The old mare ain't what she used to be

INDIANOLA, Neb. - I have written before how we have had quite a few good horses over the years. I loved riding and taking the kids out in the pasture to check cows. Indianola used to have “Fun Days” where we did numerous equine events. Very fun memories for our family.

Our youngest daughter was the only one that really wanted to do horse 4-H and she used several horses for different events. One, in particular, was a 14.2-hand sorrel mare that we bought from the Nokes boys. She was five and Skyler was ten and they made quite a pair for many years. “Babe” is one of my favorites too, especially since she is pretty compact, the occasional face plant wasn’t as far to fall!

We were rounding up cows one fall and a cow and calf pair departed north from the herd, so Babe and I took off, “Bent for Election,” and the cow zigged, the calf zagged, and Babe and I parted ways. Kind of like a yard dart, I was propelled into the dirt. Knocked the wind plumb out of me and I lay there for quite some time. The horse also just stood there looking at me like, “What’s up?”

Needless to say, the guys don’t usually need me on horseback these days. The old mare ain’t what she used to be! (That makes two of us.) The grandkids sure love petting ole Babe. I even like to hear her talk to me twice a day at feeding time. She’s been a good girl!

Now we use Rangers for pert’ near everything. I often say I don’t know how we ever got things done without them. I should get “Brownie Points” for advertising them, right? Ha!

Farmer Tom and I can use Rangers together to bring pairs up in the spring when we take cows out to grass. Might not seem like a big deal but you may not have seen us working together!

Those of you who know us, probably get my drift!

Have a good one!