'in the Company of Cowgirls'
Invitational Western Art Show

Here is what some cowgirls told us about the bond that they share with their horses and the various jobs that they do with horses.

The Essence of a Horse Dwells in a Woman’s Heart
by Susan Allen
'Open Range Radio Program'

In a cramped city apartment a young girl patiently lines her window sill with a small herd of Breyer horse statues.  Make no doubt she knows perfectly well the order they must  be placed, mares with foals, show horses protected and the great stallion separated yet pointed away from the others as a sentinel.  Touching one model horse her small fingers move with ingrained purpose along the plastic form, stroking the neck, feeling the tendons down the hard legs, cupping the tiny frog shape protrusion on the toy hooves. At an early age, like millions of her sisters she has embarked on a life long love affair with the equine species before ever having  felt the animal’s soft muzzle or raced the wind on it’s back.

What creates this mysterious bond between women and horses?  Why did God in his infinite wisdom, and goodness design a creature whose form would  resonate  so deep within  a woman’s soul that she will devote a  lifetime just learning to speak their language?  With   every fiber of my being I believe that horses are divine gifts, meant to carry women through rough roads, deep fords and rocky trails.

In the horse’s diversity and beauty women   recognize themselves. We have all been that leggy colt surprised by the sting of a honeybee and fascinated by the tickle of a dandy lion. Very few of us traversed early adolescence without becoming a gawky yearling, clumsy, picked on, we so desperately wanted to be a part of the herd and received a few nips and kicks in the process that made us stronger. When I spot a confident coed  in the company of men give her long hair a toss  I am reminded of my blue roan as she puffs with pride shaking her full mane this way and that  in poetic boldness, when  turned out to play in the first snow of the season.  Yes we pranced through our twenties didn’t we,  and raced through our thirties. Those of us that became mothers radiated the same doe- eyed expression  and odd sweet knickers of a mare with her first foal. Like an old rope horse whose ears perk and body quivers at the sound of the roping shoot, we reach middle age realizing that there are some things we can no longer do.  We worry about being “put out to pasture” and hope we become, (like that old rope horse,)  beloved by grandchildren.

It has been said that horses teach women to be in the moment. In their company we are freed of fretting over the past and anguishing about the future. If that were their soul purpose what a priceless gift from a benevolent Creator  However there is so much more that horses reveal. In the months following my son’s accident life became heavy. Colors dulled, time slowed, it seemed that nothing, not even past joys or fond  memories could warm my bruised soul. I never doubted God’s providence and nor the purpose of Theo’s premature death at seventeen,  but I definitely questioned whether I would ever feel again. My heavenly   Father provided   the perfect instrument to gently nudge me back to the land of the living   by delivering a very complicated  but lovely mare into my world . My blue roan would become a copper wire, grounding me to the present.

As our years progress  “in the company of horses”,  we see so plainly the many lessons our equine friends have taught us.  They have helped us develop patience, creativity, the ability to  move on, slow down, and yes, most importantly the art of  forgiving.... Renowned horse trainer Johns Lyons once said that “God likes forgiveness, so He put forgiveness in the horse. As we acknowledge our past mistakes with the horse  and we make a change,  he will not hold the past against us.”

Women carry horses in their heart.... for eternity. Moreover from the heart the horse continues to call to the women. That little girl raised in the city will one day race the wind on the back of her horse, after cattle, around barrels or over jumps, while the bedridden old horse woman gently nudges her mount from a long trot into a cadenced lope with a cluck of her tongue ....in her dreams.         

Women and horses have a special bond which strengthens as emotions are exchanged and experiences are shared. There is little more rewarding than to hear that familiar nicker that comes from the stall as he hears her footsteps enter the barn, or the ears up recognition as he sees her approach the pasture gate. The pride of haltering and leading from the stall, not only a beautiful, but respectful horse helps lighten the heart of any horse lover or admirer, and reaching down to stroke his mane after a successful ride produces a heartfelt pride that only one who is passionate about creating this working relationship can appreciate or understand.

This pride is the reward that only comes through consistent communications and traditional horsemanship skills that contribute to safe, and successful expectations between horse and human. This relationship is an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of future rides, combined with the fond memories of past experiences. The sheer fact that the size and strength of a horse can be contained within a woman's hand is truly a miracle in itself.
     Sharon Camarillo

The Bond between a Cowgirl and her Horse

Did you know that the good Lord made horses for cowgirls?  Well, that’s what I thought when I was a young girl.  And to this day as I work with my horses I thank him for making such beautiful creatures.   They have a special era about them and I am constantly amazed of how they make me feel.

There is a bond between a girl and her horse that others just don’t understand.  And no matter what age, young or old, that bond will always be there.  It’s something one can’t explain.  It’s an inner feeling that only the two together can feel.  From a young age of sitting on a rock, in the mountains with her horse as her best friend standing beside her, and crying over a broken heart to the present days of long hard hours in the saddle with icicles hanging off her hat, there is still that love of that beautiful animal that will always be there for her.  Helping her through troubled times of now- a- days by just being there for her to talk to.  And then, put a sparkle in her eyes by giving her so much joy when she feels the strength of power under her as they race across an open meadow, trying to cut off a wild cow from making it to the timberline.

You see, cowgirls use their steed for everything.   She will show her horse to the best of their combined ability in the cutting or reining arenas.  They will out rope the best of the cowboys in the branding pen.  Or, what gives her a big thrill is to sort off that mad cow that has made it through everyone else and even put some over the fence.  Then, when there is slack time, she will take her horse to the mountains and stand together as they both look off into the distance of the miles of terrain, knowing that there is one more mountain for them to climb.

These are all things one cannot feel that hasn’t been around the horse.  Even men!  Now don’t get me wrong.  Even though men have been around the horse for centuries, they do not have the bond that the cowgirl has.  Men use the horse to get the job done.  Similar to using a tool for a certain job, that is how a man is with a horse.  I am not saying they abuse the horse by any means, they just don’t have the feelings for it as the cowgirl does.  Example is when a cowgirl is done with her horse she won’t just brush it, grain it and put it up.  She talks to it as she is doing all that.  She has affectionate names she calls it.  She’ll even just stand and watch her horse after she has put it away.  Men just don’t show the affection to the horse as the cowgirl.  They take care of them.  Yes, because if they didn’t they wouldn’t be able to do their job.   So what about that inner bond?  Well it just isn’t there.  At least not the bond that is there for the Cowgirl and her Horse.

     Celia Moyer

     Sharon Livingston - Oregon Cattlemans past president

– Just A Horse –  by an unknown author

From time to time, people tell me, 'lighten up, it's just a horse,' or, 'that's a lot of money for just a horse'. They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for 'just a horse.'

Some of my proudest moments have come about with 'just a horse.' Many hours have passed and my only company was 'just a horse,' but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by 'just a horse,' and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of 'just a horse' gave me comfort and reason to overcome the dark.

Those who think it's 'just a horse,' probably also use phrases like 'just a friend,' 'just a sunrise,' or 'just a promise.' 'Just a horse' brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. 'Just a horse' brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person.

Because of 'just a horse' I rise early, take long walks, and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not 'just a horse' but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

'Just a horse' brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday others have the opportunity to understand that it's not 'just a horse' but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being 'just a woman.'

So the next time you hear the phrase 'just a horse,' smile. You are one of the blessed few who understands.

"Trusted Friends"

I've rode through life with my trusted friends, we've been o'er miles of fences to mend
We've doctored sick cattle, dressed some foot rot, and chopped thick ice for thirstin' stock
We've done pulled many a hip locked calf, then found a good mama for it to graft
They've lead me to strays in the morning fog, my best friends forever, my horse and dog
We've all cowboyed up in the big wild blue, and I like to brag 'bout hands like these two
Team work is there in this trio of us, many times we are silent, with an unspok'n trust
I whisper one word an it's barely a coo, with uncanny instinct, they know what to do
We ride on home with the settin' sun, an I know these three heads are better than one
They give me their best and work for free, and all the 'spect is some praise from me
I wunder out loud, as we scoot over the hills, if they got paid a wage, we could pay those darn bills!

     Written by Julie Mansfield Smith

My stud horse, Captain Biankus, is 29 years old this year. He is still getting mares bred, but I hate the thought of losing him. He has basically created the life I have. I think back over the years with him and I wouldn't have what I have without him. He has been a blessing from God. Without him, I probably wouldn't have met Tony so I think of him as helping me find my husband and also creating all the nice colts and experiences with them too. All the horses, I have done well on, have been from him and I can talk about all their relatives like they are family. In fact, they are family. I probably spend more time with them then I do my own relatives. My whole life has been and still is riding horses and training them to be a horse that other people would want. I have a routine in my life and that involves riding and caring for horses every day, unless I make arrangements to do other things. I really can't think of my life without my horses. They have become a part of who I am. I think they make me a better person and I know they have taught me hard work, humility, and true joy. Sometimes I really get burned out, but then after a break, I am ready to get started again. I may cut back on the number of horses I have, but I will probably never get rid of all of them. I hope that Shayla will share my love for them and continue the line of horses my grandfather started. I think horses really help young people focus on something that is rewarding and good. It keeps them from making some bad choices and show them what dedication and hard work can do.
I really enjoy raising the colts because I establish a relationship, either good or bad, with each of them right from the beginning. Breaking them to lead to starting them on the barrels, I hope to establish a bond that I hope lasts through all the competitions I ask them to do. I really have high expectations from full siblings that have done well. I find that many of them do have common characteristics that must be genetic.
Really I don't remember my life separate from the horses.

When I compete, I have all that training into them, so there is such a sense of accomplishment and joy when all your hard work pays off. It feels so good when they do all the things you taught them to and are successful at it. I really have a love for the horses when they prove that they have mind and conformation to make a great rodeo horse. I say rodeo, because it is so much different than just a jackpot barrel horse. Rodeo horses have to adjust to so much more and I find the hardest obstacle to over come is the ground condition. Some great barrel horses in the perfect jackpot ground can't compete on bad ground. It takes a special horse to excel in all the areas I want them to go. I know a lot of people who try to just buy a great horse to be successful on and it rarely works. The working relationship seems to be better when you bond with the horse and they really want to work for and with you. The men can get mounted and they will trade mounts until they find one that works. I know the owners of these horses have a strong bond with them, but their lively hood d depends on it.

I feel that a man treats a horse more like a tool and doesn't have the emotional bond that women have. We seem to have emotional bonds with all our horses while men will pick the best one in their lifetime to really love. The one they had the most success on. Tony loves Somebody, his best horse. And she is actually retired in a pasture and not sold or put down. Not many horses get to do that when Tony is concerned. If they aren't producing something then they are out of here.

Kelli Currin - Kelli is an NFR qualifier and raises cattle and horses...her husband is Tony Currin.

I have a bond with my horses much like I have with my cow dogs.  I talk to them and say No! and Good Job! and they respond to me accordingly.  I can stand with five grain buckets with grain as I am mixing  for their feedings and they will stand right above their buckets loose and will not try to eat anything until I give it to them.  I just say No, and they know they have to wait.  I just talk with them a lot and use many voice commands both to calm, restrain and correct just like I have done with my dogs.  I don't remember when I started doing this,  I think I have just done it naturally all along.  It is like second nature to me and probably very  irritating to someone around just listening.   I feel that my horses know when they have done a job well and feel the unity of comfort and satisfaction when accomplishing a task working together.  That is why I so enjoy working in the alley with a really cowey horse when you feel like you are thinking alike and reading a cow or cattle together, just like a cow dog watching your body language, hand signals, facial expressions and voice commands.  In the competition arena I also talk to my horses and communicate along with my body language during the event.  At Track arena this year I took Shinti to his first real competition this late summer.  As I was running to the second barrel, he so anticipated the turn that he was not listening to my inside leg to move over and he got clear to the wrong side of the barrel.  Just at the last minute I said "Shinti get over", and he actually lept sidewise to the correct side of the barrel, went around it close without knocking it down and finished the run clean.  I was laughing when I crossed the finish line because a lady in the crowd yelled "boy that horse really listens to her".  It was just a natural reaction for me to tell him to get over when he wasn't listening to my leg command.  I start this communication in the round pen as a young colt with body language, voice commands and release of pressure rewards, which I think continues right on through their life experience with me.  Often times when working a horse, you can just think a move and he will do it, because of your body language with the thought and the close communication you have developed with him, without fear.  That's what I call working and training their mind first and not using reactionary tactics to get what we want done.  But that is a whole other story lol.  Thank you for your question and the opportunity to share some of my thoughts with you.  God Bless your day. 

     Nancylynn Joynes