The Code of The West

Ethics . . . we all have them, the moral compass that is found within us and guides us between choosing right or wrong.  Maybe we've gotten away from checking in on a daily basis and seeing how we each are doing with our daily life choices, but in the old American West, the Cowboy lived by his ethics, or code on a daily basis.

The true cowboy is an American icon standing for what is good, brave and true in life. To survive the West and go to bed every night with a clear conscience, cowboys took living the code very seriously.

WHY COWBOYS?

The iconic cowboy represents the best of America — the courage, optimism and plain hard work. Cowboys are heroic not just because they do a dangerous job, but also because they stand for something — the simple, basic values that lie at the heart of the cowboy way. Even though their way of life has changed over the last 150 years, cowboys still honor and live by their code. They are an abiding source of inspiration to do better and be better than we are.  (Center for Cowboy Ethics and Leadership)

At Enchanted Springs Ranch, we celebrate the true Cowboy.  We encourage and teach our guests to ponder living a life by the Code.

Steve Schmidt, "Cowboy Steve", owner of Enchanted Springs Ranch, is living the code. Visiting Enchanted Springs Ranch, not only transports you back in time to the Old West, but you'll meet Cowboy Steve and others who are living out the ten principles.

So just stop for a few minutes and read through the ten principles to the left.  What if you started applying these principles to your life on a daily basis?  What kind of changes would take place?   Would you inspire and encourage others to apply the code to their lives as well?

So many moral compasses that have gone unchecked, could be put back on the trail, by earnestly applying and living the Code of the West.  Now, are you ready to become a cowboy?

The Cowboy Code: My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys

Life today is fast paced, loaded with stress and people struggle with many issues in their lives. You don't hear very much about living to a code of ethics or beliefs in today's world, but back in the 1940's, a man by the name of Gene Autry had our attention. Gene Autry, known as the Singing Cowboy, personified a "straight shooter", who's code of honesty, bravery and truthfulness, inspired millions of Americans.

The following is Autry's Code of Honor:
1. A cowboy never takes unfair advantage - even of an enemy.
2. A cowboy never betrays a trust. He never goes back on his word.
3. A cowboy always tells the truth.
4. A cowboy is kind and gentle to small children, old folks, and animals.
5. A cowboy is free from racial and religious intolerances.
6. A cowboy is always helpful when someone is in trouble.
7. A cowboy is always a good worker.
8. A cowboy respects womanhood, his parents and his nation's laws.
9. A cowboy is clean about his person in thought, word, and deed.
10. A cowboy is a Patriot.
   

When you visit Enchanted Springs Ranch, we strive to educate our visitors about the true cowboy and cowboy ethics. You'll find yourself stepping back in time, to an old west town, complete with cowboys and cowgirls, who strive to personify the above ten beliefs. Cowboys play a huge role in the America's old west history and Enchanted Springs Ranch delivers truth and preserves the history of the cowboy. So spend some quality family time at our ranch, learning about cowboys and enjoying a day free from stress and worries. By the time you leave Enchanted Springs Ranch, you might go home embracing Gene Autry's Cowboy Code.

For more information about Enchanted Springs Ranch:  www.enchantedspringsranch.com

Learn more about Gene Autry at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Autry