I'll Be Fine!
The thing about moving cows up the mountain at first light... sunlight gives your photos that glaring-gotta-squint look.
The golden-dried-grass-dusty haze spreads its aura.
Then the romance disappears...
Panama throws a shoe... and limps along the road.
Fine.
I'm off and leading him...
It's good for me, I contend... until we pause to let the cattle trail through a gate. Panama steps forward onto his reins, then pulls back suddenly when he feels he's going to be sucked down into the BIG HORSE EATING MONSTER THAT HAS HIM TRAPPED.
POP.
There goes my headstall!
My reins and bit lay on the ground. The throatlatch and browband remain on Panama.
I cuss.
I admit it.
To my mother's eternal dismay and my boys' embarrassment... I did NOT call Panama by his proper name.
Just this morning I had thought to myself... This headstall is nice and even a little *gasp* pretty. (It's actually Daniel's but I use it) It is a stamped Billy Cook. It now joins the list of my headstalls that have been broken this year.
I broke my rawhide one... had it repaired. Then Brandon's brown horse broke it again. I didn't pay too much attention... it was the same day Vernon backed my Durango into another car.
Then my new/used headstall seen here...
...was again stepped on and pulled back and POP! There we go again.
I know... don't let your horse graze with the reins on the ground. Use slobber straps. Don't tie your horse with the reins. Well, poo! I don't pack a halter around... I'm not buckaroo enough for slobber straps and mecates. And using a halter underneath your bridle... just looks *messy*... and I'm not a fan.
So I've paid for it. With three pretty headstalls. That's what I get for trying to add some bling into my life.
Brandon repaired it with some breastcollar pieces artfully crafted into a temporary headstall... and Panama and I managed to make it to the horsetrailer. We quit... figuring we'd just take it easy from there on out.
I was planning how I'll merge the three broken headstalls into a creative mix of styles and perhaps make two... and wandering around kicking the dirt.
LookieLookie what appeared!
A point! An arrowhead! No tip, no base... but the center of a point for sure!
I did Snoopy's happydance!
It's the first I've found for a while and wheeeeee! I felt MUCH better!
So maybe I'm not meant to own a blingy, girlie, impractical headstall...
but if I can find points...
I'll be fine!
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Please continue to leave your questions in the Comments and I'll give you some answers Saturday!
oooooooh I did the silent happy dance for your finding a point!! (everyone's asleep right now).
those treats always make things better!!
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I sure do commiserate with you about your headstall problem. I'm with you, I don't like halters under headstalls, either. Maybe in some cases it might be necessary, but in general I agree that it looks a little "much."
Very cool arrowhead!
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Lucky dog. It has been years and years since I found one. You give me hope.
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I was looking through the blogs you read and I saw Patricia McConnell's. Do you clicker train your dogs? If so, how do you just do that for certain commands or for when they are herding as well?
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Ever try a "tie-bridle"? It's basically a halter with a bit and reins clipped onto it. A stable near us has used them for years for tying their horses while waiting for the next group of trail riders to go out, they can use a lead rope to tie the horse while the reins are still over the saddle horn. We have and use a couple but usually elect normal bridles because of the fit and the look.
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Dang! I have broken three pairs of reins in a year----I deserve to find something, too! I do use a halter and lead under the bridle--it saves on reins and headstalls --the heck with neatness- I do want to find a arrowhead in the worst way--I would be as happy as you with that find. I did find a chip once--not so satisfying.
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