South West		Montana Chapter
PO BOX 10394, Bozeman, MT 59719	(406) 587-4377	lazybow@montanadsl.net

 
 
 
 
 

recap - Flying M Ranch Paso Finos, Paradise Valley, Spring 2002     Riding the "$100,000.00 mare" was definitely the high point of the Flying M     Paso Fino Ranch trip, although being surrounded by a hundred curious and      inquisitive horses in the mare herd was a close runner-up.    We arrived in the early afternoon, and  immediately met our guide, Doug, one of the trainers, Joe, and the ranch's prize stallion, Petrolero. Then off for a stroll  between the youngsters-in-training pens.    There were pintos, buckskins, dappled  greys, palominos, bays, chestnuts, and  different models of roans. One group of three-year olds showed off many of their gaits as they played "spook from the visitors, around and around in circles." Tracy remarked that their three-year olds looked like her quarter horse yearlings.  They were definitely a much smaller breed. We then went in for our sack lunches and the muffins, brownies, and coffee that Doug had waiting for us while we watched a video of Petrolero doing his Paso Corto at various          shows (that is the machine gun fire go-nowhere-fast gait) , and another of the  Pasos in general. Then, off to the arena to ride the Paso's.    We rode a six-year old gelding, who was described as "not show material, but a great trail horse." His asking price was $5,000. Then we got to ride the         Contessa—so we could see the  difference between a $5,000 (low end) horse and a $100,000 horse (pony).  Contessa was very smooth, and I liked being able to use telepathy instead of actual aids with her.    The final part of the visit involved piling into the ranch's Suburban, and driving out through the mare herd. They surrounded us, sure that we had some food in with us somewhere. We all picked out the ones we "wouldn't mind having."     Leaving was slowed a bit by having to recharge the battery on Tracy's Limo/ Calf-Puller/Horse Hauler, but we still managed to get to the restaurant before we  were all that hungry.      A wonderful time was had by all!

(photos)