05/21/2026
My parents and I searched for a horse for two years.
After 8 year old Red loaded in my parents’ one horse trailer like he’d been doing it his entire life, we took him to a Pre Purchase Exam with Dr. Lee. He was healthy and my parents bought him for me to barrel race on during my time with Texas Aggie Rodeo (back then it was a club).
Red was my college rodeo horse.
We hit the road and made new friends together, memories, and some barrel runs. He even received a tune up from Tammy Fisher and helped me win cash and scholarships for college.
Red was my pasture pet.
During a phase, I didn’t ride much and my mom would take turns with me helping to feed and care for him.
Red was my first lesson horse. I started teaching lessons on him to John Wayne.
Red helped with a house down payment through becoming a part of The Bishop Family. I balled my eyes out as they left the pasture. I continued teaching John Wayne lessons on Red afterwards!
Red was my boomerang horse. Months after Hugo bought and established iheartranch, I received a text that would change my life. Red returned home!
Red was the core of iheartranch.
The barn windows are custom height for him, the two horse trailer was bought for him, the run was made for him, etc…
Red was my shadow.
He immediately met me at the barn upon my arrival and was always the last one I loved on before leaving. He’d supervise our projects and would always be close.
Red was my lesson horse, again.
As I continued training Red, I taught more and more lessons on him. Retired people, adults, teens, kids, and littles rode him. I rode double with the littles on him. A student could be riding him and and I could stop him from across the arena with just my “whoa.” He followed me in the arena without a lead rope/reins. I also trained him to stand and rest while I worked with other students/horses. Red was so responsive and so so so gentle!
Red was the first horse I ever tried the Dowunder Horsemanship Method on. He just got even better!
Red was my confidant. He knows so many things and has had so many tears cried into his mane. He also listened to many songs and podcasts with me. Red often licked my hand.
Red was my teacher. He taught me about barrel racing, horse management, horse ownership, training, and so many other aspects of horses.
Red was there as I searched for and bought four more horses, helped Hugo recover from heart surgery, broke my toe, and started teaching a STARR grade level for the first time. Red was the equivalent of Mindy to Clinton Anderson.
Red coliced in February.
He spent a couple of nights at the vet. Dr. Canada helped him and was able to provide us with the gift of time.
Red was loved. He had his own run during his last four months. Red received a full body clip. He used more fans. I hand mixed his mash on repeat for him with the water:forage pellets ratio that he preferred twice during each feeding. We took walks together. I medicated him. We spent time together.
❤️ As of Monday, Red is better than ever! No more pain or chronic conditions. He’s grazing with Sarge again. I can’t wait to see them again.
The smiles were worth the tears”
-The Fall by Cody Johnson
Rachel Ibarra
Hugo Ibarra