February 2010Class Newsletter

Other changes e.g.: price of hay, late lambing season for us, a wet colder year, trialing with my own dog Pic coming at the at the end of the month thus pushing the newsletter out later than the first of the month are some of the changes that come to my mind.

Then there are the things I normally do that have a different twist . I am entered with Pic and Tess as a brace team on cattle. Yes I have run them both on cattle but not together and from horse back. Yes I will also be running them separately from horse back in the days following the brace run during a time only trial on cattle which will be another difference. Ever been to Winnemucca Nevada? Neither have I. Actually I have never been to a rodeo either.

I have heard what has made the human race a success is its ability to adapt to change so I am encouraged to take on these adaptations.

I am thinking that 2010 is going to be a different kind of year with new and exciting twists to the normal occurring for us to adapt to. A year of growth I suppose you could say, not something to be threatened by but to learn from.

Lambing...(at Long Beach)

Has been a real problem this year. It started a month late and on a ominous note. Seven nice healthy lambs and another still born. We have lost a ewe and her lamb due to giving birth.

We can expect as many as 10 more lambs.

Lambing affects class in several ways. The ewes that have lambed will not be worked for three weeks. This leaves us with the yearlings, the last born last year and the wethers for training at class.

Putting the sheep away after class is also more difficult because some of the newborns lose their ewes and need assistance to make it back to the sheep pen. So your help after class ends is more important.

If you come out late for class do not just take off after your runs. Understand that we waited for you to get your runs and now you can help those waiting to close up the shop.


 

February 2010Class Newsletter