Water Water everywhere

It has been a wild week. First the B&O fundraiser was rained out, we had about two feet of water over all the trails and pastures, that was a week ago Saturday. Then Wednesday we had about 4 feet of water over everywhere and about 25% of our fencing was knocked down and we started fixing it. Then three days after that, we had another flood and had about 2 feet of water over everything again. Our 100 year flood plain is up to about 300 years worth of flooding now.

The main problem where we are is not just that we are in a flood plain, it is the water that gets dumped into the creek from up North. When they did all of the building North of town they did not factor in where all the water would go when everything got paved over. Unfortunately it goes into White Lick Creek that runs through the middle of my property. New development now they try to have a zero water emission policy. All the storm water from the developments is kept in catch basins that either evaporate or absorb the water. A much better policy then what they had before.

Last year we had a drought that caused high hay prices, farmers now don't want to lower their prices because they are used to getting good money for their hay. Now we have had so much rain, locals have not been able to cut what has been growing like crazy. The problem now is a lot of the hay has gone to seed which lowers the nutrient density of they grass. The first cutting is going to be pretty bad, but hopefully we will have better as the season goes on.

Trail rides have been pretty much non existent over the last month as we have been rained out for the last three weekends in a row. We have been discussing alternative business plans if hay prices don't come down, and trail rides don't pick up. Let us know if you have any great ideas to share, we would love to hear them.

Cows have finally been moved. We used the belt and suspenders method of fencing. We first put up hi-tensile wire, but they kept walking through it, (thanks Jeff S.) We then put 48"farm fence over top of that. Seems to be keeping them in so far. The steer is going to slaughter probably the middle of July, he needs to put on a couple hundred pounds first, so we will see how that goes. Probably have to feed him up on some grain to get him there. They have plenty of grass where they are so ?

cd

Spring

It is turning out to be a great spring so far. We have already had lots of riders as well as many new groups coming out. I love the Girl Scout Troops. The comments from the parents about the information we provide and the girls learn so much is great to hear.

We have added Hay Ride/Bonfires to our list of things we can do. Haven't had any so far but have had a lot of interest. We are hoping it will really pick up in the summer. The only problemis that we will need to expand some of the trails. We should be able to do that at the same time we add another trail to our route. We usually try and add one in the early Spring, we are a little behind right now, but should have it done by the end of May.

I was down at the lake yesterday, coming back from looking for morels, and was really happy with the way it is shaping up. We have cleared most of the over growth from around the lake and are going to continue through the summer. We will have it completely cleared by fall. Then I want to make another trail that goes around the back side and around the lake.

We always have big plans, will see how it all works out.

What's Next?

As summer fast approaches I find myself wondering what the next step for us will be. We have done so much in the last couple of years, but I know that if this is really going to work, we are going to have to do much more. The trail riding aspect of the business continues to grow but unfortunately we are not in Southern California. There is only so many months that we can ride. So we are either going to have to do a lot more in the warmer months or find other sources of revenue for the winter months. I think we can dfinately find other sources of revenue for the warmer months. Campfire dinners, hay-rides, youth camps, girl and boy scout troops will all be growth areas.

The other we have considered in working with found horses. These would either be horses that we take from someone because they can not take care of them anymore, or that we can pick up on the cheap at auction. Because we have the room to trail these horses and work with them to become calm trail horses. The market for calm trail horse seems to be very strong. Most people that ride only want to trail ride. Unfortunately they do not have the time or the space to work with them as trail horses. So the few times they go out on a trail each year, they have trouble with their horses. If we can get these horses bomb proof before we sell them, I think this could be a good option for us.

We picked up a used hay wagon the other day. We are looking forward to having lots of hayrides and cookouts this summer fall. We need to get some new spots ready for bonfires. We have an old building over by the creek that I think we can fix up and use for large groups. I would also like to get the bridge over the creek repaired and maybe have a couple of bonfire spots over there as well. We will see how this Spring/Summer goes if we are able to get that done.

Marie's leg/shoulder and my back are healing well. We should be back to full strength in another few weeks. I will be nice not to have back pain anymore.

The real Holiday Break

Well it finally happened. I tell people all the time if you 've never fallen off a horse you haven't been riding long enough. I had been bring horses up from the front pasture and decided to ride them up bareback with rope halters. Rode a few up and didn't have any problems. Finally was bringing in the last one, jumped on her, over her slick blanket, first mistake. As we started walking something spooked her and she started bucking hard and running back to the barn. We were on a tight trail with lots of trees and I thought there is no way I am getting thrown off into one of those trees. The blanket was too slick to get any grip so I decided to bail out. As I was hanging off the side of her I had just let go to get on the ground and she bucked again, I went flying and landed on my back on a branch frozen in the ground. Of course the horse ran back to the barn, where my wife and daughter caught her and put her in. As I lay there I knew I was hurt but didn't think it was that bad. I walked, sort of, back to the barn, up the hill to the house and laid down. The next day some things didn't seem right so I went to the hospital and found out I broke 5 bones in my back. 6k dollars later the doctor tells me to take it easy. So I have been taking it relatively easy. 6-8 weeks and I should be back to normal. I was very lucky that it wasn't more serious and even more lucky to have a wife that cares so much about me and has stepped up to do almost all of the heavy work. This is spite of the fact that she recently had surgery on her knee. I can not say enough about her and what she has done for myself and our family.

Of course right before this happened Marie had another surgery on her knee and found out she has sever arthritis in her shoulder. What a month.

Lots of new horses at the ranch. With the hay shortages getting more severe, our phone has been ringing off the hook with people wanting us to take their horses off their hands. We have taken 5 and I think that is all we are going to be able to do. We plan on sorting through them and making some decisions on who to keep and who to sell over the next couple of months. I think that some will make some really good trail horses.

This injury and the cold weather have slowed us down some getting a lot of our work done. But we have had lots of help and hope to be caught up before we get too busy. Everyone is anxious for the spring weather as am I.

Holiday Break

Well we have had quite an interesting fall/winter. With the weather and all of the activity. We have had lots of new additions to our herds, which has been very difficult with the terrible weather we have had. It has made it hard to keep the dry lots clean and smooth and move hay out for the horses. We finally found a hay supplier in Illinois and have been going through about 22 tons per month. But even that is getting in short supply. Hopefully we will have enough to make it until April/May.

We finally found a home for Levi, our foal with locking stifle/bilateral patella fixation. We gave him to a lady down in Seymour that seemed really nice and I think will do a good job with him.

Marie is going in for surgery on Friday, second repair on her knee. Hopefully this will be the last time. It is frustrating for both of us. But at least it is during a time that we have slowed down some. We have lots of help both with the house and the barn. Christen is home from school until the 14th, so she should be able to take care of Marie during the day. A friend of mine moved in to the trailer during a divorce. He will be staying as long as he needs to and is helping out with the barn and other projects .

Hopefully we will get a good freeze soon to dry up the lots and make it easier for everyone to move around and allow us to do some more riding. We still have people coming out to ride and look forward to a great 2008.

chuck

Christen at College

Well, I don't know why now, but it has finally hit me that my first child has left. As I sit here tonight, looking at the empty chair at the dinner table. Thinking how the chairs will empty one by one until, everyone is gone. Have I done my job. Have I prepared my children physically, mentally, spiritually for what will come at them. It's a different world than what I grew up in. I think about what we got away with and how we talk about how our parents didn't know what was going on, but do we.

We think we are smarter, but so are our children. We think we have all the answers but do we, for the right questions. We can always second guess ourselves. I have tried to prepare all of my children to be strong, not to feel like they need to rely on anyone else. Especially the girls. I don't want them to feel like they need a man, have to have someone to take care of them. Was it the right move. Should I have let them have the experiences to know first hand how to deal with that situation. I guess only time will tell.

Ok, now to the ranch. Happily but surprisingly we are still really busy. We have had so many trail rides, bonfires, scout troops etc. As well as lots of new boarders, leassors etc. Not doing us any good for getting fencing up but good for the pocket book.

Purdue Rodeo Club and Danielle Bryan had a great even last weekend. They raised a good sum for their club and seems like all the riders had a great time.

Hopefully as things slow down a little over the next few weeks, I will have time to update the web site and get new pictures etc on.

chuck

Long Summer

What a great summer we have had. Business has been great. We have made lots of new friends and lots of new riders. Our leasing program is doing really well. The more people we talk to about it the more the interest has grown. I wish I could get horseowners to better understand the benefits of our trail club. Somehow I have not been able to use the right words to convince people of the benefits that our facility could provide by bringing there horse out and riding our trails. Some day maybe it will work.

Marie had surgery on her knee the other day. Had torn miniscus and cartilage damage. She is out from riding for about 4-6 weeks. Has really put a lot of pressure of me but so far so good. I really have to thank all of our friends and family who have really stepped up to help out. We could not have done it with out everyone. People like Lucinda and her boys, Trilby and Jodie, Becky and everyone else who has pitched in, we thank you very much.

Had our first annual barn party a few weeks ago. The weather was really hot and sticky but I think everyone had a lot of fun. We had tons of great food, thanks to everyone that contributed. The kids were able to swim in the lake, thanks to my neighbor for draining his and filling mine. We also played some games with the horses and had fun doing that.

I plan on posting lots of pictures over the coming months. We have been to busy to work on the web site much, but we will definately keep it up to date as we can.

Lots of new projects going on as the weather cools as well. Hope to get some sand in both the indoor and outdoor arenas. Work on more trails and fencing. Planning on putting a 30 foot lean-to on the back of the barn for the outdoor horses this winter. Plus we have some new trainers giving lessons as well. Alissa, Kate and Sarah have all started working with Danielle and giving lessons. We are excited about that and will continue to develop our lesson program as we add more kids.

Keep watching our website for upcoming events and announcements.

chuck