11/25/05 Dot stories, Part two

Sometimes a kid's horse is more than just a gentle babysitter. I'm Jeff Keane. I'll be right back to tell you what I mean. Yesterday I told you about Dot, my Mom's saddle horse that became my brothers and my first horse to ride alone. Dot knew way more about moving cattle than we did, but she tried to teach us what she knew and how we were suppose to ride her. Mostly when you get to start helping with the cattle your job is  just keep the slow ones coming which can be pretty boring, but Dot knew just what to do. Any cow or calf that was too slow got a good nip from Dot which really broke the boredom and kept a little kid pretty entertained, leaving Mom and Dad to do the harder work and not worry about Dot and her trainee. Now if a cow did wander off that was a perfect time to use a little of Dot's speed to get the critter and have a little excitement. Dot had plenty of speed but I always figured I needed to use my spurs, but one spur too much and Dot would crow hop along to discipline me. That's all it took since her little dance made me feel like I was on a National Finals saddle bronc. She had me trained real quick to just ride and let her do her job. One other of Dot's rules was never sit behind the saddle. Well, my brother found if he did set behind the saddle, Dot would kick up just enough to throw him back in the saddle. One day he was showing Dad his neat trick when Dot thought ok kid I've given you your warning. My brother got behind the saddle once more  all Dad saw was wide open mouth and two flailing arms and legs as they went between Dot's ears. Aforementioned open mouth scooped about a pound of good range dirt and another lesson was learned. I'm Jeff Keane.