Directions With the Hand but From the Heart

“Directions with the Hand but From the Heart” features Chance and Gideon Smith of Apache Arizona. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to ride with this father and son team at the JO- Ranch north of Animas New Mexico last September. Even at the young age of nine, Gideon was there to put in a full day’s work. The work ethic, stewardship and stockmanship that is handed down in these families from generation to generation is the foundation our country was built on. The rich heritage of the American ranching community is represented here as Chance is sharing with Gideon how they are going to pick up a stray that escaped the gather that morning. 

Chance shared with me that they raise some of the horses that they use with bloodlines tracing back to the “Goldfingers” line. “Lady”, the grey mare he is riding here, is one these horses. He also told me that he and his family make the headstalls, chaps and some of the saddles that they use. Gideon is falling into his father’s footsteps and is wearing his first pair of chaps that he made for himself. Gideon is also using a bit that his great great grandfather had made by Frank Sproul around 1940 for his son, Gideon’s great grandfather. Folks, these are truly things you can’t learn in school! 

I owe many thanks to the Valdez family for letting me join them for their fall works and the Smith family for letting me use their images and sharing their rich family stories with us. 

“When your days are over and you go to be with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom.”‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭17‬:‭11‬ ‭