NATCHEZ — Colton Rabb is living the dream.

That dream — the dream of many 5-year-old boys — takes young Rabb high in the sky, behind the reins and, of course, back in the saddle again.

Rabb, who has been led on horses since he could sit in a saddle, began riding on his own in the summer of 2012 and has recently began learning to rope.

“He loves it all,” his father, Bryan Rabb, said. “He’s a cowboy through and through.”

Colton and his father regularly load up and head out to dusty Double C Ranch, owned by friend David Carter, where Colton and other children learn to rope, ride and take care of their animals. By taking care of the horses, they learn to “be responsible, reliable and trustworthy,” Carter said. “The animal is a tool to teach the kids life skills.”

Colton loves riding, but he’s got to look the part, Bryan said.

“Every day he’s a cowboy,” Bryan said. “He loves to dress and play the part.”

Colton, who is the youngest of the children learning to rope at Double C, isn’t intimidated by the older boys or even his 1,250-pound horse, Chief.

“When you practice with people that are better than you, you’re naturally going to get better,” Bryan said.

And Colton already has his favorite cowboys: “My Pawpaw Wayne, my daddy and Mr. David (Carter).”

“My dad loved horses and instilled that in me,” Bryan said. “I want to pass that on to Colton.”

Colton loves roping and riding and wants to be a horse trainer when he grows up.

But for now, he’s still got a lot to learn.

“When it comes time, taking care of the horses will be his responsibility,” Bryan said. “It teaches responsibility, ethics and integrity.”