b'Cowboy WisdomTHE RED ROANBy Pete FloresTexas rancher, passing on Cowboy wisdom and serving the Lord.M y son David finally became old enough to join 4-H and he was excited about being able to show horses through the club. Trooper was ready, and Trooper is the yellow horse I mentioned in last months issue. We began going to the arena where we practiced Western Pleasure, Western Horsemanship, Showmanship, and Halter.We started going to 4-H shows where David and Trooper got along but were no barn burners. They were not at the end of the class but not on top. I enjoyed watching them compete.One day I decided that maybe Trooper and David needed someone else to coach them through these events. I signed David up for a horsemanship clinic and away we went for instructions. There were about forty kids signed up for that clinic, but I was excited to hear from instructors and learn as well. When we arrived, we saddled Trooper and they went to the arena to warm up with the rest of the participants. I was sitting there just watching my son when I noticed a kid riding into the arena on a red roan horse. They caught my eye and I started to watch this kid and that horse. I liked the way the horse carried himself and could tell he was also soft in the mouth.After a while, I saw this kid leave the arena so I just watched to see where he was going. He went back to his trailer where a gentleman met him, and I saw them talking. It turned out that the gentleman was the kids dad. I saw them unsaddle the roan and saddle up a sorrel. The kid rode back into the arena and started to warm up the sorrel. I liked how the red roan moved and handled himself much better and as the clinic started, I kept looking at the trailer where the roan was tied.The day went on and the kid participated in the clinic on his sorrel horse. At the end of the clinic, I looked up and saw the kid talking to his dad by the trailer so I walked over and introduced myself.We talked about the clinic and how good it had been for the kids. I said 10% OFF to the gentleman, I noticed your son did not ride the red roan horse today during the clinic. He replied, My son does not really like the roan and prefers to ride the sorrel. I asked the gentleman not really knowing how he was going to answer, Do you want to sell the red roan? I am interested in him." I told him that I really liked the horse and he replied, Maybe, let us discuss this. You can call me in a couple of days and Ill give you an answer. I thanked him, wrote down his phone number, and told him I would call him in the middle of the week. ANY REGULAR PRICED ITEM Wednesday night came along and excited to hear the answer, I called and asked, You ready to Excludes Tools & Equipment. sell the horse? He replied Yes. I think my heart must have skipped a few beats. I told him Ill be there tomorrow around 1. He gave me directions and it was a long night and morning spent waiting. The next day I hooked up my two-horse trailer and away I went to try out that red roan Mention Arizona Real Country Magazine. horse. I arrived at their ranch, saddled him up, and rode him in the arena. I loved the horse; he was so good and easy on lead changes and had a great lope. He was watching me, and I rode that roan horse over to him to ask the inevitable question, How much do you want for the horse? He replied, We are asking three hundred dollars. At that point, I knew I was going to buy him. I asked him Can I take the horse out in the brush? I am just wondering how he handles himself. He allowed me to do that and I rode him for a few minutes through the brush. I came back and announced that I wanted to buy him. I paid the gentleman, loaded the horse, and headed back to the house. I stopped, picked up David and his saddle, and headed to the arena. We saddled the horse and David warmed him up. With me in the middle of the arena, we performed the Western Pleasure class and they did not miss a lead. Next, we did Western Horsemanship, and they both did great, with the roan only missing one right lead. David said wanted to name him Red so Red was his name from then on. The next day we came out and practiced some more since there was a horseshow on Saturday. We headed to that show and what a great day it was for David and Red. They placed first in Western Horsemanship, second in Western Pleasure, second in Showmanship, and fifth in Halter.I was extremely proud of my son, and we talked as we were walking back to the trailer. As we were walking, a gentleman approached us. He said, I see your son rode a different horse today. I affirmed that and mentioned that they got along great. He stated, Ill give fifteen hundred cash for that horse right now.I thanked him but noted that the horse was not for sale and he then asked me to let him know if I changed my mind. Much like in life, the Lord sends us friends that we may never bond with as best friends. Then there are those friends that just have a connection with each other and have a true bond. Much like Red and my son, they bonded, were great together, and had a better partnership than the first owner and Red. The Lord wants us to make those friendships, help each other out, and not be separated by man-made items like money. 12 August 2023'