Bushwacked!

My neighbor, Tyler, and I ride horses for hours almost every afternoon when he gets home from school.  I take turns riding Ladd and my sister’s horse, Dolly.  We ride all over our ranch and even in surrounding pastures and woods with permission of course.

Last Saturday I was riding Dolly and Tyler was riding the horse that he is getting paid to train.  We rode into the pasture with my PawPaw’s cattle herd.  We rode up a dam and Dolly turned to the right.  She began running.  She ran through bushes and under tree limbs.

I did not have time to react.  I was only worried about staying on the saddle.  I hung on for dear life as limbs and leaves began hitting me.  They stung my face, but I kept my eyes closed.

It happened so fast that I did not have time to think.  I heard myself thinking, “Pull back.  Make her stop.  She can’t run away with me.”  I immediately pulled back on the reins and said, “Whoa!” in a calm, but commanding voice.  She responded instantly.

I looked around me and realized that we had only traveled about 10 feet.  Man, time sure passes slowly when your adrenaline kicks in.  Everything had been in slow motion.

Tyler encouraged me.  He praised me for taking back control.  He praised me for staying on Dolly.  He also persuaded me to ride back to the barn and tie Dolly to a patience post.  Then we walked home together.  I wanted to make sure that my eye was okay.

When I walked in the door, my mom immediately saw my eye.  “What happened to you?” she asked.  She thought Tyler and I had gotten into a fist fight.  I laughed and said with a smile, “I was bushwhacked!”

Tyler and I stayed for lunch and told the story.  Then we walked back to the barn, untied our horses, let them get a drink of water, and rode out again.  Dolly did fine the second time out.

Neither one of us know why she bolted.  I guess she was tired and wanted to go home.  Maybe the patience post was what she needed after all.  She sure behaved that afternoon.

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!

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.