Welcome to the Ranch!

This is the last installment of the Horsemanship Camp series.  The ranch sent my three oldest to the Texas Charm School and Cowboy College. Cody Johansson runs the camp.  Her goal is to empower youth with horsemanship.  I know that all three of my children gained knowledge, skills, and confidence.  They had five great days at her place in Field Store, Texas.

Today Clayton, my thirteen year old, will be demonstrating longeing and the human currycomb.  Clayton is becoming an accomplished rider, but has learned that ground work is just as important.  He enjoys working with his horse, Roxie, at the ranch.

I hope you enjoy watching him work with a horse named Mike.

This week is Jake’s turn to show off the skills and knowledge that he acquired at Texas Charm School and Cowboy College.  It is located in Field Store, Texas and operated by Cody Johansson.  Jake fell in love with her pony named Boudreaux.  He said, “It feels great to be as tall as a horse.”

If you read the articles from this blog, then you already probably feel that you know Jake.  He is a cowboy through and through.  Jake is eight years old now and going into the 3rd grade.  He is happiest when he is outside doing something with his hands.  Horses have been a great outlet for him.  He has to learn to be relatively calm and quiet around the barn, which is slightly difficult for boys his age.  He also has to be focused.

I hope you enjoy watching Jake with Boudreaux.  I think that you will see how much Jake enjoys being with this pony.

Jake with Ladd

Hello. I’m Jake DeHaven. I am in the second grade. I love to write stories. I hope you like this one.

I like horses because they are very fun to ride. My PawPaw teaches me how to ride. He is a very good teacher. The most important thing he has taught me is how to bond with my horse.

We have a 60’ round pen. The first thing we do is brush the horse. They love it and they lose their winter hair faster this way. With their lead rope attached to their halter, we give the horse some slack. Then I stand by its flank, which is by their ribs and thigh. We swing the rope to get them moving in a circle around me. This is called longeing. The horses have learned to obey my voice commands.

PawPaw has also taught us how to find a horse’s love spot. My horse, Ladd’s love spot is located on his head between his jawbones. The skin is jiggly and loose. I scratch it and his head will lower and/or his lip will curl. He loves it!

Other love spots can be a horse’s ears, its withers, and at the head of its tail. If you have a horse, try to find its love spot.