Coquetta, continued ...
Debbie had just taught us two key things. First, when a horse
is misbehaving, one ttry telling the horse to do more of whatever
it is doing. This makes the horse think the rider is running
the show - no matter what it tries. Foiled again! And again!
The second lesson was how to guide a horse using direct reining.
To turn left, pull the left rein. To go right, pull the right
rein. Simple, huh?
For ranch kids, direct reining is pansy stuff. Ranchers normally
neck rein. They take both reins in one hand and lay them across
the horse's neck in the direction the rider wants to turn. The
reins stay loose unless the rider means to slow or stop. The
idea is to keep the other hand free to toss a rope, pony a pack
mule, or fire a gun. Cowboy stuff. Also, with a Western bit,
you can't direct rein very well even if you try.
By contrast, English riders do nothing but yell tally ho!
or try to look nice. OK, I'm exaggerating. So they can stand to keep both hands busy
with the reins, one for right turns, one for left. That's
the way I used to see it. Debbie had just begun the process of
changing my mind.
We soon learned to ride with a slight pressure on the bit
at all times. This provides a line of communication between horse
and rider. I even bought a "close contact" English
saddle -- a leather postage stamp with stirrups. With it, a horse
can feel the rider's legs almost as well as riding bareback.
It also prevents the dangerous habit of hanging onto a saddle
instead of balancing.
Another reason to go English was that however fast we went,
Coquetta usually wanted to go faster. With that light touch on the bit,
it was easier to hold down her speed.
One day Debbie came by when Coquetta was wolfing down sweet
feed, a mixture of rolled oats, molasses and supplements. Breakfast
of champions. Debbie pointed at it. "There's your problem."
"What do you mean?"
"How much sweet feed does she get?"
"Just two quarts a day."
"Why?"
"We're working her hard. She needs it." That's how
much sweet feed per horse I always gave to Boy Horse
and Taffy, I was thinking.
"It's why she wants to run too much. Try only feeding
little bits as a treat." Debbie was right. After a few days
of almost no sweet feed, Coquetta calmed down.
By now, I was just about sold on the mare. Just to be sure,
I had both a vet and a farrier (horse shoer) by the name of Philip
Johnson check her. They both said she was sound, in top condition,
and older than heck. At least over 20. Not many horses even live
that long. Later we would learn that she was way older than 20
Nevertheless, I paid the $450 early. I still believe it was
some of the best spent money of my life.
###
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Killer Buyer: True Adventures of a New Mexico Horse Dealer
