After lunch we mounted our steeds and proceeded further up the hill through
some pretty dense forest. I hugged RAZZ'ES head to make sure I wouldn't be
scraped off by the thick hemlock branches. Then Wrangler Scott asked us to
dismount atop the hill. He told us to tighten our horses cinches, mount and
prepare to descend. The horse and riders were both nervous. As the horses
descended the steep hill small rocks caused them to slip and stumble a bit.
As riders we spoke gently words to our horses saying GOOD JOB, IT'S OK....
even though we were holding our reins with clenched fists and hoping our
horses would not fall over. At the bottom of the hill we encountered a
river. The horses all stopped and did not want to cross. The horses got
restless and the instinctively all of them started to turn back. We all held
on tight to our reins and reassured our horses they could cross the river
and it was safe. A gentle kick to the sides and a "GIT" started the river
cross. The rocks were slippery and the horses made uneasy steps across them.
Someone yelled, "Here's where Jimmy fell off last year and floated down the
river". No one laughed. We crossed safely and patted our horses on the necks
telling them how Brave they were. RAZZ felt courageous and started to trot
up the next hill.
By the end of the trail, the horses started to gallop knowing that the ride
had come to an end and there were oats in the barn awaiting them. Wrangler
Scott told us that the "experience was NOT over". Each of us had to take the
saddles off and groom our horses. They were hot and sweaty and our job was
to towel them off, and make them clean. As I brushed RAZZ down and cleaned
his shoes, I thanked him for the ride and told him that I thought God was
pleased with him. He nuzzled his head against my shoulder.
It had been a good day The mountains had been aglow in the autumn color of
the trees. The sun had been bright in the sky. I noted that the Cowboy Code
of the West was very similar to the Ranger Code. It was a good ride.
Cdr Jen
Buckaroo Ranch Boss - OP 354
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