08/04/06 Simon Part II

Simon II Yesterday I told you about a young drill team horse that Mom bought and brought to the ranch. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll tell you how that turned out right after this. Simon came to the ranch with very little training other than drill team maneuvers, which is not exactly the basis for making a good ranch horse. For the first year Simon was used on the ranch, his work was mostly moving cattle in the pastures and some corral work. We found out early Simon enjoyed the work, was willing, and always gave 110 per cent without needing to be asked. It wasn't long until he became one of the horses we counted on to do just about any ranch job. When I needed a new team roping horse, Simon headed for the arena again and became a capable heading horse in spite of my training. When I started helping at the rodeos as a pick-up man you guessed it  Simon hopped in the horse trailer and was ready to go. He wasn't the fastest pick-up horse I ever rode, but he gave his usual 110 per cent effort and we got a lot of riders off of saddlebronc and bareback horses. My kids always liked to ride Simon in the arena before the rodeo to warm him up. The stripe-face sorrel horse always got along well with kids and novice riders so when his rodeo days were over, he accomplished some of his most important workteaching youngsters how to ride. Simon was euthanized on the ranch when old age stole his good health, but like all ranch horses that do the jobs they are called on to performhe's gone but not forgotten. I'm Jeff Keane.