Slicker Break a Bronco

When you're breakin' out a bronc,
better get him slicker broke

For you'll have to try it sometime
when it isn't any joke

When the wind begins a blowin'
till it snaps his mane and tail

And a big black cloud's a comin'
full o' lightnin', rain and hail

You know if you get off him
he will likely pull away

So you try it in the saddle
and you're hopin' that you stay

But your horse starts a buckin'
When you get it halfway on

While your arms and sleeves are tangled
then he throws you and he's gone

Your slicker's torn and busted
and the wind has took your hat
And you see your horse and saddle
go a-driftin' down the flat

Bout that time you get an idea
and you don't forget it, pal:

Better slicker-break a bronco
in a mighty good corral
-Bruce Kiskaddon-

Buck: Day 2

Sarah watchin'


Buck talkin' and gesticulatin'
New game to play: herding the cow... but with horses.

The Riding Clinic with Buck... Day 1

I haven't written any clarifying information in a long time, so I thought I would this time. First off, thanks to everyone for the birthday well wishes. I always feel a little weird about it; like I'm getting a pat on the back for being born... didn't do much of the work there, or for not dying... for which, I too am grateful. But still, I appreciate the thoughts and the gifts.

For Sarah's birthday we are in New Jersey... now wait, I know what you're thinking, and no, this isn't a joke. It just happens to be the closest that Buck Brannaman is coming to our little town. For those of you that don't know anything about him, having a chance to ride with him is akin to learning to play basketball from Michael Jordan. (I know he's like dead now or whatever, but I haven't been following sport in awhile and don't know any current players' names) We took two days off each and are here for the whole weekend with no dogs and no responsibilities (besides the stack of papers I have to grade and the lesson plans I have to write and the fact that Sarah's getting like 30 e-mails and 100 texts a day from work). Sarah is getting to ride in the clinic with Buck and a few other students, I am watching, and then there is another class in the afternoon that we are both auditing. Today was the first day and there was so much going on that I filled three pages in my notebook, and my head aches from thinking.

The lighting is terrible, but I present a few photos for documentation sake anyway.



Buck Brannaman rode his new filly for the morning class. He's only been working with her for 4 weeks. He considers her to be green broke, though I've seen people riding horses they've had for years that are more poorly trained than this little girl.

Artsy tack shot. This is the bridle that Sarah is using with Cassandra, her loaner horse while we're here. On a related note, if anyone has a three horse, goose neck trailer with included tack and bedroom that they're looking to unload on somebody, we're open to offers.

Buck riding his horse in figure eights at various speeds without the reins.


Big frickin' horse. That lady is about as tall as Sarah.

One good shot. If the light's not workin' for ya... silhouette.