Cheyenne
Meet the Critters and Characters That Make Up the Rockin' Z!
| Aspen Cheyenne
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Though gentle, she has had some mistreatment in the
past and was very "head shy" and spooked very easily (ask larry, he has
taken four very hard falls off of her). We have worked with her
extensively to get some of this out of her and on April 4th (2006) she
took her first trail ride traveling for about 4 1/2 hours over some
pretty scary terrain, crossing streams and mountains while slipping on ice
and mud and encountering
other free roaming horses and cattle along the way. She was a little trooper and
handled it all very well. We are all very proud of her!
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Aspen Aspen (or Aspirin, as larry calls her due to the multiple times she has dumped him on his butt) is an Appaloosa horse which is a breed that originated with the Nez Perce Indians of Idaho and are known as sure footed and reliable horses. Aspen carries on the tradition of mustang and Indian horses at the Rockin' Z. Her color is unusual for an "Appy". Richer than a Palomino and not as spotted as most Appaloosa's. She is technically a red roan in color complete with the dark dorsal stripe running the length of her back. She has a very gentle disposition, stands a little over 13 hands and is the Omega horse of our small herd, which essentially means she is the bottom of the pecking order and the most picked on. She was three years old when we got her (January 2006) and won us over immediately.
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 Cheyenne is the first to greet you every morning and demands and gets her share of attention. Our favorite story of her is how when we first put up the electric fence tape she walked up and shoved her sister, Dakota, in to it to see what it did and then casually walked off! Told you she was smart!
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Cheyenne |
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Cody Cody is the newest edition to the ranch and is an appendix quarter horse, which is horse talk for a cross between and American Quarter horse and a thoroughbred. He is the largest horse on the ranch standing over 16 hands tall and is the newest trail horse in our small string. Though the oldest (a 1999 model) he is the least experienced on the trail but has proven to have great potential. Though a little head strong at times he is the least skiddish and not prone to spooking at objects he encounters. "Cody Bill", as larry calls him after Buffalo Bill Cody, continues the cowboy and Indian theme at the ranch. Cody was originally used as a stud and racing horse and is settling in nicely in his new role (and the ladies in the pen just love him!), especially Dakota his "mane" (pun intended) girlfriend! His former name was Win Jet, out of the racing line he was bred from but his is just plain Cody Bill now and an important part of the Rockin' Z Ranch legacy. His training is coming along very well and he has completed about a half a dozen trail rides since his arrival in July of 2007. |
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 Though the most laid back, Dakota has the speed and balance to be a really good little horse, and like her sister she would follow us right up the stairs to bed and cuddle all night long. She torments our vet by completely emptying her supply box if not kept away from it and carries off larry's tools whenever he is working in the barn or paddock area |
Dakota Our big girl, Dakota just turned 4 in March (2006) and stands just over 14 hands. She is the half sister of Cheyenne. Both were sired by the same daddy. Dakota is turning into a really good trail horse. She is solid, though small, as is common with American Indian horses. Dakota and Cheyenne were inseparable until Cody came along and now she splits her time between her young sister and her new "boyfriend". Though a little more pushy, Dakota also loves people and loves being scratched under her chin. We have had her under light saddle work riding around the yard and once she figured out what we were doing up there has responded very well and is now very solid on the trail. She loves being turned loose to run with her sister and has been a good influence on Aspen. Dakota is our "cookie hound" and when out, off halter and lead, all we have to do is shake the horse cookie jar and she will come at full speed toward the barn bringing her sister and Aspen and Cody behind her.
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 Cheryl Delany next door is his best friend and he perks up anytime her name is mentioned. He is a frequent visitor to her house, barking at the front door until she lets him where he proceeds to check the water dish she keeps for him and beg for a treat. When the I-man (Cheryl's husband) is out of town he doesn't mind occasionally going to her house for a sleep over with his bud Cheryl to keep her company. He recently travel over a mile and up a cliff to
crash a little girl's birthday party. When we found him he was sitting
in a circle of little girls entertaining them and wondering when the
cake was going to be served!
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Jackson Jackson is the ranch's Chief of Security (our canine version of Barney Fife!) and cuddle bug! A rescue dog, he is part sheltie, Papillion, border collie and cow dog. Larry swears he is a new breed he is personally developing and has dubbed the breed the "American Airhead". Though not the "brightest button on the coat" he is the love of
our lives and has brought us much joy and comfort. Jackson never meets a
stranger and will willingly jump in any open car door to go "bye bye".
Larry is considering changing his name to American Express since he
can't leave home without him. Jackson wins everyone over with his big
brown eyes and affection. Do these make me look like Stevie Wonder? |
 Lennie Gives so much, yet asks so little! |
Lennie Besides loving her Daddy, Lennie loves her
brother and until his disappearance in July 08 would sneak off from everyone for a little joint
nap or play time. Every afternoon you'd find
them cuddled together on the bed or in the clothes hamper. Lennie is
also the hunter and stalker of the group who loves to get outside and
check out all the strange sounds and sights.
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Though smaller than anyone on the ranch with short
stubby legs she is also the most independent of the Lane Critters. She
loves being held and petted and really doesn't care if it is convenient
for you at the moment or not. She particularly loves to lay on your
wrist as you type on the computer (like now for instance!) or have her
ample belly scratched. She freely walks in around the horses, in between
their legs and pretty much wherever else she wants to walk. After all,
she IS the momma! Occasionally
she will play with her offspring, but generally prefers people company
and Jackson. She looks for him whenever he is out of sight and comes to
check on him when he is undergoing torture (aka bath time!)
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Momma Kitty This looks like a good spot for a nap zzzzzzz |
