Elk Creek has always strived to be an authentic ranch experience, where all work and all contribute, not just to a particular day or even a particular session but also to the ongoing story of the ranch. Our horse herd bears special witness to the contributions of many Elk Creekers. Punch was born almost four years ago. Melissa assisted mother Sunny with his arrival and immediately started handling  or “imprinting” him.

Punch did not suffer terribly during his first summer! He was curried and handled and halter broken and coddled. He had his feet picked up and had all sorts of things thrown over him and around him in the old western tradition of “sacking out” the colt or foal. Then he was coddled again… . and again.

In the second and third year, we do much groundwork with the young horses. Over the years many ranchers have brought their own training experiences to Elk Creek, and the groundwork routines have become more and more refined. The effort is always to do as much on the ground to avoid problems and make fast progress when first mounted.

Josh started the big day in 2010 on Louie (the saddled horse) working with Punch on lead in the round corral. He twirled the lead rope over Punch’s head and did just about everything he could to startle Punch from the top of Louie, and then he just swung off Louie and onto Punch. And that was that. Punch didn’t know what “hit” him.

Last summer Melissa introduced Punch to the barrels and all went well. (Good thing she did the imprinting when Punch was a tot!) Dozens of Elk Creekers have written the early chapters in Punch’s story and have started him well; more will write later chapters. Punch, in his turn, has contributed to a few chapters in our Elk Creek story, and we are all better for it.