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The Natural Horseman – Celebrating Fall
By Steve Stevens
We have started a new tradition in the Stevens house the last two years. We put up a cute white fall Christmas tree to celebrate all the hard hours put in during the summer. It is a celebration of the changing of the seasons—the sun coming up a little later in the day and going down a little earlier in the evening.
We celebrate the stillness that comes with the air of fall and the turning colors of the trees.
And even the black birds that fill the Walmart parking lot as the sun falls.
For us, fall leads to our daughter’s birthday and the holidays of Halloween and Thanksgiving that are so fun to experience when you have young children.
This is my favorite time of the year to ride and train horses, especially watching the sky change colors in the early evening.
The Native Americans believe that everything comes full circle: the circle of life, the wind, the earth and the seasons. I try to remind myself of this when working horses in a round pen. How we use the round pen tool to work horses is an endless circle. No matter the horse, age, experience—we continue to make circles and like the seasons, if we grow in that circle we can make changes.
We must grow to continue in the circle. We and the horse must learn to flow through the change of seasons. If we break the flow, we can break that circle of life and growth. I don’t want to sound too out there, but if you have seen as many horses as I have that have circled around me in my life, you would understand how I can be a little horse crazy.
All good horsemen know that much like in our human life, we must ride many circles to achieve straightness. At the end of the day we are looking for a straight horse and a straight line to happiness.
When riding in circles, remember how those circles connect us to the circle of life and the circle of our lives and the circle of the seasons.
Many blessings to you all. Love, ride and dream through the seasons of the fall.
The Steven’s beautiful fall tree. (Photo courtesy of Steve Stevens)
Join us for the Lone Star Open (LSO) Auctioneer Championship, set to take place on Sunday, February 2, alongside the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo (FWSSR).
This exciting event will feature a $20,000 prize for the grand champion auctioneer, as well as insightful presentations on the auction method of marketing and the dynamic auctioneering profession.
To read more, pick up a copy of the January edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Emily Gleason
The outdoor, hunting, and fishing industries have long been perceived traditionally as a male-dominated realm. However, as societal norms shift, the experiences of women in these industries have been increasingly coming to the forefront. Being a woman in the outdoor industry today is a complex blend of passion, perseverance, and community, marked by both challenges and triumphs.
Women who hunt or engage in outdoor activities frequently find themselves confronting preconceived notions about their capabilities and interests. Many of us have experienced skepticism or outright disbelief when we express our enthusiasm for hunting or other outdoor activities.
Despite these stereotypes, women are increasingly challenging and redefining what it means to be involved in these activities. Female hunters and outdoor enthusiasts are not only participating but excelling in such skills. They contribute unique perspectives and insights to the hunting community, showcasing that passion for the outdoors knows no gender.
To read more, pick up a copy of the January edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Norman Winter
It’s easy for us to take for granted the multiple forbs that are growing throughout our North Texas and Oklahoma grazing lands. They play an important part in the health of our soils and of our livestock, and we should be aware of how they fit in our grazing environment.
Winecup is one of the forbs that many of us can recognize. There are both annual and perennial species, and of significant numbers in our area is Trailing winecup, which is a perennial.
To learn more, pick up a copy of the January edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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