cowboy Archives ⋆ The Whoa Podcast

Working Cowboy Lane Selz Ranch Life in California

August 25, 2020 by John Leave a Comment

Working Cowboy – Lane Selz

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a working cowboy in 2020? My friend, Lane Selz, day-works for several ranches in the area. He describes life in today’s ranching world.

When I first met Lane, he was still in high school. He was so good at riding bulls in high school, he earned his permit to ride in PRCA. From there, Lane spent a few years riding on the professional circuit, traveling to rodeos across the country. Lane returned to Bakersfield, CA to open up his own farrier service business after working for several prominent farriers locally, including Ernest Forsberg and Sean McRoberts.

But Lane grew up wanting to be a cowboy. As a kid he rode his bike to Denny Watkins place and helped where he could. In Central California, where we both live, there are several big ranches. Lane contracts with many of them as a day-worker. When the ranch needs extra help, they call in day-working cowboys. As extra help, Lane never knows what job he might get for the day. It could be sorting, branding, or gathering. It’s not a total mystery, Lane can usually predict what work needs done by the season. They may brand in the fall, calve in the spring, etc.

I talked to Lane about what it’s like for today’s working cowboy in California. For more info on the Californio Tradition, check out this video with Tommy Thompson.

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 an enormous part of why we do a 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 #174

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Tiffany McLaury Colt Starter

April 28, 2020 by John Leave a Comment

Tiffany McLaury Colt Starter

Tiffany McLaury’s name might sound familiar. She is the daughter of Buster and Sheryl McLaury. Buster and Sheryl spent many years working on and managing ranches. In 1984, they met Ray and Carolyn Hunt and their view of horsemanship changed. Tiffany grew up learning about training horses and starting colts from not only her parents, but many other well-known trainers.

About a month ago listener Jeana Marie Andreatta wrote m. Jeana is deep into horses. Her business Tumbling J Mohair Tack hand crafts Mohair cinches. Jeana also teaches at Equi911. So when she writes me with a suggestion for a guest, I listen. Jeana is friends with Tiffany McLaury a horse trainer and colt starter in Paducah Texas. Tiffany knows a lot about horsemanship growing up learning from her father and mother, Buster and Cheryl McLaury. She’s real easy to talk to and our conversation wanders all over the place – well all over the place on the topic of horses. We could have gone on another hour, but we know you have chores to do. Here’s my conversation with Tiffany McLaury.

Tiffany’s Facebook Page

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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 #169

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Learning From the Basics

October 1, 2019 by John Leave a Comment

Learning From the Basics

Recently I attended a Working Ranch Cattle Clinic and before we began on the cattle, we went over learning basic maneuvers. It surprised me how much I learned reviewing these very basic exercises. While working on the simple things like small circles, yielding hind and forequarters, and backing up, I notice a lot more details. How much pressure was I using? Was I making contact in the same place for every cue? did my horse have a “good” side and a “bad” side.

Yes, I know it sounds simple, Sometimes you have to work at the basics to get better at feel and timing. When we worked the cattle, we had a much better experience. My horse was more responsive, and it was easier to put him exactly where he needed to be.

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 #156

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Cowboy Dressage Clinic with Dave Ellis

February 13, 2018 by John 2 Comments

Cowboy Dressage Clinic with Dave Ellis

Cowboy Dressage, Western Dressage, and Working Equitation are all just a little bit different. Their goals are very similar: have your horse negotiate a course using basic horsemanship maneuvers. The scoring is based on your smoothness and accuracy in cueing your horse.

We had an opportunity to experience an “Introductory Cowboy Dressage” Clinic at a local stable here in Bakersfield, Rancho Rio Equestrian Center. The instructor is a 6-Star Certified Parelli instructor by the name of Dave Ellis. The clinic was limited to 10 horse and rider teams and Ranae and I had the opportunity to audit the clinic. We got to watch as Dave Ellis described the maneuvers then help the participants negotiate the course.

In between sessions, we had an opportunity to chat with Dave and get the history of Cowboy Dressage and its founder, Eitan Beth-Halachmy.

Links for Cowboy Dressage

Cowboy Dressage World website

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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 #134

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Wreck at Trout Creek The Story of Skeeter and Bill

November 28, 2017 by John Leave a Comment

Wreck at Trout Creek The Story of Skeeter and Bill

The Wreck at Trout Creek with Skeeter and Bill by Bill Mooney.

Bill Mooney buckaroo’d on the Spanish Ranch for 4 years, I believe, in the 1970’s. The Spanish Ranch, part of the Ellison, was a big outfit, running to a million and a half acres. Being a buckaroo can be tough work. You ride many different horses and there is a wide variety of work to do. Most days are spent horseback. As a matter of fact, Bill once wrote that he mounted a horse 320 days one year. To learn more about Bill’s career as a cowboy, listen to our first podcast with him.

As with many cowboys, there is a favorite horse, or a favorite story, or even a favorite boss. Bill Mooney had all these and a whole lot more. In the episode of Tales from the Moon Man (My nickname for this series – I just made it up right now. Pretty quick aren’t I?), Bill tells the story of the Wreck at Trout Creek with Skeeter and Bill.

Long-time listeners will notice I’ve added a little music for dramatic effect. It would be great to have your input on how you feel it adds or detracts from the story.

If you enjoyed this story and want to read more from Bill Mooney, follow him on Facebook. I guarantee it’s a good read.

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Contact Us

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 #128

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