7X Ranch

09/30/2026

09/28/2026

Good little 3 year old filly on consignment

09/27/2026

In case anyone has been wondering what the puppies are up to this is Dart!

09/26/2026

Ok, so we talked about the time that goes into a horse now lets talk about the exposure that a horse gets in ranch situations. I believe exposure is what makes a horse. It teaches them calmness, steadiness and consistency; its a rolling with the punches type of mentality. We might be running after a calf to rope it and next we are standing there tied off holding the rope. So what types of exposure do ranch horses get?
Well first off they get tons of different terrain and ground conditions. Maybe its boggy ground, maybe its rocks, perhaps we have to jump over fallen trees or ride through a beaver pond. Then theres the hauling; I day work, so I probably haul more than a lot of people but my horses learn to unload from a trailer and go to work. They see different places and country all the time.
They get lots of exposure to cattle. Pairing cows and calves in the spring out of the rodear. They have to learn to stand while we find pairs and then work a pair out then go chill out again. Sort cows and calves at weaning time; load trucks. Push cows, rope calves outside to doctor or brand calves in the pen.
They get exposure being around lots of other horses and being by themselves. Sometimes you ride out with other people and then separate, sometimes you ride out by yourself but they get to figure out either way.
They'll get hauled around to brandings or to town. Whether its branding competitions, stock horse or cow horse competitions, ranch rodeos, or team roping most cowboys are competitive and enjoy going to town and competing somewhere.
Then there is all the extra arena training. Not every place has an arena but a lot of people do or will go use someones to rope or work cattle.
How much is exposure worth when you're looking at a horse?

09/26/2026

Ok so lets follow up on last nights post and put into perspective the time that goes into a good ranch horse. This isn't an all-inclusive list, this is mostly a list of riding time from a 2 year old up to a 6 year old. All ranches are different, some prefer to start their colts a little later. I like to get to mine and start them early, its just easier for me that way. Understand we aren't in this business for the money, we are in it because we love it but I'm trying to bring some understanding to people about the training that goes into a horse. Skip down to the bottom if you don't want to read the breakdown of time.
So our 2 year olds- my preference is to get 3-6 months on them for a real good start and then turn them out for the winter, about 4 months. But for this lets just say we put 60 days on them. 60 days-1 hour a day. I'm not doing anything to strenuous just getting them ridden and a good start.
3 year olds- we are still working on getting them broke but they have a little more size and strength now so we are willing to take them on longer days. Lets say 3 months of riding in their 3 year old year 2 hours a day. I try to ride my 3 year olds more than this but I'm trying to generalize a bit more of what other people are going to be doing.
4 year olds- they are starting to feel pretty usable and are getting strong and mature. Now I'm willing to take them on longer and tougher days and use them for more advanced tasks 6 months of riding-3 hours a day
5 year olds- these guys are pretty broke now I'm willing to take them for about any job I need to get done and maybe will start taking them to town when I'm going to a team branding or something like that. They are mature and ready for any day I'm going to throw at them. 6 months of riding 4-6 hours a day
6 year olds- these guys are pretty broke now, I'm willing to put them in any situation that I'll put on of my finished older horses in. They will still take the long days but they don't usually need them. 6 months of riding 4-6 hours a day.
So if my math is correct, which it may not be that is about 2200 hours of riding by the time they get to 6 years old. So if we sell that 6 year old for 20,000 we have made less than $10 an hour just on the riding time. That doesn't include hauling, vet work, worming, vaccinating, feeding, etc
So if $20,000 is to much to spend on a good 6 year old maybe you should decide to make one yourself!

09/26/2026

Lets talk about buying and selling horses a little. I'm going to make a few posts so stay tuned if this is a topic of interest to you!
I understand that horses are to many people a hobby and not a necessity but to the ranchers and cowboys that I work with they are a necessity. And if you are looking to buy a horse from someone, you need to understand the time and effort that goes into it. I had someone tell me the other day that there are no well broke horses for sale any more and thats just not true!
The problem is that people want their "perfect" horse and they want to pay peanuts for it. So much time goes into making one that is safe and consistent in every situation. Not everyone has the experience, ability, or time to make these horses. People are more and more willing to hang onto their good horses because people aren't willing to pay for them and we know we can call on our good ones no matter how messy the situation may seem. If I can't make a lot of money on one of my good horses, there is no reason for me to sell them. The horses that I can leave off and then go sort cows on or rope something are invaluable to me at lots of times.
In my next post I'll break down the time that goes into making a good one just from a ranch perspective, not so much from a training perspective but I'll give some insight into the time I put into one of mine.
Who agrees that people need to be willing to pay more money for broke horses? What is your idea of a good price for a solid horse?

07/30/2026

One of my goals with riding horses is to create a willing partner that is there for you all the time. When I got this filly she had only been ridden in an arena. Water was not something she liked at all. Id never had her to this crossing before and there's a dam with plastic over it to the left so its kind of a scary place to them. I was going to be happy to get her in a little way so I was awfully pleased when she wanted to go out in it and play on her own!

07/28/2026

John 15:7 really hit me this morning in my Bible study. It says, "if you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." We can ask for anything we desire and it will be provided to us. Now obviously that's nothing harmful or malicious. But first we need to make sure we are abiding in Christ and His words are abiding in us. Do you use the power you have in Christ?

05/31/2026

I am very very thankful for great clients that are sending me great horses this year. This cool buckskin guy has done great with his first couple of brandings and im excited to keep going with him!
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.