Cowboys & Horses by L. A. Keller

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Cowboy and Horse

In my posts I generally use the term cowboy, but this doesn’t mean the same type of relationships, experiences and events do not include women. I’m using the term as a catchall for both sexes.

What is a cowboy without his horse? In all our cowboy history there is one constant which is, of course, the steady steed. Whether he be a pony, a Quarter Horse, a Mustang or a mix there is no cowboy without the four-legged animal used to transport him from coast to coast.

Way before the cowboy, horses were first domesticated by humans around 4000 BC. They are herd animals who have excellent balance, as well as smell, sound and sight. You can always tell which way a horse is looking by the direction of his ears. If one is forward and one is back, he is looking at you and away from you at the same time. This helps his fight or flight response, so he knows if there is a predator in front of him as well as behind.  I will devote another full post to the wondrous facets of the horse.

In times gone by, horses were used to move cattle from one grazing spot to another and then ultimately to market in the days before trains moved livestock. They were sometimes the only friend a cowboy might have for days at a time. A constant, affectionate companion who asks little in return for the effort he gives. 

What some people may not know is that each horse has a unique personality, just like people. Some may be cranky in the morning; some may be more affectionate with humans than others and some may appear to have a sense of humor. These are not traits a cowboy would necessarily be able to judge when first selecting a horse to carry him for miles across the rough terrain of the old West. Even today, you must be an excellent judge of horseflesh to predict how a young horse may develop.  This is especially important if the cowboy will be near cattle in a working environment or even as part of a competition.  Not all horses work well with cattle, so a cowboy needs to find a true ‘cowpony’. 

Nevertheless, once a bond is formed between a human and a horse, it lasts a lifetime. 
Happy Trails,

Leslie


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