Welcome to Fern Valley

Here in central Alberta prime farm country,my husband Martin and I work together raising beef cattle and Appaloosa horses. Fern valley appaloosas have long been known for their quality of temperament conformation and color.I have recently rediscovered a love of writing and have published 2 collections of poetry. "Telling Tails" and Tails Trails and Campfire stories" . I look forward to a future spreading my wings as an author and as a horse woman .

Wednesday 28 September 2011

My secret(not so well kept ) streak of Appytude

Most who have come to know me over the years , know I am a bit ,how shall I put this ? Determined? nah tell the truth ,I am downright stubborn at times . I also have a devilish streak about me , together it seems I, the Appy breeder, also have "Appytude" !
Close friends and family are at this point rolling their eyes and saying "really ?who knew?"

Anyhow , more to the point .I am almost always up for a challenge.This one has been in my mind for quite some time. A few months ago I attended a "Bronc Busting" in Wildwood. There was a performer there in the intermission Nikki Cammaert (Flundra)who normally does trick riding , but this time did a presentation with Liberty horses .It was a lovey display . We were standing in the beer gardens watching this when a guy approached me and said "I bet you can't do that with your horse "
Well this is where the "tude" comes in .The guy irritated me , just that kind of guy who might not be a terrible person , but had had one more cocktail than was good for his personality . I got my hackles up and rather than just smile and walk away I said  "Can't???? I don't know , I have never tried". Well you know he couldn't leave it there, and he pushed a little "bet you couldn't" bout then I gently explained to him(stop laughing those who know me ) that I did not care  to talk with him further and he would be best advised to depart.

But the "I bet you can't"  thing has kind of rankled me on and off . As I said , I don't know I have never tried. But telling me I can't do something has often been a pretty big catalyst to get me to do it after all !




Well here it is ,I think I might try . Phoenix listens well,and I did get him to dance and show off for me . and Also seeing as Dandy is still here , and too young to start under saddle...
Guess we will see what we  can do . and if I bump into old whatshisface next year? maybe I will have a different answer, or a garden hose!

My emails all end with a favorite quote
"If it is possible I will do it .If it is impossible ,it will take me a little longer.

Stay safe everyone

15 comments:

Jeni said...

Well... it only takes 1 jerk to get a woman riled up and moving!

Good luck with the liberty work can't wait to see the progress.

Phoenix there.. he's got a nice butt - but are those pics recent... theres... um... snow ?!?

BrownEyed Cowgirl said...

Alcohol or no alcohol...

Any horse can be taught to do any thing. It's just a matter of how well you can communicate what you want with them and how naturally talented they are in certain areas.

With the nice kind of horses you raise Sherry, it's not a matter of IF you can get them to do liberty acts, it's just a matter of how much time you choose to invest in them to show off their talent. ;-)

I think it would be awesome to see at least one of your beauties showing off doing a liberty routine.

Ami said...

Repeat after me.
Smooch my donkey.

Use that phrase whenever you run into someone like that guy.

I am sure you can train your horses to do anything that's possible for a horse to do. It's all that love you lavish on them.

Fantastyk Voyager said...

Well, I'll just bet you will, too!

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

lol! Love that quote!

You go girl!
~Lisa

aurora said...

Great photos. I like the fitting quote, yep - mind over matter.

phaedra96 said...

After I stopped snickering, I thought "Bet she will". Photo the progress, please!

C-ingspots said...

**grin** I nevvvver thought you were stubborn Sherry...

That sure is a purdy butt! Phoenix has got himself some nice hams.

Cut-N-Jump said...

Skip the garden hose and give him a strong left or right hook instead. Somebody will question the garden hose- the fists, they are always with you!

Just because you haven't, doesn't mean you can't. If you can, it doesn't mean you need to.

Why does everybody feel the need to do something because some asshole throws it down in a negative, drunken manner such as this?

Instead change it around and ask him if he could? Not like he knows your horses or even if you had any.

You are a better person than I am at times. I probably would have popped him and dropped him. Been known to do that a time or two...

BTW- I love the pics. Phx is a good looking horse.

Sherry Sikstrom said...

true enough cnj, but I think I might give it a goe for the heck of it . more groundwork and handling can't hurt , and I think if it id done right and well it should translate to under saddle work as well

Crystal said...

"one more cocktail than was good for his personality" I love it!!

I think you sure could do any of that liberty work, just takes practice. And what pretty ponies to use for liberty with Dandy and Pheonix in there, that would show him! (or anybody else too)

Reddunappy said...

go for it!!! LOL
I bet you can!!!

GoLightly said...

Obviously, the guy needs some serious attitude adjustments. You are JUST the woman for the job.

Nicole said...

Oh I love the quote! It fits me to a T too!

Cut-N-Jump said...

Hahaha! Apparently GL agree with me. Whack him one for her too!

(I'm sorry. Is my mood showing thru?)

Ground work and manners, what is expected, accepted and what is not- always good things to practice no matter the age of the horse. Just don't allow them to become like the '7 games' some people play and never seem to be able to make it past. I know you won't, but just sayin'...