Posted September 11, 2022
Justus glanced at Cookie and Danny with a shrug, then up to Frank. "Thank you, sir." He wasn't about to turn down something that was suggested by the ramrod, although he had to wonder if maybe 'rank' meant a test of his riding skill?
No matter, he knew he was a good rider, even if those skills didn't include cow-work. But a few cow-hops didn't seem a problem, and he had no doubt that it wouldn't be long before they were both too tired to do much more than concentrate on work.
Talking softly to the mare, he had her quickly saddled, and the bridle adjusted. As he swung into the saddle, he braced for any sign of mischief, asking Teal, "What's her name?"
"Poison Annie, either for short, depends on her attitude." Frank stated with a smile. "She can be a sweetheart 'er hell on the hoof, depends on the rider I expect. She seems clam enough, take 'er out and we'll see which you got, Justus."
Frank, Danny and Nate all watched as the young man readied himself. There would be no loud whoops to startle the horse, as no one knew Justus Wheeler's abilities, they would just watch, and be prepared for whatever happened next.
"Well, there ya, go, Annie," leaning forward a bit, he patted the horse's neck, "it's just that name, huh?"
The horse snorted and tossed her head, and Justus barely managed to avoid getting smacked in the face. "That wasn't nice!" He chuckled and turned the mare toward the herd. She immediately broke into a brisk trot, but after a few strides, she dropped her head and started to tense up. Before she could buck, though, Justus pulled her head around, bringing her nose to his boot.
Annie jigged for a few steps, but then stopped, having lost her forward momentum. "Ya gonna be nice?" Justus' tone was even, his touch light but firm, and after a few seconds, he let the mare have her head back. "See, now, ain't so bad, is it." He patted her neck again, this time making sure to keep his face out of the way!
"Boy ain't too bad, is he?" Nate asked as they watched him handle Poison Annie.
"I'd say he's got the makin's alright." Frank agreed. "Annie can be a problem, but he seems to know what he's doin'." The ramrod liked what he saw, even though there were animals worse than Annie, and others that were better. More than one cowboy had taken a rough morning ride through breakfast trying to get a horse under control. But that was life on the drive.
Ames and Lorado craned back to catch a part of what was happening, both grinning as they turned back to the herd. Everything was moving north at a decent pace without running the fat of the cattle.
"C'mon, now, Miss Annie." Justus gigged the horse into a brisk trot, and although she tossed her head and gave a few little hops -- to save face, Justus reckoned -- she settled down, although one ear was pricked forward and the other back toward Justus, paying attention to the trail and her rider.
The little sorrel had a smooth gait, and was an easy ride when she wasn't tossing in a hop, just to make sure her rider knew who was boss, and Justus was sure they'd get along just fine. At least he hoped so, he really didn't want to wind up on his back in 3000 cows worth of patties!
"Well now," Ames announced, "Looks to me like the kid got him a cow pony."
""Yep, an' Poison Annie at that, reckon the boy can ride, she don't much cotton to bein' rid." Lorado said with his easy smile. "Come on boy! Got us some dust ta eat."
It was hours until the noon break, and riding drag was no easy chore. Every once in a while one of the cattle would decide to go back the way they came, and one of the drag riders was tasked with going after it and herding it back.
The ones that broke right or left, the outriders would handle. The saving grace was, Teal switched them up, so they, likely the three of them, would move to outriders the following day. The to the point, then the opposite side, and finally, back on drag.
"She's got her good points." Justus chuckled, riding along with the other men, learning more about the horse he was riding. He reckoned that she just wanted a gentle touch, and he wasn't the sort to yank a horse around. That didn't mean that a firm hand wasn't needed now and then, but harsh was never appropriate for an animal.
Riding drag was just as unpleasant as he'd imagined, hot and dusty, but he took it without complaint, more than once having to go after some errant heifer that wanted to strike out on her own, and it was then that he was especially glad that he wasn't riding Mule.
Oh, the lanky paint was fast when needed, but he didn't have the cattle-sense that Annie did, and Justus just had to point her nose, and she did the rest.
Still, he was more than ready for that break!
"Seems to me you've done some cattle work jest by the way you handle Annie and any stray you chase down." Lorado said with that grin. "An' thets good, real good. Eithrt thet 'er yer catchin' on right quick!"
"Yep," Ames addede. "Yer a natural out there. Nw I know Annie's a big help.but you still gotta do the work an' ride 'er."
"Be noonin' right soon, an' I kin hardly wait fer it! Grub an' no dust. Cain't hardly beat thet!" Lorado added.
"Grub, coffee, and settin' a spell. Yep, cain't wait." Ames agreed.
Posted September 16, 2022
"She rides easy," Justus observed with a smile, "not that I'd trade Mule fer anythin', but he's more suited to th' trail." That horse could go hours at a steady pace, keeping his nose pointed in one direction even if Justus fell asleep in the saddle, and when that happened and Justus tumbled to the dirt, the horse would wait patiently until he got up, dusted himself off and remounted. They'd been through a lot together.
Even though he was accustomed to being in the saddle all day, Justus would be more than happy for a chance to walk around a bit, and a good meal on top of that sounded real appealing.
Posted September 17, 2022
"Yep, mostly she's a good mount, sometimes though she kin be cantankerous, like a lotta women I knowed." Ames said with a grin. "You handle her pretty good, I'd say. Annie ain't the best of 'em, but can be near gentle fer the right rider."
"You'll do, ain't saddled you with them really mean ones of a mornin', but you'll get yer turn on the 'hurricane deck,' we all do. Them animals don't much care to be rid in the early light of day, like they 'd as soon stay alseep. But Frank Teal, he ain't havin' none a' thet! Ever'thing an' ever'one pulls their own weight on his trail."