Willie's Turn

Hi!  My official name is Redd Headed Stranger, but my people call me Willie.   I think it's funny because I can't sing!

Nope.  Even with this cowboy hat, I still can't sing.

First time my mom sat on me.  She said I have a generous heart.

I tried to be a racehorse, but ended up with a tendon injury and had to come back home.   After I rested for a long time my new mom took me on as a project pony.  That didn't work out so well, either.  Mom and Grady were really patient with me, but it turns out I have a chronic hip issue (stifle for the horse people) that makes it painful for me to work.   It made us all sad because I really like working with mom and Grady and learning new things.  Mom had big plans for me.  But now she teaches me tricks and spends time with me, and I like being here with my family.  I try to help them with chores as much as I can.  My people call me a goofball.   I think that must be good because they are usually laughing when they say that.

Gonna get a tool out of the Gator so I can help Dad.

Ready to rake up some hay!

Notes from the Deuce

Hello, my name is Deuce.   My former people called me "Little Deuce Coupe", which was ok because I'm kinda a hot rod, but my mom calls me "What The Deuce".  She said it suits me better, because she asks me that several times a day.   "What the deuce were you thinking?"  "What the deuce did you do to your leg?"  "What the deuce did you spook at, there's nothing there!"

She thinks she's funny.  I let her think that.  I kinda like her, and that's special because I really don't like anyone.  But she gets me, ya know?

Mom said my sale ad said "Trail horse deluxe" and that I was "husband safe".   I still laugh about that.  I'm only a good trail horse when I want to be.  And mom's husband has sat on me a few times, but I scare him a little.  Actually, I scare a lot of people.   I have a reputation for being unpredictable.   Mom thinks it's funny.

Grady teaching me how to drag a "cow" or anything mom wants me to help her with.

I didn't know nothin when mom bought me.  She and this trainer named Grady (who is the other person I really like) took a lot of time and taught me stuff.   Apparently they knew that in addition to being rather handsome, I'm super smart and really brave and I learn fast.   Thing is, because I'm so smart, it was hard finding a barn that could take care of me the way I wanted to be taken care of.  I'm kinda picky about everything.  And I don't suffer fools gladly.   So Mom and Dad moved us all to a place where I can live with them.  I like it.   I'm now in charge of my own farm, like it should be.   I approve all new projects and let them know if things please me.   And I take good care of my herd, too.   They need a lot of bossing around.

Working cows at Southern Stockhorse

Owning the teeter totter bridge in trail class

I'm a "jack of all trades, master of none" as mom puts it.   I rope, I chase cows, I trail ride, I do something called "dressage", I love obstacle courses, I've helped mom and Grady start training young horses, I'll jump anything in front of me, and I do Ranch Horse Versatility.  That was made just for me.   Mom seems to like winning ribbons, so when I go to a show, I let the judge know I'm just there to pick those things up, and that I look nice in blue.   Sometime the judge even writes nice things about us on a score card.  That makes mom happy.  Here's a tip - happy moms feed you lots of carrots.

Not bad for a day's work.  I got lots of carrots.

Judges love me.  They should give me carrots.

I don't make life easy on anyone.  I make mom work for every single ride.  I like to make sure she's paying attention, so sometimes I have to spook, rear, spin and take off just to be sure she's sitting nice and balanced.  Bonus points if she calls me a bad name.   Sometimes I like to ignore her cues, too.  It's good for her to build patience and muscles trying to train me.  I know how to do my job.   I also know how to open gates and doors that someone forgot to latch.

Telling my dad how he should put my hay out.

My dad, he's ok.  He's trainable.  He knows I don't like being out in the rain, so he'll bring me and my buddies in if mom isn't home.   Then I can eat hay in a dry stall.   He makes sure I have clean water all the time.  And if he's outside and I want my mom, I just stand by the gate and start talking and he goes and gets her.  I bite him now and then to keep him in line, but he still likes me.

Mom took me to a training track!  I love to run!

I like my life here.  Mom takes me on adventures.  When my people feed us they scratch our necks and mom tells us that they love us and kisses our noses.   I kinda like that but I don't let on or she'll think I'm going soft.

I love running in trail classes!

They are going to let me write some entries here, because I'll tell you how things really happen.  I'm here all the time and I pay attention.   It's not easy running this place but I think I do a fine job.

So until next time, just remember - if you aren't making dust, you're eating it!

D.

Ok, so I really just love to run.  Anywhere.  For any reason.

Welcome!

The boys

Welcome to Two Paths Farm!


We bought this farm in October, 2013.  I was tired of boarding my horse.  And I wanted another one.  Hubby said well, it's probably cheaper and less headache to just get our own place and you can manage your own horses, get another, etc.

It has not been cheaper or less headache.   But the expenses are for our own stuff, and now we get to problem solve together.

It has been an adventure.  The farm is 57 acres, half cleared, half in woods.  The older barn is at the bottom of the hill, far from the house, and it flooded all the time.   Only 3 acres of the wettest, swampiest land was fenced.  The rest was open and being mowed.  So fences went up, water lines went in, we built a new barn at the top of the hill by the house.  The arena got a much needed facelift.   Trails were cleared in the woods.   Sickly trees came down.  The house has had a ton of work on it.

Did I mention I only wanted 10-15 acres?

We are nowhere near done, but this is the fun of it, right?

So I decided to start a blog about living here, the animals that we've accumulated, the ones that stay for an extended visit, and the amusing (and sometimes frustrating) things that happen.   I'll have posts written by the other residents here so you can have their point of view.  Some of you might already know a lot of the background, some of it might be new to you.

So I'll start off with answering "Why 'Two Paths Farm'?"  Well, the name came from one of my favorite (and commonly misunderstood) poems "The Road Not Taken".  Every path has its good and bad stuff, right?  That was our new life - the good and bad that we'd look back on someday.

And of course, the "two" was also for my horse, Deuce - the only horse I owned when we bought the place, and the reason we decided on buying a farm to begin with.

The day we met.  Deuce already knew he had hit the jackpot.

So stop back often.  I'll try to keep things updated, and I'm sure the rest of the family will be chiming in now and then to tell their side (and protest their innocence, I'm sure).

Happy trails!

J.