On the Farm

Pocket halter catches ’em

The awards committee at our saddle club came up with a neat party favor one year, the pocket halter. A finely braided strand of rope, about eight feet long, attached to a metal ring, and boasting a leather “tail”, the…

Little-known, instant sump pump filter

Little-known, instant sump pump filter

Yes, you too can use the nearest fly mask to wrap your sump pump -- every barn should have one or two just in case -- in a tough, washable mesh filter. Many thanks to my daughter Kalinda, Cindy Carrick and Gregg Doster for emergency troubleshooting during the storm...

Flood central

Flood central

First time in history for the stable that our barn has flooded. Okay, it happened in 1997 too. Never underestimate a thunderstorm in Colorado. My daughter Kalinda opened the west barn doors and a wave of water washed down the aisle. Read also: Little-known, instant...

How to handle stress

How to handle stress

  A friend of mine has a big birthday coming up next week and I found this list she distributed on the back of an official memo back in the days we worked together. Try one of these techniques if you're one of those people who suffer performance anxiety at horse...

Alien invasion

Alien invasion

... also known as the snow blower at night. Great on a night when my Craftsman walk-behind failed to start. It apparently hates snow. Thank you, Gregg!