The next spring, Little Hoss's first
colt was born with loud color and the hook was set for good. The Law's
named the colt Moondoggie after the Gidget character. Moondoggie's mother
died not long after he was born, and the orphan foal became a constant
companion to the Law's oldest daughter, Kathy, who was five at the time.
He even attended show and tell at her school. "Moondoggie was an
example of the deposition you want when you breed horses," says Linda
Law. "Kathy used to lead him around while ridding her tricycle."
Moondoggie continued to accept everything put to him in stride. He would
go on to spend his entire life with the Law's, teaching all three of their
children to ride and sometimes competing in as many as a dozen classes
during a single show to allow everyone their turn in the ring. With
Moondoggie and Little Hoss, showing became an activity in which the whole
Law family participated.
"We've always treated showing as a family
sport because that's what it is to us," says Linda Law. The
daughters, Kathy, Molly, and Annette were all indoctrinated to the
show ring early in life. Kathy and Annette both to the activity like a
hungry colt to fresh pasture. Molly, the Law's middle daughter, loved the
animals, but often preferred to stay out of the limelight of the ring.
Taking young children to horse shows is not
always easy, but the Laws never gave it a second thought. "Annette
was our official brusher," says Don Law ribbing his youngest daughter
who his now How's Come's head trainer. "At shows, she would spend
hours brushing the stallions from their backs while they were tied to the
trailer," says Law. The Family caught some flack from fellow
exhibitors regarding their daughters being in such close proximity to
breeding stallions, but the Law's were secure in the depositions and
training of their horses as well as capabilities of their daughters. As
they grew, all three girls became competent horsewomen.
For Kathy and Annette, the years spent with
horses molded their futures. Kathy went on to attend veterinary school.
She and her husband, Randy Huenfeld, also a veterinarian, have both a home
and a clinic nearby Adrian, MO. Both the Huenfelds are actively involved
in the health of the horses at How's Come Ranch and Randy Huenfeld has
specialized training in equine reproduction.
Annette is an accomplished horse trainer working
with both How's Come horses and those from outside customers. She shows
regularly and is an active 4-H and youth horsemanship leader and is always
willing to share her knowledge with young people interested in horses and
showing. Annette's daughter with husband David Jackson is the third
generation of the Law family to compete in the ApHC show ring. Taking
after her mom, Amanda displayed her love for horses and showing early in
life. she exhibited in her first lead line class at age 3 and now compete
regularly in halter, pleasure, and showmanship classes.
Molly, who chose a career in teaching, still
supports her family's equine activities from behind the scenes by watching
over the ranch when a helping hand is needed and cheering from ringside.
In the years since the Laws loaded Little Hoss in
the bed of their pickup truck and went to that first show, they have
accomplished a lot. They are now nationally respected ApHC breeders,
trainers, and competitors. Don Law has held an ApHC judge's card and How's
Come Ranch horses have garnered many awards. They have also accomplished
keeping their horse business a family endeavor, crediting much of their
success to their group interest and appreciation of horses.
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