So, I asked the experts (the guides) what they wear when they ski. Here is what Mark wears when he cross country skis

Socks: Point 6

Base Layer Bottoms: Patagonia Midweight (Recycled Threads)

Outer Layer Bottom: Patagonia Guide Pants

Base Layer Top: Smartwool Lightweight

Outer Layer Top: Smartwool HowelsenSweater

Soft Shell Jacket: Outdoor Research Credo (for most days)

Puffy Jacket: Patagonia Puffy Sweater (for the really cold days)

Gloves: Black Diamond Guide Gloves

Hat: Ibex

Sunglasses: Smith Polorized

We hope this helps as you begin packing for you next cross country skiing trip at The Home Ranch!

No longer…

We are very delighted to announce that Antrim House Books of Connecticut has recently published “Window on the River,” a new book of poetry by our very own Ann Stranahan.

Previewers of the book have been captivated by the discovery of Ann’s new work. Carol J. Pierman has noted that “to read these poems is to find sense in the incomprehensible, delight in the unexpected.” Molly Newman writes that Stranahan “is a natural storyteller, and a keen, often witty witness to the human condition.”  Barbara Cawthorne Crafton has said “Ann Stranahan writes poems that manage to be at once both spare and full of indelible images.”

Those of us here at the ranch who love good writing are truly proud to crow about her book and would like to recommend it to avid readers in our Home Ranch community.  We think it would make a fine Christmas gift for the poetry lover in your life.

To read a short selection of poems from “Window on the River” or to purchase Ann’s book online, please click on this link to the Antrim House Books website.

Good reading, Merry Christmas, and the Happiest of Holidays!

The Home Ranch

Here is a tentative schedule for the weekend and some additional information about Jill and Chrissy.

Friday, January 6
Arrive and settle in/ free time
6:30 Cocktails
7 Dinner

Saturday, January 7
7-8 Morning yoga
8-9 Breakfast
10-12 Ski
12 -lunch
2:30-3:30 ski
4-5 yoga
7 dinner

Sunday, January 8
7-8 Morning yoga
8 breakfast
9-11 ski
11 check out

Jill Barker

Jill Barker grew up on a small 5 acre ranch in Poway California where she cultivated her love of horses and competed for 6 years in Western Pleasure.  She shelved her cowboy boots to study history at the University of California at Berkeley.  After graduating from college, Jill packed a backpack, bought an around the world airline ticket, and traveled for 18 months, mostly solo, throughout Europe, India, Nepal, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand.  When she returned from her world expedition she spent a summer in solitude, living in an old miner’s cabin on Mt. Baldy in Breckenridge Colorado. Venturing on her bicycle from Breckenridge to Wyoming she passed through Steamboat Springs and met her husband Jim Barker.  Jill’s two children, Jake and Lena, continue to be her greatest teachers.

Jill discovered yoga in 1992 and has been teaching since May of 2002 after completing her 200 hour certification at Shoshoni.  She has continued her study of yoga with teachers such as John Friend, Erich Schiffman and Patricia Walden, but her primary influence was her first teacher in Steamboat Springs, Marie Aguire.  Jill’s classes blend alignment principles with vinyasa flow and she encourages students to listen to their bodies and move mindfully through their practice. Jill has a great love of yoga and it is from that place she shares the practice.

Chrissy Lynch

Chrissy Lynch was born into an avid outdoor native Colorado family.  From a young age, Chrissy and her family were skiing, hiking, biking, fishing, and exploring in the Colorado mountains and wilderness.  Chrissy’s Dad, Chuck Lewis, developed Copper Mountain Ski Area which is where Chrissy got her start in Nordic skiing.  By the time Chrissy finished high school, the Summit County Cross Country Team had accumulated 2 state championships and Chrissy was the overall Junior National Cross Country Champion.  Named to the United States Women’s Cross Country Ski Team her senior year in high school led Chrissy to Middlebury College in Vermont where Chrissy was named Collegiate All American in her freshman year.  Chrissy went on to compete in the World Junior Championships and spent five years competing on the World Cup Cross Country circuit.  In 1984, Chrissy was inducted into the Colorado Sports Women Hall of Fame.
After ski racing, Chrissy completed her education at Denver University earning her accounting degree and an MBA.   With her husband, Kerry, and two young children, Chrissy moved to Steamboat Springs in May of 1998.  This move allowed Chrissy and her family to be closer to the family ranch on the east side of Rabbit Ears Pass where everyone was involved in the ranching operations.  Chrissy coached the Steamboat Springs High School Cross Country Ski Team for 3 years and has instructed numerous Master level ski clinics.  Chrissy loves to share her enthusiasm of skiing and a healthy outdoor lifestyle.

With the addition of the new team, we are in need of two new names.  The ranch staff members have come up with a few favorites but are having a difficult time deciding which names to pick.  Traditionally, the name of the horse on the left always comes first in the alphabet and the horse on the right has a name that comes after.  So if you have a team named Rocky and Smokey you would know that Rocky should be placed on the left and Smokey should be hitched up on the right.  Some of you may be asking yourselves why this would matter.  Historically, this was done in the event someone not familiar with the team needed to use them.  For example, say your neighbor was sick and his livestock needed to be fed by using the team.  If you know the names of the horses you know which horse is comfortable pulling on the left and which horse knows how to pull on the right.

We have used the team a time or two and have figured out what horse is comfortable pulling on each side.  The black mare pulls on the left and the gray mare pulls on the right.  Since The Home Ranch is going to keep these mares, we are okay with breaking tradition this time.  The names we have come up with are listed below.  What do you think the new team’s name should be?  Help us decide and let us know what your vote is on our Facebook page!

Cloudy & Stormy
Thelma & Louise
Salt & Pepper

We cannot wait to have names for the new team!

Teddy Bear has been at The Home Ranch for about 7 years. He is a big, beautiful black bay with a kind heart and a gentle spirit.

His gaits are wonderful from his energetic walk, to his smooth jog trot, his big trot and his enormous, energetic lope. Teddy is a joy to ride.

Hi is a curious horse and notices everything around him. He loves to be groomed and is very friendly.

Teddy’s best friend is Izzy, a beautiful Palomino mare. Where you see one, you usually see the other.

Pinot Noir, Porcini & Brookies

August brings all the great activities of The Home Ranch back country.  The Zirkels are filling with mushrooms, the streams are filled with hungry Brookies, and I have a bottle of Marsannay Burgundy Pinot Noir.  They make for a fabulous meal!  The Porcinis harvested from the forest are cleaned, and then the Brookies are cleaned.  I sauté the mushrooms with grape seed oil and finish them with parsley, shallots, garlic and butter.  The Brookies are then drenched in flour and pan seared with grape seed oil, placed on a platter, and topped with a masterpiece of mushrooms.  Serve with a chilled Pinot Noir.

Voila, a treat from the forest.

Philippe Shapiro

We would like to welcome Tiffany Gillen, one of our new wranglers for the summer and fall seasons.  Tiffany is riding Rigger in this photo and is very excited to meet everyone!

Dance has always played an important role in our country, especially in rural areas.  It truly is in the spirit of community, and you can feel it at our ranch on Wednesday nights.

Square dancing originated in New England.  It was a combination of many dances brought over from Europe.  A favorite at the ranch is the Virginia Reel.  Reels came to us from Scotland.  For more information on the history of square dancing go to www.dosado.com/articles/hist-sd.html

Come join us this summer for a unique experience.  As one of our guests who is a psychologist said “If there were more barn dances, I’d be out of a job.”

Let’s not beat around the bush.  Why do you stand up in the saddle when your horse is urinating?  Although this question may sound humorous, what is probably more humorous is that I have developed an obsession with this question.
I operate a guest ranch in Colorado, so already my sanity comes into question.
It all started about 10 years ago. We had a new wrangler from Virginia.  This woman had an incredible resume with numerous credentials in the horse industry.  She was giving instruction to a group when one of the horses started urinating.  “Stand up! Stand up!” she cried.  The befuddled guest remained motionless.  “Stand up in the stirrups when your horse is urinating!” she demanded.

The poor guest hadn’t noticed that the horse had changed positions and was now urinating.  I, having never heard of such a thing, stood helpless in amazement.  This was something big!  Shame on me.  I had been riding horses for years and I never once stood up while a horse was urinating.  Think of all the pain I personally inflicted on all those horses!  I discussed this new concept with this wrangler later that day. She explained to me in very technical terms about why it made sense to get off the horse’s kidneys and many other anatomical functions that went along with it.

Those credentials of hers were impressive, and gosh I had learned everything I knew form country hicks.
My mind is always seeking answers, and apparently those credentials never quite impressed me to the point that they fully convinced me.  Recently, while attending a horsemanship clinic with a horseman that I like and respect, a horse stared urinating, the woman stood up in the saddle, and he pointed out that standing up in the stirrups was a good habit to develop.  “That’s what riding a horse is all about – developing good habits.”
Why do you stand up in the stirrups?  The question burned inside of me.  I couldn’t ask the question in front of all these people.  They paid good money to ride in this clinic; I couldn’t waste their time and money with my silly question. Ten minutes went by, my stomach was churning, and we were going over the importance of impulsion when my hand went up.
“Marty, I’m really sorry but this has been bugging me and I can’t stand it anymore.  I’ve got a question.”
“Go ahead John.”
“Well, you see, everything that you have said today makes sense to me.  Pay attention to the horse – he tells you a lot, etc… Why to you stand in the stirrups when a horse urinates?”  (Some laughter from the crowd) “No, I’m serious.  Has a horse said ‘man that feels good’ or has anyone done any research that proves that we should do this?”
Marty’s reply, “It just makes sense; you get off the horses kidneys.”
Now for the kicker.  Well, I had to admit that I’ve done some experiments myself with tightening my belt and placing it over my kidneys and other unmentionable things.  Frankly, I found no difference.  I still did not have an explanation that was satisfactory for me.
Well, it is now two months later, and I’ve done considerable research trying to find and answer to my question.  I’m not convinced.  All of the horse gurus have done a wonderful job improving the lives of horses and riders the world over and have been able to explain to me all sorts of mysteries regarding the mind of a horse, but still don’t have a good answer to my question.
I would like to offer another theory on horses urinating.  I think that they would prefer us to sit right were we are during urination.  If you’ve ever noticed, a horse almost goes through a ritual to get ready for urination – this is true whether we’re on his back or not.  Male or female, they get prepared and get balanced before the moment.  I’m not suggesting that folks go to the lengths that I do, but imagine yourself, male or female, without the aid of a toilet, wearing a 20-pound backpack getting prepared to urinate.  Then the backpack makes a major move on your back.  It would be rather uncomfortable to now proceed, but you must.
The act of urination has nothing to do with the kidneys.  The kidneys are involved in the process of making urine, but it is the bladder that is relieved during urination.
This may seem trivial, but so much of the horsemanship that I learned was because so and so said this, or does this.  With the progression of good horsemanship, I would like proof that we should stand in the stirrups.

I’m waiting.

THE HOME RANCH HORSE PHILOSOPHY

This piece is written in the first person, as our horse program is near and dear to my heart.

We are a dude ranch.  I state this out of pride.  Many in the horse industry think that dude ranching is at the bottom of the barrel in the horse world.  Those of us in the industry know that it is quite the opposite.  I see these clinicians and all of the “top people” and wonder how they do it.  They generally don’t help most folks – we do.  The effect that we have on our herd, our land, and our guests and staff is unequaled.  I’m biased, but I think that you’re pretty lucky to be here, as am I.

The Job
This is not a job about horses.  This is a job about people.  If you are passionate about horses, this is probably not a good place for you.  If you are passionate about people and are willing to improve your skills with horses, we are a good fit.  This is hard, but enjoyable work.  You must be physically fit, as well as have a good mental disposition.  This is not a job about taking trail rides.  Each ride should be about providing the best experience one could ever have on a horse, or even more – the best experience one could ever have.
One little note: When taking a ride out, people always want you to know how much, or how little, they know.  Set something up to let this happen.

About Me
I’ve had a few years with horses and feel that I am qualified to teach a few folks.  I have been in the circles of polo, rodeo, dressage, cattle ranching, dude ranching and just plain riding for over 30 years.  I spent a summer riding nothing but troubled horses.  Having herds of 100 horses for about 30 years means that I’ve seen over 300 new horses come into the string.  More importantly, I am a student of the horse and the human.  I constantly read and visit with folks.  Am I set in my ways?  I am sure that there are plenty of things that I am stubborn about.  However, my horsemanship has improved about two-fold in the past five years.  Five years ago I was an above average horseman.  Today, I am an above average horseman with better skills than five years ago.  I attribute much of that to Curt and Tammy Pate, and I thank them for that.
I have worked hard to create a horse program that is fun and educational.  This program keeps improving, and we’re looking for you to keep it moving forward.

Commitment
This is a word that I find quite useful around the ranch, and in life in general.
Horses understand this word more than you can believe.
How many times have you heard of someone getting hurt because they were out for a ride?  You have to have purpose and commitment to ride a horse properly.  You also have to have commitment to catch a horse, lead a horse, load a horse etc…
I’m not particularly fond of the idea that once you fall off of a horse, you have to get back on.  I don’t want anyone riding unless they’re committed to it.
I’ve seen folks talk their relatives into getting on a horse.  Bad deal.  When I see this, I talk to the people.  I’m interested in their commitment – is it to stay on? Or is it to hit the ground.  You can tell.

Excitement and Panic
Working livestock properly requires patience and calm.  Whether it be cattle or horses, panic and excitement usually creates panic and excitement, neither of which are desired on our operation.  I have a phrase that I like to use: We won’t raise our voices over the level of normal conversation, and we won’t move so fast that I spill my coffee.  I like things calm and measured.  It has worked well for me for many years.  If you look at an operation that has lots of yelling and running around (and hot shots) – and there are lots of these around, you’ll see livestock that is panicked and looking for ways to escape.  It just is not a good way of doing things.
One thing that happens a fair amount on our operation is that a horse will bite another and they will fly back if tied.  Or they will kick each other in the corral.  This is normal stuff.  When we yell at them to stop it, they don’t hear us.  They’re not concerned about us.  Let it go.  Yelling just panics the horse that was standing there minding his own business.
When a horse gets caught in a rope or something bad is happening, calmness should prevail.  It’s always worked for me.

Competition
In the horse world, there is always this competition thing.  No, I’m not talking about barrel racing or bronc riding – I’m talking about just riding.  It almost always crops up.  “He’s not very good with young horses, or she’s just too timid, or why doesn’t he do such and such.’  There’s always a lot of back biting and sniping.  I don’t know what Curt and Tammy think of my riding.  I would hope that they like it.  I just always look forward to riding with them because I know I’m going to be better by the end of the ride.  Let’s try to talk openly and help each other.  Let’s try to leave the ego behind.

Honest Assessment of Skills
The horse business is one of the strangest things in the world.  It is the only one that by virtue of ownership, you are an expert.  Haven’t you ever heard “Go ask Charlie, he’s owned horses all his life.”  I’ve owned a guitar all my life, but I’m hardly James Taylor.  Also, location is not necessarily a valid credential.  (I’m from Texas, or I’m from Colorado, or I grew up on a farm.)
How many horses have you ridden?  Were they solid and reliable?  Have you handled a tough horse or a young horse?
I don’t care where you are in this sphere of knowledge, just so you evaluate yourself accurately.  Wrangling horses can be dangerous.  We don’t want folks getting hurt.  We’ll gladly teach if you are on the bottom rung, but don’t overstate in your mind where you are.
Don’t let pride put you in a bad situation.

Gimmicks
The horse world is full of gimmicks.  I should know, I’ve used them all.  Horsemanship today is a world apart from the one that I grew up in.  We used all sorts of things in the science of mechanical horsemanship.  Today, I view horsemanship in terms of behavioral science.  Sometimes, but rarely, will I go back to a gimmick.  Putting a rope behind a horse to load him in a trailer is an example of using a gimmick I might use if we finished a ride with guests in the backcountry and it was late.  I can tell you that the next day I would actually teach the horse to load.
Bits are great gimmicks.  It is my opinion that if you can’t ride a horse in a snaffle, you need to take a look in the mirror and maybe improve your skills.  Training wheels on a bicycle are not for the bike are they?

Conclusion
In conclusion, I would like to encourage you to more than anything enjoy working with the horses and each other.  Let’s work hard to make this the most fun, and safe, summer for all of us.
It’s great to have you here, and I look forward to working with you and improving our program.
I hope this piece is a help.  Please feel free to send your comments.

John Fisher
Home Ranch
Colorado