When I got Spur as a long yearling, he was untouched until I selected him. Then the rancher I got him from pushed him in a chute, slapped a halter on him, and tied him up. We loaded him loose in my trailer and away I went!
I took my time with him, as much for my sake as for his. And somewhere along the way, it became clear that he preferred me to just about anyone else.
I did all of his groundwork, first saddling, first snaffle… everything I could except that first ride. As much as I wish I would have kept him home for that, at the time my confidence wasn’t where I felt it needed to be to set him up for success so I sent him out for his first handful of rides.
When I got him home, I continued to ride him but I was really struggling with the obvious fact that he was a one woman horse. He was mine. And as flattering as that is, it’s definitely not in the horse’s best interest.
So, as a four year old, I sent him out for 30 days. I figured I’d get a more seasoned horse back and it would give Spur a chance to get used to someone else. And both of those things came true!
Spur is a 7 year old this year. In our time together we have ridden in Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. We have been surprised by pack strings and bears. We have been swimming in rivers and crossed countless creeks and rivers. We have pushed cows and traversed over mountain passes. We have ridden alone and in large groups.
Spur is not inexperienced, yet there is a definite difference in his demeanor from when I approach him to when someone else approaches him.
I have no doubt that other people could ride Spur… he is, after all, a broke horse. He knows his job. But Spur makes it clear that he prefers me. He is most comfortable with me. He trusts me to keep him safe.
He is a one woman horse.
