Big Horses, a Toddler, and Leg Hugs
- May 19, 2025
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- Jan Swan Wood
Posted in: Featured, Ranch Life
Last week I was at my son and daughter-in-law’s place for a visit and to pair out some cows from the big lot. They were going to be horseback and I was to be afoot leading the little granddaughter on her horse.
Getting horses brushed off, saddled and the adjustments made to stirrups used by growing kids took some time. Youngest grandson changed saddles since baby sister, nearly two, needed the littlest saddle. The shortest stirrup leathers replaced the longer ones on that saddle, and that didn’t happen quickly. With both parents working on the project, I was left to ride herd on the small and fearless granddaughter. One nearly forgets how fast they can move, until there are four horses tied in the barn and two of them aren’t exactly kid horses. Keeping her out from under the two non-kid-horse horses kept me hopping.
The two absolute kid horses were tied side by side, so I focused on keeping her on that side of the
barn. Those two old geldings never moved a foot when she was nearby but put their heads down so she
could pet them. She hugged both of them around their front legs and kissed their legs many times. At one point she was directly under one of them and trying to hug him around his middle, right behind the cinch, but even on tiptoes, she couldn’t quite reach high enough to kiss his belly. I encouraged the hugging and kissing of the leg again, of course.
The little saddle with the shortest stirrups was the saddle my son rode when very small. It’s old, probably from the 1920s or 30s, and was missing stirrup leathers, sheepskin lining and saddle strings
when I bought it from the guy at the feed store about 34 years ago. I had a saddle maker friend refurbish it and it’s been a solid saddle for my son, a friend’s kid, and all of my grandsons. The deep seat, high cantle and free swinging stirrups are just right for little kids and keeps them securely in place.
My little granddaughter was proud as punch to be on her own horse as we headed out into the big lot to start the sorting process. She was riding Boston, an A-team horse of my son’s whose earned the right to be the baby’s saddle horse at 21. He’s done it all, from picking up broncs, roping anything and everything out in the pasture, and any other ranch chore that came along. He absolutely will not panic or blow up over anything that happens. The miles have caught up to him, though, and the easier life is well earned and he enjoys the slower pace.
Youngest grandson Haiden is now riding my old partner, Rush. He’s also done it all and is 24 years old this year. He’s still got a big motor, but he isn’t in as big of a hurry as he used to be, plus he has a stiff
right knee, so his big rides are over. Packing a seven year old boy and teaching him how to do things is a
fine job for him to do. It sure makes me feel good to have the perfect horse for him to ride too.
The cow sorting required me in place at the out-gate leading Boston and Haizley. We got it done without spilling anything, and Haizley had a ball. Naptime encroached so between cows she taught me how to play fetch with her cap to keep herself awake. I picked it up off the ground and put it back on her at least a dozen times, I’m sure. One of her boots would slide off if her foot was out of the stirrup, so that was also keeping us busy between cow/calf pairs.
It was a fine day spent with my kids, two youngest grandkids, and good horses and cows. That little girl loves horses and cattle, so she’s going to be in the middle of things from now on. Boston will help her learn the ropes and will keep her safe while doing so. He and Rush both earned their leg hugs and kisses.
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Posted in: Featured, Ranch Life
About Jan Swan Wood
Jan was raised on a ranch in far western South Dakota. She grew up horseback working all descriptions of cattle, plus sheep and horses. After leaving home she pursued a post-graduate study of cowboying and dayworking in Nebraska, New Mexico, Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota....