adventure Archives ⋆ The Whoa Podcast

Comanche the Horse of Little Big Horn

October 29, 2019 by John Leave a Comment

Comanche the Horse of Little Big Horn

Janet Barret wrote a fascinating book about Comanche, the sole surviving horse of the Battle of Little Big Horn. The story begins with Captain Myles Keogh an Irish immigrant who was a soldier for hire. After riding for the Pope in Italy, he came to America to fight in the Civil War. After much research, Janet pieced together the life of Captain Keogh and the story of how he gained Comanche. Titled, Comanche and his Captain, The Warhorse and the Soldier of Fortune, the book is available on Amazon.

You may remember Janet from a previous podcast about They Called Her Reckless, the story of a Korean Warhorse. A dedicated author, Janet tells the story of Comanche after delving into volumes of research, stories, and anecdotes about the Battle of Little Bighorn. Because the only survivors were Indians, the details of the actual battle are often difficult to determine. That’s not to disparage Indian storytellers, only to say that the details they relayed were heard weeks after the actual battle, then passed on through newspaper editors who were trying to sell papers. But, Janet cuts through all that and lays out a wonderful story of a Mustang horse named Comanche.

Links Heard in the Comanche Show

Comanche and his Captain, The Warhorse and the Soldier of Fortune

They Called Her Reckless

Total Saddle Fit, Shoulder Relief Cinch

Janet Barrett email

Join Us on this Journey

We want you to be a part of the show. Tell us about your horse. Share your challenges, triumphs, or just everyday items that make horse ownership unique. Create an audio file using the memo app on your phone. Or, contact me and we’ll set up a time to talk by Skype or phone. Perhaps what you have to share can help someone in THEIR horse journey.

You are a big part of why we do this podcast. We really love getting your feedback. Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show. Email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #158

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Horsemanship in Germany

September 17, 2019 by John Leave a Comment

Horsemanship in Germany

I got a very thoughtful email from a listener. Christian lives in Germany with his wife and three children. It sounds like he has a demanding white-collar job. He was very complimentary of the podcast – one of his favorites was the episode with cowboy Bill Mooney – He encouraged us to keep producing them. Thanks Christian. I’ve had several emails back and forth with Christian. His English is very good. Through the emails I’ve learned a little about his life and horsemanship in Germany. He gave me permission to share some of his story.

Horsemanship in Germany is different. According to Christian, women and girls dominate the horse industry. Now, I’m not saying that like it’s a bad thing, only to show that Christian had a few more hurdles to get to where he is today. His family was not wealthy, either. For him to pursue his passion for horses as a teenager was definitively a challenge.

And, when you pursue a dream, sometimes luck has a way of finding you too. After college, Christian worked for an international company that sent him to their plant in Evanston, Wyoming. While there he visited a ranch where he found himself on the back of a horse once again.

This is Christian’s story. I hope you enjoy it.

Join Us on this Journey

You are a big part of why we do this podcast. We really love getting your feedback. Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show. Email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #155

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Safety on the Trail – Learning the Ropes

September 3, 2019 by John Leave a Comment

Safety on the Trail – Learning the Ropes

It’s a bit of a shame that we even have to talk about safety on the trail. Once upon a time, it was you, your horse, and the countryside. If you did a good job with your horse, you were safe. Nowadays, there are outside factors. Besides the usual dogs, as the open areas get gobbled up with developments, it forces many of us to ride in more urban areas. That puts us into contact with more people who don’t know or care about horses. As homelessness increases, we encounter tents and encampments. People come out begging for money. Or as we ride along the river, they are along the bank bathing or doing dishes. The site of someone splashing around in the water unsettles many horses.

Thinking About Safety on the Trail

I’ve found that a little preparation goes along way from preventing disaster. Having a few basic tools at your fingertips can solve many problems. Pepper Spray is a powerful deterrent for unwanted advances from both people and dogs. Carrying a $2 whistle helps you alert others nearby that you may need help. Ensure that your cell phone is on your person and NOT in a saddlebag in case you get unseated from your horse. And, there are many more “little” things you can do to improve your safety on the trail.

Local Boarding Stable Gets Proactive

Our local boarding stable, Rancho Rio Equestrian Center, is being proactive about safety on the trail. They’ve hired trainer Elmo Sheeran. Elmo is a retired Sheriff Deputy who has trained many mounted police forces. Teaching civilian rider is quite different. The main difference, according to Elmo, is civilians need training in moving away from danger. Law enforcement moves carefully toward danger. Elmo will teach a class on Safety on the Trail at the equestrian center later this year.

Join Us on this Journey

You are a big part of why we do this podcast. We really love getting your feedback. Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show. Email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #154

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Get to the Horse Show Advice from Kim Kelly

June 18, 2019 by John 2 Comments

Show Your Horse – Advice from Kim Kelly

Whoa Podcast listeners are great! I asked you to share your experiences and you come through again and again. A few weeks back, I got an email from listener Kim Kelly. Kim had always wanted to enter a horse show, but fear and insecurity held her back. She kept chipping away at her goal, however, taking little steps and this year entered her first horse show. It was a challenge she overcame, and she has some tips for those with similar aspirations.

Tips from Kim

Find the right horse. Kim worked with the horse she had. The stress of training and conditioning revealed the horse had a navicular problem. In her search for another horse, Kim enlisted the help of her trainer. Together they found the right horse for Kim to take to her first horse show.

Get yourself in shape. Training takes physical effort from both horse and rider. By her own admission, Kim was 30 lbs. overweight. Over the winter to prepare for the show season, she shed those 30 lbs. making it easier for both her and her horse.

Go to a horse show. Before she competed, Kim went to two horse shows. She got the feel of the show arena, watched the competitors, and felt the energy generated at a horse show.

Know the rules. Kim read the rules for the classes she was competing in. This prevented her from making “silly” mistakes such as petting your horse during the competition. There are basic patterns she would see in the show pen and, by reading the rules, she could practice those patterns.

Give yourself plenty of time to fill out paperwork. Face it. We all hate to fill out paperwork. But, it has to be done to enter a horse show. Kim suggests getting your paperwork and membership applications in early. There is nothing like the panic of not knowing whether you are qualified to compete.

Ranch Horse Associations

To learn more about Ranch Horse Shows check out:

American Ranch Horse Association

To hear about our experience with Working Equitation Working Equitation Training

Join Us on this Journey

You are a big part of why we do this podcast. We really love getting your feedback. Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show. Email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #147

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Australian Squatter Coffey

October 23, 2018 by John 1 Comment

Squatter Coffey

Life has been a bit hectic of late. Many months ago I received an email suggesting I have an Australian by the name of Squatter Coffey on the show. As I do with all your suggestions, I try to contact the person and see if they want to be on the show. Squatter did agree to come on the show, but we couldn’t find a convenient time.

You see, Squatter Coffey lives way out in a “rural” area of Australia. The time difference would have one of us up in the middle of the night. We agreed that we would get together when his season changed. It’s just now turning spring in Australia and Squatter, who owns and operates a bush trail riding company, is entering his good riding season.

A Life with Horses

Squatter Coffey has been riding horses so long he doesn’t remember “learning” how to ride. He has just always ridden. Squatter grew up in a family of horses. His 6 siblings are all in the horse business. Squatter raced horse, worked on stations and has done just about everything you can do on a horse.

While it’s sometimes difficult to find something to talk about, Squatter and I share a common love of horses and horsemanship. He has some good stories and he shares his experiences on the show. I hope you enjoy Squatter Coffey.

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You are a big part of why we do this podcast. We really love getting your feedback. Please let us know your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for the show. You can email us at John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #137

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