Page 78 - March 2016

Among the many duties of their operation that change from season to season, Marty looks after the calves and branding. “We still drag calves to the fire the old way,” he says.
“He still likes to start the young ones – get them to handle and use their bodies. He likes going from the beginning to the finished product.”
“It's just our work,” he says. “Whatever it takes to get it done, that’s what we do.”
looking after the calves and branding. “We still drag calves to the fire the old way,” Marty says.
When spring approaches, they’ll breed 40-50 mares for clients along with foaling some. “We foal a few, but I can’t stay up all night and still work the next day anymore,” Marty says. “But then, you’ve got to have a baby foal before you have a yearling.”
These days, their son Lance, who lives just a few miles from the ranch in Pauls Valley, takes on the majority of the racehorse training. “He does the breaking, galloping and riding,” Marty says.
No Wind–Down in Sight Marty’s ability to oversee an operation flows
through to his family life as well. Although Shalia has encouraged him to take it down a notch, there are no retirement plans on the Powers’ horizon. “He told me we weren’t going to run any horses this year, but we’re running three,” she says.
“And, we’re buying more cattle. So, we’ll keep on keeping on; he doesn’t slow down.”
In fact, rather than taking time off to relax, 67-year-old Marty finds his peace atop a horse. “He loves crawling on,” Shalia says. “It’s his calming spot. He rides more after 5 p.m. than he does during the day. He still likes to start the
Marty and Shalia still enjoy riding, finding peace atop a horse. “It’s his calming spot,” Shalia says.
76 SPEEDHORSE, March 2016