I’ve raised horses half my life, and had some good ones, too.
But back a couple years ago, I really scored a coup.
I traded round and traded up and managed to acquire
A breeding to that stallion the whole industry admires.
I bred my mare; the fine old gray, and got a fancy colt
And as he’s grown he’s become an awesome 2-year-old.
It’s that plain fact which made me try a vast uncharted course
When I decided I’d hire someone else to train this special horse.
I’ve always done it on my own. I’ve taken some great pride
In getting youngsters started and in making those first rides
But this high-dollar gray’s by far, the nicest horse I’ve had
I thought that he should have a chance to be as good as dad.
I want to see him in the pen; center stage alone
And I’m just not a horse show hand. To waste the money on
The guy I hauled my colt down to — he’s had a lot of wins
And I believe this good gray horse can get him there again.
It’s almost like I’m given him a precious gift of mine
Allowing him to ride this colt; so talented, so fine,
And there won’t be much to this job, for him, I’ve done a lot.
This one is far ahead of most — ‘cause he’s the best I’ve got.
Why, any sort of hand could train a horse with this good, steady start.
I broke him out and started him; I’ve done the hardest part.
Training him will be a breeze; he’s got to understand
I cringe when I write out the check; it’s much more than I planned.
I hope this will be worth the pay; I hope it will suffice
For I want everything to work, with this, my sacrifice.
I left the colt and drove away to give him time to do
What few things I have left undone on the colt that I call Blue.
Some horses that come in, you crave, and others pay the rent.
Some you wait all day to ride and some are devil-sent.
To tell the truth, it’s not always the horse that takes the time.
It’s getting the darn owners trained — and straightening out their mind.
It’s clearly a dead giveaway when they don’t wait a week.
Before they come to “see him work”.
They’ve got to have a peek
And give me some advice on how I should progress and then
Painstakingly point out each problem I have in the pen.
That trainer is a surly sort, not too much to say
But I’m still going to tell him I saw dust on Blue Boy’s hay.
I’ll start to set him straight today. That’s what this is about.
I’ve had a lifetime spent astride; so I can help him out.
I’m not surprised that he showed up, not calling first to see.
Odd how this happens just when my wife cooks a meal for me.
She’ll be mad if I don’t dine; he’s squirming in his seat.
I may as well just give it up; he’s going to watch me eat.
I drove two hours to get here so I’ll wait to see him ride
Besides, he’s gained a little weight and that whole supper’s fried.
Surely now, he knows how great — how truly fine is Blue.
I think today, I’ll hear the words — the truth I long since knew.
I have to ride the horse tonight; though I worked him good at eight
But since he’s just so set on this — I won’t make him wait.
I’ll show how much we’ve gained and how he’s starting to collect.
I’ve only had him here three days; What else can he expect?
I’ve seen this guy’s video; and what I’m seeing now
Is nowhere near the things he did for that adoring crowd.
I don’t know why he just keeps asking Blue to bend his head.
I want to see him slide and stop. He’s going slow instead.
He doesn’t seem to comprehend I’m having to retrain
And undo all that someone’s done; I tried to explain
The blue sure has some problems, and I’m fixing them each day.
He doesn’t seem to be impressed. What’s he going to say?
I’m paying lots. I want results. I need clear evidence
That when the fall shows come, the blue will be great in the pen.
No time to waste. “Get going man and open up your eyes!”
It’s plain to see I need to come here more to supervise.
I saw his truck when I got back from the high school football game
Where I made the time to go and see when my son and his friends play.
He looked at me accusingly — had the gall to ask me, too
How I could go and waste my time when I should be riding Blue.
I can’t believe he’d leave the place and just go off like that
Looking so un-cowboy-like; He didn’t wear a hat
Guess he’s a hand inside the pen; He’s known for all his ‘try’
But he’s got a lot to learn about just where his duties lie.
And so it’s gone for ten months now.
I’ve learned to hate the sound
Of his rig pulling in the gate; he’s always hanging round.
But the blue is truly gifted, and I know I have a chance
If I can untrain, catch him up. I might just make the dance.
I have demands on all my time, but duty brings me round
And to the trainers every day; I cannot let us down
This way I know he’s working hard; no duty can he shirk
I go and watch and give advice and get my money’s worth.
When they called me for the victory run — the best night of my life.
I didn’t think of God and country, parents, children, wife.
I must admit the first thought to my mind— and with a jolt
Was that I finally showed that man what I know ‘bout a colt.
Yes, it was finally pay-back time; He’d dine that night on crow.
He’d have to credit me with turning round this horse, you know.
And I wouldn’t have to listen to his griping. He’d been wrong.
He’d finally see my way was right and had been all along.
But as I rode on out the pen, I saw him turn his head
And comment clearly to the crowd. I heard each word he said.
Not what I expected. No praise for me, oh no!
He smugly said, “I taught them both — everything they know!”
By Cheryl Cody