For new members, I convince every animal I handle that is bigger than I am, that my sortin rod is basically scarier than Thor's hammer.

Had a horse that bucked like during a long ride. I coughed. Long walk home. Still limp over that deal..... Every time after that when I rode that dude I coughed the first mile, just in case. Seriously.

Had an app mare that was plumb crazy. And I thought I was crazier.

Snubbed her down to saddle her up, spun her like a top before I jumped aboard. Made it less than 100 yards before she decided that one of us had to go. She won that round with me finding the only soft spot in the pasture a still steaming pile.
And for good measure she busted the saddle to make sure I didn't get anymore stupid ideas.

She was in the trade paper that very night. Young gal with a nice skipper w gelding palomino wanted something with more spirit. Well she got it and I won the war.
He was crazy too but a crazy I could live with.

Warrior she prolly just had estrogen poisoning!

If Sharron or Yes Sir's sister hears me talkin like that I will prolly volunteer to go live in a tent under a bridge!

Thoroughbreds are hot bloods to begin with. And a six year old is still more a tween than an adult. Add that breeding to inexperience, and yeah, ya got stories to tell.

Any breed that thinks for themselves will look sideways at something they don't understand. That's where us humans come in...the "supposed" smarter animal of the two

Even an experienced veteran horse or mule will stiffen and scope out something strange .

It's just all in how high and fast they jump

Now Hoss, you can't beat a good mare. I've ridden them. Like a good mule. I have worked with some mares, geldings and studs that need so much time , they are exhausting. So they all can have their quirks !

But yes mares have a lot of crap to put up with , so between the breed, the communication, or lack of, with a trainer , and the instinct to protect their foals, they can be a bit sensitive . They put up with us , in spite of ourselves ...

Good action shot, Hoss. Keep looking up...there's a cool front headed down your way. It's here , with snow and temps dropping 20 plus degrees in just hours. Snow too. Looks lovely on the still yellow tamaracks.

Love the post m.... been there done that too much.
And Miss Sharon,I agree totally on a good mare!!!

Just remember to Stay Loose

Sharron, when my boy was young and it was up to me to swap horses every year or 2 in order to keep him competitive, I was blessed with a couple of mares that made all the difference. When I say competitive, my boy worked both ends of the arena and the guys who made him better and visa versa are on a who's list at the NFR and PBR finals every year. He grew up competing with Jesse Pope and Trey Holston and at any national or world competions he had to contend with Keshon Whitehorse, Teagan Smith, and the Wright Brothers as well as Bureaux Campbell and Lou Casey Morris. That is a who's who of the younger rodeo stars or the modern era. I love those young men and am proud to know them all even if they didnt all have multiple buckles saying world champ (they do). My boy only has one, and that is plenty for this guy

Here is "Lacey" making sure he had both horns before she jerked the steer left in a rapid fashion! We had a hard time jumping her off the trailer w/o having to refuse a great offer to sell her. Every father in the whole country wanted a horse like her for his own kid to to rope one. Even Yes Sir's sister offered to "take her off my hands" LOL.

"Lacy' was an Ok Star daughter out of a 2 Eyed Jack mare and "Sweep P" was a Jet Paul daughter out of of some Skipper W breeding. They got him to the pay window every week where a rough stock check was usually waiting for him too! If I had prayed for 28 years straight, the Lord could not have given me a son
better suited for me to father (think Savell raising Jesse Henry)

Classic of a fine shot, and a great story with it, Hoss. How many folks have stories similar, that the horse they rode helped school them to become the country’s pride and joy in our unique western traditions.

I’m glad you have these photos , they will be enjoyed for generations. I remember this shot too.

My father rode his favorite mare in the circuits and shows, a tank of a Poco/King who consistently gave us deep rich toned palomino foals , though she was my favorite colour, dark red liver , red mane and tail. She was all business , the best horse my father said he ever rode bulldoggin. She’d line him up perfectly, and if he didn’t get the timing right, she would pin her ears flat back and tilt her head to look back at him in angry disgust, lol . All at a dead run on the cow. He loved her when she got mad, he’d say with his grin…

The horse that changed my riding awareness in speed events was an Appaloosa mare . She kicked my tail in refinement in riding skills better than any human instructor ever could. I used to dread mounting up and taking off for the first five minutes , but after that , every moment working with her was transfixed excitement in learning to be better , every time. Like the teacher you hated as a kid, but later loved as the one who knew what you could be in life if you worked at it , in tough love.

Make digital copies of all your photos , to keep them safe and even frame the ones you like best. Even the ones with imaginary hoses on the ground …

Amazing experiences you had, and still do.

I bet you grinned from ear to ear seeing that change in Gunslinger after his grand finale to retirement. You’re right. They do know , and I feel many even enjoy their jobs as much as the cowboys. I have certainly known horses like that. It’s good to have purpose.

Whoever names those bulls has real artistry in matching them to the individual ! Love those action names . I bet they psych up the guys when they hear a name announced for them to ride, that raises eyebrows !

There’s surely not a talent anywhere else on earth , like the rodeo , riders and bullfighters .

If those those sorting rods are the same as the 5 D cell cattle prods of days gone by they were great for sword fights with sibling brothers especially with no holding back

That game sounds like a hoot . Maybe good practice to make a bullfighter with fast reflexes ?

I get your pride in the men you have enjoyed knowing and seeing them in the circuits.

This , to me, is true talent of “manly men”, as you call them, and I agree. Just as the veterans I’ve known and are so proud of. Real masculine men, that strong, but feminine real women love , support and respect.

There will never be any room for effeminate freaks in this industry. The whole effort and association involved simply isn’t at all conducive for freaks . They’d never make it among those cowboys, and the decades of working stock and what it takes , from start to winning. Isn’t that interesting. Of the sports and subjects that freaks have wanted to invade, the rodeo circuit and world of horses hasn’t been one of them.

This is a uniquely American tradition, and I hope, of all things being attacked to tear this country down, that tradition will persevere through it all. Just like the opening of every rodeo, with the rider taking a lap in the arena holding the flag .

How good it has been that we have a part in this , for most of our lives.

Those ball sports you mentioned aren't even in the league of the folks who make up the horse and rodeo sports. It is like comparing toddlers to fighter pilots .

Aside from the fact that many cowboys are also fine hands really employed at working ranches . They make a living at what they enjoy as a sport.

That song makes one catch a breath, and appreciate what we have here.

Stand tall, always, Hoss.