Mike and I took my group of cub scouts with us to our neighbor, Tom Johnson's, horse ranch in the East mountain countryside, outside of Edgewood NM.
When Jessica heard about this field trip, she wanted to come along and bring Hudson to see the horses. Their whole family joined us, and after a long drive to the ranch, we spent a HOT, dusty afternoon with Tom's horses--an Arabian, and a Mustang/Arabian mix, plus goats and dogs. Tom's son, Travis, who takes care of the ranch, showed the boys how to brush their coats and how to clean their hooves. He even showed them the horse's and goats' teeth and explained the differences between them. The boys loved that! Travis' wife, Jessica, helped each boy on one of the horses and took them for a short stroll. I'm sure they would have loved to ride all day.
Travis drove a tractor and took us for an extended ride in a hay wagon behind him--that was FUN! Tom and his wife June treated the whole gang to lunch at an Edgewood restaurant afterwards. It was a one-of-a-king field trip for everyone. Thank you Tom and June Johnson for a fun, educational day!
 |
| Cowboy Hudson with this daddy Sebastian |
 |
| Petting one of Tom's beautiful horses |
 |
| Brushing the horse's coat |
 |
| Sunscreen-covered cheeks, and June & Tom Johnson in the background |
 |
| Hudson's turn to brush the horse |
 |
| Jessica with baby Beau (also with sunscreen-covered cheeks) |
 |
| Hot and tired cub scouts enjoying the ranch |
 |
| My neighbor Tom Johnson and Hudson |
 |
| Travis and Jessica's daughter, Ashlyn, shows her puppy to the boys |
 |
| Sebastian soaking up the sun |
 |
| My sweetie Mike petting Dixie |
 |
| So hot out here |
Part of the cub scouts' Horseback Riding requirements involved mounting, riding, and dismounting a horse. Jessica took the job of leading Dixie back and forth with each boy. First up is Gabriel Zavala
 |
| Next is Andrew Eams |
 |
| Zachary Ray |
 |
| Ryan Burton |
 |
| Kaleb Anderson |
 |
| Hudson Dunlap |
 |
| Ride 'em cowboy |
 |
| Travis shows the boys Dixie's teeth and gums |
 |
| Travis with one of the goats, the cub scouts, and Rosemary Pendleton, our main cub scout leader |
 |
| Ryan and Zachary petting the goat |
 |
| Kaleb, Gabriel, and Zachary |
 |
| Kaleb and Andrew |
 |
| Overheated little Hudson and Ashlyn |
 |
| Grandma and Grandpa with Hudson |
 |
| Fun on the hayride and a chance to cool off a bit! |
 |
| Baby Beau looking around during the hay ride |
