A horse is a horse . . . And you?

Today's readings drew me into the mind of the horse. I know, I've got horses on the brain all the time, but Isaiah had a few things to say today that reminded me of how these magnificent animals operate. It made me want to be more like them.

The first thing you have to realize when you're working with horses is that that animal didn't wake up and start plotting his master plan to make you look like a fool. It's a horse. Anytime you get frustrated with a horse it's because you aren't communicating properly with that animal. If the horse doesn't get it, it's your fault. There's no malice in the heart of a horse. Of course there's no false, or painful speech coming from them. (unless maybe if you really pissed off Mr. Ed ;) ) They're just listening. Working. Always ready to make the next transition.

Luckily our Father in Heaven is a fantastic communicator. All we have to do is be more like the horses. Listen, work and be ready for the next transition.

Don't forget to read today's readings, especially Isaiah and the Psalm.

Trust (and Thursdays)

Another georgous Thursday has blown by. Late Wednesday evening after I got the horses rode and roped some calves, I sorted out the yearling heifers and loaded them in the trailer to deliver them back to the ranch. They were here to help finish the ranch horses I had showing in the Ranch Horse competition at San Antonio. I really don't have room for them here, so it's time for them to go back to the ranch.

Having loaded them the night before gave me a chance to take my time this morning. For some reason it seemed like the stars were shining a little brighter. There's a northern pushing through on Saturday, so maybe the front of it is clearing out the air a bit. Who knows. The point is that it was a beautiful morning. I fed the horses and loaded my right hand man Gus. Then after kissing my bride goodbye, loaded two calf roping horses and headed south.

Today was another one of those great Thursdays. We fed this morning and then I rode a couple three year olds. Two fillies. One will hopefully be headed to NCHA Cutting Hall of Famer Rusty Carroll and the other to NRCHA World's Greatest Horseman winner, Chris Littlefield. Time will tell, but they are both capable of going bigtime in my opinion.

After that Morgan asked me to put the first ride on a two that he just got up. He was almost no effort at all. One little hump during the first trot out and smooth sailing after that. He'll be fun.

After lunch we went to the Mulas to check water and then it was calf roping time. Mr. Greeson's son, Parke, has a highschool rodeo this weekend and wanted me to tune Roany up for him a little. Roany is the Reserve World Champion Calf Roping horse Dad sold to Mr. Greeson. He's pictured at the top of this post competing in Houston. Anyway, Morgan came with me to turn out, but more importantly, to help Parke with his roping. He was already roping better than the last time we went over there. I can get Roany jamming, no problem, but I can't teach him to throw the rope. ;) Parke has to do that part. And Dad is so much better at watching someone and communicating the changes they need to make in order to rope better.

My concentration is almost always within the horses. They usually teach me more than I teach them and today was no different. Ice Man, a grey stud of my grandfather's, had his first experience of me leaving him yesterday. Plenty went into reaching that day, but yesterday was the first time I roped, stepped off and left him to go tie the calf, and expected him to do his job on his own. So today I had planned to get off the gas a little and let him run a couple of breakaway calves and call it a day. After the second one, my breakaway sure enough broke away. The plastic loop broke clean into two pieces. I had a choice. Quit Ice Man, or rig him up for tie down.

Dad hadn't seen him go yet, so I decided to tie at least one down on him at this new place to see how he'd do. I got off the left and he did OK. So I scored one. Then on the second one, he hunted him hard from the start, stopped hard, so I stepped off the right and left him. He pulled great and I was so pleased with him.

Long story short, Joe, the other calf horse I took who his Roany's younger brother worked fantastic. It's hard to quit those kind because they're so much fun to rope on.

So we headed back to the ranch.

"Well, what'd you think?" I just had to ask Morgan on the way back. He hadn't said much.

He half grinned and said, "Hell I was kind of surprised. He looked good."

I feined disbelief and we had a good time with it. Truth is I was pretty damn surprised myself. That was alot to ask a horse. New place. New task. High pressure. But here's the deal. We, me and Ice Man, have LOTS of hard days behind us. There was so much preparation behind those two runs. I should have been confident in his ability and I wasn't. Hopeful would be more descriptive. Same with Joe and he's way further along than Ice Man.

So what I wanted to share today, other than a Thursday story that sounds more like vacation than work to me, is the concept of trust. Relationship trust. Not the romantic kind, but trust nonetheless. Everybody has their version of cold windy riding days. Hot sweaty roping days. Trials and tribulations that happen on your way to an accomplishment. Most of the people in your life aren't there for those hard days. They only show up for the performance. They don't see the hard part. And so you (and I) worry. Somwhere in me I knew Ice Man would do just fine or else I wouldn't have rigged him up in the first place. That's the trust I'm talking about. For me, though, it needs to be more prominant. I suspect it's the same for you.

So trust in God's ability to work through you. And in the abilities that He has given to you. And in the horses (or people) He has entrusted unto you. Be great. Sometimes our worst fear is not in being a failure, but in becoming something great.

Rugged Gear: Samsung Rugby A837 Phone

OK.

My wife got this phone for me for Christmas. Those of you who know me, know that very often I go off the grid for weeks at a time. And all too often too. Then when I finally get a chance to call you back, you get some weird story.

"Phone got stomped by a two-year old."

"Slung my phone of the side of the trailer on southbound 37 somewhere between San Antone and Georgewest."

"Dropped it in a water trough." (that happens alot ;) )

Well, I finally have the phone for me. It's buckin-horse-stompin-highway-slingin-water-trough-droppin-proof and it's 3G. I'll save you all the marketer speak, but if you need a new phone and you are in the field often, you can't beat this thing.

Actually, you can beat this thing. Soundly. And it still works. So good that I started this whole new category for the gear I use. And this phone is the A1 primo super power first in line to be included in the new Rugged Gear section.

Changes coming for Alamo Quarter Horse Breeders Assoc.

Last night was our wrap-up meeting for the 2008 AQHBA show season. This year wasn't as kind as years passed, but we are still doing well. Although entries were down a little bit in most events, cow horse events and roping were up and club membership didn't change much at all.

RanchForeman.com has been asked to take over the AQHBA website so we will do a redesign and provide hosting as well. We'll save the current look so everyone can see the before and after.

Our scholarship has not attracted much attention lately and so we are trying to rework the verbage to open it up a little. Currently, we require youth to be an AQHBA member and to have shown at least once. I am considering proposing that we approach local (Boerne, Northside SA) highschool counselers. We could still require ag majors and/or ag careers and let the kids come work a show or two in order to get qualified for the scholarship. If any of you have experience with giving scholarships, or even if you just have some thoughts about this, please comment below.

Last, but not least, we are going to bring in sponsorships for the first time in a VERY long time. If you, or someone you know, may be interested in getting some bang for their buck marketing, let me know.

Baling wire, Duct Tape and Love

You guys that are familiar with ranch/farm life know what a staple baling wire and duct tape can be when you're trying to hold all the pieces together.

There are quick fixes for the wrecks and messes in life just like baling wire and duct tape. The problem is that they hold together just long enough to mask the problem until you really need them... and then they fall apart: Just like baling wire and duct tape. ;)

If you drag yourself into a state of mind where you feel no pain, guess what... you won't be feeling anything else either. God allows certain circumstances in our lives to arise in order to shape us into people worthy of entering his heavenly kingdom. Don't despair.

Love, the true fix for the messes in life, will see you through it. Forgiveness may be required first. Forgive your friend, sibling, co-worker, brother, sister, etc. Forgive yourself. Love. And be loved.

2009 South Texas Ranch Rodeo Finals

Horse Barn 2 will never be the same. We completed the 2nd Annual South Texas Ranch Rodeo Finals in the barn yesterday and it was a huge success. Our group was very excited about the feedback we received from sponsors and contestants. The building is a little small for the crowd we're producing though so we're going to tear it down.

That's right, the 2009 STRRF was the last event Horse Barn 2 will ever see. Next year we will host the finals in a new state of the art equine facility.

This year saw some younger cowboys in the spotlight as well when we kicked off the McCoy's Little Ranch Hand Rodeo. Can't wait until the pictures come in. Check http://www.strrf.com for updates and pictures.

Congratulations to M & M Cattle Company!

Winning the Steer Loading, Steer Tying and the Milk Race put them over the edge for their successful defending of their championship win last year. Again, be sure to check out http://www.strrf.com for pictures and more information on M & M Cattle Company's Championship.

Make plans to attend. It's the fastest ranch rodeo you'll ever see. Edge of your seat excitement from start to finish.

Have you ever been lost?

Cowboy Church, held every sunday during the San Antonio Stockshow and Rodeo, has been a popular event since it's inception.

Yesterday, I was blessed by the invigorating message Pastor Jemerson shared with us. The energy and joy reverberated through everyone that joined him from his congregation over at 2nd Babtist. And by the time he was done, that energetic love for Christ had been sent through us all. To get such a reserved crowd participating in a service like he did just proves what a powerful voice for Our Lord he really is.

Anyway, he shared a story with us.

Have you ever been Lost? That's a question. Answer it out loud, right now. Have you ever been lost?
I know this woman. She like to go to parties and get dressed up and what not. Well she's always late. You know the drill. Of course my wife is not like this, ;) but you know what I'm talking about.

Well she gets loaded up and heads to the party. Downtown San Antonio, Texas. Commerce St. She rollin to her party when all of a sudden she realizes that every single car on the road is coming in her direction. Do you know what she thought?

I guess the party is over.

She was on a four lane one-way street thinking, "I guess the party is over." Pastor Jemerson laughed, "The party will be over if you don't turn around and go the right way."

John 14:6 is where Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, but through me."

There is only one way. Take some quiet, alone time and ask him where the party is. Sometimes the hardest part is to recognize when your lost, to pull over and ask for directions.