We love all of our horses at Red Horse Mountain Ranch. That being said, we all have our favorites. There’s no denying that some horses are loved more than others. One horse in particular, Ladybug, recently received a pretty big gift! Our beloved three-year return guests, Eric and Ondie, sent a care package to the Ranch including a brand new halter engraved with Ladybug’s name on it. 
I don’t know if you’ve seen our halters in the barn, but they are nothing fancy. Our wall of over eighty halters is filled with faded, fraying, and well-used ropes. Now, at the very end and on the bottom right, hangs a shiny new bright red halter reserved for Ladybug only. I wish you guys could have seen her the first time we slipped it over her velvet nose. There was an undeniable twinkle in her eye.
The guests who sent the care package had been here towards the beginning of our season. Now, Ondie is a rider. She has horses and she’s experienced with these lovely beasts. Eric on the other hand wants nothing to do with them. For 25 years Ondie has been trying to get him on a horse. It wasn’t until he came to Red Horse Mountain Ranch that he finally gave it a whirl. We paired him up with good ole Ladybug, and it was a match made in heaven! The man loves this horse.
When we received the care package, I couldn’t help but get the urge to call up these two and talk to them about it. When I asked Eric why he sent the halter, he said, “Well, she deserves it. She’s a sweet girl!” I was thinking how funny it would be if the wranglers put the halter on a different horse when they come back next year. I asked Eric how he would feel and he quickly answered, “Betrayed!”. Don’t you worry Eric. Ladybug’s special halter is reserved for her, and her alone.
I love getting to meet all of the guests that stay at this ranch and witness the bond they create with their horse for the week. I wish I could write a blog post about each and every one of you.
As far as an update about the Ranch, it feels like it hasn’t rained in years! When I take my shoes off at the end of the day, I feel a sense of pride as I inspect my blackened toes from the dust. If your feet aren’t dirty by the end of the day, it probably wasn’t a very good day. That’s my motto.
Happy Trails,
~Briana
(Kids Program Wrangler)