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Brooke 🫙🌵
Brooke 🫙🌵

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Three horses, one brown, one dark brown, and one grey, graze in a green field under a blue sky. Overlaid text reads: "Hot Take: We Don't Care About Fancy Bloodlines or Perfect Manes."
A brown horse named Coco "Ole Man" stands in a snowy, muddy pen next to a red barn. Text describes him as the oldest, from South Dakota, and perfect for working with cattle.
A close-up of a reddish-brown horse named Hippo with a white blaze, covered in snow. Text describes her as the only mare, chunky, short-maned, and loving cuddles and kids.
A brown horse named Tex with a white blaze looks over a metal fence in a field. Text describes him as the youngest, bred for rodeo, and a great horse for sorting calves.
Two horses, one grey and one brown, stand in a grassy field with their backs to the camera. Overlaid text states: "They're happy and healthy even with a few extra pounds."
A split image. On the left, two horses are behind a fence. On the right, a horse looks out from a red barn door in the snow. Text notes their manes and tails get snarls.
A person in a blue shirt and jeans saddles a brown horse in a field at sunset. Overlaid text says: "days spent 'working' with them don't feel like work."
A split image. On the left, a horse's head in profile. On the right, a young woman smiles next to a horse. Text states: "They don't have fancy bloodlines or paperwork."
A horse wearing a bridle with decorative elements looks to the right in a field under a blue sky. Overlaid text says: "their personality and loyalty trump any paperwork."
A split image. On the left, a horse looks over a fence with icicles. On the right, a small child feeds hay to a horse in the snow. Text states they bring joy and memories.
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Hot Take: We Don’t Care About Fancy Bloodlines

They don’t always look like they stepped out of a magazine. Their manes and tails get snarls, rarely see a braid, and sometimes collect a little mud or dust from rolling in the pasture.

They don’t have fancy papers or bloodlines, and honestly? We don’t care. They are extra chunky, a little rounder than some might prefer—but we think it just makes them cozier and more lovable.

Meet our crew:

• Coco (“Ole Man”) – The oldest gelding. Came from the west side of the river in SD, where horses check cattle on hilly pastures. Drop him in a pasture for checks and he turns into a young buck, off to find the cows. But grandma-safe? Absolutely. You could put any kid on him—he’s gentle as can be, tack or no tack.

• Hippo – Our stubborn, extra chunky mare. Short, barely any mane, full of sass—but she loves kids and gives the sweetest lip-kisses. Throws attitude to people, but makes up for it with extra love.

• Tex – The youngest and king of the crew. Full of get-up-and-go and attitude. Pull him to sort calves and he’ll get the job done lickety-split. People often ask to buy him once they see him work

They aren’t perfect. They have extra pounds, a few screws loose some days, but we wouldn’t trade them for the world. Their loyalty, personalities, and all the memories they’ve given us make them more than enough.

#lemon8contest #AskLemon8

#HorseLife #FarmLife #RanchLife #HorseLovers #HomesteadLife

2025/8/28 Edited to

... Read moreIt's easy to get caught up in the allure of 'fancy' horses with impressive pedigrees and show rings. But what about our beloved senior equines, especially those who've spent their lives working hard by our side? When it comes to an 'oldest horse,' their value often isn't measured in bloodlines, but in the wisdom in their eyes, the steadiness of their gait, and the countless memories they've helped create. Take our Coco, for example – our 'Ole Man' is the oldest gelding on the ranch, and he certainly isn't 'fancy' in the traditional sense. He came to us from the west side of the river in SD, where horses are integral to working with cattle on hilly pastures. Even now, if you drop him in a pasture for checks, he turns into a young buck, eager to get the job done. His long years have given him an unmatched instinct and reliability that no amount of fancy paperwork could ever provide. He's truly grandma-safe, a testament to his gentle nature despite his working horse background. His calm demeanor means any child can be put on him, tack or no tack, and you know they're in safe hooves. For us, the greatest 'fancy' an oldest horse can possess is a heart full of loyalty and a personality that shines. Coco, like many senior horses, brings a calm presence and an understanding that only comes with age. They've seen it all, and their unflappable nature makes them incredible teachers for young riders or handlers. We've learned that their personality and loyalty trump any paperwork or show ribbon. They might have a few extra pounds or a mane with snarls, but these are just badges of a life well-lived, full of happy days. These imperfections, far from being flaws, make them real and relatable members of our FarmLife and RanchLife. The bond you form with an oldest horse like Coco is incredibly deep. It’s built on years of shared experiences, quiet trust, and mutual respect. They are the silent observers, the patient teachers, and the unwavering companions. There's a profound comfort in their familiar presence, a sense of history that younger, more spirited horses haven't yet earned. This deep connection is something money can't buy, and no fancy pedigree can guarantee. Caring for an oldest horse means cherishing their golden years. It's about adjusting their diet to keep them happy and healthy, ensuring they have comfortable shelter, and recognizing that their energy levels might be different. We make sure they get their regular vet checks, comfortable bedding, and feed suited for senior equines. But the joy they bring remains boundless. Those days spent 'working' with them don't feel like work; they feel like precious moments with a lifelong friend. Watching Coco still confidently guide calves or gently interact with a child reminds us daily that true value lies in character, not pedigree. So, if you're searching for an 'oldest horse' – whether 'fancy' or not – remember to look beyond the surface. Seek out the ones with the biggest hearts, the most seasoned spirits, and the unwavering loyalty. These are the horses who truly enrich our lives and prove that some things are far more valuable than any bloodline. They are the unsung heroes of the pasture, bringing endless memories and unconditional love.

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