Horses by Jessica Zuraw

When I was a little girl, I was frequently driven past the Flying S Ranch. My father would always point out the horses to me. “Jessica! Look at the horses!” I would always pull against my seatbelt, craning my neck to see all the horses in the pastures. “Sometime soon, I’ll go to the owner of that place and ask if you can draw the horses by the fence.” He would always say. I have always loved horses. Even at 17, I still love them.

My name is Jessica Zuraw. I love to work around the Flying S Ranch and ride Jack, a chestnut Quarter Horse gelding. Although he is not a lesson horse, he is still a great ride. You can frequently find me in my muck boots; cleaning stalls, helping Girl Scout troops, or even by the gates of the pastures drawing all of the beautiful horses that the ranch provides a wonderful “house” to. I love to ride horses, and I recall the first time I rode a horse fondly.

I was in the fourth grade when I decided to try riding horses. I was only nervous about falling off. My mother thought I would be intimidated by the horse, but that was definitely not the case. I was not afraid of the horse at all. The first horse I rode was an Appaloosa/Arabian mix. His name was Buddy. I remember when I first got on him. I was so high up! I just trusted him, and I didn’t fall off. The steady four beats of his walk was incredibly calming. I never wanted the feeling of safety and love to end. I wanted to ride forever. I was hooked.

Eventually the stable closed and I came to the Flying S Ranch. I volunteered and took lessons here, but I will never forget everything I’ve learned from the other horses. Every horse has something to teach us, a different story to tell. People just need to listen to them. It’s not always easy to figure it out, but just keep listening to the horses. It’s not just the people that learn, but also the horses. Even though a horse may have finished training, I believe they will always learn things from their riders and even the people they know and love.

I started to ride Jack a few months ago. He came here in August of 2012 and I started riding him shortly after. When I was asked to ride him, I of course said yes. That was the best day of my life because it started so many amazing events in my life. I was eventually asked to show him, and I also said yes to that. I am so happy that I said yes. I am so happy where I am right now. I wish it could stay that way forever.

Every time I ride Jack, when I look at him in the mirrors, he has a string of drool hanging down from his mouth! He is such a funny horse! His bit is supposed to produce more saliva, but I never thought it would be running down his chin after the ride. He loves peppermint sticks, like candy canes. He also loves his treats that Jim buys for him specially. We call them “cookies” because they really do look like cookies!

I love this ranch. I feel like I really belong here and like it’s my second home. I really fit in with the girls that ride there.

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