"It was a tough life if you was useless.” -Leafa Numbers Blake

My grandmother proudly claimed she had delivered more foals and calves than any woman in early 1900s North Dakota. Like her, we’ve found a purpose building our lives, sometimes elbow deep in dirt and blood, but doing whatever work that needed to be done. Horses have always been our north star.

For many of us, the cowboy persona has never been a good fit. Women have earned a narrative about our own lives with horses and the land. We tell a uniquely female account of living and working with horses, coming out of the shadow of cowboy hats and spurs. For us, it was never about fighting for domination. It was always about herd and home.

For many of us, the cowboy persona has never been a good fit. Women have earned a narrative about our own lives with horses and the land. We tell a uniquely female account of working with horses, coming out of the shadow of cowboy hats and spurs. For us, it was never about fighting for domination. It was always about herd and home.

Spotted Horse

Both horsewomen would remember

this moment. A blustering wind, not

cold, but bitter. Misty clouds settled

the dust. A gelding stood between

them, aged beyond the math of his

years. Not quite thin but not strong

either. Looming with stilted tension

as if uncomfortable in ill-fitting clothes.

Was it his arthritis? The chronic hoof

problem? Not that he would ever

complain. His sunken eyes watering,

thick eyelids half-closed. Maybe he was

mentally retreating, not that he would

ever say no. The gelding stood tall but

the horsewomen knew he wasn’t quite

right. Eyes watering, probably the wind.