Y Knot Performance Horses

02/18/2025

Roping in Michelin man layers, mittens and icicle eyelashes should be an Olympic sport. Cinch sure makes it a lot easier though!

I typically try to avoid riding in any form of a bit when it’s bitter cold like this. I get made of often enough for “haltermore-ing” it, but when you know these horses will work the same in whatever you put them in, it doesn’t really matter!

02/14/2025

02/14/2025

Flick had her first real town horse experience a couple weeks ago. This filly really takes it all in stride! She’s so trusty to be exactly what she is, wherever you go. I love it. It really makes it so much easier to go compete knowing your horse is going to be all there.

02/07/2025

I thank my horses.

Everyone has funny little quirks and ways about them when it comes to their animals. One of mine is that every time I turn a horse out for the day, regardless of how our day together felt, I thank them. For keeping us safe, for working hard, for trying, for standing tied, for whatever they did well that day, I thank them. Even when we felt confused with each other, even when we had lessons to learn and points to make. Sure, they might not understand my words but they understand my meaning. I love having the type of horses that I feel the need to thank at the end of the day. They have hearts of gold and they try their damnedest. They keep us safe and they trust in us enough to follow our lead when they don’t know the way. And likewise, we trust in them when we don’t know the best crossings, or ways down a slippery slope. They might not have given us the best ride that day, but I can pretty well guarantee that they did their best and they did what they felt they needed to to get by. I am so grateful for all they do for us. And so, I thank my horses.

02/05/2025

I got a new cinch from a wonderful friend Erika Carla Zundel. I’ve been getting cinches from her for years and I love how well done they are and they never get a twist in them. If you need another, you better go order one, people!!

02/03/2025

It’s one of THOSE days. Micah, you’re up!

01/28/2025

Like most people who make their living mostly horseback, we work our horses in seasons. They will be working for 2-3 months, 2-3 times a week before we turn them out for 2-3 months for rest. We do this because it keeps our horses fresh bodied, fresh minded and happy. It also alleviates the chances of extra strain on them. We ask a lot out of these horses every time we are aboard and for that we try to make sure they are properly rested. It also exposes horses to all of the different types of work throughout the seasons. Spring is generally slow patient riding as we ride through tagging new babies and pairing out pairs that can be slow and confused. Follow that with branding season where they rope with more speed and technical correctness. Summer time is generally miles. A lot of hot-weather traveling and gathering with outside doctoring which typically involves a lot of speed and trust in rough country. Fall comes along and we roll in to a lot of corral work and sorting. Currently, it’s winter season! Which means we are riding through cows, doctoring footrot, and sorting out any aged cows that need a little extra attention. In every season, it is extremely important for our horses to be wise and clever on their feet and to have a mind to bear with some of the nonsense that comes with animal husbandry.

My winter mounts are generally my more advanced horses. This year I’m giving the older horses the winter off and spending the winter with the young ones. My winter horses this year are Flick, Cinch, Fawkes, Micah and recently starting to ease Savvy in to shape to prepare her for spring season. Every one of these horses proves to me every day why it’s so important to me to have a horse that’s smart on their feet and sensible in a spot that could be a pickle. These “kids” are really proving their worth to me this year in keeping us safe and upright on some of the iciest conditions we’ve had to deal with after plenty snow followed by rain and bitter cold. They pick their paths well and are reliable when there is no way to avoid the ice. These horses are absolutely invaluable and keep us safe every day. So very grateful for each one of these horses.

01/17/2025

I’m slow posting, as usual. We have been getting some weather and Cinch has had some time off. Sure felt nice to get back on him on a cold blustery day to go after some stragglers that got on the wrong side of the river! This guy is a pretty consistent fellow!

01/14/2025

12/29/2024

Flick is the sweetest filly and talented all day long. This is a fun little horse. Keep your eyes out for her in the Pitchfork Horse sale!! She’s a head turner and the perfect balance of a pleasurable ride and a total bad a$$!

12/26/2024

Cinch is an all around HAND of a horse. Draft cross at 15.2 hands. He’s quick on his feet and has an understanding for the job that not every horse has. Check this guy out on Mother’s Day at Cody Horse Sale !!!

12/25/2024

Merry Christmas to you all from us at Y Knot!

12/24/2024

Cinch (15.2) manages to look small next to Phil’s new dinosaur, Squatch.

12/19/2024

A good horse and a kelpie pup. Flick is just the sweetest little horse! And Chunk just has to be part of the action, of course! Photo by Lindsey Monk

12/08/2024

Cinch and I have been helping revaccinate calves at the neighbors. Really enjoy riding this horse. He really reads a situation and he’s enjoying fine tuning some of his work. A draft cross that wants to be as round and light as him is pretty hard to find. Great combination of both worlds!

12/01/2024

Flick just gets better and better. Really love this little horse!!! She’s extremely trusty for such a young horse.