Modern day people have no idea whatsoever about the relationship between a horse and rider . Especially in the old days out west. Yeah, there are horse people still around. in these here modern times but very few, if any have their life depending on that relationship. So it was back in New Mexico in 1882 Sure we had horses, there was no way to get around out there without one or two and you better know what you are doing when selecting a mount ,or you just might end up stove up or worse , stranded too far out in the middle of nowhere to walk out. Maybe Indians get you. Tie you to a cactus and roast you or you die if thirst face down , spread eagle in the desert Maybe someone finds your bones in 100 years ,maybe not. In either case you woulda’ wished you had gone straight of the cliff. Usually, the build , size, muscle condition, teeth , feet and coat ,and age indicates the Suitability for reliable transportation .
Is the horse sure footed, will he bolt how does he do with rattler s and coyotes Will he step in a prairie dog hole, , is he ornery, is he bright in the head, how far can he see. dies he have to be hobbled?
These are personality issues not training. All are serious considerations. For example your house gets spooked for what ever reason and you cant whoa him. well off you go off the mess ridge down to the creek about 100 feet down and end up in eternity.
A hobbled horse gets nervous at night and you can’t sleep due to his moving around. How would you like to have your feet tied. At night. Out in the middle of nowhere. And so it was for us . We usually had two mounts each and Ride whichever looked best that day. took good care of them and when they were no longer serviceable, you had dinner for the winter. John Wayne rode one horse for many films and forbid anyone from riding him. John Wayne knew about horses. A perfect horse trusted his rider. if you said “its OK” and the horse trusted you, well he did not bolt straight off a cliff for example.
So it was until early Nov 1883 in the buck-horn at two am at the back room poker table. That right smart easterner raised $10 now that’s $280 today . Steve held 3 fours and a pair of Jack’s. I’ll raise $50, ,Steve pushes in the money. The easterner hesitated. I’ll throw in my fine horse , I call. Well here comes the sawed off on to the table . Lets first take a look at this fine horse. I went out with the easterner and Steve to see this so called fine horse. Holy crap! I’ve known Steve forever and I never ever saw him just kind of buckle at the knees looking into the brown, sparkling eyes if that truly fine horse. I knew what he saw ,but we never spoke about it. Back inside ,cards turned over. Easterner had two pair.
AUTHORS NOTE: ” More than 1 or 2 nights in any town we might be staying. We will saddle up Sheba and Pete and ride to the saloon even if its 50 feet away. Why? If i have to tell you why, then i will not. Hell, Rob even puts on his Chaps to go 100 feet away! Full presentation! If it’s a slow night, bareback has been done a time or two. Depends on weather, occupancy in saloon and mood of us and the horses. A common theme played out. We walk out of a saloon.. Check on the horses. No horses? We look at each other and say , “did we walk here” we check the local livery. We always find them or they find us. I usually do a walk by.. If it’s worthy, i dress up otherwise not. Rob however is stitched from a different thread. He’ll get on his finest just to live it. No faults in that. Robs a peacock and im crow. “
All these miles and years and them two are just the same as that day, long ago. Steve named that fine horse Sheba, in honor of his first dog Steve had that passed a while back. I never saw Steve on another horse, ever, from that day till today. About 8 months later. I’m on the porch of the buck horn about 10 am and here comes up a wore out prospector walking, leading a wore out horse. He walks up to me “can I borrow a plate if beans, I’m tapped out” Sure, go inside and help yourself I replied. He goes in I look at that horse and by god Looking into his eyes I see he is telling me “Save me from this hell and I’ll do my best for you” Handed the prosecutor two bottles of bust head and a $20 gold piece and took the Raines “I was gonna eat him tomorrow ” the old man said as he walked off Led the wore out mount into the barn ,with a bed of fresh hay and plenty of oats and stream water. He slept for 2 days, then started eating Over the next two months he gained at least two hundred pounds of pure ,rippling muscle, never saw anything like that took him out on a trail Just a slight touch on the bridal or nudge with a knee was all it took ,like his mind was connected to mine. Well I named him Petey in honor of a dog I had that passed. Neither of these boys ever disappointed either of us , ever. They are the best relationships we ever had. Turns out the boys personality mirrored their riders. Petey always had ten things going on in his head, but when it counted he got the job done no matter what Sheba was quiet ,always focused and watching. never have seen him afraid or tense ,ready for whatever came. They got along about the same way Rob and Steve have.
Dear reader you must agree this was somehow predestined, it was just too good to believe. In 1890 Feb we received a cable from Siringo telling us an ore shipment from white oaks had been hijacked between Carthage and El Paso and the bunch of thieves were headed to the Mongolian up our way, Charley was way too far back to catch up so it was up to us. The boys hauled us 37 miles ,over rough forest and then scrub desert in one day. Steve and Rob caught up with the thieves, left three there on the ground and 4 others plus the ore was turned over to Siringo two days later to be taken back to Asarco in El Paso , The next time we came to white oaks we learned how appreciated we were by the people there. Dear reader try 37 mountain miles in one day and you will see how special these boys are