Starting Colts
Saddle Horses Invade Stackyard January 2005 Photo Carolyn Dufurrena
This is the time of year for starting colts on the ranch. The mare bands come in in November, but sorting and shipping of cattle is the first order of business in these weeks. By the first of the year, calves are weaned and sold, mother cows sorted to pastures or outside winter country. Then we can take time to look over the foal crop, decide which colts look like keepers, and begin the years-long process of starting saddle horses for the ranch. Weaner colts that learn the basics this winter won't be ridden for another year, and not finished for several more. Watching the babies grow into their individual personalities is a lot like raising children, and sometimes it seems like it takes almost as long!
Haiku for Starting Colts
January 1
Rain falls on tin roof
Red door creaks open slowly.
Turn colts into barn.
January 5
Two paints, a buckskin,
The two wild sorrel stud colts:
This afternoon’s class.
January 9
Nostrils flaring wide
Your every muscle trembling.
Relax and learn, colt.
Voice gentle always,
“Got a kink in your tail there?
Settle down now, Red.”
January 10
His ears flick forward.
Paint nuzzles for a mouthful,
Trusting his teacher.
Dragging halter rope,
Permit the brush down your flank,
Eat a bite of grain.
January 12
Tidy roan filly
Stubborn, taut, intelligent.
He saves her for last.
Turn the others out:
It’s time to start on Roanie.
Door shuts, light lowers.
Loop sails over neck.
She won’t be like the others.
Up, up she rises.
Hobble front and hind.
Your squealing will not help you:
Learn to stand, filly.
Quick as lightning’s bolt
Hind feet flash toward you.
“Did she get you Dad?”
“She didn’t hurt me.”
Turn away a moment, on
Next day’s purple shins.
Patience, patience now.
There is no place for anger
In a good teacher.
Supple willow wand
Drags burlap sacking
Over trembling haunches.
January 31
At last, she trusts him,
Stands quivering in hobbles.
Adrenalin fades.
Don’t lay your ears back!
It’s time to go to water.
Step out lightly, girl.
She leads easy now.
This season’s work is finished.
Until springtime, then.