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Program with children, 3dasneue2

3dasneue2

A Cowboyday at Jacob´s Ranch Utah / USA

When you are out and about in the Cowboyland, there is no way to prevent the wish from germinating real cowboy (or cowgirl) to be allowed to be. Along our route there was always the opportunity for trail rides or children’s cowboy programs – but so far that was nothing for my taste.

Ok, Ok I’m also a bit critical, of course. First, it is important to me that I have the feeling that the horses are being treated well. Second, a few years ago I myself was in Oregon for several months at a working cattle ranch as a "cowgirl" and wanted my children to have an "authentic" cowboy day as much as possible. We happened to come across Jacobs Ranch, which was practically opposite “our” campsite (Zion River Resort). After there was a minimum booking time of 3 days because of the "Memorial day", there was enough time in one place.

First I looked at the homepage of Jacob´s Ranch and had to smile a little. After I had spoken to Jackson (owner) on the phone several times … a very busy man who likes to talk and flowery ;-) … and I looked at the horses in the paddock, I thought it was worth a try. Since according to Jackson it is planned to spend the whole day with and on the horses and it is not just about sitting on the horse and riding, we chose one for us despite the very heavy price of $ 180 / person Cowboytag decided on Jacob´s Ranch.

The next day at 9:00 am the whole family was standing in front of the ranch gate. We and another 8 year old girl with a father from Las Vegas and a couple from Oregon were greeted by Kly.

The kids were totally fascinated – one Cowboy like from her dreams… Boots, clinking spurs, cartridge belts, revolvers, cowboy shirts and of course cowboy hats. A bit of a “show” – somehow it has to be something like that – but a very nice and calm guy.

The day started by driving the horses up from the paddock into the "paddock".

Always a great picture of a galloping herd of horses.

Then each individual horse was briefly introduced … name, special positive but also challenging properties. Very nicely done, because you didn’t just get an animal "assigned", but rather you could choose a "suitable" horse. At that time, my less experienced horse son was not sure whether he really wanted to participate in the cowboy day.

After that though "Ranger", had gotten to know an apple mold, he also wanted to sit on a horse as a cowboy. So we were now three of the family, who wanted to participate in the whole "cowboy day" which should last about 7 hours … as it turned out it was a bit longer – but more on that later.

After my other little "cowboy", Blue eye, a really nice white and brown pied cowboy horse and I had chosen a dark brown quarter horse named Dollar, we were able to get in touch with "our" horses by leading them to the cleaning station for brushing.

Our youngest child, with great enthusiasm, helped me to bring the dollar to "high gloss".

The following was especially for the children, but also always great and fascinating for me "Join up" with the respective “own” horse in the roundpin. Through a few simple but very effective exercises, you learn to take the lead and the horse has the opportunity to adjust to "his people for the day".

The moment was especially touching when the children’s horse approached them and ran like a lap dog without a lead rope behind them.

The boys were so proud! It was nice to see them bursting with healthy self-confidence.

Then came the "formal" part, in Utha it is apparently law that all liability and responsibility lies with the "participants" i.e. in a nutshell, as soon as you enter the ranch you are liable … no matter what. You have to sign a form to make sure that this is clear to you. In a very "reassuring way" it is pointed out again and again that deaths can occur when handling horses or riding. From then on it was clear to me that despite the massive “protest” of my mini cowboys, I insisted that they had to wear helmets instead of the cool cowboy hats – I can tell you, I was very happy afterwards.

Now it was time to saddle, unravel and fill the saddlebags with the water bottles and sandwiches that we had brought with us. For the inexperienced rider, Kly demonstrated how to get on and off with cowboy saddle, he us a "helper" adjusted the stirrups to the correct length and explained how to hold the reins. At the riding arena you had the opportunity to get to know your horse even better and to try out different gaits. The boys did a good job so far, as it became clear that they weren’t riding a horse for the first time. Jackson – the owner of the ranch claims that EVERYONE, regardless of whether he has ever sat on a horse or not, can be taught all gaits on a horse in one day … I’m a little skeptical about that … but honestly, from the moment on you leave the ranch on horseback, you have no other choice than to "can".

The first stage of riding leads over a small road, then along a sandy path first along a small river and later through the river. The horses clearly enjoyed splashing in the cool water and drinking extensively. The first 1.5 hours we rode through the river valley and you could always make friends with your horse. A rider overestimated himself and after a gallop he could no longer control his horse. A young girl who came along as "professional" support for the children wanted to help and galloped carelessly behind, overlooked a low-hanging branch and crashed into it with full force, was thrown by the horse and the horse overturned. A great moment of terror, luckily the horse did not fall on the girl and so she "only" had a bleeding wound on the forehead and probably a concussion. Her horse got up again and stormed past the children’s horses, completely distraught. As a result, they panicked and also galloped off. I only saw a cloud of dust …

Galloping directly with "Speed" would only have made the horses run faster with the kids … so I waited a little and tried to gallop slowly. After feeling "infinite" and in truth about 15 minutes later, I found the boys sitting on their cowboy horses, grinning broadly and happily.

After all the horses and riders had been collected again and the girl was provided with plaster, we had to ride along the river for a while until we came to a place where Jackson, whom we contacted by radio, could pick up the injured girl with the pickup.

After a break under shady trees on the river, we continued. Only now did the "adventurous" part of the ride begin ;-). The landscape was breathtaking, the slopes that we galloped up, the narrow paths along the canyons and the steep slopes that we climbed down with the horses sometimes took my breath out of concern for my children. I knew you could rely on the surefootedness of the horses, but this was definitely a fairly realistic cowboy area and not comparable to a nice ride at home in Bavaria.

What can I say, the boys grew beyond themselves, they stood like "old" cowboys in the stirrups and galloped up the steepest slopes and how best to stay on horseback when the horse climbed down a stony, slippery slope they also had quickly out. I never heard whining or moaning even though it was very hot and dusty.

When we came back to the ranch almost 10 hours later, the boys were ready but incredibly happy and proud! Then to get compliments from a "real" cowboy because they "did" so well all day was incredible for them and their broad grin outshone all dust and dirt ;-).

Despite all the tiredness, they were still unhitched and the horses were looked after. After we had said goodbye to "our" horses with a heavy heart, we released them to the pasture.

Dead tired, dirty, dusty and in the cowboy corridor we went back to the other side of the street – on our camping site.

CONCLUSION: As far as possible for a day, in my opinion, authentic cowboy riding feeling. It is nice that you can choose "your" horse and get to know it better before riding. If EVERYTHING goes well, a great experience for the children, who definitely "push" their self-confidence. From the point of view of the "worried mother animal" – without riding caps I would certainly have succumbed to a heart attack, so I just died almost 1000 deaths and burst with pride. If you have Zion National Park on your route during your trip to the USA, treat yourself to a day of cowboy feeling – the children still talk about it today!

Should you choose to do this … here are a few things you should definitely have with you.

Water, water, water, water, water, water.

  • Sandwich’s
  • suncream
  • Sunglasses (dust&Sun)
  • Long trousers
  • Shirt or airy long-sleeved shirt
  • Shoes over the ankles if you don’t have this –leastlong thick socks!
  • Bandana as dust protection
  • Small bandage set
  • Hat with chin strap, headscarf

Yee haw and Hello to you very soon Your chri *

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Christina Cherry
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