Everything Horses and Livestock® Magazine August 2021 Vol 6 Issue 3
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Everything Horses and Livestock Magazine ®
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Being raised by an Avid Outdoor Sports Writer, it was only natural for me to start our Magazine, Everything Horses and Livestock ®. In my youth, I talked with my father about writing some small books on living off the land in our
area and caring for animals.
Out of high school, I gave riding lessons, trained horses, boarded, produced a variety of events and sold items from my own retail business, while also working for others. I wrote articles on proper feeding and horse management for magazines, websites and newsletters. It was very enjoyable to listen to my father edit them for me. He said, “It’s good to write how you feel, what you believe, just get rid of the extra words!” My father and I never got around to writing our booklets before he passed away November 1, 2009. I have many fond memories of my father and our time together. My passion is proper care and feeding of all animals and helping others enjoy their ride. Our family loves to hunt, ride and team rope. Flip through our pages. Enjoy articles, photographs, cartoons, word search, & fun news! This magazine is dedicated to my dad, mom, sisters, husband, son, family, friends, and everyone out there enjoying the ride! ~Jana T. Harrington Barcus He worked at the same publishing company for 62 years.
6 A Cowboy's Faith Frank Buchman 14 Building Better Nutrition Fredi Reed 17 Pockets For A Purpose Desiree Garcia 18 Kansas Pioneer Pamela Hennigh 20 Living Life Ranch Melissa Cowan 30 The View Gerri Groshong 33 Best of America Ed McCarty 36 Love of Horses Frank Buchman
Editor/Publisher; Jana Barcus Editing/Setup; Desiree Garcia Call Us to Advertise: Desiree Garcia 785-430-8408 Jana Barcus 913-333-2657 Melissa Cowan 913-731-5579 Gerri Groshong 913-515-5943
Ads Due January 8 / April 8 / July 8 / October 8 Publish Dates February * May * August * November
Everything Horses and Livestock is distributed across the US and on the world wide web. No material from this publication may be copied or in any way reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Neither the advertisers nor Everything Horses and Livestock Magazine, nor staff are responsible for any errors in the editorial copy. This magazine reserves the right to refuse any advertising which we deem unsuitable for our publication. No liability is assumed for errors in or omissions of advertisers in this publication. Opinions and views expressed in articles and advertisements are not necessarily those of the publisher, editors or employees, nor does publication of any opinion or statement in Everything Horses and Livestock constitute an endorsement of the views, opinions, goods or services contained in any advertisement. Visit our website at www.EHALmagazine.com and Like us on Facebook. Copyright 2020 Everything Horse and Livestock ® All Rights Reserved The Publication office is located at 29545 Pleasant Valley Rd., Paola, Kansas 66071
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A Cowboy’s Faith By Frank J. Buchman Horseshow Bikers Bring Memories “When there’s not a horse to ride, a bicycle is the next best thing.” A dozen horses were tied to trailers, but moms and dads wouldn’t let little ones on yet. So they were riding their bicycles lickety-cut up-and-down the rough dirt road. There was a handful riding 7:30 in the morning upon arrival at the horseshow arena. Cowgirls and cowboys from a 10-year-old down to a little cowboy who come to find out later was two-years-old. A couple of the bigger young horseshow enthusiasts were riding maybe 24-inch bicycles. One little cowgirl had what must have been a 16-incher with training wheels. Most amazing was the little fellow, big cowboy hat, no peddles. Just bare feet prodding his tiny bicycle-of-sorts forward keeping up with the older riders. The sight brought uncontrollable smile with so much young enthusiasm having such fun. All before the real horseshow action began when each would be horseback mounted touting their already quite skilled abilities. Reminder came of 60-plus years ago when a wannabe cowboy didn’t have a horse despite continued pleading with parents. Neighbor kids had bicycles and offered the wannabe opportunity to ride sometimes, but he wasn’t too coordinated at balancing. Mom and Dad finally gave into ordering a bicycle which came in the day wannabe was visiting country cousins. They had a bay gelding called Sandy which the wannabe took every opportunity to ride but never enough.
It was dark when parents brought the new bike to the country. Mom had selected the fancy 26- inch, with passenger seat, basket, horn, lights, handlebar streamers; the works. Ground around the chicken house was bumpy while wannabe’s bicycle skills semblance of his tractor driving years later. More than one crash caused dents making neither Mom nor rider happy. When balancing skills improved the bicycle was ridden around the city home block every evening. Then instead of parents hauling or student walking to and from school, bicycle became regular transportation. Cowboy friend would usually ride along, both preferring to be riding horses. Like students and teachers, including Mom, did decades earlier. After getting “too old” to ride a bicycle to school, it was sold for $5 to a friend. Fond recollections that were completely incomparable to riding a horse. Reminded of First Thessalonians 3:6: “Always think kindly and treasure your memories.”
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What is THIS?? Send us an email with your response and if you are the 1st to get your correct answer in, you will win a ball cap from Total Feeds!
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Enrichables Building Better Nutrition from the Farm to the Table By Fredi Reed
meals. Clean Greens, fiber and a boost of digestible protein makes even our brownies a powerful choice. Veggie mix stirred into our favorite pasta sauce adds the nutrients of mushroom, pumpkin, parsnip, broccoli, and cauliflower. They blend beautifully with most dishes (even sweet ones). Revving up nutrition, and giving our families more robust health and wholeness. The thing I like most about my secret weapons -Enrichables -Is that they are Vegan, Gluten, Dairy, and Soy-free, Made Without Nuts, Non-GMO, No Fillers or Additives. Just pure food to enrich your meals and families health with. Want to learn more. I’d love to share how you can enrich your families meals. Building stronger minds and bodies as they grow, compete, and live. I look forward to hearing from you. For more information visit https://pamperedchef.com/pws/ Fredisplace Call 913-638-7064 or email: Fredi@cheerful.com
As the late summer early fall season arrives, with school, harvesting, and rodeoing continuing the need for wholesome nutrition is heightened. With hectic schedules and practices it is more important than ever to make each meal count! Mom’s everywhere are trying to make sure everyone is getting a balanced diet and it seems like the universe is trying to stop it from happening. The fresh vegetables purchased at the grocery store or picked from the garden become pools of mushy goo in the crisper drawer! With our lettuce as wilted as our will power the kiddos are using their vegetables as projectile objects in a dinner table war against each other. Despite our best intentions and preparation, life happens and craving’s for tacos, chips and cookies have taken over as hunger demands food. “I’m
hungry” rings out quite loudly!
At these times finding a quick nutritious recipe that everyone enjoys is hard. The drive thru beckons… with its quick, easy service with few complaints! That is why I am so jazzed about my little secret weapons! I came across these while visiting a friend! She had been using them in her day to day cooking to enrich her families diet to help them gain better nutrition while staying full longer! With NO added prep time! My interest was peaked, my tastebuds too as I consumed meals made with these ingredients. It is hard being a mom trying to make sure the family is getting what they need from their diet period. By adding protein and or a scoop of veggies upgrades our favorite
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Pockets For A Purpose
them with the items they need during recovery, they are also being a sense of joy during their trying times. If you would like to dontate items to Pockets For A Purpose, please feel free to give us a call. We would love to include your business in our kits and help make a difference to those in need. It is because of you that Pockets For A Purpose is able to provide to those in need. To donate to Pockets For a Pupose reach out to Desiree Garcia at (785) 430-8408. Our moto is "Together We Can Make A Difference" and we are doing just that.
For more information, please visit us on Facebook, Instagram, or our website.
Just a quick update
We have been so blessed lately. Not only are people reaching out to us about recovery kits, business, and private individuals are donating items for the kits. Items we can use are travel size cans of dry shampoo, spray deoderant, small packages of facial tissues, body wipes, antibacterial soap, fluffy socks, hard candies, and lip balm. The response we are receiving from the individuals receiving the kits is unbelieveable. They are sharing their stories and saying how much comfort our kits brought to them.
https://www.facebook. com/pockets4AP/
https://www.instagram.com/ pocketsforapurpose/
Our kits are not only providing
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Living Life Ranch
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.—John 14:27. The words above were Christ’s final words to his disciples. He left them to be free from care and distress. Guess what? These words were meant for us. “Peace I leave with you.” Jesus gave us this gift. I don’t know about you, but peace can be a hard thing to find these days. We forget that we are in control of our own peace. Our busy lives with our busy minds can take control very quickly if we are not careful. Anxiety, depression, stress, & sleepless nights, increase in eating (this use to be one of my go too) If we can get in the habit of letting go and giving everything to God, finding peace becomes easier. Living Life Ranch had an amazing event this June. We partnered with Elijah’s Path to Healing Foundation. Tracy Boone held FBEAP sessions and a three-day Tent Revival with Pastor Bobby Layne. Songwriter & singer Brendan Brooks came and blessed us with beautiful worship music. The experience is one I will never forget. Tracy has the most wonderful spirit she is an amazing spiritual leader. She worked with me and the LLR team with additional FBEAP training techniques each of us went through a session with Tracy then before she left, we had a Team Session.
Each of us had our own unique experience. With my session I included my personal horse Gypsy. She is what some folks would say a little on the “hot” side. She isn’t fond of strangers, but she will warm up eventually. She really only likes me to halter her up and handle her, but she will eventually allow others to work with her. She is very fast on her feet very quick to move this alarms other that are not familiar horses or with her personality type. Tracy gave me the gift of Peace with the verse above before I started my exercise with Gypsy.
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Then I did a breathing exercise with Gypsy. This is where Jesus used Gypsy to show me his gift. As my breath matched hers, I felt my whole body just release all the tension and stress in my physical body, my mind went to a peaceful state and my millions of thoughts went away. I was at a total complete peaceful place. Gypsy was so quiet her head lowered to the ground. She just stood there in complete peace as well. God showed me that if I just release, all my thoughts and internal fears to him. I could be at complete peace. When I’m at peace Gypsy is at peace. She and I were relaxed and peaceful. I had never seen her this peaceful. Gypsy nuzzled up to me. Dropped her head to me as though she was saying thank you for being at peace. She was not the same horse after our session.
Gypsy was used with others during Tracy’s time here no one could believe her change. The LLR team witnessed this peaceful change come over this horse and me. Seeing is believing and what we experience here at LLR “you can’t make this stuff up” its real and it truth.
All of us must remember this wonderful gift of peace that Jesus gave us. We must release our control and give our trust to Jesus in order to experience true peace. When things are so busy in your life and in your mind maybe disaster has hit. Just close your eyes picture yourself handing everything over to Jesus. Take
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LLR I S A WESTERN RANCH MINI STRY WHERE WE SHARE GOD ' S LOVE AND HEAL ING POWER THROUGH THE HORSE EXPER I ENCE .
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deep breaths as you say Jesus please take these burdens away, I trust you to handle them. Truly let it go. The peace you feel is incredible. My dear sweet friends. We are never alone he is always with you. Do not worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. Philippians 4:6-7
LLR has six certified FBEAP, Equine Learning Facilitators, each of which have specific skillsets. Contact us for a session and see what blessings are waiting for you. No horse experience required. No riding just come see for yourself what can happen with you, God, and a horse Angel in the arena. Come receive your blessing. If you have a need or you know someone that could benefit from our program, please contact us. www.Livingliferanch.org Melissa Cowan 913-731-5579
Through the healing and therapeutic power of God’s word coupled with working, caring and riding horses, children can begin the recovering process of building self-esteem, self-confidence and a renewed reverence for life.
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Summers singsong melody of Locusts announcing their presence is ringing through the air as I sit before the sliding glass door this warm July evening. Their song drowns out the subtle chatter of the birds settling in for the evening. Warm childhood memories are awakened by their song. Walks along the dirt road in the twilight with my grandma, ending with a huge glass of her famous sweet tea. Evenings filled with family and games of rummy and poker. Rodeo’s, hay bales, and fresh blackberry cobbler with homemade ice cream. The county fair and cotton candy whose stickiness turned your fingers to flypaper! Delightful delicacies fit for a King to be sure. The wonder of finding the locusts beetle casings all over and collecting them as treasure, stored by the firefly jar, another magical favorite. Huge lunar moths with their green wings with “eyeball” markings and butterflies of every color flooding the flowerbeds. My memory keeps strolling along as I sit and listen to the ongoing song. This choirs chorus also symbolizes a season of change is approaching. The mornings will grow cooler and the evenings shorter. Our trail-rides will become Saturday thrills as we enter the season of harvest and rest. I can smell the smell and see the leaves of fall all crisp and crunchy under foot. Frost will soon replace dew in the upcoming season anew. My heart and mind are drawn to give praise to our maker. I am in awe of the life songs he has given his creations. To stop and think about it- He created even the Locust and gave it it’s song. Appointing it it’s time and seasons of life- from grub to Beattie- to mature flight-able adult.. Transitions, and transformations occur along its lifespan. I grows and goes through metamorphosis. It sheds its old skin and emerges. Adorned now with winds and a song. Once it’s wings have dried it is ready to take flight and continue the cycle and so on and so on. According to the makers plan. Funny isn’t it that the locust can bring such great joy and yet can bring great devastation in swarms to fields and crops. It’s song can bring hardship and sorrow in a blink. It’s longevity is factual and historical. As I have sat and considered these things, I see so many similarities to our life’s song. We are formed in the darkness of the womb and emerge breathing in life, as we grow we are transformed from infant to toddler- from child to teen- from young adult to Middle Age- to senior adults- to glory. Every season along the way we shed our old “skin” of ideas and needs and grow and mature. Through the cycle we are transformed and changed both physically and spiritually. We can be a sweet song and cause dear memories – or we can be devastating with our words, actions, and deeds. We of course have the freedom to choose, where our subject here does not. The Lord has given us that great gift. As we enter this new season, I am seeking the Lord to guide me through the Holy Spirit to be a sweet singsong in the lives he has blessed me to be a part of. In this upcoming I season I desire to be kinder and more open. To listen, really listen and to respond in encouragement and love. The View From the Sliding Glass Door by Gerri Groshong
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To be the difference or change in the world I’d love to see in the world. So that as I sit in front of the sliding glass door in the tomorrows, my mind will be filled with warm-smiles, and joys of the fellowship and friendship that has been shared between hearts the Lord has brought together and transformed. The word directs us to love our neighbor as our self and to give freely- of ourselves, our possessions, time, wealth. Luke 6:38. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. What a beautiful promise. In a world where everything seems upside down and backwards. To give of the heart, to spread and grow kindness, and to speak and share the truth is a great gift. I pray you will be encouraged to join me in this season of transformation. Eyes forward, head up, heart surrendered and filled with love.
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A simple phone contact last fall planted the seed. We had only reopened a failed facility under new ownership and a new ranch name as recently as about 5 months previous in late May 2020. Now in the fall of 2020 we are being asked if we would consider hosting Best of America in the summer of 2021. After a quick conference with the owners, we answered with a resounding “Yes”. Best of America had made a very successful visit 6 or 7 years earlier when the founder, Terry Carroll, was running the operation and we were still getting occasional calls from folks watching the reruns on RFD TV and inquiring about the ranch. (Note: Fortunately, the ranch under the name of Flying R was closed from foreclosure long enough to put their old phone number back in the available number pool. We were able to secure their old number so that anyone who tried to get in touch with them would ring into us. Unfortunately, this also included bill collectors but the good seemed to outweigh the bad!) A production date of July 17-18, 2021 was agreed upon. Fall was consumed with the process of rebuilding facilities and clientele and disappeared quickly. Winter on the ranch slows to a crawl and is basically dedicated to maintenance and planning for spring activities. In the blink of an eye, it is April and we are only three months away from having a new operation ready for a national television production. We were fully aware of the impact of the last visit to the facility by Best of America and were intent on maximizing this opportunity. We were given the basic requirements to include RV sites, stalls and other accommodations to house staff and accompanying horses. There were also the tasks of preparing for a Friday night campfire singing, a Friday night “meet and greet” reception and a Saturday night catered dinner for our staff, BOA staff and others who were paying to attend the dinner but not riding in the televised ride. The physical requirements were actually fairly simple. We certainly have adequate facilities for the activities and the other preparations only required some decorating and a couple of phone calls. That left the mental preparation of meeting the expectations (or assumed expectations) of a production staff. I am setting the stage with all of the above to drive home the reality that the BOA staff (Del and Shevawn Shields, Gary and Gloria Bass and DJ and Trish Shields) were the most gracious, unassuming guests who quickly became friends and “partners” in the production. They did have certain requirements necessary for the production but seemed to be more concerned about interfering with our operation rather than imposing requirements for theirs. The entire weekend went without a hitch (except for one little exception on the televised ride which I will address in a second). Del and I sang together at the campfire and on stage after the catered BEST OF AMERICA BY HORSEBACK VISITS NORTH FORK RIVER RANCH From a Ranch Manager’s Point of View
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dinner which was a big thrill for me. You have to understand the fact that even though I have been singing for a good portion of my life, I am a “3 chords and a capo” guitar player and was a little intimidated playing and singing next to Del! For the televised ride, the ranch maintenance manager was tasked with having the video crew (composed mainly of Shevawn, Gary and Gloria) in position for each shot as we navigated river crossings and emerged from different spots in the woods. DJ did have a go-pro on the trails for a few shots in the wooded areas. The maintenance manager and I had gone over a preset trail route and had agreed on set spots for stills and videos. While we were pretty deep in the woods, I remembered that Del had mentioned an interest
in seeing the memorial to Terry Carroll (the founder and builder of the ranch). Terry had actually died out on one of the trails preparing it for a scavenger hunt ride and the spot of his death is honored with a memorial on that trail. In my mind, I thought we could make a short detour in our planned route allowing us to go by the memorial and still come out close to the predetermined spot. So much for my navigational skills! We ended up going nearly a mile out of the way and as soon as I received a cell signal on the trail I was greeted with numerous messages of “where are you?”, “we haven’t heard from you in half an hour” and “are we in the wrong spot?”! After some sincere apologies and a repositioning of the entire
set of cameras plus a drone, things were back to normal and the production proceeded as normal. This was all an amazingly great experience made easier by a very gracious BOA staff. I now understand that the “seamless” activities and trail ride that you see on TV are the result of many hours of footage and a lot of detailed work by an excellent staff from Best of America. I hope you truly enjoy the production that has come out of our efforts. Watch the schedule for RFD-TV for the airing of our show in early fall. Ed McCarty, Ranch Manager, North Fork River Ranch
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“Did you see those mules pulling the covered wagons down the highway?” Such query was made dozens of times in recent days and literally thousands of times over the past decade-plus. A most unusual sight slowly trudging down rural roadways with passing traffic gawking, yielding way, anxious to know more. That’s intension of the unique traveler holding lines of five big sorrel mules tugging two quite large heavily loaded wagons. “I’m traveling the country to tell people about Jesus,” Randy Boehmer insisted. Going west on Old 40 Highway in Dickinson County stopped just briefly, messages on wagons verified the mission. “Jesus Saves, Ask Him,” is colorfully boldly inscribed on the lead wheeled vehicle, Boehmer the driver, dogs at his feet. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house,” Acts 16:31, emblazes the second wagon. “I don’t have a hometown. I just go where the Lord leads me, 31 states in 13-1/2 years,” Boehmer said “I intend on doing this the rest of my life; I would not be doing anything else,” the intriguing muleteer continued. “I will go and spread the Word and testify about Jesus.” Eager to get back down the country byway, Boehmer handed over a color reprint of his story, objective clearly defined. A taxidermist four decades, Boehmer did originate in Arizona, but drastic life changes put him on the backroads. Cleaning out his parents’ garage in 1991 after they’d passed away, Boehmer realized, “Their possessions were disposable. All they’d worked hard for meant nothing in the end.” Death of Boehmer’s wife from cancer in 1998 further guided his future. “I started reading the Bible and Jesus came into my heart,” Boehmer said. “It said I had to turn away from my sins and accept Jesus. And that is what I did. “God put a desire in my heart to travel around the country in a covered wagon and spread His word.” With extensive formal Bible study, Boehmer spent several months enhancing muleskinner knowledge and learning farrier skills to become self-sufficient. He credits the Amish for their advice and encouragement. The covered wagon was refashioned personally by Boehmer from a farm wagon. His tail along vehicle was made from another old feed trailer. An unusual hitch to certain longtime teamsters, Boehmer has three mules in front and two behind. That’s in contrast to common unicorn hitches with two behind and one in front.
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“These are mules weighing maybe 1,500 pounds, out of Belgian draft mares and Mammoth Jacks,” Boehmer clarified for laypersons. His rigs include a wood stove and bed for year around travel. A solar panel is affixed atop a vehicle to power lights, and a couple additional modern technology devices. Traveling only about four miles per hour, Boehmer has a rotating beacon on the wagon alerting others that he’s there. Strong patriotism and acknowledgement of his nation’s freedoms, Boehmer proudly flies an American flag in a smaller trailer hooked behind. Boehmer never knows where he will spend the night. “I just pray, and the Lord always provides,” he appreciatively credited. “I get my food at grocery stores along the way, prepare it myself,” Boehmer said. Horse feed is bought at local elevators although his team typically gets nourishment while grazing during overnight rest stops. “I generally only have to buy hay in the winter,” he commented. Most of what Boehmer owns is with him. “Things aren’t important. Life here on Earth is short compared to eternity,” the mule man declared. Pretty much independent, Boehmer receives small monthly financing from his Arizona church. Sometimes, those intrigued meeting the traveling evangelist offer assistance of various sorts. Such was the case when Boehmer needed wagon repairs. He camped at Jacque Karl’s ranch near Detroit, Kansas, and community members joined offering supplies and other support. “God provides,” Boehmer said. “Every day I thank God for the day before, and pray without ceasing for the day to come. “I make a lot of friends along the way. That’s the hard part about all of this, having to leave those friends behind when I pull out. But we will all be one big happy family in Heaven one day,” he recognized. Seven verses from the Bible’s book of Romans are persistent of Boehmer’s initiative on the handout for inquisitors. He emphasizes Romans 10:13: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” “I am just a simple man with a simple message,” Boehmer asserted. “There is no other name than Jesus by which a person can be saved. “A trip ends. But a journey goes on forever,” Boehmer said. “It’s all about an eternity with Jesus. I will continue this journey until I die, telling other people about Jesus.”
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Randy Boehmer has been traveling the nation into 31 states more than 13 years with his “Jesus Wagon. The nomadic evangelist insists: “Jesus is my pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. He can be yours also just ask him.”
Visiting with the young as well as more mature is God-felt mission of Randy Boehmer as he travels the countryside with a five-mule hitch pulling his Jesus Wagon.
A mule team with Randy Boehmer at the lines pulling his Jesus Wagon embossed “Jesus Saves Ask Him” verifies the traveling evangelist’s mission.
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