The Working Ranch Horse

Branding season is one of my favorite times of year. Photographing great ropers, horsemen and fantastic horses will never get old. This year, as I was behind the camera, it dawned on me that in my registered American Quarter Horse world, I don't think about our working ranch horses as athletes, as much as I do the horses who actively show. I have always recognized the work they do as hard and incredible, but don't typically dwell on the amount of athleticism that is required. I began mulling over the various things that ranch horses have to be capable of throughout their careers. To consider them anything less than athletes is selling them short. In my family's equine program we breed for athleticism, so it makes sense. The function and longevity of our herds is such an important aspect to breeding solid ranch horses. These characteristics are not only desirable for showing, but are incredibly practical for daily work. The historical reasoning behind different types of competitive shows is to display a horse's athleticism in a specific area. Typically, the area of talent originated out of a need for a horse to be able to preform a practical skill. The horse is an incredible part of God's creation and for centuries, they have been partners to men and women around the world. In the past they were the modern man's machine, pulling hay carts and working the plow. They were also one of the only options for more efficient travel. Now, the same characteristics that made them popular for that work, has made them an asset in the modern world, where machines still fall short. Longevity, adaptability and soundness, are just a few things that make these incredible animals something to behold.

Longevity

I remember doing my first long ride with my dad after moving to Montana. We rode thirty miles of Missouri River Breaks, looking for heifers. Riding is one of my greatest joys in life. I was not in shape for riding that many miles. I did reach a point where I wanted to cry, however the job was not done and there was only one way home. I was riding one of my dads studs whom I had started before we moved to Montana, when we lived in the Cascades of Washington. This horse had gained experience from my brother putting extensive miles on him in the Breaks of Montana. Talk about some major terrain differences. Going from the rocky and lush cascade mountains to the clay and sandy hills of the Missouri River breaks is a considerable difference. To have a horse anything less than tough and sure footed for a long day like I had with my dad would have been nearly impossible. However, because of his physical soundness and mental fortitude, together with my heeler who is equally unable to quit (Topic for another time), we were all able to finish the job. This is only one example of what we need our horses to be capable of regularly. Machines are not always effective for certain jobs or working in adverse terrain. It is really important for the working ranch horse to be solid, with good strong feet, and sturdy bones. A horse with good feet will get you places you didn't think you could go. The ranch horse has to be able to withstand long days for a long period of time. They are a prime example of the type of toughness in a horse that is required to accomplish difficult tasks.

Quiet

While sometimes we need our horses to be the wheels underneath us, there are several situations where we need a calm and quiet animal. Some examples include crossing rivers, riding out alone, roping in a corral, and moving cows and calves. There needs to be a really good balance in a horse's mind for them to be able to go from being ready to burn rubber for you, to being completely calm and quiet. There is a lot to be said for the training a horse has been given, but in my opinion, their genetics and personality play into this just as much. Having a horse that is gentle enough that you can teach your kids to ride on, is irreplaceable. These are the kinds of horses that help raise the next generation to love the lifestyle. They are the ones we remember when we are older. A quiet mindset is also very important when it comes to trainability. Training a horse that thinks before they react is similar to how I would imagine a potter having high quality clay to mold. The proper training results in a work of art. Additionally, it doesn't take as long to get a horse going when they have a solid and gentle mental state.

Strength

The activities such as roping, doctoring and dragging calves to the branding fire, require strength in many different ways. Ranch horses need to be able to withstand a long day of work, and not become unsound. While you can't always prevent an injury, a horse's physical shape aids in prevention of work related injuries. It is incredible to watch a seasoned rope horse pull one calf right after the next, through a crowd of people, smoke, and noise. They often do these tasks with grace and ease. There are always some exciting times, horses aren't infallible, but for the most part it is an act of teamwork between rider and mount. Another good example are horses being used for doctoring cows or yearlings. Having a horse with good muscle structure allows you to do big jobs that you would otherwise need other infrastructure for. At times working horses accomplish things that may seem impossible, but that is exactly the point I am driving at. These animals are incredible athletes. The other amazing part about all of this, is that sometimes, these horses are pulled out of a pasture after having time off and asked to work, at the drop of a hat. The mental strength that it takes to get up and go, at a moments notice is really impressive on the scale of animal abilities.

Things to Think About

In thinking about the power and athleticism that we have at our finger tips, it changes how you view and care for these animals also. While they are indeed bred for toughness, low maintenance, and easy keeping; taking adequate care of our ranch mounts becomes pertinent when we rely on them so much. My parents did this well when I was growing up. We wormed our horses regularly, which was sometimes a bit of a chore. We kept the feet of the horses we were actively using in condition and we monitored weight to make sure they all had their dietary needs met. When we moved to Montana, we had to start supplementing the horses we used daily. We gave them grain in order to give them a little extra nutritional boost since we were riding them a lot. The nutritional levels of the grass and the water quality had also changed. That fact alone is something we have continued to learn about in order to keep our stock in the best possible condition. As far as muscle and bone soundness, we have taken a few horses to our local equine chiropractor which I will always highly recommend. If you think your horse is struggling with something structurally, it will always be worth the checkup. We have established that we need and want our horses to have exemplary longevity and quality of life, taking good care of them will increase their long term usability.

The ranch horse doesn't always get the latest greatest technology to help them stay in premium condition, but they still work for us. They are incredibly trustworthy, with big hearts and generally consistent behavior. They are a force to be reckoned with, under the seat of an experienced cowboy or cowgirl. These horses don't typically live in a barn. Ranchers rely on them to grow a good hair coat in the winters rather than being blanketed. Additionally, they are usually on a group feeding plan. While individualized care is optimal, it isn't always practical for ranchers to implement in their herds. All things considered, these horses do things for us that are truly inspiring. For me, it is a joy to see a horse loving their job, and accomplishing amazing feats. The working ranch horse, I am convinced is one of God's greatest creations.