Photos by Wander Love Captures

Allow us to introduce you to part of our herd, meet the horses of Elrod ranch! These two boys have been part of our family story since day one, but part of my personal story for a very long time now.

I got my first horse Cowboy, when I was 14 years old. I bought him all on my own and I paid every last cent of cash I had. He was $800. Which in today’s terms is cheap, but that was a lot of money for me back then! My second horse Chrome was gifted to me after I finished up with horse college. Yes, that’s a thing!

My days with them now as a mom look a lot different than they did in my younger years. I don’t get to ride as often and most of our interactions are during feeding times. But I still get butterflies in my stomach when I look out from my front porch and see them out in the pasture. I know this season was meant for raising babies and teaching them the love I have for these animals. But one day, I will get back out there and ride my afternoons away like I used to.

Cowboy “King Of Hearts”

I started riding horses when I was 7 years old. And like most little girls I was obsessed with these animals. The difference is, most little girls grow out of this obsession. Not me though. I begged my parents for YEARS for me to get my own horse. But horses are expensive. Buying the horse is probably the cheapest part! You have to feed it, care for it, board it, and much more. I saved, and saved every last cent I could. Until one day I stumbled across an ad for this horse that I had to have.

We took a drive out to meet him, and frankly, I was not about to leave without him. My parents were that close to letting me buy a horse, I didn’t really care what he looked like or how he behaved. I was not going to miss my chance. So we loaded him up, and drove him home. But Cowboy was a LOT of horse. He was big, and fast. I bought him off a working cattle ranch and this horse needed a job. Not a teenage girl who wanted a pony to ride.

Cowboy through just about everything he could at me. He bucked, bolted, reared, you name it. I had trainers come in and tell me to get rid of him. But there was no way in hell I was going to give up on this horse. So I spent my days learning about him from the ground up. I watched videos of trainers and different techniques and we worked our butts off to build a solid foundation.

It’s been 14 years with this horse and he’s my very best boy. I trust him with my life and I dread the day I will ever have to say goodbye to him. Cowboy has changed my life forever.

P.S. He came with the name “Cowboy” but I gave him the full name “King of Hearts” because he has a large spot on his side in the perfect heart shape. A beautiful symbol of how this horse has changed my heart.

Chrome

Chrome was one of the colts that went through the training program at my “horse college” I went to. I was working on a small ranch at the time and at the end of the spring semester the college auctions off the horses. My boss ended up buying Chrome. Never did it cross my mind he was buying this horse for me. It was in my brain that he bought him to use as another ranch horse. But after a few weeks of returning home, Chrome appeared at my barn with a bow on his halter as a surprise for me.

It was such a cool moment after a ton of hard work I put in at this school. And since Chrome was only 2 when I got him, it was really fun to have a fresh start with a young horse that I could mold into whatever I wanted.

This little guy is a lazy, easy going ride. The perfect horse for our kiddos to learn on someday! We love this boy so much!

My Favorite Horse Products

Since I have been around horses for most of my life, I have tried a lot of different products over the years. Why not share some of my favorite things to use on the horses of Elrod ranch?

Swat fly ointment: I like this for covering injuries and for around their face instead of a spray!

Vetericyn wound care: This is the BEST for injuries! And it’s safe for other animals and humans!

Thrush buster: My horses used to get Thrush regularly, but this stuff would always clear it right up!!

Pyranha Fly Spray: I swear there are so many types of fly sprays out there and this is the ONLY ONE that actually works! I will never buy anything else!