LAWDOG BOB'S
OLD WEST
Lawdog exploring San Lorenzo Canyon. Photo courtesy Acacia Riding Adventures
Western Riding
Lawdog's quarter horse: Comanche
Fig. 1 Comanche is smart, affectionate , and willing to learn. I've owned him since November, 2014.
Fig. 2 My saddle is by Circle Y, a Texas saddlery. The Triple K saddle bags are based on a U.S. Cavalry design of the 1880s. John Wayne used a similar set in "Hondo."
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Fig. 3 (left), and... Fig. 4 (right)
My first horse was named JJ. He was willful and a challenge to ride, but I loved him. He moved with energy and his fast walk resembled prancing. All his gaits were super-smooth. He developed cancer about age 21, and I had to put him down.
Fig. 5 Lawdog cutting out calves at Rose T. Lee's place in Jarales, NM. As cowgirls go, Rose is the real thing. She taught Lawdog to ride.
Fig. 6 A view of the Walking 'n Circles horse rescue ranch in Edgewood, NM. Lawdog volunteered here for several months. The ranch maintains about 60 -70 horses, animals that have been abused, neglected, abandoned, or just given up. WNCR tries to find foster homes or even permanent homes for as many horses as possible, and maintains a rigorous training program to make its clients "adoptable" whenever possible.
Fig. 7 A lucky resident of WNCR.
At the Battle of the Little Bighorn (or Greasey Grass, according to the Sioux) Lt. Col. G.A. Custer, along with some 250 men, met his demise at the hands of approximately 3000 Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors defending their encampment from Custer's surprise attack. Several companies of soldiers and scouts commanded by Captains Reno and Benteen survived the battle, as they were fighting about a mile away from Custer and his command, so the entire 7th Cavalry was NOT wiped out. But at the site of Custer's last stand, there was only one individual on the cavalry side who remained standing on the field when the guns went silent and the arrows ceased to fly. That individual was a horse named Comanche. He was Captain Keogh's mount. I named my quarter horse after that heroic member of the 7th cavalry.
The original Comanche lived until 1891, reverently maintained in military retirement by members of the 7th Cavalry. He was an honored participant in many parades, and was certainly more than a pet or mascot to these proud soldiers.
At the battle site, besides monuments to the fallen Native warriors, soldiers, scouts, and a few white civilians, there is also a monument to the fallen horses. (See Fig. 9.)
Fig. 8 Comanche in retirement, revered by the 7th Cavalry. (Photographer: Grabill, in coll. of Lib. of Congress)
Fig. 9 Horse cemetery at Little Bighorn Nat. Mon.
Fig. 10 Native American memorial at Little Bighorn prominently features Indian ponies in battle.
When I travel, I make a point of finding a good stable, renting a horse, and taking a ride into the backcountry. Some outfits are pretty restrictive, there are too many clients on the ride, and the routes are too tame or boring. I get around that by booking a half-day ride if I can. The tourists who have little or no riding experience stay away from these rides, and the guides have time to talk to you about scenery, wildlife, etc. It helps to get a local recommendation as to where the best stables are, quality of the rides offered, and who are the best guides, etc.
Fig. 11 Wyoming, east of Yellowstone Nat. Pk. I had the luxury of a 1:1 guide:client ratio. This was grizzly bear country, and my guide packed a .44 magnum semi-auto pistol.
Fig. 12 Some of the most interesting rides are close to home. This is San Lorenzo canyon, north of Socorro, NM.
Fig. 13 Steep, rugged country requires a sure-footed horse who knows the trail, courtesy Acacia Riding Adventures.
I enjoy interacting with a horse. The more I ride, and the more I study equine behavior and mentality, the more fulfilled I feel. Horseback riding is a form of meditation because it involves complete mindfulness if you do it right. I always feel tremendous after a ride.
I'm no expert; I keep learning and adjusting. I've benefitted tremedously from studying Marty Marten's Problem Solving, published by Western Horseman. Marty stresses a good foundation in groundwork, ie. training your horse from the ground, then applying the principles when on horseback. The ground training really helps you to develop an understanding relationship with your horse (it works both ways) and helps build mutual trust.