It's been another one of those days. Feeling down in the dumps, and I miss my ponies. Weather is nasty, bank account is overdrawn, no real work here in Europe, and I miss my ponies. They can cheer me up even when they're feeling frisky and keep me on my toes.
I'm going to have to go back and look at some of my past internet ventures. My last few haven't pawned out. I might have to stow away to the states and find a job for a while.
That just gave me an idea for something to write about. I'm a retired military pilot, so I can travel Space Available. I've had some interesting adventures I'll share later.
I think I'll go to the local Guest House for a beer. A little conversation with the locals is always fun. Sure miss my ponies.
Bye for now. Ken
2kranches
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Past Vacation
You might be a REDNECK if...
...you think a quarter horse is a ride out in front of the Wal-Mart.
Had to add this joke from Jeff Foxworthy. I enjoy his humor.
Want to relate an experience I had in the Caribbean with the tough little horses they have. The horses originally arrived in the islands as a result of Spanish exploration, settlement, and British loyalists who fled the United States after the Revolution.
I was on vacation in the Dominican Republic, a beautiful country, and decided to go on a day horseback trip into the rainforest and mountains. My wife and I linked up with our guide, and met our horses. I felt a little guilty at first because I'm fairly large, and these guys were the size of a pony. I soon found out the small size didn't mean much.
We went into the forest which was mud and streams up to the little guys belly. My feet were pretty wet, as they hung down to the small fellows knees. Trudging through this slop with the swarms of mosquitoes and flies surrounding us, these tough little guys continued the zig-zag trip through Cypress roots and crawling vines. Finally emerging from the forest, we were at the base of a steep mountain.
The climb would have been hard for my mountain horse, who is a large Quarter Horse. My pony climbed non-stop to the top, where we made our noon stop at a local farm. These people have nothing, but live a happier life than we do.
Continuing on we were rewarded by stopping at a crystal clear pool at the base of a 200 ft. waterfall. Time for a swim, and we even had a cold beer. They must have packed ice in because there is no electricity.
The trip back was pleasant, as we knew what to expect. I really enjoyed the beautiful day, the breathtaking scenery, and the tough little guy that made it possible. While petting and thanking him, he rewarded me with a nip on the leg. This reminded me of a saying from my mother, "Dynamite comes in small packages." I couldn't agree more.
Bye for now. Ken
2kranches
...you think a quarter horse is a ride out in front of the Wal-Mart.
Had to add this joke from Jeff Foxworthy. I enjoy his humor.
Want to relate an experience I had in the Caribbean with the tough little horses they have. The horses originally arrived in the islands as a result of Spanish exploration, settlement, and British loyalists who fled the United States after the Revolution.
I was on vacation in the Dominican Republic, a beautiful country, and decided to go on a day horseback trip into the rainforest and mountains. My wife and I linked up with our guide, and met our horses. I felt a little guilty at first because I'm fairly large, and these guys were the size of a pony. I soon found out the small size didn't mean much.
We went into the forest which was mud and streams up to the little guys belly. My feet were pretty wet, as they hung down to the small fellows knees. Trudging through this slop with the swarms of mosquitoes and flies surrounding us, these tough little guys continued the zig-zag trip through Cypress roots and crawling vines. Finally emerging from the forest, we were at the base of a steep mountain.
The climb would have been hard for my mountain horse, who is a large Quarter Horse. My pony climbed non-stop to the top, where we made our noon stop at a local farm. These people have nothing, but live a happier life than we do.
Continuing on we were rewarded by stopping at a crystal clear pool at the base of a 200 ft. waterfall. Time for a swim, and we even had a cold beer. They must have packed ice in because there is no electricity.
The trip back was pleasant, as we knew what to expect. I really enjoyed the beautiful day, the breathtaking scenery, and the tough little guy that made it possible. While petting and thanking him, he rewarded me with a nip on the leg. This reminded me of a saying from my mother, "Dynamite comes in small packages." I couldn't agree more.
Bye for now. Ken
2kranches
Monday, February 25, 2008
Horse of a different color
Just a little different. Here's proof we even have Zebra's in Utah. Taken at a ranch near home.
2kranches
Horse Photos
Had a few minutes to kill, so I played a little. Has anybody noticed how few photos of horses are available? I'm going to look into this further. I have some great shots at home in the states. Most of you out there have photos of your own. We should share a little.
Later. Ken
2kranches
Later. Ken
2kranches
Saturday, February 23, 2008
We all need this.
I'm not going to turn this into a sales blog, but I know many of you out there are trying to make an income on the internet, just as I am. Affiliate Marketing is not an honest business. People out there are making a killing out of we little guys efforts. You need to protect the links of whatever you're promoting. I highly recommend this as a way to protect yourself. http://www.linkshield.com/s/1058_15
It is so easy to steal the business that you work hard for. Stop loosing traffic that you deserve. You'll be glad you did.
Have a great day. Ken
2kranches
It is so easy to steal the business that you work hard for. Stop loosing traffic that you deserve. You'll be glad you did.
Have a great day. Ken
2kranches
Thursday, February 21, 2008
More Mustang Fun
I know some of you don't like the way I talk about my horses, but I have the end result that is very satisfying. I've dominated over a few horses and had good results, but they're not happy and neither am I. If you take the time to earn the trust from the horse you will have a friend forever, and he or she will do anything to please you. This worked with a crazy mustang, and several of my other horses.
After working with my mustang for about a month, he learned I wasn't going to hurt him. We became good friends. It's a very rewarding experience to have a once wild, and some say crazy, animal run to the fence to greet you. In the following months we did things that everybody said was impossible with this horse. I tied Elk antlers behind my saddle and even when they were poking him in the butt, no problems. We went off the steep side of a mountain on a dare. We were having a good day and maybe I was recalling The Man from Snowy River. He never hesitated. We still have mountain lions and bear in our mountains. On an overnight trip my buddy was very nervous all the way up the mountain. I figured there were some critters around somewhere. All the others stayed in tents that night, but I slept under a large Pine tree with the horses. Throughout the night my good friend kept nickering to me, even though we were just a few feet apart. As long as I talked to him all was OK. When I woke from the little sleep I did manage to get, I soon saw why he had been so nervous the day before. We were in the middle of a snow storm. We had to lead two of the horses down from the mountain, as a couple quests didn't want to ride in the storm. Not fun, but we did it. On another winter occasion we had to rope a young mustang, who had jumped the fence, in a blinding blizzard. He actually seemed to enjoy that one.
I could go on and on about this horse, but I'm not going to write a book. The important thing to remember is to earn the trust of the horse. You can dominate the horse, and make him do what you want, but his heart won't be in it and the end result will not be the same. Don't treat the horse as a dumb animal, or tool. He or she is probably smarter than you.
Later. Ken
2kranches
After working with my mustang for about a month, he learned I wasn't going to hurt him. We became good friends. It's a very rewarding experience to have a once wild, and some say crazy, animal run to the fence to greet you. In the following months we did things that everybody said was impossible with this horse. I tied Elk antlers behind my saddle and even when they were poking him in the butt, no problems. We went off the steep side of a mountain on a dare. We were having a good day and maybe I was recalling The Man from Snowy River. He never hesitated. We still have mountain lions and bear in our mountains. On an overnight trip my buddy was very nervous all the way up the mountain. I figured there were some critters around somewhere. All the others stayed in tents that night, but I slept under a large Pine tree with the horses. Throughout the night my good friend kept nickering to me, even though we were just a few feet apart. As long as I talked to him all was OK. When I woke from the little sleep I did manage to get, I soon saw why he had been so nervous the day before. We were in the middle of a snow storm. We had to lead two of the horses down from the mountain, as a couple quests didn't want to ride in the storm. Not fun, but we did it. On another winter occasion we had to rope a young mustang, who had jumped the fence, in a blinding blizzard. He actually seemed to enjoy that one.
I could go on and on about this horse, but I'm not going to write a book. The important thing to remember is to earn the trust of the horse. You can dominate the horse, and make him do what you want, but his heart won't be in it and the end result will not be the same. Don't treat the horse as a dumb animal, or tool. He or she is probably smarter than you.
Later. Ken
2kranches
Monday, February 18, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Mustang fun-#2
Time to catch up.
As I promised, I'll continue with my mustang encounter. I was working as a Wrangler on a Guest Ranch when we met. I decided I wanted the biggest, and meanest horse they had. This guy fit both. When I finally caught him, he followed my every move with his wild looking eyes. I knew right away I had my work cut out. I already heard his history from the owner. He hurt a few people already.
I was taking a group of 10 for a ride this day and my trail Wrangler was inexperienced, so I knew he wouldn't be much help. Everything was going fine until we stopped for a break. My trail Wrangler rode up to talk, when the wind started blowing and his hat flew off. His horse spooked and then the fun started. He went off and his horse bolted. My horse decided he would try too. Has anybody heard of duck, spin, and run? Here we had it. Speeding across a clearing, I couldn't stop or turn him. I did the only thing I could think of at the moment. I ran him into a tree. We came to a sudden stop as the tree was bigger than he was. It put a big dent in my ego to have this happen in front of guests. Luckily their horses were well behaved. My trail Wrangler was only slightly injured. My big guy was a perfect gentleman for the ride home, as he found he couldn't lose me with one of his old tricks.
Lessons learned for the day. Always use a bit that will hold up. I broke the one I was using, when trying to stop my big buddy. From now on I will wear gloves whenever I ride. I had some deep cuts from the reins.
I'll continue with more Mustang tales later.
2kranches
As I promised, I'll continue with my mustang encounter. I was working as a Wrangler on a Guest Ranch when we met. I decided I wanted the biggest, and meanest horse they had. This guy fit both. When I finally caught him, he followed my every move with his wild looking eyes. I knew right away I had my work cut out. I already heard his history from the owner. He hurt a few people already.
I was taking a group of 10 for a ride this day and my trail Wrangler was inexperienced, so I knew he wouldn't be much help. Everything was going fine until we stopped for a break. My trail Wrangler rode up to talk, when the wind started blowing and his hat flew off. His horse spooked and then the fun started. He went off and his horse bolted. My horse decided he would try too. Has anybody heard of duck, spin, and run? Here we had it. Speeding across a clearing, I couldn't stop or turn him. I did the only thing I could think of at the moment. I ran him into a tree. We came to a sudden stop as the tree was bigger than he was. It put a big dent in my ego to have this happen in front of guests. Luckily their horses were well behaved. My trail Wrangler was only slightly injured. My big guy was a perfect gentleman for the ride home, as he found he couldn't lose me with one of his old tricks.
Lessons learned for the day. Always use a bit that will hold up. I broke the one I was using, when trying to stop my big buddy. From now on I will wear gloves whenever I ride. I had some deep cuts from the reins.
I'll continue with more Mustang tales later.
2kranches
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Mustang fun
How many of you out there have an inbox full of money making programs? It all sounds so simple, but as with anything worth doing, it's going to take some work. Don't jump on the first thing you find that sounds so great. Do a little research before you waste your money. It's probably going to cost you something to get started, but if you keep looking, it doesn't have to be really expensive.
Yesterday I said I'd share some horse tales. In the next few entries I'm going to share some adventures with one of my favorite horses, who is a mustang. I've worked mainly with Quarter Horses, but found this guy to be great.
It's hard to describe the real color of this horse. You could say he's a buckskin, dapple, roan, and chestnut all rolled into one. He was captured on the desert when he was 5 years old, when he was gelded, so he has an interesting disposition. Very independant and egoistic. That may sound funny, but horses really do have different personalities, just like people. It took a lot of work to earn his trust. One other thing that is unusual about him is his size. Most mustangs are fairly small, but this guy stands a good 16 hands. He's intimidating, to say the least. That's one of the reasons I had to work with him.
In my next entry I'll continue with how our meeting came about, and our first ride.
Bye for now. Ken
2kranches
Yesterday I said I'd share some horse tales. In the next few entries I'm going to share some adventures with one of my favorite horses, who is a mustang. I've worked mainly with Quarter Horses, but found this guy to be great.
It's hard to describe the real color of this horse. You could say he's a buckskin, dapple, roan, and chestnut all rolled into one. He was captured on the desert when he was 5 years old, when he was gelded, so he has an interesting disposition. Very independant and egoistic. That may sound funny, but horses really do have different personalities, just like people. It took a lot of work to earn his trust. One other thing that is unusual about him is his size. Most mustangs are fairly small, but this guy stands a good 16 hands. He's intimidating, to say the least. That's one of the reasons I had to work with him.
In my next entry I'll continue with how our meeting came about, and our first ride.
Bye for now. Ken
2kranches
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Miss my ponies
I'm not going to insult anybody today with money making programs. Just going to reflect on my ponies. I called the states yesterday to see how everything was going. Three feet of snow, and cold. I miss it though. My horses are there.
My mother is taking care of things while I'm here in Europe. She has been feeding, watering, and giving my babies some love while I'm away. You may think I sound like a whimp, but I have professionally trained and shown horses for almost 40 years. When my Mom tells me they look every time a car pulls in, or especially a truck, I know they're still looking for me. It took a lot of time and patience to earn that kind of trust. Think of training and treating your horse the same way you would a dog, and the same will happen. I have lots of stories I'll share later. For now I've got to quit writing and thinking of my friends, or I'll jump on a plane headed west this afternoon. Can't do that though. Still a lot of work to do here.
Y'all have a great day. Ken
My mother is taking care of things while I'm here in Europe. She has been feeding, watering, and giving my babies some love while I'm away. You may think I sound like a whimp, but I have professionally trained and shown horses for almost 40 years. When my Mom tells me they look every time a car pulls in, or especially a truck, I know they're still looking for me. It took a lot of time and patience to earn that kind of trust. Think of training and treating your horse the same way you would a dog, and the same will happen. I have lots of stories I'll share later. For now I've got to quit writing and thinking of my friends, or I'll jump on a plane headed west this afternoon. Can't do that though. Still a lot of work to do here.
Y'all have a great day. Ken
Monday, February 11, 2008
Earn from your favorite photos
Howdy everybody! How many pictures do you have of your beloved four legged friend? I have boxes full of old prints, hundreds on my computer, and who knows how many in my camera. Here is a way you can make some money with the photos you love. If you're like me, you like to share the best shots. Why not make profits with them. www.urlfreeze.com/2kranches/camera
Adios for now. I'm off to get some more good shots.
Adios for now. I'm off to get some more good shots.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)