Peer pressure, one upmanship, romanticism for the old West, or hoof prints on the brain cause people to do the darnest things. The majority of people I saw purchase the wild horses were green horns themselves. Price was their deciding factor especially looking for a pretty horse (confirmation, what confirmation? The horse has four legs and is standing up isn’t that good enough?) Scary thoughts for a trainer—but I was there to observe not offer a clinic on horsemanship. They did have a trainer on site that had worked with mustangs for years. But that interview will be an up-coming article.
I did hear a few savvy horse people and a sprinkle of trainers give these greenhorns some sound advice. But the west, the wild, does bring out the most interesting exchanges between people, greenhorns or not.
Overheard:
“Them hoss are wild so ya better hire a real cowpuncher to brak them or they’ll jus as soon kil’ ya as look at ya.” A huge spit of tobacco and a slap followed this exchange on the back of the now pale faced potential buyer.
“Dear, horses are not broken, they’re trained. You need communicate with them, learn their language.”
“I don’t care how much you have to bid I WANT that foal, Buford!”
“I got him? I got him!” Buford’s wife was now doing the happy dance.
“Don’t rush their training, and invest your money in a good trainer, less you end up in the hospital. Here’s my card I just moved back from….”
“But, daddy the burros are so cute! Why can’t we get three?” “We’re not buying any.” “Okay two, look the baby is looking at you.” “No!” “Pleeeeeeeese, just one I promise to take care of him. Pleeeeese that’s all I want for my birthday. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeessssssseeeeee!” “Maybe. Let’s go look at the paperwork.” Of course there were many more lively exchanges, but this is a family site. For me, I’m still researching the wild horse program. For the sake of research I may have to adopt a wild horse of my own in order to give my readers the most accurate picture on raising and training these historical creatures.
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