by: Ron Anderson

We made it. We survived the futurity season. The thrills, the great, new young horses, their successes that elated fans, owners, trainers, and lopers and their adolescent mistakes that disappointed that same group.

When I say “we” survived, I mostly mean me. I’m happy ‘cuz I survived an up-close-and-personal, first-hand experience of the futurity season.
continue reading "A Look Back at the Season"

by: Ron Anderson

We get our mail down the road in a box. It’s a very typical, rural situation. However, the location of the mailbox doesn’t seem to be on one of my usual flight paths when I leave home. As a result, “Box 7” is sometimes packed full.

The mail delivery person hasn’t made a personal appearance at my house to address this situation, but I bet the owners of Box 7 have been cussed out a time or two when they have had to jam one more day’s worth of mail into that space.

This time of year, in addition to the countless newsprint flyers advertising tremendous retail opportunities for groceries, electronics and don’t-pay-until-next-millennium furniture, the horse publications are also large enough to herniate (I think you can make hernia a verb) a full-grown man.

(Editor’s Note: No, Ron, herniate isn’t a word, but hernia is, so is hernias, herniated, and even herniation … but, sadly, not herniate).

Anyone in the horse business knows that winter is when mare owners are making breeding decisions, and stallion owners want to be sure their stud is included in those plans. Result: a lot of ads.
continue reading "Planned Parenthood"

by Tammy Meadows

The Alberta Reined Cow Horse Association has begun hosting a series of educational clinics for the 2007 season. One of the first clinics, held February 24 in Red Deer, was with Ron Anderson, who gave a very informative and entertaining look at the function and history of the hackamore and bridle bits.

Although Ron only had one day with the 20 cow horse enthusiasts who attended, he was able to touch on a rich 400-year history of the Vaquero hackamore and bridle bits. (Vaquero is Spanish for “cowboy” and is pronounced paquero.)
continue reading "Hackamores and Bridle Bits Clinic"

By: Ron Anderson

Spring. When you live in this part of the globe the seasons are all too obvious and this one has to be a favourite. It’s the season of renewal.

Newborn critters of every species are everywhere. For most of us, it’s a confirmation of the continuation of life that we look forward to, particularly after what seemed like an unabridged– maybe even extended–version of winter.

I had a great taste of spring early this year. It was that part of the spring renewal that makes me feel good about being part of the horse industry. Winter wasn’t near over when I was invited to do a clinic for a group south of Calgary. There it was: kids and horses.

I’ve mentioned before that one of the best tonics for folks’ outlook is watching the interaction between kids and horses. Their bond is pure. The belief of both horse and human in one another is uncompromised. The fun and accomplishments are endless.
continue reading "My Springtime Tonic"

By: Ron Anderson

I was reading. Yep. Sitting in the lazy boy studying important stuff. My partner questions that particular endeavour because she notices the outcome is generally less than favourable.

Apparently, reading in the lazy boy results in either, A) a big old-man idea (this has been described in previous dissertations), or B) a complete non-productive waste of time and/or semi-trance-like condition where I am checking my eyelids for cracks that may allow in light. That particular condition can last for hours.

However, in this case, none of the above happened. Well … maybe the man-idea part, but just a little.
continue reading "Horsemanship Cults"

Rejoice! Let’s be positive. Lawn mowing and those evil gopher rodents are just fond memories. On the downside, fall seemed to be only 30 minutes long before we went directly into stupid, cold winter.

I’ve been wearing my long-handled underwear for several months now (“Same pair?” you ask … now, now, that’s a bit too personal and maybe you don’t want to know!) I am trying to remain positive here.

This time of year, me and the lazy boy start eyeing one another in that fond relationship sort of way. It’s not an unhealthy thing. It’s where I think best. Now that’s my opinion (another thing about this time of year: I’m not that open to third party opinions so save your thoughts for another opportunity).
continue reading "Here’s to the ‘pit crews’"

By: Ron Anderson

Busted! I promised equal time to balance the trainer/customer relationship issue that I had expounded on in my last column, and it’s all too obvious that several issues have been read without my contribution as promised.

This, in itself, caused me serious personal reflection. First thing is, I never realized anyone read this opinionated, stumbling writer. Second thing is, I never admitted (to myself) that this was a continuing column. (Amazing news and now in print for my editor to read for herself.) However, my parents didn’t raise a quitter, so with the above admissions behind us, here we go.
continue reading "Customer Responsibility …and other Oxymorons"