The Cowboy

He squints at the sun and pulls his cap a little lower to shade his eyes. He picks up the halter and starts toward the horse pasture. Long strides make a short trip across the grass, then boots crunch on gravel. Each step creates a small metallic rattle from his spurs.

At the gate, he whistles and the mares trot toward him. His eyes study each of them for any marks or lameness. They look well. He runs knowing hands over backs and down legs.

Walking up to the buckskin mare, he talks softly and wraps the lead rope around her neck and fastens the halter. Dakota is new to the farm and is not sure she trusts this human yet. She shies away, but stops at the insistent tug of the lead.

Dad told him the old timers say all buckskins are "muley" and so far this one has lived up to the saying. The cowboy stays on his toes, always watching, as he ties her at the rail and begins to saddle up. He steps up in the stirrup, swings his leg over and settles in.

As he begins to circle the round pen in warm up, the mare kicks at nothing. He gathers the reins a little more and watches her ears. They speed up into a slow trot. She doesn't like it and tries to buck. The cowboy holds her head and brings her once again under control. Soon the mare relaxes and he begins to meld into her. They become one as he starts down the driveway into the afternoon sun.

At the house, we wait. After what seems hours, we hear the dogs bark a welcome and look out to see horse and rider come slowly up the hill.

Once again he ties her. This time the saddle comes off. He brushes her and the sweet horse smell mingles with worn leather in the air.

He leads her back to the other mares and lets her go. One last pat on the rump as she passes him and he turns to go satisfied she learned a lesson. He enjoyed the teaching.

We smile and nod and talk softly. He reluctantly leaves the horses and dogs for the confines of the house. Tomorrow is another day and the horses will be waiting.