God Bless the Good Horses
There’s one animal on our ranch that I haven’t written much about—even though we have several, and they’re probably everyone’s favorite. Who am I talking about? The horses!
We currently have eight horses here at 14 Hands Ranch. All but one are safe to ride. The eighth? Well, she’s beautiful to look at, but not the most trustworthy so we don’t ride her. We are hoping to breed her in the spring of 2026. We don’t keep horses for working cattle or moving livestock. We keep them simply because we enjoy them and they are good for the soul.
I believe every child—if at all possible—should have the chance to love and be loved by a good horse. A well-broke horse is worth its weight in gold. These animals teach patience, responsibility, perseverance, and hard work. They teach kids how to care for another creature, the value of showing up consistently, and doing all the little things that add up to the big things. Plus horses just smell good!
Our kids, Lance, and my dad all compete together in horse shows, often trying to out-ride each other even though they’re in different age divisions. Lance and I’s families both had horses growing up and it’s especially meaningful that our children are the fourth generation in our family to ride in the Kansas Western Horseman’s Association. Most of the events are speed-focused, but our kids also show in 4-H performance classes.
The weekends we spend at horse shows are my favorite. Even when they are hot and we have eaten a lot of dirt from the wind blowing it all our way from the arena. It’s a beautiful thing to be tired from a day spent with your family, surrounded by good people, and good horses.
The good ones will take care of your kids, help them to know when they are ready for the next speed, and stand patiently waiting for them to climb on. They will lower their head making it easier for their kid to reach while switching from a halter to a bridle. They will help your child’s confidence grow.
Giving our kids the gift of horses has been one of the best decisions we’ve made. Even if they don’t ride again after they leave our home, we’ll never regret the hours we’ve spent in the saddle together. God bless the good horses.
