Cowboy Up at Rocking J Ranch

Susie Johnson dreamed of owning her own horse when she was a little girl. When she was eight years old she’d comb the newspaper classifieds looking for “horses for sale” and would call them, just to chat with real horse owners. She knew her mom, a waitress, couldn’t afford to buy her a horse, but little girls dream big.

Johnson now owns an entire herd of horses and a ranch to boot. She operates the in High Ridge and offers trail rides, riding lessons, summer camps and horse boarding. She’s almost ready to open a bed and breakfast on her property so clients can have a dude ranch experience just miles from St. Louis.

Johnson grew up in North County and as a child she took lessons wherever and whenever she could. When she was around 10 years old she convinced her mom to drive her all the way to Fenton to look at a horse owned by Earl Ashbrook, who once had a ranch where is currently located.

Ashbrook took a liking to the young Johnson and her determination to own a horse of her very own. He set up an unusual deal with Johnson’s mom and allowed them to buy a gelding named Red Bud on an installment plan. He provided free board until the deal was complete, and after six months Red Bud was hers. When the final payment was made Ashbrook gave her a bridle, but it took her another year to save up for a saddle. Johnson said she had no problem learning to ride bareback that first year.

Johnson’s childhood experience plays a big part in how she runs her ranch. She understands how boring basic riding lessons in a ring can become, so her lesson packages include Saturday trail rides and an end-of-month student rodeo.  She also offers camp programs where anyone over seven can come out and really experience the “cowboy” life, for a whole week or just a day. Campers get dirty mucking stalls and grooming horses. But they also get to ride trails, learn rodeo sports like pole bending and barrel racing, and even do a little show jumping if they have the mind.

Campers can use Rocking J’s program horses or bring their own mounts.

Rent A Horse
Rocking J Ranch offers trail rides for adults and children, from beginners to experienced riders. Hour rides are $50 a person and half hour rides are $35. Trail riders use a Rocking J horse and a Western saddle and are led by an experienced wrangler. Helmets are required for kids, but adults can choose to wear one or not. Johnson has access to miles of wooded trail through her own and her neighbor’s property.

Johnson starts all her trail ride clients in the ring where they are taught how to correctly sit on the horse and how to steer. This is an important first step because her program horses are not the typical nose-to-butt rental ponies other trail ride services offer. Her trail horses do double duty as program horses and are ridden by students or leased to riders who just want a horse part time. All this activity keeps the horses from becoming bored on the trail.

For a little more money, clients can buy a longer ride out to the Big River, or to a park where they can stop for a bring-your-own picnic. If you reserve the “sunset” ride you’ll be treated to a bonfire back at the ranch.

Rent the Barn
Johnson also rents out her “party barn” for all kinds of events, from weddings to more casual get togethers. Birthday parties cost $250 and include 45 minutes of lead line rides, where a wrangler guides the child’s horse with a lead rope. A hayride can be included for an extra fee.

Rocking J's party packages are flexible. Small parties can include a trail ride and bonfire. Large parties include cowboy style catering and a DJ. Brides who want to get married on horseback (but don’t have a horse) can rent a pair of steeds for a barn side service and a ride off into the sunset. A “Cowgirl Wedding” with a catered reception for 75 guests is $2,500. Price does not include the cake or alcohol, which the couple must provide. The barn can host up to 200 people for a sit down dinner.

Board a Horse
Rocking J Ranch also has room for up to 20 client-owned horses. Johnson offers natural pasture boarding, where the horses spend their free time roaming the fields and are brought in for grain at a special feeding station. Boarders are free to use the barn’s stalls as needed, but it costs more to keep a horse indoors all the time.