volume 17, Issue 4

Hi everyone!

My name is Speckles and I get to write the Highline this week! My friends call me Speck for short. I’m new here at the ranch. I came all the way from Southeastern Kentucky with my owner, Kim. She got a job as a wrangler here at the ranch. It took us thirty-three hours to get here, but we made it. I love a good road trip even though I sleep most of the time and Kim says I’m not very much help as a travel buddy.

When we arrived at the ranch, I couldn’t believe how much snow there was!  I’ve never seen so much snow in my entire life. It sure is beautiful!!  I spent an hour running and playing in it. The snow is so deep that I sank all the way down and it was over my head! Kim’s BLM Mustang, Shiloh, also came with us. It’s my job to watch out for him and make sure he’s doing what a horse ought to do.

I love going on rides with Kim and Shiloh and I can’t wait to ride up in the mountains with them this summer.  We spent a lot of time riding and packing in the Appalachian mountains back home and I can’t wait to explore these mountains too. They’re a lot bigger than the mountains back home. Kim says I should watch out for grizzly bears, wolves, and mountain lions though. Kim said she’s getting to ride some of the guest horses until and she’s excited to work with Shiloh again. I’m sure he’ll make new friends like I have when they turn him out with the big herd.

Speaking of new friends, I’ve made so many friends here!  Kate is one of them and she’s my bestie!!!  We like to play together. She belongs to Kevin. I also met Bud.  Bud is a huge dog and he belongs to Randy and Dori! I love all the wranglers and ranch hands too. They play with me after dinner and I just love all the attention. They’re all so nice to me and tell me I should be on dog commercials to help sell dog things because I’m so cute. I don’t know how I feel about that. I think I would rather just lay on the red mat in front of the door at the lodge and greet people because I just love attention.

I like it here much better than Kentucky because I get to help with ranch chores and stay with Kim pretty much all day. I’ve learned a lot and Kim says she’s learned a lot too since she’s been here. She said if she could ever get her legs to work properly while she’s riding that she might earn a set of spurs someday!

Don’t hide your bones where you can’t find them!

You’re friend,

Speck