Welcome to the Ranch!

Kids of Cross Creek Cattle Company

Most people do not live in rural areas anymore.  A complete switch has taken place.  More people now live in urban areas.  Living in the country has its advantages.  It also has disadvantages.  Like everything in life, you have to weigh both.

My five children have lived on Cross Creek Cattle Company for most if not all of their lives.  They have chores that most kids their age do not have.  They take turns milking our goats.  They feed our chickens, sheep, goats, rabbits, dogs, and cats.  They can grow and harvest vegetables.  They can catch and clean a fish.  They can work cattle.  Depending on their ages, my children are either quite experienced in these areas or they are in training.

All of them are raised to avoid cow patties as they stroll through the pasture.  They know to watch for snakes.  They know where the barbed wire fences are even if the sun makes the wires seem invisible.  They can identify poison ivy regardless of the season.

When people visit the ranch, they are quickly given a crash course in the potential hazards.  Likewise when we travel to urban areas, my children receive a much different training.  Don’t talk to strangers.  Look both ways before crossing the street.

I thought it would be interesting to hear from my children today.  I asked each of them, “What is your favorite thing about living on a ranch?”  The following are their answers.

Clayton said, “I love hunting deer in December.”  He is a great shot.  Clayton also loves observing the plentiful wildlife throughout the year.  Watching the deer is his favorite.

China Berry tree in autumn.

Kyla said, “I love watching the colors change on the leaves.”  About the only trees that change from green to brilliant color are the China Berry trees.  She went on to say that she loves being able to observe God’s creation everyday.

Jake responded, “I love being able to work with the horses all the time.”  He loves horses.  He even writes his own blog about horses called Cross Creek Horsemanship.

Isaac said, “Riding horses!”  He sure loves to ride.

Andrew is too little to answer, but he also loves to ride a horse.  My guess is that he enjoys tractor rides even more.

Well, the kids have spoken.  They love living on Cross Creek Cattle Company.  And, they have different reasons.  I love the fact that they are growing up on a working ranch.  They have so many opportunities to learn skills and enjoy the outdoors.  Living in a rural area has its perks.

On Saturday, October 11th, the Holliday family of Cross Creek Cattle Company hosted a trail ride for the Grimes County Jr. Deputy Sherriff Mounted Posse.  Mr. and Mrs. Holliday as well as Lane, Kyla, and Jake DeHaven worked very hard to blaze and clean up trails.  Lane had also tried to shred all the pastures.

The amount of rainfall we have received lately made it impossible to get all the shredding done.  Every time Lane tried to shred, the water would begin rising out of the soil under the weight of the tractor tires.  The last thing we want is for our pastures to be full of ruts.  Therefore not much shredding occurred.

At one point Lane pulled a log out of a pathway only to be instructed to put it back.  It turns out that my dad, Kenton Holliday, had spent a bit of time carefully trimming off any branches.  He intended the log to stay in order to make the trail more challenging and interesting for the riders.

The day before the trail ride and meeting the weather was nice.  It was sunny and cool.  We were hoping that the weather would hold and make a perfect day for horseback riding.  I made brownies and rice krispie treats for dessert. The Hollidays purchased drinks and provided cakes.  The day of the event we went over early to help set-up.

Later we arrived at the barn to saddle up and ride the horses through the creeks to the cabin.  Our plan was to wait there for the trail ride to begin.  Just as the last saddle was being tightened up on the fourth horse, it started to rain.  Soon after, our phone rang and the trail ride had been canceled.  However, we were still having a meeting of the Posse at the cabin.

I promise you that nobody was more disappointed than the Hollidays and the DeHavens.  We had worked so hard and were really looking forward to people enjoying our ranch.  We have creeks, trails, pastures, woods, logs in the paths, and more.  It really is the perfect place to ride your horse.

About 30 people showed up for the meeting.  I felt this was a pretty good turn-out especially considering there was rain and no ride.  The Imhoff ranch donated food, which we enjoyed after the meeting.  Despite the weather, the Posse had a good get-together.  Now we are trying to find a date to re-schedule the trail ride.

Kyla riding hands free.

All five of my children love to ride horses.  Because of their ages, the oldest three are much more accomplished riders.  As I watch them ride now, I am so proud of how far they have come since their first day of riding.  If you have ever seen a first-time rider sit the saddle, you know what I mean.  Riders that are stiff in the saddle.  Riders that hang on to the saddle horn and reins like their life depends on it.  In so doing, riders that are too rough on the horse’s mouth and/or send it mixed messages through the bit.

My children were not quite so rigid as I described.  I attribute this to the fact that they rode bareback for a month before sitting in a saddle, but even then you could hardly call them relaxed as they sat in the saddle.  Through the guidance of my father and his wife, my children have learned to move with the horse regardless of the gait.  While walking, they sit in pure relaxation.  While trotting, they post.  While loping, they sit relaxed, but alert.

Riding bareback really helped them learn to move with the horse.  There is nothing separating the rider from the horse; therefore, it is much easier to move as one.  Still there has to be a certain level of comfort and trust between the rider and the horse.  Groundwork really helps the two to get to know one another.  Longeing, round-penning, etc. are all methods to help develop trust and comfort as well as a sense of respect for each other.

Jake also riding without hands.

While riding my children also do some desensitizing exercises.  As they keep their horse moving, they are also leaning back and touching its hindquarters or leaning forward and patting its neck.  This exercise helps make the horse less sensitive to movement on its back while building confidence in the rider.  You want to ride a horse that you are not always worried will jump out from under you because you leaned to the side.

In the end all these exercises and techniques develop a partnership between the rider and his/her horse.  They become friends.  They both look forward to their next time together.  Now that my oldest children share this level of comfort with their own ability and their horse, I often hear, “Look, Ma, No hands!”

Last week I described the performance that the Grimes County Jr. Deputy Sheriff’s Mounted Posse was practicing for the grand entry of two rodeos.  They did a great job representing the county at the rodeos.  At the last minute, the Posse had to change their ending song from the “Star-Spangled Banner” to the “Grand Ole Flag.”  Apparently the professional drill team that followed our performance were already using the national anthem.

Kyla and Jake ride in first holding the Texas and American flags.  They ride into position and hold it while other team members ride their horses in different drill patterns.  Clayton is riding a black and white paint mare.  Together they made a great pair and are relatively easy to spot.

I just thought that ya’ll would like to see the performance for yourselves.  Enjoy the video!

Our family of riders

Jake turned eight last Friday.  He had many options for his big day.  His baseball team was being awarded their championship medal at a banquet that evening.  He could have invited some friends to spend the night.  We could have gone camping on the ranch wherever he chose.  He had some great options, but he had to choose one.  Having read his articles on this blog, I am sure that you are not surprised when he decided to host a trail ride on the ranch in honor of his birthday.

We invited our neighbors who are big horsemen.  They ride in trail rides throughout the year, including the big one to Houston for the Livestock Show and Rodeo.  They arrived riding a mule and three other horses.  A friend of their oldest boy, who lives further down the road, showed up as they were heading to our house on horseback.  So he joined us, too.   All in all we had eleven horses and riders participate in the trail ride.

Jake had a blast!  They crossed creeks, rode through brush, went across the dam by the lake, and rode all over the ranch.  They did not miss a single pasture.  About two hours later, everyone dismounted and rested.  We served dinner to everyone.  We grilled hot dogs and homemade sausage.  I made potato salad and heated up some ranch-style beans.  Jake wanted a chocolate chip cookie cake.  We served it with homemade goat ice cream.

They are going to meet up with our guests.

Then Jake opened his gifts.  He got a brand new pair of cowboy boots and some bumper spurs like the ones he saw at the Clinton Anderson workshop.  He also got some jeans and western-style shirts.  Jake received a lasso from a fellow cowboy whom Jake really admires.  Daily, he practices roping anything and everything he can.

Jake is an amazing boy.  He has always wanted to be a cowboy.  He doesn’t just look the part or act the part.  He is a cowboy.  For him or anyone else in my family, there is no better place to live than out here in the country on Cross Creek Cattle Company.  We enjoy so many aspects of life that are lost to children growing up in urban areas.  If we had to live in the city, then I am confident that we would manage.  Jake would probably own a huge dog and try to ride him down the sidewalks.   Until then, we will live each day thankful for being a part of this ranch.

Kyla, Clayton, and Jake in Posse uniform.

Hey, this is Jake again.  I love to ride my horse, Ladd, especially in the Grimes County Sheriff’s Jr. Deputy Mounted Posse with my dad, sister, and older brother.  My horse get a lot of exercise riding with the Posse.  One time we rode about 12 miles on a trail ride.  Ladd loved every minute of it.

Jake with Ladd in Plantersville Parade.

We ride in many parades.  The Christmas Parade in Navasota was at night.  Ladd was a little spooked with the loud Christmas music, the sirens on the fire trucks, and the flashing lights on the police cars.  To help calm my horse down, I spoke to Ladd in a calm, soothing voice.  I also patted him on the neck.  Ladd settled down because he trusts me.

Clayton and Jake with Posse on Pony Express ride through Grimes County.

Trust is built by riding and working with your horse.  You need to bond with your horse.  It is in both of your interests.  It will keep you both safe.  Also, I highly recommend finding a group of friends to ride your horse with.  Ladd and I really enjoy riding with our friends.