Jason was knocked down to sixth place with one of the last rides of the night.  We were sad for him, but he was such a good sport.  It made me think of the saying, “You lose some, you win some.”

My cowboy hat is completely covered with the autographs of many bronc riders and steer wrestlers.  Each one was so nice, but my favorite cowboys are Ryan and Jason.

On Saturday, my mom ordered the rodeo finals on pay-per-view.  It is so exciting to watch an event when you know people competing.  Ryan was the first bareback rider to participate.  He scored an 84.5.  We were cheering because we knew that was a good score.  He placed third and moved to the Super Series.

The winner of the Super Series receives a $50,000 bonus.  Of course, we wanted Ryan to win this money.  He was up against the best of the best that day.

Ryan rode second.  His ride was so good!  His horse did a great job bucking and moving.  Ryan rode in time keeping the rhythm of the horse.  It was a beautiful sight!  We knew that he did a fantastic job, and we hoped that the judges would score him accordingly.  He made 90.5!!!

We were yelling and cheering because we knew his score would be tough to beat.  We watched the other two riders ride well and waited expectantly for their scores.  In the end, Ryan was the winner!

Below you can watch their video blog “The Pride of the PRCA.”  You can also view the Houston Finals of 2010.  Unfortunately it is just an overview of the rodeo.  You can only watch part of Ryan’s ride.

Immediately he was interviewed on the arena floor.  I was really impressed because he praised God.  He came across being very humble.  I also found out some information about Ryan and Jason.

Ryan is a member of Forever Cowboys.  They try to spread the Gospel wherever they go.  Jason and Ryan have a video blog called “The Pride of the PRCA.”  The shoot video footage of them traveling, behind the scenes of the rodeo, and interviews with other cowboys.  It was fun to watch.

Ryan also has his own website.  To visit it, click here.  If you are interested in rodeo or in either one of these two bareback riders watch their video blog.  I enjoyed seeing what life is like for a rodeo cowboy.

Congratulations, Ryan, on your victory in Houston!  Thank you both for such a memorable evening at the rodeo.  Jason, good luck next time.  I hope that this year you will both do your best and stay safe and healthy.

Ladd and Jake

Valentine’s Day is this Sunday.  We are making special heart-shaped cookies at home.  We are thinking of ways to show people that we love them.

I like Valentine’s Day.  I like getting sweet little notes.  I love eating chocolates and candy.  I like surprising my mom and dad with a homemade card, but I also like to do something sweet for my horses.

Months ago I wrote an article called “Where is Your Horse’s Love Spot?” for a different blog.  I am proud of this article and recommend that you read it.  I know where Ladd’s love spot is.  He loves it when I rub between his jaw bones under his head.

Spend time this week finding your horse’s love spot.  Bring him/her an apple or carrot as a treat.  Brush them down for no reason.  Detangle and/or fix his/her hair.  I have seen horses with braided tails, braids in the mane, etc.  Take them on a fun ride.

Whatever you do this Valentine’s Day, remember your horse.  Remind them how much you love them too.  I talk a lot about enjoying your horse.  Let them have a reason to enjoy being around you, too.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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!”

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!

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.

I am enjoying an afternoon ride on Ladd.

Just like people, horses have different personalities.  Some are laid back and some are crazy.  Some are your good friends and some you just don’t get along with.  No horse is exactly the same.  We have eight horses on the ranch with eight different personalities.

Jessie was abused before we bought her.  She does not trust people very easily.  We have to work hard to earn her trust.  Clinton Anderson says to treat abused horses as if they were never abused.  Don’t let them be victims.  We are trying to treat her the same as our other horses, too.

Cheyenne is a small paint horse.  She is four years old.  She is a great horse.  Cheyenne is a hot-blooded mare who only wants to go and go fast.  She is very quick on her feet, especially her turns.  She neck reins like a pro.  Cheyenne is my dad’s favorite horse.

Shania is a cold-blooded horse.  I have been working with her.  I have done the human currycomb and round penned her.  She does well in an arena, but she is afraid of everything outside of the pen.  When you take her out into the pasture, she is really afraid of bushes and water.  When she crosses a creek, she likes to crow hop.  Once she knocked my grandma Cathey down.  We are trying to get her used to the scary things in the pasture.

Dolly is a 24-year old mare, who does not act her age.  She is very tall and big.  Like Shania, she does best in the arena.  My sister, Kyla, rides her in the Grimes County Jr. Deputy Sheriff’s Mounted Posse.  Dolly is very sweet, but she does not like crossing creeks.  Steve Prewitt spent a good part of one day working with Dolly in the creek.  Kyla is now excited because Dolly is walking up the creek instead of running and leaping like a deer.

Roxie is another big and tall mare.  She is huge, but she is injured.  She had a seeded toe in one hoof, which has been seen and treated by a veterinarian.  Then she got thrush in all four of her hooves.  She is having a time overcoming her feet problems.  Personality wise, Roxie is very laid back.  When we went to look at her, it was dark outside.  We rode her bareback with just a halter on.  She was not afraid of the shadows or of us.  She loves being out in the pasture on a trail ride.

Angus is a gelding.  He is a good horse, but can be a pain in the butt sometimes.  He tests his riders.  One day he will be perfect and the next you have to show him who is boss.  Other than that, Angus is fun to ride.  When he eats, he makes a huge mess.  He drops food all over the place.  My baby brothers are much better eaters than Angus.

Commander is another gelding.  I have already written a whole article about him called, “Commander.”  My PawPaw loves Commander because he is such a pleasure to ride.  He is very sweet and patient.  The whole time that my dad doctored his wounds he just stood there patiently.  My oldest brother, Clayton, has been riding Commander since Roxie is hurt.

Ladd is a 25-year old gelding and retired ranch horse.  My PawPaw loves Ladd and I do, too.  He is a cold-blooded horse now in his old age.  He is a great kid’s horse.  We even little my baby cousin Will and my baby brothers, Isaac and Andrew, ride him.  I ride Ladd in the Posse.  I trust Ladd.  He is the best horse in the whole world!

Now that you know our horses and can see how different they are.  Keep in mind that all horses are unique.  You have to find the right fit.  So when shopping around for a horse, see if your personality and the horse’s personality make a good match.