The Bond Between Man & Horse

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By Angel Russell

Created: Mon, 14 Jul 2014 04:34:00 MST

Updated: Tue, 15 Jul 2014 12:27:51 MST

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- As part of News Channel 5's Wild West week, reporter Angel Russell explored the bond between man and horse with the Back Country Horseman.

Long before man's best friend was a dog, every good cowboy had one best companion. A famous quote says, "A dog looks up to a man, a cat looks down on a man, but a patient horse looks a man in the eye and sees him as an equal."

Two Back Country Horse members helped explain the secret bond between man and horse and the beauty of enjoying Colorado's nature. As volunteers of this organization, they are passionate horse lovers who help keep the country, country.

"Our primary job is to keep trails open for equestrian use. We have trails that we’ve adopted. We go out on those trails and we trim, put in water bars, bog drains,” said Penny Ackerman, a Back Country Horsemen member.

As passionate horse lovers, the members discussed what they like best about their four-legged friends.

“I really can’t picture a life without them, they get you back into county that you would never see in the world otherwise,” said Mark Ackerman, a Back Country Horsemen member.

Taking care of these horses is a tremendous task that requires hours of hard manual labor every day.

“The biggest task is bringing in the hay so that they have feed for your supply.”

Mark retired from working in the Department of Corrections, and says he feels a better sense of accomplishment now working full time on the ranch.

“You feel better, you’re active, and you just don’t have time to sit around and mope,” added Mark Ackerman.

“Each horse is just like a Human being. They each have their own personality. Their own disposition. A bond between a rider and his horse is so great. If he trusts you