On March 27th 2022 I anxiously awaited the arrival of my mentor who was driving all the way from Florida with some very precious cargo. I knew I was ready, I had meticulously planned, been educated, and committed to this new addition that was loaded into a 4 horse slant load coming from 680 miles away. Hell I even found my mentor in the crusade of knowledge and experience in natural horsemanship, something that seemed to have eluded me until that point. So here I was awaiting the arrival of my very own chestnut mare, something that back when I was less educated might have had me quaking in my boots.
I remember distractingly doing chores around the pasture and holding pens, anything to keep my emotions in check. After all this poor mare has had her life upended, the last thing she needs is a frantic nervous human taking her lead rope. So I kept busy until that faithful trailer came into the drive, a deep breath and a long walk to to where it was parked made me calm enough I could hope to conceal it from a horse who had been trapped in a trailer for hours. I expected nothing from her, as it should be. I knew she had just been through a lot and my presence would not be of comfort for her at this time, it would be a bond that we would have to cultivate for years.
It didn’t take terribly long for us to bond, seeing as she was my one and only. At 10 years old we had no time to waste, though she was started by Buck Brannaman’s apprentice Nathan previously, she was going to need some refreshers and more wet saddle pads. Maybe its cliche, but in the end I decided to name her Sedona, a place that radiates peace, soothing vibes, and red warmth; because when I looked at her thats what she provided to me. However the elegance of her name did not restrict the fire that burns inside of her. She is one of the softest and kindest horses I have ever known, but don’t be mistaken…that mare is sensitive and has drive for days.
As promised by my mentor her lightness and willingness was unconditional, I remember the first few months I had her I was terrified…terrified I would do something to ruin her. A pure horse, with a wonderful heart, and a perfect start and little old me was in charge of bringing her along under training. There was no way I wouldn’t mess something up, but thats kind of it; there is no reward without risk, so I moved forward anyway. Through the saddle fit issues, fear of loping, the pneumonia, eye abscess, fluctuating weight, and worrying about going out on trails. A year later we traveled across the country having never pulled a horse trailer (31ft one none the less), camped for 2 weeks having never camped with a horse, trail rode on a road trip before ever going out on a true trail ride, rode along side a mountain bike with only in hand exposure, we crossed creeks, climbed buttes, and saw water windmills all for the first time together. After that trip I knew we had become connected beyond a reasonable doubt, we were ride or die.
Once we got to our destination it was obviously quite a change, the desert life was vastly different from any place that Sedona had lived prior. However this extra time before I found a job to pay the hay bills was very useful and important on bringing her along. She was exposed to fighter jets taking off, armored vehicles, jack rabbits darting, coyotes, free range cows, quail being flushed, bridges, military gates and inspection stations, cars, asphalt, runners, dirt bikes, sand storms, steep and rocky terrain, indoor arenas getting rocked by wind storms, snow, and kids. All while she was without other horses, which in and of itself is a significant detail.
For such a smart and sensitive horse some of this was both easy, but a grappling experience. When I decided to move forward in the pursuit of a wrangler position, her well-being was at the top of my list. There was no way I was leaving her behind for one, and two I wanted the experience to be the most well rounding training she could get. I was not disappointed….
I committed to a job at Greenhorn Ranch in Quincy, CA which is a dude ranch specializing in the guest experience. We have everything from fly fishing, horseback riding, skeet shooting, archery, hiking, and e-biking. Our nightly activities include paint and sip, karaoke, line dancing, whiskey tasting, bingo, and many more. When it comes to our horses I don’t know if I have enough room on the internet to talk about them. Every single one of the horses is an expert in their craft, they all have quarks and personalities that us wranglers could watch for days. The horse drama is steeped in turmoil about who will end up being friends with who and what click will form next. I can say unequivocally that this job has brought a lightness to my soul and invaluable training to Sedona. So without further a due I will list some of the skills she has learned while here, which mind you has only been half a season so far.
She has learned how to be in a heard of 60+, pushed from one area to another by a horse, went from a snaffle to a bosal, swam in a river, trailered for day rides, mountains and rough terrain, downed logs, traversing rivers, guiding a group of riders, living in the woods/meadow, being tied in random places, walking along the highway, having other wranglers ride her, getting stung by a hive of bees, large parade flags, air horns, megaphones, sirens, ponying other horses, cutting and sorting horses, galloping in the forest, roping, trains, parades and all that comes with it.
I can’t wait for all the things that come with the rest of the season, she has literally exceeded every expectation I could have held. I know no matter what, she has my back and can take her anywhere with a little coaxing. I already know I am missing so many things about our experiences, but if there is one take away, I would like to say that being at a dude ranch has been invaluable for our progress.
Stand by for my evolution of training with Piper the Virginia Range mustang, she was welcomed into our family May 19th and already coming along!
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