Best Horse
- Thread starter RoperAB
- Start date
peg4x4
Well-known member
Charlie: random bred 16 hand black,bought at 16 months,unhandeled,for a 16 year old,who thought she could ride..will tell you the whole story sometime-----lucky,for some reason,he liked me....
randiliana
Well-known member
Well, that is a hard one. I have a couple. But this old mare is probably the ONE.
Appy, grandpa got her for me when I was 7 and she was 2. In hindsight, that seems like an accident waiting to happen. And of course it did, 1 concussion, and to this day I don't know what happened. But we grew up together, and no other incidents happened. She wasn't much of a cow horse, but she would do what you asked when you asked. She ran for me, she jumped for me, she pulled a toboggan in the winter, and didn't ever kick even when it banged into her. She did things that no sane horse should ever be asked to do, and for the most part we survived. When I grew up and went to college we leased her to another young girl and at the age of 15 or so she went into 4-H and she did that girl proud, won the achievement day. When I came home, so did she, and then she kept my son safe. I will always have the memory of here toting my 3 year old son SAFELY back to the corral, when we went racing after a cow that really didn't want to be brought into the corral. She had a special running walk, and when she finally got to the corral he had looped the reins over the horn, and she was just walking away. She never broke out of it the whole time, and she never liked being left alone, but she kept him safe. She died 3 years ago in June, at the rather young age of 24. I think she had a heart attack, and when I found her I thought she was just having a nap, but she didn't get up. To this day I still miss her. To add a little happy note, that evening, we had a little filly born. Just brings that life/death thing a bit closer to home.
Appy, grandpa got her for me when I was 7 and she was 2. In hindsight, that seems like an accident waiting to happen. And of course it did, 1 concussion, and to this day I don't know what happened. But we grew up together, and no other incidents happened. She wasn't much of a cow horse, but she would do what you asked when you asked. She ran for me, she jumped for me, she pulled a toboggan in the winter, and didn't ever kick even when it banged into her. She did things that no sane horse should ever be asked to do, and for the most part we survived. When I grew up and went to college we leased her to another young girl and at the age of 15 or so she went into 4-H and she did that girl proud, won the achievement day. When I came home, so did she, and then she kept my son safe. I will always have the memory of here toting my 3 year old son SAFELY back to the corral, when we went racing after a cow that really didn't want to be brought into the corral. She had a special running walk, and when she finally got to the corral he had looped the reins over the horn, and she was just walking away. She never broke out of it the whole time, and she never liked being left alone, but she kept him safe. She died 3 years ago in June, at the rather young age of 24. I think she had a heart attack, and when I found her I thought she was just having a nap, but she didn't get up. To this day I still miss her. To add a little happy note, that evening, we had a little filly born. Just brings that life/death thing a bit closer to home.
My favorite horse was a pretty well bred paint,Miss Copy Cat...Cat for short. I loved her to death,she wasn't a smooth ride but she was so reliable,never bucked and would take me anywhere and everywhere.
We bred her one year and she gave us twins,greg was working nights I got up around 5am and saw a colt,nice normal and this pitiful little thing walking behind her,called gregs dad..."Hurry you have to come over Cat had twins",I could hear him roll his eyes when he said to me,his city daughter-in-law.."Mairi,lots of cats have twins"...lol. She was such a good mommy to both those babies,and all the other babies she had.
Man I still miss her :cry2: :cry2:
We bred her one year and she gave us twins,greg was working nights I got up around 5am and saw a colt,nice normal and this pitiful little thing walking behind her,called gregs dad..."Hurry you have to come over Cat had twins",I could hear him roll his eyes when he said to me,his city daughter-in-law.."Mairi,lots of cats have twins"...lol. She was such a good mommy to both those babies,and all the other babies she had.
Man I still miss her :cry2: :cry2:
Faster horses
Well-known member
Hard to choose just one favorite when you have been lucky enough
to have many. How does that saying go, "a person only gets one good
dog, one good horse and one good wife in this life."
(Well, I admit I edited that a bit.) :wink:
I guess on of my most favorite horses was a JB King horse we called
Kelly. We bought him as a 9 year old from a woman that was known
far and wide as a good horse person. Her name then was Honey Wuither, Buffalo, Wyoming. She is Honey DeFord now and lives south of
Newcastle.
Anyway, I was a young bride that had had one horse in her life and
he wasn't much, really. I knew how to ride and that was it. I never
helped work cattle before horseback. Mr. FH bought me this horse.
I rode him once and told him he was too much horse for me. He told
me that Kelly was a really good horse and that I was going to ride him,
and that he wasn't too much horse, it was that he was all business.
Talk about watch a cow. That horse taught me more than 10 people
could. All of a sudden it was fun to be in the right place at the right time.
I learned to pair out cows and calves at calving time. That ole bugger
would walk along (we had to trail them out a meadow to the gate at
the end, sometimes it was a long ways) and if the cow put her head
to the left he would put his head to the left so the cow would see him.
If the cow put her head to the right like she wanted to leave that direction,
he would put his head to the right. It got to be so much fun for me.
If we were gathering a pasture and I was looking at the ground, he'd
keep looking somewhere where there were more cattle. He helped
me in so many ways, learn how to do some good, not just BE there.
I swear that horse NEVER went between a cow and her calf.
He could run like a house afire, but I was never comfortable running
him that fast. I could ride a horse forever and never know how fast
he could run. I like slow and steady... :wink:
He had a lot of confidence and a lot of courage. His attitude was
if I fall down, I'll get back up again. I've seen bulls hit him in the butt,
I've seen him run after a calf, jump irrigation ditches high, wide and
handsome. He had the heart of a lion and yet was so gentle.
He got stoved up and I was going to sell him. I mentioned this to the man that helped us get started in the ranching business. We worked closely
with him when we leased the ranch on our own. He said to me, "Oh,
for goodness sake, don't do that. I'm just getting where I can quit
going over the hill pulling out my hair!"
Meaning of course, that I was finally some help, instead of just in
the way.
We owned him til he died. I'm learning to use my scanner, so I
might be able to add a picture of him here.
What great memories. Thanks Roper AB for starting this thread.
I might have to relate Mr. FH favorite horse, since he doesn't 'do'
computers.
to have many. How does that saying go, "a person only gets one good
dog, one good horse and one good wife in this life."
(Well, I admit I edited that a bit.) :wink:
I guess on of my most favorite horses was a JB King horse we called
Kelly. We bought him as a 9 year old from a woman that was known
far and wide as a good horse person. Her name then was Honey Wuither, Buffalo, Wyoming. She is Honey DeFord now and lives south of
Newcastle.
Anyway, I was a young bride that had had one horse in her life and
he wasn't much, really. I knew how to ride and that was it. I never
helped work cattle before horseback. Mr. FH bought me this horse.
I rode him once and told him he was too much horse for me. He told
me that Kelly was a really good horse and that I was going to ride him,
and that he wasn't too much horse, it was that he was all business.
Talk about watch a cow. That horse taught me more than 10 people
could. All of a sudden it was fun to be in the right place at the right time.
I learned to pair out cows and calves at calving time. That ole bugger
would walk along (we had to trail them out a meadow to the gate at
the end, sometimes it was a long ways) and if the cow put her head
to the left he would put his head to the left so the cow would see him.
If the cow put her head to the right like she wanted to leave that direction,
he would put his head to the right. It got to be so much fun for me.
If we were gathering a pasture and I was looking at the ground, he'd
keep looking somewhere where there were more cattle. He helped
me in so many ways, learn how to do some good, not just BE there.
I swear that horse NEVER went between a cow and her calf.
He could run like a house afire, but I was never comfortable running
him that fast. I could ride a horse forever and never know how fast
he could run. I like slow and steady... :wink:
He had a lot of confidence and a lot of courage. His attitude was
if I fall down, I'll get back up again. I've seen bulls hit him in the butt,
I've seen him run after a calf, jump irrigation ditches high, wide and
handsome. He had the heart of a lion and yet was so gentle.
He got stoved up and I was going to sell him. I mentioned this to the man that helped us get started in the ranching business. We worked closely
with him when we leased the ranch on our own. He said to me, "Oh,
for goodness sake, don't do that. I'm just getting where I can quit
going over the hill pulling out my hair!"
Meaning of course, that I was finally some help, instead of just in
the way.
We owned him til he died. I'm learning to use my scanner, so I
might be able to add a picture of him here.
What great memories. Thanks Roper AB for starting this thread.
I might have to relate Mr. FH favorite horse, since he doesn't 'do'
computers.
skidboots
Active member
I must say, I envy Faster Horses. She not only got a good one, but had a use for him. I've had Quarter Horses all my life, but never the land to keep cattle. If you don't have cattle, it's my humble opinion, you don't get the max out of your Quarter Horse.I have to be content with arena stuff, or trail rides in the country.
Right now I have a 24 yr old Grand Daughter of Sugar Bars, that I feel is the best horse I've owned. Someone else, far better than me, trained her out in the Midland-Odessa area. She does barrels, poles, ropes calves, and team pens. Or "Used To", she's retired now and just eats and hangs out under the oak trees, with her stablemate,(a grandaughter of Impressive, out of some of them good Midland-Odessa bred horses.
So, Faster Horses, you go girl!
Right now I have a 24 yr old Grand Daughter of Sugar Bars, that I feel is the best horse I've owned. Someone else, far better than me, trained her out in the Midland-Odessa area. She does barrels, poles, ropes calves, and team pens. Or "Used To", she's retired now and just eats and hangs out under the oak trees, with her stablemate,(a grandaughter of Impressive, out of some of them good Midland-Odessa bred horses.
So, Faster Horses, you go girl!
Northern Rancher
Well-known member
Talk about weird this post comes up a year to the day I lost my little bay mare in the ice. Haven't really gotten to where I want to ride another one. Hopsing won't ever be replaced. For everybody with a good mare-get a foal out of her before it's too late-I damned sure wish I had.
Skrewk
Active member
His name was Dude, he was about 2 years older than me but as soon as I could sit up I was riding him, most all of what I know about horses can be traced back to him. He died when I was a sophmore in college so he had plenty of time to teach me as much I was willing to learn. He was dads left handed heeling horse and my right handed heading horse so obviously he was a talented and adaptable horse.
He could baby sit any idiot and yet could do any cow work that was needed at a moments notice, one of those that comes along once in a lifetime if your lucky,.............................................. and I was.
He could baby sit any idiot and yet could do any cow work that was needed at a moments notice, one of those that comes along once in a lifetime if your lucky,.............................................. and I was.
Soapweed
Well-known member
I wrote this almost two years ago on a similar topic. Here it is again:
My "perfect" horse is now 23 years old, as of this spring. I am continually looking for a good young gelding to take his place, and have bought and traded quite a few in recent years in my search, but none have all the qualifications that he does.
I purchased Tom Cat when he was a two-year-old and broke him myself. He is a grade horse, and shows a bit of Percheron. When he was young, he was almost a grulla color, but turned grey and is now almost white. He has feathers on his legs, but is a pretty good looking horse if these feathers are trimmed off each spring. All four hooves are well-shaped and his legs are sound with adequate bone. He stays in good flesh, and has a tough enough hide that he has never been cinch sore. His withers are just right to hold a saddle in place, and he travels true and is steady on his feet.
Tom Cat stands 15 hands plus two inches, and weighs 1200 pounds. On his nose is a "mustache", and this is a characteristic shared by the best three horses I have owned through the years. Even though the intelligence of a horse is said to be related to how high the cowlick is on their head, Tom Cat's cowlick is below the level of his eyes. It doesn't seem to matter in his case.
This good grey horse has speed, endurance, cow sense, and a good traveling running walk. He is a bit rough, and when he is after a cow you'd better hang on tight or he'll get out from under you. He is fun to rope calves on in a branding corral, as he does his best to help you get into position. If you miss, he gets mad.
When doctoring cattle out in the pasture, Tom Cat works real well. He can sneak around in the herd, while they are gathered at a windmill or in a fence corner. He tries hard to put you in the right position to slip on a loop without disturbing the herd. If you miss a couple times, and your quarry gets wary, he will ease them to the edge of the herd and give you all the speed needed to catch the critter. After that bovine has been doctored, he calms right down so you can try to sneak a loop on the next victim.
Tom Cat is gentle for anyone to ride, but he still has spirit to carry a person all day without tiring. You can open barbed wire gates from his back, carry a calf over the saddle horn, or drag a calf sled. Nothing bothers him except getting wormed twice a year. He absolutely hates the mere thought of the slippery paste sliding down his throat.
He is a friendly cuss, and can be caught out in the pasture if you have a piece of "cake" in your pocket. Ride him bareback until you get to the barn, and then slide off and brush the white hairs off your britches.
All in all, ol' Tom Cat is just a member of the family. He has turned into such a perfect horse, that he is the yardstick by which I measure all others. I haven't yet found one that can walk in his shadow. Though he is 23 years old, by looking at him and watching him in action you would think he was an eight-year-old. He truly enjoys being a full-fledged partner in the operation of this ranch.
***Since this was written in April of 2005, I have sold the horse to Ranch Mom and her husband, K_Ranch, for their kids to ride. Last I knew, the kids really liked him and it seemed to be a perfect match.
My "perfect" horse is now 23 years old, as of this spring. I am continually looking for a good young gelding to take his place, and have bought and traded quite a few in recent years in my search, but none have all the qualifications that he does.
I purchased Tom Cat when he was a two-year-old and broke him myself. He is a grade horse, and shows a bit of Percheron. When he was young, he was almost a grulla color, but turned grey and is now almost white. He has feathers on his legs, but is a pretty good looking horse if these feathers are trimmed off each spring. All four hooves are well-shaped and his legs are sound with adequate bone. He stays in good flesh, and has a tough enough hide that he has never been cinch sore. His withers are just right to hold a saddle in place, and he travels true and is steady on his feet.
Tom Cat stands 15 hands plus two inches, and weighs 1200 pounds. On his nose is a "mustache", and this is a characteristic shared by the best three horses I have owned through the years. Even though the intelligence of a horse is said to be related to how high the cowlick is on their head, Tom Cat's cowlick is below the level of his eyes. It doesn't seem to matter in his case.
This good grey horse has speed, endurance, cow sense, and a good traveling running walk. He is a bit rough, and when he is after a cow you'd better hang on tight or he'll get out from under you. He is fun to rope calves on in a branding corral, as he does his best to help you get into position. If you miss, he gets mad.
When doctoring cattle out in the pasture, Tom Cat works real well. He can sneak around in the herd, while they are gathered at a windmill or in a fence corner. He tries hard to put you in the right position to slip on a loop without disturbing the herd. If you miss a couple times, and your quarry gets wary, he will ease them to the edge of the herd and give you all the speed needed to catch the critter. After that bovine has been doctored, he calms right down so you can try to sneak a loop on the next victim.
Tom Cat is gentle for anyone to ride, but he still has spirit to carry a person all day without tiring. You can open barbed wire gates from his back, carry a calf over the saddle horn, or drag a calf sled. Nothing bothers him except getting wormed twice a year. He absolutely hates the mere thought of the slippery paste sliding down his throat.
He is a friendly cuss, and can be caught out in the pasture if you have a piece of "cake" in your pocket. Ride him bareback until you get to the barn, and then slide off and brush the white hairs off your britches.
All in all, ol' Tom Cat is just a member of the family. He has turned into such a perfect horse, that he is the yardstick by which I measure all others. I haven't yet found one that can walk in his shadow. Though he is 23 years old, by looking at him and watching him in action you would think he was an eight-year-old. He truly enjoys being a full-fledged partner in the operation of this ranch.
***Since this was written in April of 2005, I have sold the horse to Ranch Mom and her husband, K_Ranch, for their kids to ride. Last I knew, the kids really liked him and it seemed to be a perfect match.
Faster horses
Well-known member
I liked reading that again, Soapweed.
The mustache part, I know what you mean for sure.
The cowlick part, I always thought that the lower the
cowlick the quieter the horse and the higher the cowlick
the more nervous the horse. (Course this is subject to change
due to how some horses are mishandled.) Straight across
the eyes was supposed to be the best spot for a cowlick.
Rock Creek Cattle Company in Deer Lodge had a lot of
ranch horses. A good friend of ours worked there (well, more than one, actually) but this one was really interested
in the horses. An old timer told him to pick the colts he
bought by where the cowlick was, using what I said earlier
as the rule of thumb to go by.
So Dave goes through about 40 head of Rock Creek Ranch
horses, looking at the cowlicks and rating the horse. This
theory proved to be true on all but one horse.
Also it is said that a double cowlick means a horse is complicated.
If you get one broke they are excellent, but can be problem
horses. And then there is something about long cowlicks which
I don't remember. Our old Flinch horse, (gonna be 28 years old)
who was a grand one, has a long cowlick. Wish I remembered the theory on that, but I don't.
FWIW!!! :wink:
The mustache part, I know what you mean for sure.
The cowlick part, I always thought that the lower the
cowlick the quieter the horse and the higher the cowlick
the more nervous the horse. (Course this is subject to change
due to how some horses are mishandled.) Straight across
the eyes was supposed to be the best spot for a cowlick.
Rock Creek Cattle Company in Deer Lodge had a lot of
ranch horses. A good friend of ours worked there (well, more than one, actually) but this one was really interested
in the horses. An old timer told him to pick the colts he
bought by where the cowlick was, using what I said earlier
as the rule of thumb to go by.
So Dave goes through about 40 head of Rock Creek Ranch
horses, looking at the cowlicks and rating the horse. This
theory proved to be true on all but one horse.
Also it is said that a double cowlick means a horse is complicated.
If you get one broke they are excellent, but can be problem
horses. And then there is something about long cowlicks which
I don't remember. Our old Flinch horse, (gonna be 28 years old)
who was a grand one, has a long cowlick. Wish I remembered the theory on that, but I don't.
FWIW!!! :wink:
L.E. Stevens
Well-known member
I hesitated writin this at the risk of sounding like I mirrored Soaps' thread, but mine has a slightly different twist.
I love this gelding because I initally hated him.
He was the last colt born to a ggd of a Wimpy/Leo cross (died at 32yrs) by Gay Bar King. Anyway, started this colt as a long 2yro & spent more time lookin like a yard-dart than a rider. Got to be that the neighbors were makin side bets on how long (or little) I'd stay on. Believe it took all summer to get him "broke". But when he finally got there, he was a machine.
As a means of relaxation from work, he earned money in NRHA, NCHA and in the ropin pen. He taught 2 nieces to ride and was used by most anybody that could get aleg across his back.
At 23, I still can snub a colt to him, drag a calf, stop a steer and doctor cattle from him. But he still tries me every now & then, and I swear I see a grin on his face when he does!
I love this gelding because I initally hated him.
He was the last colt born to a ggd of a Wimpy/Leo cross (died at 32yrs) by Gay Bar King. Anyway, started this colt as a long 2yro & spent more time lookin like a yard-dart than a rider. Got to be that the neighbors were makin side bets on how long (or little) I'd stay on. Believe it took all summer to get him "broke". But when he finally got there, he was a machine.
As a means of relaxation from work, he earned money in NRHA, NCHA and in the ropin pen. He taught 2 nieces to ride and was used by most anybody that could get aleg across his back.
At 23, I still can snub a colt to him, drag a calf, stop a steer and doctor cattle from him. But he still tries me every now & then, and I swear I see a grin on his face when he does!
Jinglebob
Well-known member
Best horse? At what?
Best all around horse? I've been lucky enough to have ridden lots of horses I liked. Like people, they all had good points and bad points.
Probably my favorite is one I am riding now. We raised him and I haven't found anything I can't do on him. He wants to just get out and go, but isn't too gassy. Not broncy, but has lots of git up and go. I've ridden cowy'er horses, but he will get the job done.
I saddled him up this winter and he had went unridden for about a month, month and a half. It was cool and he was fat. I steppped on, and when we were out of the corral we hit a trot. In just a little bit we left the lot and we hit a lope. No buck or nothing. Not bad for a colt. :wink: I believe anyone could get along with this horse.
His grampa was my favorite for years, but most people would hate him. But there ain't a cow in the world who we can't get. Never a day too long. Snorty, boogery, but real cowy. Always felt like I was riding a big spring. Never had to ask him to do much but slow down a little. :lol:
Amnd then there wass old Dan, who raised me and taught me a lot. At the time I thought he was the greatest horse in the world. Saddly with age comes wisdom.
:wink:
I imagine, the next one will be the best and my favorite.
But you know what? To paraphrase Will Rogers, "I never met a horse I didn't like."
Best all around horse? I've been lucky enough to have ridden lots of horses I liked. Like people, they all had good points and bad points.
Probably my favorite is one I am riding now. We raised him and I haven't found anything I can't do on him. He wants to just get out and go, but isn't too gassy. Not broncy, but has lots of git up and go. I've ridden cowy'er horses, but he will get the job done.
I saddled him up this winter and he had went unridden for about a month, month and a half. It was cool and he was fat. I steppped on, and when we were out of the corral we hit a trot. In just a little bit we left the lot and we hit a lope. No buck or nothing. Not bad for a colt. :wink: I believe anyone could get along with this horse.
His grampa was my favorite for years, but most people would hate him. But there ain't a cow in the world who we can't get. Never a day too long. Snorty, boogery, but real cowy. Always felt like I was riding a big spring. Never had to ask him to do much but slow down a little. :lol:
Amnd then there wass old Dan, who raised me and taught me a lot. At the time I thought he was the greatest horse in the world. Saddly with age comes wisdom.
:wink: I imagine, the next one will be the best and my favorite.
But you know what? To paraphrase Will Rogers, "I never met a horse I didn't like."
Northern Rancher said:
I dont have a particular favorite. There are different things I like about all horses. I do have one Mare that I call Sugar. Everything about her is sweet and nice. She is the easiest colt I have ever had. I dont have much time on her compared to others her age but she is way a head in her training than any other colt her age.
She just turned 5. I dont breed horses because I can buy them cheaper than I can breed my own. But this horse im tempted to breed. The problem isnt so much the cost of breeding, its more about I want to ride her and if I breed her well then thats all lost time I cant ride her.
It just seems a waste not to breed her.
How much time until its to late? I had one woman who I respect tell me that she should be breed beore she turns 9 yo. What do you people think about this? You see she might have told me this because if I do breed the horse I will take it back to this woman to care for it and foal it out for me.
L.E. Stevens said:
<I would tip my hat to you if I was wearing one>
Its because you know what went into that horse that you appreciate him, its the reason it gives you extra pleasure when you ride him now.
Its horses like him that allows you to appreciate easier colts when you start them :wink:
Jinglebob
Well-known member
RoperAB said:
I've heard the same thing, got one just like her that my son says we should be riding, as I am feeling kind of like you. I have the stud so I kind of want to get some good colts out of her.
But I was reading an article that said anymore, with what these vets know and can do, that you can breed for the first time, later and later. Talk to your favorite horse vet. If you ain't got one, call me and I'll give you a number for a couple I think are the best, with horses.
Soapweed
Well-known member
When I was a kid, we had a mare that had her first colt when she was 23 years old. We had tried to get a colt out of her several times previous, with no success. She was old and retired, and was out with some young mares and a stud. She was always an "easy keeper" carrying extra flesh. It came as a complete surprise to both her and us when she had a baby one fine May day.
Northern Rancher
Well-known member
We breed our mares every second year-ride the belly off them on their year off. I had a 15 year old foal for the first time-kind of just an average horse that found some romance unbeknowest to me-we weren't using her much so she's raised a couple more since. She was kind of like Soapweed's old retiree. I might be a heretic but by 5 a horse is doing a days work-haven't had one break down from it yet-most get started as threes -sometimes as twos. Riding A'I is a good place for a young horse-get lots of hours and some challenges to make their day interesting.
floyd
Well-known member
The one that remembers the training put on it...all the time.
The one the young horses will listen to, as it mentors them.
The one the young horses will listen to, as it mentors them.
cowpuncher21
Active member
Well with out a doubt that would be Grumpy i bought him out of the bucking horse string from my friends rodeo company.he was a big red and white paint with a strawberry raon paich on his hip. he stood 16.2 hands and weighed near 1400 pounds he was big headed and roman nosed but i loved him you could do anything on him rope bulls on him pickup broncs catch cows and he never let me down i have a lot of storys and good times with that bronc. I needed a horse real bad and didn't have any money so me buddy let me have him for 400 bucks pretty good seeing is how a year later i got offered 8000 for him i had to put him down when he was just 7 he had a cancer. ive never had a horse that good since