Ed’s Western Decor

Place the right tool in the hands of an artist, and the results will usually become a masterpiece or a success story.  The same analogy worked for Sherry Cervi, a dedicated and determined young enthusiast who became a world champion barrel racer.  Sherrie’s efforts also won her the title as a National Rodeo performer after years of patience, persistence, and plain hard work.  When Sherry acquired the right horse, it became the perfect tool in the hands of the master, and Sherry Cervi became that “Big Time Winner!”. . . ” You Go Girl !”

Sherry Cervi’s story of both her triumphs and tragedy is in the Western Horseman magazine, May 2009, pages 94-98.  I hope you will also be encouraged . . . just as much as her story has blessed me by just reading about it.

If you’ve ever traveled west, then you know what I mean when I say that the home décor of that region is of a different culture. Influenced primarily by the Native Americans, the colors and patterns of the textiles, tablecloths, figurines and paintings all tell a story of natural spirit and tradition. And even more recently, the area to the west had once been Mexico, which also carries a dominant influence of heritage in the styling of homes and public buildings.

Most popular in Western wall art are tribal-influenced paintings that represent the symbols used by those of many years ago. Each spread of canvas tells a different story. Hand-carved wooden dolls are a popular fixture in any little girl’s room and boys can’t seem to get enough of the handcrafted tomahawks. Let your inner cowboy surface and see what native and traditional decorations call out to you. 

It’s not too difficult to agree with house trainer Al Dunning about training your horse outside the rails of the arena. Speaking from my limited riding experiences, I can’t imagine going around in circles within the confines of an arena, day after day.  If I’m rejuvenated by riding in an interesting environment, it only makes sense to me that my horse would benefit by being refreshed . . . seeing different scenery also. 

The article I’m referring to is published in the Horse and Rider magazine, May 2009, pages 58-64.   In order to have a well-rounded horse, Al writes: “Many, if not most, of today’s horses are raised in stalls or small pens, and therefore lack exposure to varied terrain and footing.”

Here’s a new word for my vocabulary:  Asymmetry.  How it is used is introduced to me in an article written by Sandy Collier in the Horse & Rider magazine, May 2009, pages 48-55.  Most horses have a natural “asymmetry,” especially when walking in a circle.  The right circle is different from the left circle because the line at the horse’s back is not in a straight line from nose to tail.  Should you look at an x-ray of a human’s spine . . . our back is not straight either. This curvature causes some problems but is easily overcome by training the horse through certain movements. Understanding why the horse becomes this way helps in the correction.  Sandy writes, “Most horses become left-eye dominant as they mature,” and this creates the stiff side of the horse, making a left-handed circle while the right hand circle is less difficult, because it is the hollow side.  The article has more information, of course, and helpful corrections while training horses, as well.

My disclaimer is that I am neither a Veterinarian nor a chiropractor.  I just found it interesting to learn a new word, especially when applied to my love of the western lifestyle.

This is an article titled “Poll Control,” and it’s another horse term that’s new to me.  In Clinton Anderson’s Do-it-Yourself Horse Training Series, Poll Control is published #5.  This article helps the rider to gain movement control of the horse’s “vertical flexion” . . . or controlling the horse’s head movement from side to side.  Gaining the proper position of the horse’s head gives the rider greater control in maneuvering the horse through timed poll events.  Horse & Rider magazine, May 2009, pages 42 -44, presents Anderson’s horse training skills.

Here is a refresher’s reference: January’s Part I, Flex the neck for lightness and control;  February’s part II, Yeild the hind end for “engine” control;  March’s Part III, Gain control of your horse’s ribcage; and  April’s Part IV, Gain control of your horse’s shoulders.

Mark Stevens wrote an article in the Horse & Rider magazine, May 2009, pages 74-79 that helps trainers of show horses to capture a smooth flow while passing through a rope-style gate.  With photos by Cappy Jackson, Mark successfully demonstrates how to achieve a winning maneuver before a rider’s judge.  Practice these tips, and you will be well on your way to becoming a champion with a competitive edge.

The Western Horseman magazine, April 2009, published an article about Mary Davis and her western lifestyle on her ranch in New Mexico.  The article is brief but informative, and covers the interesting activities that Mary Davis experiences while working with horses and cattle on her southwestern acreage.

Mary brings out an important point about horses.  Sometimes a horse gets an attitude, and turns from a smooth riding animal one moment, then gets mad, becoming a rough riding horse the next.  It’s just one event while living on the ranch.

Mark Dahl is a silversmith that is unique to his industry.  Mark agrees that being self taught has its special problems: it’s costly, creating wasted materials, and loss of time that could be spent on other profitable projects.  Yet, Mark’s determination toward perfection perservered, and he took advantage of his mistakes, learned, and developed his own special products.

Here’s a great story: . . . humility, patience, and a spirit of endurance proved Mark’s skills as a pioneer silversmith . . . Western Style.  Get acquainted with Mark Dahl in the Western Horseman magazine, June 2009, pages 120-125.  Mark’s talents for creativity also influenced the building of his own unique home.  He and his wife Coralee, ranch in the Ruby Mountains of Eastern Nevada’s Starr Valley.

When shopping for some quality pieces to decorate the walls of my new apartment, I knew there were many different styles I could choose from. Although it’s been a constant favorite since I was about 16 years old, I decided my framed pictures of classic paintings by legendary artists, like Monet or Van Gogh, weren’t going to cut it in my new living space. I was living in Texas now, the land of the big and mighty and I needed home décor that complimented my western surroundings. After settling on this theme, the search for the most appealing and creative pieces began.

Heading to the mall, I made a mental list of art and decorations that would be considered western in my head. Maybe tacking a cowboy hat and a lasso to my wall would do the trick, or maybe not. And then I saw it. I was ecstatic to have found this wonderful piece of metal wall décor. It was just what I had envisioned for my new Texan apartment.