I was having a real hard time coming up with a topic to write about for this issue. I went outside and did what I often do. I saddled a horse and went for a short ride.
I usually do some good thinking while I am horseback, and this time was no different. I realized I was tired of issues and politics and so I decided to write about horses.
We all depend on them in the cattle business one way or another. Certainly, the ranches west of the Mississippi River where some pastures are larger than thousands of acres need reliable tools to help with the work. Well-trained cow horses can do that. Here, in the Great Basin ranching just would not be possible without horses and good cowboys and cowgirls to ride them.
Even back east there are places where the work gets done more easily and efficiently with horses. The big ranches in Florida come quickly to mind when the obvious need to have partners to care for tens of thousands of cattle. Many people do not know that three of the top ten largest cow-calf operations in this country are in Florida. Years ago, I toured the largest ranch in the United States. It was pretty impressive. The ranch is divided into ten divisions with three thousand mother cows in each division. Every division has its own crew, and they do everything horseback. That’s a bunch of horses.
The feeding sector could not do its work without pen riders in the feedlots checking on sick or distressed cattle and moving animals within the confines of these large sprawling facilities.
Recently I was asked if we use motorcycles and four- wheelers to work cattle and I politely said no I prefer horses and in fact, insist on the use of horses in working cattle. Now here is where it might get controversial. These vehicles have a place on modern farms and ranches. I believe in the use of all forms of technologically advanced tools to do the jobs for which they are intended. Furthermore, I realize some people could not be ranchers if they did not use these vehicles to help work their cattle. I respect that and I am ok with them doing it.
However, used incorrectly, and they often are, motorized vehicles can be counter productive and mess things up pretty quickly. I concede horses working cattle incorrectly can mess things up too. However, there is a certain joy in working cattle from the back of the horse when things go right. I recall such a day many years ago. I was helping an older rancher and when our cow work was over, we had a beer. He said,” this was a great fine day my horse worked exactly right.” He did not say he did everything right; he gave all the credit to the horse. This was the same man who once asked me “Why do you think we have all these cows?” I said, “I don’t know to keep the ranch going?” He replied, “no its to keep our horses from becoming bored.”
There is no question human history and agriculture, in particular, would have been very different without horses. So many of them have died to help advance humanity it would not surprise me if there was a horse revolt against us, at least in the movies. Instead, this amazing partnership has evolved.
Even people who have never been lucky enough to ride a horse or been in their space for a regular visit, are excited to be around horses, if a little anxious to be near such massive beasts. There is the work and development of humanity aspect to our relationship with them and then there is the intangible.
These magnificent creatures have insinuated themselves into the human psyche unlike so many other animals. Dogs are certainly in the same category relative to companionship, but they have not been the carriers of great loads, used for transportation and war, pulled the plows and the wagons, and provided companionship for those who have sought it and treated the horse in a way which inculcates trust.
I paraphrase a quote which I believe is from the Arabic. “God provided us with the horse as proof of his existence.” There are so many other quotes and writings which reflect the affection humans have for horses.
Tom Dorrance, the great teacher said, “When I hear somebody talk about a horse or cow being stupid, I figure it’s a sure sign that the animal has somehow outfoxed them.
Recently, I was able to help reunite a good old cow horse who could no longer do its ranch job after over 15 years of dedicated and faithful service with its former stable mate after 10 years of separation. I unloaded the unsound horse into the corral where the old buddy waited. They frolicked around together for a couple of minutes and then settled into eating hay together like they had never been apart. When I drove off, they were standing tail to head, belly touching belly content to flick flies off each other. They remembered.
I have had my share of great horses and my life has been richer for them. I have had the satisfaction of starting colts, training into the bridle and showing some good cow horses. I have cradled newborn foals in my lap and gently laid old friends to rest at the end. I have also just enjoyed the privilege this great animal bestows by letting us climb aboard and gallop into the wind they create.
“The wind of heavens is that which blows between a horse’s ears.” Arabian Proverb.
Most readers know that we would not have the “modern” horse without the influence of Arabian horses on common European draft and work stock to refine and breed the stamina and fleet footedness of horses raised in the hot deserts of the Middle East and North Africa.
Well, I am sure by now you have figured out my feelings about horses. I still have some rides and cow work left in me; I hope you do too. A very happy coming up holiday season to you and all your families.
I’ll see you soon.
By Joseph Guild