Fun on the Plains - Time with Wilma my Ranch Horse

She's Got a Lot of Cow in Her

 

Get behind, keep them together, push them, into the pen they go. Back from retirement after two years on break, my sweet little ranch horse has a lot of cow in her. She knows how to follow a herd at just the right distance so they don't freak out and bolt for Montana, Missouri, and Mexico.

 

Our first try, and second, and third, and fourth, and fifth, and sixth, she made pushing and penning cattle easy. (Although I suspect maybe my sweetheart set us up with some pre-trained cattle. That one that walked into the pen all on his own was kind of suspicious.) I'm wondering what we'll try next. Hmmm, maybe separating cattle . . . without letting them bolt for Montana.

Wilma's Mohawk Mane

The girl needs a new do. What can I say. I would love to plait or braid it. But what to do with that mohawk piece in the back, hmmm? Punk rock horse?

 



Aunt Jean, My Role Model

Not Quite Herding Cattle

It's not quite herding cattle, but not much beats the view from up here.  Thanks to a couple of great riding instructors, one professional and one my very patient sweetheart, I can now ride a horse without looking like a discombobulated trick rider dangling sideways from my mount.

After eight months of lessons, I am proud to say I can manage a comfortable trot, better if chewing gum (must be something about the rhythm), and even manage to break into a lope occasionally, sometimes even on purpose.

All kidding aside, I can hardly believe just about a year ago, I had only ridden a horse once or twice since the pony I had when I was five. Now, thanks to some great people, I own a sweet ranch horse recalled from retirement and am looking forward to starting to following cattle in the next week or two.

Thank you, Jerry, Cathy, Sarah, and Chad!

Learning From a Ranch Horse

When I went out on a ranch horse to watch as two men separated and brought in a calf this spring, I learned quickly the well-trained horse knew what to do and wanted to help, even if I didn't. We came to an agreement that we would sit that round out, even if he wasn't quite happy about it.

But ever since, I've had this yearning to learn to work cattle on horseback. I'm hoping Wilma will be just the girl to help me do it.

Wilma

Peters Farms

Frederick, Oklahoma