TCJpart48 Cowboys of Hawaii

COWBOYS: ORIGINATING FROM MEXICO, THE COWBOYS OF HAWAII

We decided to go for a 'horseback ride', we mustn't call it a trek, because they think that's disrespecting their craft of riding and herding. We chose the first ride of the day since it was less likely to be too hot, and actually it was lovely, sunny and clear and windy too, but unlike Tom & Henry, these horses didn't mind the wind, I guess they are used to it.

The Parker Ranch is the oldest ranch in the USA, 198,000acres of grazing on the Big Island called Hawai'i.  A working ranch with Black Angus beef cattle and real cowboys to look after them. They breed thier own horses too.

So, we arrived in the hills of the Big Island, signed many wavers and disclaimers before our group met our steeds.  Ponies mostly, Quarter horses, bred for rodeos and trialling.  Small and agile, strong legs and small feet - all fully shod because of the lava rock on the ground.

Mine was a 14hh chestnut called Missy , and John had a 15hh bay called Freckles .  You can see from the shots that we stowed our phones in a saddle bag which hooked over the tall pommel at the front of the saddle, and the horses were so calm it seemed safe to hook the rein over the pommel and take photos with our phones.  We would definitely not try this at home!

Our 2 horses were the ones who hated each other, so we were not going to  be riding side by side on this adventure.  I had never ridden western before, the seat position is very different, and if you don't partake you could be forgiven for sitting rather than riding. Neck reining with a one piece plaited string rein was a new experience, I begun to feel a bit like a pedestrian rather than a participant.

We were soon out onto open planes with volcanic mountains in the scenery. A unique view of this incredible landscape form the back of a horse.  We were out for 2 hours, we had some uphill spurts of trotting and Missy wanted to be in-front, so I had the best uninterrupted vista of all.

Sure footed, those little ponies, navigated all the rough lava rock strewn about everywhere, but the 'between the ear'  photos speak for themselves, I strongly recommend getting out when your on holiday.  You might even see a cactus in the shape of a tuning fork like the old western movies.

I was of course, totally prepared to turn around and not ride were I not completely satisfied with the health, fitness and happiness of any of our mounts, but they all appeared to be well and stress-free. So I was happy to participate.

We had a wonderful time.  But it made me miss Tom & Henry.  I began to be glad we were nearing the end of our holiday, I couldn't wait to sling my arms around my own horses necks and give them big hugs.

We went straight to the only tack shop on the Island Wimea Country & Tack, and bought a halter for Jenny, and a strange short rope device all the cowboys use, I will attach it to Tom's headcollar to use to lead him in when I need to, instead of a leadrope, that way if he ever pulls away he wont have a long rope dragging around his legs as he gallops away, which of course he never does...

On horseback might be the only way to get some scenery in, and certainly beats driving about in a car!