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Story Time

Faster horses

Well-known member
The best horse you have on your place right now~how did you get him and why is he your best horse?

I think this will be a fun and interesting topic. So who wants to be first
to tell the story of your current favorite horse?
 

PPRM

Well-known member
So, I had worked at a feedlot with an old man by the name of Elwyn Hall....He was a cutting horse trainer. He had dang good horses. I alwyas wanted to buy one, but could never get it done. Mr Hall was sharp. I have learned a ton from him. He had a unique way of teaching. He'd see you doing something wrong. Maybe that day or next day he would idly tell you a story. Usually about someone else that was doing something and found this solution....Guess what? If you paid attention, it was the same thing you were doing wrong.....

I made a lot of mistakes, but he was very patient with me....Like I said, I always wanted one of his horses....Everyone I saw him bring was a good one. The papers had great horses up close. He did that by keeping great mares that he'd lease to guys in exchange for breedings...

Well, I didn't get it done while working there or for the next ten years....

So, Flash forward....I am at the Lagrande Livestock Auction. I need to pick up 5 butcher cows for this Mexican Grocery I am buying for. I am early and watching them unload, making small talk to anyone that shows up I know. There's some horses tied up that someoe brought in. They are tied to the fence standing well and I say to someone, "Those horses have been to town a few times." I ask whose they are and a guy says, "Charity Cates from Milton-Freewater." I am bored and ask of they have papers. There's two nice geldings and a small mare with a foal by her side....Nobody knows and I don't need any horses....I have too many now...

So I am walking and see a lady alking with papers. I ask her, "Are those your horses?" and she says yes.

I look at them and see a Slash 5 was on the mare as a brand. A jaw Brand. It is Elwyns brand and he was the orignal breeder. The mare is a Barred Mare whose momma was Mora bobby 5, one of his better mares. The stud goes back to Doc's Genuine Risk, Doc's Rickashay, Guthrie Bill, and Ricky Taylor in him.

Like I say, I don't need a horse, let alone two.....And she is likely bred back to the same stud, Rowdy's Doc...I am not so worried about the breeding, all I have to do is see Elwynn did it to know what kind of horse she is.

I ask about a rear ankle.It's a little swollen and why she brought horses into a cow sale. She says this mare is the cowiest mare her husband has ever been on, but it slipped off a concrete pad in a feedlot he worked at. The leg caught in the frozen mud as she was cutting offa cow and twisted it bad.....Soo.....they were going to breed, but 25 horses out there and she decided she was tired of all the work......

My dad has a place 8 miles away from the Auction in Union and wanted some good mares. He never was able to get a Elwyn Mare bought either. I call him and tell him, "Someone brought some horses to a cow sale." He is not interested as he won't have money for a week or so....I tell him I'd buy the horse and drop her off for him to look at, but he is not sure....

I get back to Charity and ask her how much she wants..She says she brought these horses to sell...I call my dad again, but he says, "We better not."

So the sale starts.....Pretty soon here comes the Mare and Foal....Nobody bids. I end up starting them at $300.00......Someone takes me to $500 and it stops.....Then someone else jumps in and takes me to about $700....I think I own her, but yet another person takes me to $950.....I own her....

I Buy my cows and call my dad. I ask him if he wants me to drop her off at his place so he can at least have a look...I'd sell her for that to him....He says, "We'll be over for dinner in Hermiston, why don't you bring her there and we'll see...."

So I am kinda miffed. My little sister has talked dad into some pretty mediocre ones over the years and he has bought every one. This is a damb nice mare and he is saying no....I go in and pay and walk to the truck....I realize, I just payed for an Elwyn Hall mare and she has a foal by her side and likely bred back...I have never been able to get it done and now I own an Elwyn Hall Horse...

I get to the pickup and see a message on my phone. It is my dad saying I can drop her off in Union and they'll take a look. I think, "Nope, I have been tring for 10 years to buy an Elwynn Hall Horse, I just paid for her, I own her,she is mine and not for sale."

I load the cows in the front and mom and baby in the back....I call several guys I know to tell them I have finally gotten one. These guys have these horses and know what it is I have bought.....

I get home and my Mom comes out. She sees I have the mare and says, "You must not of gotten our mesage. I say, "Oh, I got it, but by the time I got it I had written the check for her. I paid for her, I own her and she's not for sale."

She is a nice mare. She has raised two nice babies. The rear ankle is not swollen anymore and she lets us pick both back ones up without getting antsy anymore......I have rode her, but not really tested her.

Several people that know this breeding really have liked it. They include Rawley Stanley (He owned the top selling horse at Reno I think last year or to years ago), Jean Barbouletous (She judges cuttings in the Northwest and is in the Northwest Cutting Horse hall of Fame), and Gary Barney (Another top cutting horse guy around here....)

I am going to try her a little next year and breed her again. She is pretty sweet dispositioned and her babies look good and learn well.....

I went to see Elwynn at a Nursing Home the next week after I bought her. It was good to visit with him. He has since passed on, but I appreciate the lessons he taught me and the good horsees he raised that I have now,


PPRM
 

kolanuraven

Well-known member
I am 45 yrs old. When I was 10 I was given the choice of braces or a horse..... DUH!!

Sam, the Appy gelding is now 35 yrs old....

I finally did get my braces at the age of 43 and got them off last Aug.

So, it took some time but we all got what we wanted!
 

Jinglebob

Well-known member
I would have said that Woody, my older bay horse, was the best, a year ago, but now, after having ridden him off and on for the past year, I'd say Beaver. He is Woody's grandson.

I bought Woody as a colt at a sale, not knowing how he was bred, but just left a bid for him, as i really liked his build. He's a son of Mr Bartender and out of a regestered paint mare, who's name escapes me now.

I've never ridden a horse that is cowy'er, but I let him get away with too much when he was younger, and now, he's kind of wild to ride and terrible chargy. He won't let a critter get away, and he is so unorthadox in his approach,that you can barely stand to ride him. He crossfires when he is chasing something, or whatever it takes to get you to the critter.

Anyway, I got a daughter out of him and bred her to a nice dun stud I had and got Beaver. The dun stud goes back to Poco Bueno and came from the 4D ranch, up by Lemmon. He's the most solid and unflappable horse, I've ever ridden. He's probably not the best at any one thing, but he's real good at anything and safe for anyone, and I do mean anyone! I'd turn him loose with my grandson, if he was big enough to hang on, and never worry. Jingles Jr has tripped cattle on him and I'd not hesitate to tie onto any critter with him and I'd have no fear that he couldn't handle it. Most folks who've rode him, think he is cowy, but he ain't near as cowy as Woody! And if they won't look at a cow, I ain't got no time for therm.

I owned all of the horses in Beavers background and he's come down form a long line of cowhorses. He's got more snort and try then his dad, but is way calmer than his granddad.

He is full of energy and is courious. He's not as cowy as his grampa yet, but he's coming along. I rode his butt off in the breaks the other day, and he never slowed down or slackened his pace. I've roped quit a bit off from him and he handles it well. And when I say roped, I'm talking in the pasture or in the corral, ranch roping. He's just 5 and has never had too hard of a ride, so he should last unitl he's 20 something. I just started letting him pack a bit, this summer and he's coming along good.

Gary Carter, the Cowboy Artist of America artist, wants him, and I told him he could have him, in a few years, when he's older and more solid. Beaver hasn't got any buck or spook to him and I would let anyone ride him, who I trusted to not push the wrong buttons, cuz he can really come around, when you ask him. He's smooth to ride and packs you good. Stands about 15 2 and weighs 1200 right now.

Yup, he's the best and just confirms that I am going the right direction in my breeding program. Every generation just gets a little nicer, and the older ones were nice to begin with. :)

I can hardly wait to get on some of the babies we've got growing up now! :D
 

Ranchy

Well-known member
I loved reading about you guy's horses. I've always had a soft spot (some would say it's between my ears :roll: ) for a good horse.

I lost my last good horse back in 98........she was a dandy. 16 hands, 1388# when she sold. Some folks my dad had rented a little house to, ran her through the cattle guard, and crippled her when she was about 15 or so. She never got over it, and that hind leg always hurt her after that. The cold winters we have were really tough on her, and finally, after retiring her to a brood mare, and she lost the colt, Hubby told me I had to sell her.

I'd bought her as a 3 year old, half starved to death, green-broke filly, from a guy in Reserve, for my first two and a half pay checks from my first job out of high school. 20 years later, after all was said and done, I'd doubled my money on her.

I loved to ride her when we brought the little calves in for branding, or for whatever reason. She was just like an old Nanny with them. They'd get tired, and start to lag, she never got impatient with them, but would just put her nose on their little backsides, and give them a gentle nudge. The slower they got, the slower she walked.......she was just amazing. I still miss her so much.

I'll never in a hundred years, forget the look on her face, when I led her into the in-law's trailer, tied her there and told her good-bye for the last time. She knew something was going on.......

After that, I knew just how my dad had felt, when he had to get another horse in to ride, after Mr. Bob died. There's just never been one since, that could compare to my Raven.

Raven, RIP, baby. :cry: :cry: :cry:
 

Jassy

Well-known member
Horses are just like family here...lol We've had lots of horses over the years and most were good but my favorite horse is the one I still have today.

Here's his story....I needed a younger horse, due to the fact that my old gelding just couldn't handle ranch life anymore. So I looked in the Omaha World Herald and found a guy advertising this horse cause of a divorce. I called and we set up a meeting place. When we got there, this poor horse was thin, hadn't had feet trimmed, his tongue was sliced from probably a bit,,though it was healed, he was headshy, nervous, and his eyes filled with fear. Hubby was ready to turn around and drive off, but something told me to check him out. So after a short ride, and deciding he was broke, and ignoring all the red flags that this horse had, I bought him...I just couldn't let him go back to the place he had come from. Hubby said I always was bringing home poor defenseless critters...lol

Got him home, went to trim his feet and OMG!, blood spurted everywhere, he had abcesses in his souls, so for the next several weeks, it was soaking em, cleaning em, wrapping em in diapers, Through all that he quieted down alot, but still wouldn't let me catch him without running. I called the guy and asked about this problem.."Oh ya ,he said, we had to rope him to catch him"..Well that don't fly on this ranch! After feet were healed, next step..learing to trust me, it took probably a good year before I could actually catch him in the correl, on the first try.

Moving on..they had raced this horse also, so all he knew was full speed ahead and had to be in the lead,,,I'll admit he was the fastest horse I ever rode. But traveling behind cattle lernt him that he could walk, and take life a little easier. He caught on to cattle work like he'd been doing it all his life. I think he found his nitch and he loved it. Roping at brandings was his favorite thing I think...He carried himself proudly.

I got him when he was about 7, and this last April he turned 17, arthritis has set in and he hurt his back 2 winters ago, so after many treatments of chiropractics and TLC he's back to where I can ride him some. He has the most sweetest personality,nickers at me all the time,lets me catch him whereever...lol although hubby or no one else can catch him...lol And most importantly he has always taken care of me. Now that we're both older we can enjoy each others at a slower pace, and that suits me just fine. He's my best horse, and I'm his best friend.

 

Faster horses

Well-known member
These are wonderful stories. I hope we get more, and more!!

One funny thing that happened to us when we were buying a horse years ago:

This was in 1973 we were ranching in Wyoming and had gone to look at a horse at Dayton. We decided not to buy that horse, but there was another guy there looking at him also. He asked what we were looking for and if the horse needed to be registered. We said no, that didn't matter. He told us about a horse he had raised, but didn't bother to register. He could show us the horse that day. So we went to look and really liked him. He let us take him home to try him out for a week. He was 4 years old and really good looking. So we did.

A week went by and we called him and said we'd take the horse.
"Oh," he said, "I'm glad you called back. I forgot to get your name."
 

Faster horses

Well-known member
We did and he was one of the best horses we ever owned. His name was W.J.

I know he saved Mr. FH life more than once. We were in the rough
Powder River Country of Wyoming when he was young. We sharp
shod our horses during the winter. The winter of 1975 we had a January
thaw and then it got really cold again. The cow trails all filled with
ice. It was so bad, we wore the borium off the horseshoes. I remember
Mr. FH going after cattle and that horse sliding down those steep
trails. He never once even faltered. He's slide down after a cow, and hit good footing and take off after the cow.

At one spot, it was so steep you couldn't see where you were going to
come out. There was some brush in the way about half way down.
Mr. FH went first, and he said later that when he got to the brush, the
trail made about a 90 degree turn because if you went straight it was a drop off. He saw that and of course there was nothing he could do, because they were sliding. He said the horse put his right leg out much like a skiier would do, and shot to the left to stay on the trail. He made
it to the bottom and hollered for me to send my horse down and for me to slide down (my horse wasn't as sure-footed as his). Anyway, we all made
it safe and sound, thanks to W.J.

He never, in the whole time we owned him, fell down, or felt like he
was even close to falling. What a good horse to ride! He was Hard Twist
bred and had rollers in his nose, but he never, ever offered to buck.

I always thought Mr. FH should enter him in the Bad River Suicide Ride.
 

PPRM

Well-known member
Jassy,

You gave that horse a better life and he knew who he could trust......It is amazing how much a horse will do for you once they know your intentions are good.....and heck, cow work makes more sense to a horse than runnin full bore, LOL....


PPRM
 

Jassy

Well-known member
Thanks PPRM for the compliment. Most folks who know me say I spoil my horses...maybe that's true,,but what the heck.

Since I like this thread I have another short story that will hopefully make you smile.

A dear friend of mine had a horse that was a full brother to my other old gelding. I always told her that if she ever needed a home for her gelding I would take him. 3 yrs. ago my friend was put into the nursing home, and the horse was left out at the ranch to fend for himself. He was in a pasture and had water, and her son was suppose to check on him, but that's another story. Several months later, her "other" son called me and told me that his mom had alzeihmers...but she did ask him to call me and see if I would still take TU (his name). Well of course I said yes, and that afternoon we went up and got him. Ole TU was in tuff shape, since it was winter and the fact that he's 22 yrs old. The next morning the not so nice son heard that I had the horse, he called me and said that he was going to put a bullet in him, and that I didn't have to take him. I told him...nicely...that it wasn't a problem and I was going to keep my promise from so many years ago.

Got him on some good feed, and he had a barn to relax in, and within a few months he had gained weight. By the next summer he was all shiney and full of life, though he is blind in one eye. The other horses amazingly accepted him, and it's so cute to see my old gelding, his full brother, keep track of ole TU.

The best part of the story is this last June, The good son who had taken his mother out of the nursing home, and moved her in with him back in Oregon, and nursed her to where she's doing great...came back for a visit and the first thing she wanted to do was come to my house to see TU. Now keep in mind that he's 24 now..and she's 89 yrs. young...Talk about a emotional reunion! We all were teary eyed. Well anyway she was bound and determined to get on him, so her son and my hubby got him saddled...she brought her own saddle...lol and with the help of a footstool and both men..they got her on her horse. Now the tears are really flowing for the rest of us. Hubby led the horse around and she just beamed with joy.

I'll keep that horse till the day he dies for her...Some promises will never be broken...Now can you see why hubby laughs at me everytime I bring another poor critter home?....lol
 

Jassy

Well-known member
I found the pictures of my dear friend and her horse...
Long_Ways_Up_There.jpg


Betty_on_Shamaaz.jpg
 

Mrs.Greg

Well-known member
Jassy,loved your story and esp. your pics..you know the saying about outside of horse being good for inside of person.your picture showed that!! Last weekend greg and I went to Highland games,we met this awesome lady that was almost ninety,she put on a stock dog show.Talked to her after,she had just had heart surgury in March but wanted to make the show so she started training this dog in July....we absolutly fell in love with this spunky,sweet lady....I believe alot like your friend probably is :)
 

the_jersey_lilly_2000

Well-known member
Great story Jassy, I know you had told me before about this horse and lady, but with the story all written out, and photo's to go along with it, man, what a touchin moment that must have been for that lady as well as for ya'll. Brought a tear to my eye as well. Thanks for sharin. :cry: :D (sniff)
 

PPRM

Well-known member
Jassey,

you have a great heart .....You care for others and that says a lot.....BTW, the white horse, from what I can see, he is well taken care of....I would never give a second thought about sending an animal your way..I am truly touched by the story and impressed by the shape of the horse...

BTW, what part of Oregon did she go to....A couple of us live there.....

PPRM
 

Ranchy

Well-known member
Love, love, love the story and especially the pictures.........

Gives me the idea that I should go through my old pics, and see if I can find one of Raven, and post here, too.........
 

Jassy

Well-known member
Thanks everyone for the kind words...I don't feel like it's a big deal, to take care of old horses...the neighbor gal calls my horses.. lawn ornaments...lol They have a huge pasture to run in, a barn to relax in, and besides everything is fat on this place... :lol: Cows..dogs..horses...cats...coons....deer....etc. My job on the ranch is caking (feeding protien cubes), and so I feed everything a little extra...Last winter I had 25 deer that would meet me at the cakebins each morning, hubby said it was costing just as much to feed them darn deer as it did the cattle. But he likes his critters FAT! Good feed goes along way with anything..Thanks again.

P.S. Soapweed...I think you should know this lady...I believe your dad bought some of her horses years ago.
 

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