cost you the buckle.  You’ll get ‘em this year!  Speaking of this year, we’ll have handy 2009 OutWest Calendar of Events -post one on your fridge and keep another in your truck -you don’t want to miss out on any shows or jackpots. 

Hope to see you all Saturday night and thanks to all of you for your support!

Lloyd, Melissa, Jacob, Noah and the OutWest Team

Posted in OutWest News, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »