Wrangler

Before I really get back into the dogs, I have to spend a moment talking about horses. Once a week, for the past 3 months, I was a bona fide cowgirl. Sunlight Horseback Tours, run from Memorial Day through Labor day, gave me the opportunity to guide. We had 12 horses and about 50 km of trails in White River National Forest.

Babbish Gulch in White River National Forest

Growing up, I rode a little at my friend's farm, a little at summer camps, and a little on vacations. It was always English and it never consisted of more than a brief trot. Now, I can say that I have cantered over the ski trails riding Western.

Judd, saddled and ready to go!

Each morning, I would saddle up two guide horses. These were always two of the smarter horses, pastured separately from the other ten horses, that the guides could use to round everyone else up. Riding up to the ski trails, I would whistle for the other horses, signaling that it was time to come in from pasture. Most mornings, they would pick their heads up, stare at me riding up the mountain, and go back to eating grass. Therefore, it was necessary to trot up the hill and circle back on everyone. As soon as I got my horse galloping downhill, a ripple effect would cause all the other horses to follow. Keeping everyone in line and headed for the right gate wasn't always the easiest, but eventually we got them down. Starting off your morning with a canter through pasture land....there's not much else that can beat it.

Fatty Logan refusing to come in from pasture

The horses at Sunlight are stubborn, spirited, quick, and beautiful. Each had a very unique personality and I quickly figured out what kind of guest could handle which horse. Judd was a beautiful Roan that tossed his head a lot; therefore, he needed someone who could tell him who was boss while keeping the reins loose. Logan was a fat Mountain Pony that needed someone with good balance as his saddle easily slipped from side to side. Sally was terrified of anything flapping behind her, so those guests that tend to space out and point wildly at the scenery would not work. Devon was a fidgety two year old that only guides rode because he had a tendency to spook and bite. Even with all of these quirks, these horses made great companions and I loved every minute I spent with them.

Jiggs took the sign a little too seriously...

Every Monday, I would round them up, feed them grain, groom, and saddle. By 10am, we were out on the trails; wandering through Aspen groves and climbing up into the National Forest. I learned a lot about how to read my horses movements and let them do most of the work. By the end of the summer, I had created a bond with the guide horses. We knew how to respond to one another and which trails were our favorites.  I knew the difference in each horses' gait and I could feel when they wanted to run. I loved it when they wanted to run. Once a week, this was my happy time.


 
The horses are all gone now; being leased out on hunting trips to pack out elk and mountain goat. However, every time I pass the stables, I smile thinking of the fun I had reconnecting with horses. When you're out west, you might as well do as the cowgirls do!

Zane and Loma say HI!