Handling Horses
Mar 25, 2023 02:45:45 #
I was always out trying to help when Dad was farming, especially if it was close to the house. One time he had harnessed up the team but was going to take them down the road to another field.
Most mornings, he would let me hold the raynes while he opened the gate, and I would drive them through. He would then close the gate after I had driven them through the open gate. This morning was no different except when I had ‘clucked’ them up, they wouldn’t stop when I had pulled back on the raynes as hard as I could and was yelling ‘woah” as loud as I could.
I suppose they decided they were not going to take orders from a 5-year-old boy. They kept going and finally was dragging me on the ground on my belly. Dad always did allow me to try my hand with teams long before I was probably able.
This was somewhat like I have read about the Comanches giving a boy who was maybe three or four years old his own pony. He would have to learn how to mount, dismount, and take care of his horse all on his own. That way, by the time he was a teenager, he would be an expert in handling horses.
I never considered myself an expert but did learn to manage any saddle pony we owned. I was always somewhat surprised at Dad’s philosophy in handling horses. If at the time we had a saddle pony and Dad wanted to plow, he harnessed the pony up and plowed. If we had a plow horse, and he or I wanted to ride, we put the blanket and saddle on it. I do remember that he loved horses and was willing to trade any time. Just Sayin…RJS
Most mornings, he would let me hold the raynes while he opened the gate, and I would drive them through. He would then close the gate after I had driven them through the open gate. This morning was no different except when I had ‘clucked’ them up, they wouldn’t stop when I had pulled back on the raynes as hard as I could and was yelling ‘woah” as loud as I could.
I suppose they decided they were not going to take orders from a 5-year-old boy. They kept going and finally was dragging me on the ground on my belly. Dad always did allow me to try my hand with teams long before I was probably able.
This was somewhat like I have read about the Comanches giving a boy who was maybe three or four years old his own pony. He would have to learn how to mount, dismount, and take care of his horse all on his own. That way, by the time he was a teenager, he would be an expert in handling horses.
I never considered myself an expert but did learn to manage any saddle pony we owned. I was always somewhat surprised at Dad’s philosophy in handling horses. If at the time we had a saddle pony and Dad wanted to plow, he harnessed the pony up and plowed. If we had a plow horse, and he or I wanted to ride, we put the blanket and saddle on it. I do remember that he loved horses and was willing to trade any time. Just Sayin…RJS
Mar 25, 2023 09:40:40 #
Mar 25, 2023 21:03:09 #
Robert J Samples wrote:
I was always out trying to help when Dad was farmi... (show quote)
That's true Sir, my Ancestors chose small ponys for getting from here to there, without much feed or water, life was harsh for them while being hunted for being Native Mescaleros, as my Great Grandfather and Grandfather has passed on stories🙏
Mar 26, 2023 08:32:37 #
HenryG
Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts
Robert J Samples wrote:
I was always out trying to help when Dad was farmi... (show quote)
Nice read Mr.Samples.😎👍🇺🇸
Mar 26, 2023 14:15:41 #
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