Cowpokes and Horses

The kids and I enjoyed another amazing opportunity to visit Galloping Grace Youth Ranch. It is hard to believe that we are blessed with such an experience. Horseback riding lessons are quite expensive. There is no way that would fit into our family budget at this time, especially times 5 kids! We are blessed beyond measure to be able to visit a ranch and ride horses for FREE. I am so grateful.

Our visits to the Ranch include 3 activity stations. One station is the horseback riding experience. Another station is the work station, which usually involves scooping horse poop to clean up one of the corrals. For some reason, most of the younger kids find scoopin' horse poop to be about as much fun as riding the horses. There are even pint-sized rakes and shovels to get the job done right. A third station is the gratuity station, where the kids make thank-you cards and notes to be sent to folks who have made generous donations to the Ranch. There are playground activities, and a wood house/ saloon to play in as well. Fun at the Ranch can include the whole family. So siblings who may not be old enough or brave enough to ride horses can still play and have fun. When I sign up to visit the Ranch, I usually list all 5 kids, never certain how many of them will really be ready to ride that day. Jersey #4 and Jersey #5 have both surprised me by wanting to ride before, and again during this month's visit.

The horseback riding experience is always incredible! I am never certain as to what to expect, so I try to go with the flow, and encourage the kids to do the same. I celebrate the growth and accomplishments of the kids, as they gain ability at their own pace. Each child is different, each horse is different, and each ranch volunteer is extraordinary. I have witnessed the ranch workers help children conquer their fear of getting up on those big 'ol animals, many times over. They will let the kids just sit in the saddle, if that is as far as their comfort will go.

After they are comfortable in the saddle, the ranch volunteer will lead the horse to walk a little, around the corral. As the child is comfortable with that movement, the volunteers encourage the kids to demonstrate their balance--usually by waiving to parents, reaching for the sky, or putting their arms out to the side. Jersey #5 is only to the point of sitting in the saddle, and holding on to the saddle horn with a firm grasp. When the volunteer made the suggestion that he could reach a little and pet the horse, he looked at her like she had lost her mind...

He is content to sit in the saddle as the horse walks around the corral. He is certain that his hands will remain clutched to that saddle horn at all times. For safety reasons, due to his young age, I walked around the corral next to him, with one hand on his leg. The Ranch volunteer lead the horse.

Jersey #4 was ready to ride this time. She climbed up on the big bucket and helped pull herself up into the saddle. She sat in that saddle quite comfortably. She was willing to try some of the balancing exercises, including smiling and waving at her Mom. She still prefers to hold on to the saddle horn most of the time.

After a child is comfortable in the saddle, and willing to let go and balance, and even reach for horse shoes along the corral fence, they get to start learning how to hold the reins and steer the horse on their own. This is an area where Jersey #3 is eager to learn, but slower to grasp. He likes to hold the reins. He is easily distracted and lets go of them quite a bit too. Most of the time, the Ranch volunteer continues to lead the horse, while Jersey #3 practices holding the reins.

At one point during this session, the volunteer removed the leash to let Jersey #3 attempt to lead the horse on his own. It worked for a few paces. Then, this lovely creature saw my camera, and stopped and posed for a picture...

Now, THAT is one well-trained horse! He is a scrapbooking Mom's dream.


In the other corral, the kids with a bit more riding experience were able to ride a beautiful horse named Serenity. She was both beautiful and stubborn. She really made the kids work hard to have authority over her.

Last time we visited the Ranch, Jersey #1 really struggled with the assertiveness needed to guide a stubborn horse. We talked about her frustrations and disappointments...and then how to achieve the necessary skills to get the horse to obey her lead. She was resolved to be more assertive this time. The results were wonderful. She was able to lead that horse around the corral, and even through a figure-8 course.

The horse wanted to follow the Ranch volunteer the whole time. So, it took quite a bit of effort for Jersey #1 to keep authority over the horse, and guide her in the opposite direction. Each time she did it, the volunteer and I praised her greatly. Considering how much she struggled last month, we were both impressed by how much she had grown in such a short time. Jersey #1 was most proud of herself. She had set her mind to learning this new skill and she worked hard to achieve it. Since she is normally a passive and sensitive child, it was so neat to see her find the strength deep inside herself to be assertive. What a confidence boost this horseback riding experience was for her!

Jersey #2 usually rides the gentler horses with the younger kids, but has gained enough experience to be in the other corral this time. This child who was too scared to get up into a saddle less than a year ago, is climbing up onto the horse with ease now. She enjoys riding around the corral, as the volunteer leads the horse. She has practiced holding the reins before. This time, she agreed to try leading the horse on her own.

It was not easy, but she gave it a good effort. The horse picked up on her fears. I think the horse was actually gentler with her than with Jersey #1, as if she just knew Jersey #2 was too scared to assert authority over her. Jersey #2 learned the big lesson that it is not possible to hold the reins with both hands, while still trying to hold on to the saddle horn for dear life! She had a few times of dropping the reins entirely, and grabbing onto the saddle horn instead. Thankfully, the horse was so sweet and gentle.

At first, the Ranch volunteer suggested that Jersey #2 needed the same talk I had last time with Jersey #1. I answered that my girls have very different personalities. Jersey #2 is not yet ready or determined to guide a horse on her own. I have no intention to push her into it. Regardless of what other children can do, I have to work hard to control my competitive impulses and let my kids develop at their own paces. That wise Ranch volunteer picked up on Jersey #2's level real quick, and took a step back in the progress with her.

She explained to Jersey #2 a valuable lesson. Just as a parent has authority over their child, the child in the saddle has authority over the horse. Just like a child will rebel against the instructions of a parent, the horse will rebel against the instructions of the child in the saddle. Just as a parent must set limits with their children, and teach them to obey...the child in the saddle must be assertive to make the horse obey.

Jersey #2 fully understood the object lesson. She had a lovely conversation with the Ranch volunteer, agreeing fully with the details. Philosophically, she is in complete agreement with what needs to happen.

In reality, she is still quite happy to let the horse follow around behind the Ranch volunteer, while she works on holding the reins with both hands, instead of trying to hold the saddle horn. Authority over a horse will have to come later.

As we were getting ready to leave the Ranch, another child hopped on that same horse and really showed us how things are done. She had full control over the horse on her own, to the point that the Ranch volunteer stood against the corral fence, and that horse did not even go near her. The girl in the saddle rode the horse around, and went through various obstacles with ease. She guided the horse, and the horse obeyed without the slightest hint of stubbornness. It was a sight to see. The kids and I stopped to watch a couple minutes. I think it gave Jersey #1 something to work towards. She looks forward to improving her riding skills with every visit to the Ranch. I am just pleased that the kids have this amazing opportunity to develop riding skills at all. We are so blessed!