May 5 Jayden and I took a trip 5 hours to North Branch Minnesota to try out some horses. The idea was to first and foremost find the boys a horse, and maybe find something mom would like and maybe even a project for Jayden. We arrived at Houck horses ranch. Just the day before I discovered I knew Jill Krones Houck. Her name was so familiar and I remembered her from college rodeo. She was the top barrel racer, winning all the rodeos and she went on to win the CNFR. When I called and told her who I was, she remembered me and asked if I rode a roan horse. She even said she knew I made a few short –go’s. Now that was impressive, she has an amazing memory. I was really surprised she even knew who I was at the time, let alone to remember me. It made me feel good. I noticed her voice was very slurred and her husband said she has a neurological condition. Later when I met her she explained it to be similar to ALS or MS. It was so sad to see her in person. It has greatly affected her. She walks very rigid.
Jayden and I had been looking over the sale catalog all week. We have researched and read about all kinds of horses. There are so many horses that sound and look great from the write up, video, and photo. There are a lot of ranch horses, and several kid horses. Our number one goal is to find a horse or pony and maybe even two for the boys. Secondly, Jayden would like a project horse. We had our list narrowed down to 10 horses that we wanted to see and hear about. I was thinking it would be very hard to decide and we might bring home three horses. I talked with Jill and her husband. I could tell right away the husband is very much a horse trader. I started asking lots of questions. Some of the horses we had listed we wanted to see, he told us he didn't think would be something we were looking for. Most of the horses I asked about he had only owned a month or maybe two. Some of the questions seemed like he didn't know too much. Some of the horses I named he had to ask his wife, which one it was. He talked like a used car salesmen. He pulled horse after horse out for us to ride. One horse after the next, I was disappointed. I had high expectations and they were soon dropping. From head shy, rubber neck, high strung, to heavy mouth, and the worst was one that would constantly go in reverse. Each one of the horses had what I would call major flaws. There wasn't one that really appealed to me. The horse that seemed the most layed back and broke for the boys was also the most pathetic looking. He is what the owner called not sale ready. He was thin and still shedding. He was your typical sorrel and lanky, not muscular at all. I was basing my choice on temperament and being well broke and thought he would be something suitable for the boys. Mid day, the owners 7 year old daughter, Lana came home from school, got her boots on and jumped on the nearest horse. She rode for 2 hours non stop. She didn't care what horse she was on, she rode anything. She was fearless and could ride better than most adults I have ween. She was one tough cookie and didn't take any trouble from a horse. She is by far the best rider I have seen. We saw videos of her running barrels bareback ans she is tiny. She is a far better rider than her Dad. Jayden liked a couple horses, but I could not see anything to get excited about. One was a 4 year old and he tried to buck with me a little. I just didn't trust him and a 4 year old requires so much time and work. They are also young and unpredictable. I just don't like young horses. We were at the Houck barn for 5 hours. I was exhausted and my brain was tired. The conclusion I came to, these are all ranch horses from all over that are just bought to be sold. They look good and sound good on paper, but aren't all that impressive. When we left I did not feel confident in any horse at all. In fact I felt very disappointed and discouraged. Once again, I wish we had Winnie!
We drove to my cousin Laura's where we stayed for the night. She fixed us Stauffer's lasagna and we talked until late. Jayden and I stayed in the rec room above their garage. It was a nice night and we left the windows open and slept to the sound of frogs croaking. Laura has such an awesome area to live in. It was fun to see her, Mark, and Noah.
Jayden and I had been looking over the sale catalog all week. We have researched and read about all kinds of horses. There are so many horses that sound and look great from the write up, video, and photo. There are a lot of ranch horses, and several kid horses. Our number one goal is to find a horse or pony and maybe even two for the boys. Secondly, Jayden would like a project horse. We had our list narrowed down to 10 horses that we wanted to see and hear about. I was thinking it would be very hard to decide and we might bring home three horses. I talked with Jill and her husband. I could tell right away the husband is very much a horse trader. I started asking lots of questions. Some of the horses we had listed we wanted to see, he told us he didn't think would be something we were looking for. Most of the horses I asked about he had only owned a month or maybe two. Some of the questions seemed like he didn't know too much. Some of the horses I named he had to ask his wife, which one it was. He talked like a used car salesmen. He pulled horse after horse out for us to ride. One horse after the next, I was disappointed. I had high expectations and they were soon dropping. From head shy, rubber neck, high strung, to heavy mouth, and the worst was one that would constantly go in reverse. Each one of the horses had what I would call major flaws. There wasn't one that really appealed to me. The horse that seemed the most layed back and broke for the boys was also the most pathetic looking. He is what the owner called not sale ready. He was thin and still shedding. He was your typical sorrel and lanky, not muscular at all. I was basing my choice on temperament and being well broke and thought he would be something suitable for the boys. Mid day, the owners 7 year old daughter, Lana came home from school, got her boots on and jumped on the nearest horse. She rode for 2 hours non stop. She didn't care what horse she was on, she rode anything. She was fearless and could ride better than most adults I have ween. She was one tough cookie and didn't take any trouble from a horse. She is by far the best rider I have seen. We saw videos of her running barrels bareback ans she is tiny. She is a far better rider than her Dad. Jayden liked a couple horses, but I could not see anything to get excited about. One was a 4 year old and he tried to buck with me a little. I just didn't trust him and a 4 year old requires so much time and work. They are also young and unpredictable. I just don't like young horses. We were at the Houck barn for 5 hours. I was exhausted and my brain was tired. The conclusion I came to, these are all ranch horses from all over that are just bought to be sold. They look good and sound good on paper, but aren't all that impressive. When we left I did not feel confident in any horse at all. In fact I felt very disappointed and discouraged. Once again, I wish we had Winnie!
We drove to my cousin Laura's where we stayed for the night. She fixed us Stauffer's lasagna and we talked until late. Jayden and I stayed in the rec room above their garage. It was a nice night and we left the windows open and slept to the sound of frogs croaking. Laura has such an awesome area to live in. It was fun to see her, Mark, and Noah.
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