Soapweed

[Big Muddy rancher]

I picked up a copy of the Western Horseman 75th anniversary edition yesterday. It has a nice story and picture of Ralph Shimon. I haven't read much else but their is a story about Randy Steffen the handy hints guy.

 

[Soapweed]

I picked up a copy of the Western Horseman 75th anniversary edition yesterday. It has a nice story and picture of Ralph Shimon. I haven't read much else but their is a story about Randy Steffen the handy hints guy.

This is a great commemorative issue celebrating their 75th anniversary. My mother gave me a subscription to the Western Horseman for my birthday, back in the fall of 1965, and I've subscribed to the magazine ever since. Still have all the issues, and they are starting to take up a lot of room. :wink:

Ralph Shimon is a good saddle maker. I've been riding his saddles since 1974. They seem to fit a horse just right, and feel comfortable to the rider.

Randy Steffen at one time built his own horse trailer. He had living quarters in the front, with room to haul two horses in the back. This was in the 1960's, when it wasn't very easy to find a manufactured trailer with these qualities. Randy and his wife were planning to take off and travel the west. Even though Iwas just a kid, I wrote him a letter and invited him to come see the Sandhills. My uncle had quite an antique collection at the time, with many bits, sets of spurs, and saddles that I knew Randy Steffen would be interested in seeing. He wrote back and made arrangements to be here on a certain week. Within a short time, I got a card from him saying their plans had been changed. They hadn't traveled but thirty miles on their way when the horse trailer caught on fire and was ruined. They got their horses out, but the trailer and much of their personal gear went up in smoke. The trip was put on hold indefinitely, and never came about after that. I still have the post card that Randy sent to me explaining the problem. It would have been quite interesting to have met him and his wife.

 

[Faster horses]

That was an interesting story in itself, Soap. You were quite the youngster
to send invitations like that. Young people nowdays should be so encouraged.

 

[Soapweed]

That was an interesting story in itself, Soap. You were quite the youngster
to send invitations like that. Young people nowdays should be so encouraged.

I didn't have any stupid computer to take up my time. :wink:

 

[Big Muddy rancher]

Yes that is a good story.

We had a couple of Randy's helpful hints books that I wore out reading.