Cross Creek Horsemanship

Can you say “BRRRRR!!?”  Man, last Saturday was extremely cold.  It was overcast the entire day.  There was a stiff breeze that sent the just above freezing weather straight through your body.

Dressed as warmly as possible.

I had blue jeans and chaps to cover my legs.  I had my Posse uniform on, which consists of a long-sleeved shirt and vest.  I put my heavy winter coat on under my Posse windbreaker.  Of course, I had on gloves and warm socks.  I also wore my felt cowboy hat with stampede strings tight under my chin.   Stampede strings saved my hat from being ruined.  The wind was blowing so hard that I would have surely lost my hat on the ride.

Ladd and I trotted and loped a minimum of 1 mile at a time.  We had 3 legs to ride before the parade entrance to the fairgrounds at the end of the day.  All in all, Ladd and I rode a total of 4 1/2 miles that day.  The exercise was good for both of us.

The second leg of the day was my favorite part of the day.  Ladd and I rode the leg immediately following my sister Kyla’s leg.  I got to watch her ride up to me and I took the saddle bags from her.  Then I took off for exactly one-mile.  That mile seemed to go the fastest because Ladd was warmed up nicely.

The scariest part of the day was having to ride down the busy Highway 105 on horseback.  18-wheelers, motorcycles, and the possibility of a train sounding its horn combined to make my a little nervous.  I was very thankful that two Grimes County Sheriff Deputies drove next to me to help keep me safe.  They stopped traffic when needed.  They kept up with our pace.  They stayed right there beside Ladd and I.

When we finally made it within a mile of the Grimes County Fairgrounds, our Posse met up with the Harris County Posse.  Together we walked the rest of the way in a parade fashion.  By this time, I was a frozen Popsicle.  A Go-Texan cook-off team had prepared dinner for all of us, but my family decided not to stay.  We were all so cold.  The horses were cold.  And, we all just wanted to go home.

We had a successful Pony Express ride.  Nobody got hurt.  No trucks and/or trailers got stuck in the mud.  We were representing our Sheriff as well as the Go-Texan Committee.  I think we did a fine job being ambassadors for them.  If you are interested in being a part of the Grimes County Jr. Mounted Posse, contact the sheriff.  His office number is (936) 873-6442.

I am waiting the handoff last year.

In the spirit of the Pony Express, which brought news and mail to the pioneer families out west, the Grimes County Sheriff Junior Deputy Mounted Posse will be re-creating a pony express run throughout the entire county on Saturday.  This event coincides with Go-Texan events at the Grimes County Fairgrounds.  They will have their barbeque cook-off teams preparing for the contest.  Winners will be announced Sunday.

As far as the Posse is concerned, we begin in Bedias, which is in the northern section of Grimes county.  Our president will read a proclamation to the city officials inviting them to come to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in the spirit of Go-Texan.  Then we take turns riding a mile carrying a saddlebag which contains the other proclamations for the rest of the cities of Grimes County.

In relay-style riding, we hand off the saddlebags at each leg of the race.  It is not a race to beat one another’s time; however, we are on a timetable to meet up with the Mounted Posse from Harris County.

We travel to Iola.  Then down through Carlos to Anderson.  The latter city is the county seat.  It has a beautiful historic courthouse.  It is the only one in Texas that sits in the middle of Main Street.

From Anderson, we trailer our horses to Plantersville.  Not only does this save us time, but FM 1774 is not safe to ride down.  There are not good places to ride along the road.  Deep ditches and steep hillsides follow the curves and hills of the road.

In Plantersville, we meet up with the Harris County Posse.  Now there are two groups in relay down the busy Highway 105.  Things get a little crazy when we head up Highway 6 to Navasota, the largest city in Grimes County.  It is home to the fairgrounds.

We form a joint parade with the Harris County group as we ride in formation to the fairgrounds where people are awaiting our arrival.  Some members are carrying flags.  Some are experienced riders who are about to graduate high school.  Some are young inexperienced riders who have just begun their time in the Posse.

We read our last Proclamation.  The mayor of Navasota, the county judge, the sheriff, etc all speak.  The newspaper reporter takes notes and pictures of us.  When all is said and done, we visit with the members of the Harris County Posse and eat together.   A cook-off team always prepares us delicious food.

Wish me luck on my second Pony Express ride.  I hope to have fun and be safe!

Today I walked with my brothers and MawMaw to see the horses on the ranch.  I went into a big pen where one of our geldings, Spur, was eating hay. While he ate, I petted him on his belly and neck.  When I turned to leave Spur bit me on my lower back. I was very surprised!

It hurt!  I really did not have any warning that Spur was going to bite me. The reason is because I was turned away from Spur.  I had my back facing him.  So, I couldn’t see what he was up to.

I know that when a horse puts his ears back he is not happy and might bite you.  So, I have learned a lesson from this horse bite, “Don’t turn your back on a horse, especially Spur!”

My Mawmaw and I made a video today showing how to clean horse hooves. We used Ladd as our assistant.  Hope you like it.

Oh, how I wish I had a few thousand dollars!! I know exactly what I would buy.  Can you guess what it is?  That’s right, a horse.

His name is Bojangles.  He is a bay gelding.  Bojangles will do anything that ask him to do.

Last Saturday, I rode him all over the ranch.  We traveled with my friend Steve as he took turns riding different horses from our ranch.  Steve rode Jessie, Commander, Spur, Angus, and Shania.  My dad rode Cheyenne.  A friend of Steve named Smoky rode his own horse named Goose.

We had a great time riding all over the ranch.  Bojangles has a very soft, smooth lope.  He is a joy to ride.  He responds quickly to every direction and cue you give him.  The only thing I was not used to doing on a horse was stopping Bojangles.  He likes to be told “Whoa!” while you pull back the reins and move your feet forward.  It was not hard to do. This just goes to show that each horse is different.

Steve brought Bojangles to the ranch to teach my dad how to open gates on horseback.  My dad’s horse fights him while he is attempting to do so.  So Steve thought that a trained horse would help show my dad what he is supposed to do in order to get a horse to respond.  Now my dad understands and is able to open gates on his horse.

I completely enjoyed my day riding Bojangles.  The most surprising thing about him is that he had not been ridden for many months.  Most horses get spoiled if not worked with regularly.  Bojangles was ready to work immediately.  If he was my horse, I would ride him everyday.  I really wish I could afford to buy him.  Since I only have $390.00, I guess that Bojangles will never be mine.  But is there any harm in wishing?

I am receiving instructions before the parade.

The first three Saturdays of December is parade season around here.  On the first Saturday, Navasota hosted its annual Christmas Parade.  It is different than the other parades because it occurs at night.  A parade in the dark is pretty with Christmas lights on floats, but on horseback it is not the most fun.  Horses have much different vision than humans do.   Shadows can easily spook a horse.  Combine shadows, darkness, lights, crowds, sirens on police cars and fire trucks, a parade at night can potentially lead to disaster.  An uneventful parade with these circumstances relies on horse/rider trust.  If you don’t have your horse’s trust, then you will struggle to complete the ride.

All three parades occur on paved roads.  Horses’ hooves were designed to ride on grass, through pastures, and other natural places.  Their hooves, even shoed, can easily slip on pavement.  Last year one of the horses in our group slipped while turning onto a different road.  The horse fell on the pavement.  It unfortunately crashed down on its rider’s leg.  In true cowgirl form, she did not cry.  She walked it off for a moment and then mounted her horse again to finish the ride.  Luckily nothing was broken.

She is an experienced rider and her horse slipped and fell.  It can happen to the best of us.  You have to be careful when riding your horse on pavement.  You can have your horse shoed with non-slip shoes, but they are very expensive.  If you can afford this type of shoe, then you can ride with confidence on the street.  Horses can even lope on the roadways.

The Posse in the Plantersville Parade.

Our second parade was in Plantersville.  It rained the entire time.  This presented another problem: wet pavements.  The street was even more slippery.  Luckily, the parade happened in the morning so we could see where we were going and on what we were stepping.  Nobody in the whole parade had a problem with his/her horse.

This Saturday we will be in a parade in Bedias.  I have never participated in this parade so I do not know what to expect.  If you happen to be near Bedias Saturday morning, you can come see me ride Ladd in the parade.  I will be riding with the Grimes County Jr. Deputy Sheriff Mounted Posse.  See you there!

H is for horses. This is self-explanatory.

O is for opportunities to make money. You can earn money training horses.  You can give horseback riding lessons.  You can do many different things to earn extra money with your horsemanship skills.

R is for responsibility. You cannot be a good horseman without responsibility.  Horses require work and daily care.  They need fresh water, hay, and feed.  They need minerals.  They need to be worked with and ridden.

S is for sensitizing or de-sensitizing depending on your horse. Cold-blooded horses need to be sensitized.  They need to get their feet moving.  On the other hand, hot-blooded horses need to be de-sensitized.  You need to know your horse.  This is an important part of a groundwork program.

E is for exercise. A person’s legs get great exercise riding a horse, especially his/her inner thighs.  Horseback riding can be a good workout for both horse and rider.  It can also be therapeutic.  After my mom had a terrible car accident, she was left with a badly broken femur.  Months later she was still having problems walking without a limp.  She began riding Ladd.  It helped stretch out her hip and thigh muscles.  Within a month she was walking normally.

M is for maintenance. You need to groom your horse.  Brushing your horse is a treat to your horse.  They like the attention and pampering.  It keeps their mane and tail untangled too.  Every six weeks horses need to have their feet trimmed.  Horses are a lot of work.

A is for animal science. As a horseman, it is important to learn the names of  the parts of your horse’s body.  Knowing what a wither or frog is helps you communicate well with other horseman and veterinarians.

N is for nurture. You need to take care of your horse’s needs.  They want to be your friend.  They enjoy the companionship.  Like any friendship, you need to nurture it.  Bring them a carrot occasionally.  Rub down their muscles.  Go visit with them for no real reason.  A good horse can be a man’s best friend.

S is for self-control. I am a hyper child.  When I get in a mood, I can drive people crazy.  When I am around horses, I have to control my behavior.  I cannot run around whooping loudly.  When I get upset with my horse, I cannot yell at it and hit it.  I cannot throw things at it.  I again demonstrate self-control.

H is for health. Horses need to be wormed and vaccinated.  If they get sick, then they need to see a veterinarian.  A healthy horse is a happy horse.

I is for information. I make a point to read and watch informational shows about horses.  I want to learn all that I can about them.  My favorite television program is Clinton Anderson’s program on RFD tv.  I also go to clinics, camps, and workshops throughout the year.

P is for play. All work and no play makes for a dull day.  The best part about horsemanship is having fun.  Riding horses is fun.  Going on trail rides is fun.  Teaching your horse tricks is fun.  Play! Play! Play!

My mom just published her first book, Texas Homesteader Wheat-Free Cookbook.  I am so proud of her.  I want to be published one day too.  She has inspired me!  I can write a book about the things that I love: horses.

My mom is always telling me to write about things that I know.  I have really given this some thought.  I know about living on a ranch, horses, gardening, ranching, and being a big brother.  I love being outside.  I cannot wait until I am old enough to go deer hunting.

So I am going to write a book based on my life.  I don’t know if it will be a novel or a collection of short stories.  I do know that I will enjoy writing it.  I also hope that you will enjoy reading it when it is done.

Horses will play a big role in my book because they a big part of my real life.  I enjoy being around them.  I love riding them.  They are beautiful animals.

In my free time after school and after my chores, including working with my horses, I will be writing.  Wish me luck!

Isaac and Andrew riding their horses. Andrew is a trick rider. He has mastered riding backwards.

I enjoy riding my horse on the trail.  Ladd and I love to get out of the round pen and/or arena and get out in the pasture and woods.  I like to have my own private trail rodeo.

You have probably never ever heard of a trail rodeo, but I love them.  It is when the horse and rider pretend to be in a rodeo.  I can easily spot out three trees that look like barrels.  I know barrel racing is for girls, but it is good practice to turn sharply.  Ladd is old so he does not rush out of our “gate,” but his speed is still fun.

I take him to the right “barrel” first, turn, and then go to the left “barrel,” turn, and race to the last “barrel.”  It makes a clover leaf pattern.

We ride on a cattle ranch, and there are cattle grazing in the pastures.  When you spot the herd, Ladd and I can separate a calf from the bunch like a real cowboy.  Of course, we let it go back to its mama.  Most of the time the calf has as much fun as we do.

Sometimes, Ladd gets spooked by a dog running under his belly or some other unexpected thing.  He will jump to the side and crow-hop.  When he does this, I grab on and pretend that he is a saddle bronc.  I hold on easily for the eight seconds.

My two younger brothers have trail rodeos all the time on their stick horses.  I show them “barrels” all the time.  They rope pretend calves and ride bucking broncs.  I am teaching them well.

Having a trail rodeo is fun and easy.  All you need is a little imagination.

Shania getting her neck adjusted.

Have you ever visited a chiropractor?  My mom and dad have.  If so, why did you go?  My guess is that your back hurt or some other part of your body gave you pain.  The chiropractor adjusts your body to help your body feel better.

Well, horses can get hurt, too.  Sometimes their backs, especially around their withers, can hurt.  Sometimes their necks, shoulders, or legs can ache also.  What can you do?  You can hire a horse chiropractor.  Check with your veterinarian.  He/She might be qualified or know someone who is in your area.

We called one to check out our horses.  One limped occasionally in her right shoulder.  Another is very tender in his withers.  A friend of a friend agreed to come out and look at our nine horses.  He went straight to work.

The whole process was very interesting.  The chiropractor takes his hand starting at the withers and presses down as he slides his hand to the tail.  A well-adjusted horse does not do anything, but stand there.  There are several signs that a horse is in pain.  They can shiver, shake, flinch, and/or give to the gentle pressure.

If the horse does any of the above, then it needs an adjustment.  Just like a chiropractor pops a person’s back, a horse chiropractor pops the joints in a horse’s body.  You can actually hear the “pop”!

Checking for signs of pain.

I learned several things from the horse chiropractor.  The most important is that a trained horse who suddenly misbehaves like bucks or won’t stand to be bridled, probably has pain and needs an adjustment.  Regularly adjusting one’s horse supposedly makes the horse healthier.  They not only feel better, but are actually less likely to get sick.  As a rider, I can actually feel the difference in my horse.  He does not limp anymore.

If you have the chance to watch a horse chiropractor work, take the time to do it.  It really is amazing how the man or woman can move a horse’s body and adjust it.  If your horse shows signs of pain, then try to find a trained professional to fix your horse.  Your horse will not only thank you, but you will feel the difference.