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Sixteen Horses
The source of
power on the ranch
Used to be the mighty horse.
Belgian, Shire, or Clydesdale
Did the heavy work of course.
Adorned with hames and harness
Hitched to the doubletree
They spared the backs and muscle
Of men like you and me.
You'd hook 'em to the cycle bar
To mow the new grown hay.
They'd work from dawn to dusk
Give their all, each and every day.
They'd pull the rake and push the sweep,
Push the plunger up the slide,
Pull the wagon out to feed
With harness straining at their hide.
They asked little of the rancher,
Their needs weren't really very much,
A little feed and water
Treat 'em right and use a gentle touch.
We'd put 'em out on Horse Creek,
That was their summer range.
They'd know that it was hayin' time
When the weather took a change.
They'd show up at South Pasture
How they knew we didn't know.
We never had to worry none
'Cause we knew that they would show.
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We'd drive on
down to let 'em in,
We never had to wait.
Sixteen faithful, needed horses
Were a standin' at the gate.
Well, things have changed this year,
Now that Buddy runs the place.
He thinks the horses way too slow.
I never know'd that we was in a race.
New swathers, rakes and balers,
Bud says that they're the latest things.
His dad is feelin' mighty poorly,
Bud says, "It's to the past he clings."
I went out to swath the hay
I was thinkin' this is great.
Then I saw the Sixteen Horses
A standin' at the gate.
They was lookin' kinda dazed,
Seemed to wonder what was goin' on.
They'd been there to go to work
Since way before the daylight's dawn.
I swear they looked dejected,
Hurt, and with some broken pride.
Somethin' broke inside of me.
I hurt and I just cried.
I'll not forget that sullen day
Nor will I forget the date
When sixteen horses, feelin' useless
Was left a standin' at the gate.
© 2005, Van A. Criddle
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In case you're curious about the inspiration
for "Sixteen Horses"......
VAN
CRIDDLE said this.... |
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In the late 60's I worked on the Cross
Box Ranch in Pinedale, WY. Carl Jorgenson owned and
operated the ranch. His son Buddy had graduated from
the University of Wyoming, I believe, with a couple
of AG Business degrees. He worked the ranch with his
dad. His dad decided to retire and turn the
operation over to Bud. Bud knew that they needed to
modernize to improve the ranch profitability. It
just about killed Carl when the new equipment
arrived and the horses were left out of the
operation. Carl and Mrs. Jorgenson packed up a truck
and camper and left for a month 'cause he couldn't
stand not seeing the horses doing the haying. I now
feel greatly blessed to have been one of the few of
my generation who have worked behind a two-up,
four-up or 6-up team. They were magnificent animals
who really did give their all. |
I
Van
has a brother, Monte Criddle, who is also a Cowboy
Poet. They are working on a book that they hope will come
out this fall...... "Brothers in Rhyme". Currently, he
has a CD with the featured poem presented on it. The
CD includes 14 tracks of original poetry including "Sixteen
Horses" The CD is available for $12 postpaid (check or money
order) to-
Van Criddle; Rafter C Productions; 2034
Laurelhurst Dr., Eugene, OR 97402.
Van
Criddle has had a love for the cowboy way and all things
western all of his life. In his words, "When other
kids were wearin' tennis shoes and Beta Boots I wore cowboy
boots." His years on a working ranch, rodeoing and horse
training have influenced him in a way that few other things
in his life have. In the same way that
Russell wrote poems with his paintings, Van Criddle
paints pictures with his poems; and his word paintings make
you feel that you are right there living them. He
touches your heart. And in many of his poems, he touches
your funny bone. But the best sense of who the
man Van Criddle is, can best be gleaned from his own words.
Here's what he went on to say:
Since those ranching days I've been a
contractor, motivational speaker, managed a
feedlot and small farming operation and fed
a few cattle. I rodeoed in rough stock
events as a weekend warrior until I realized
that I was spending more time and money
recovering from the weekends than I was
making so we hung up the spurs, bucking rigs
and bull rope. We still continue to love
rodeo. In 1988 Kathy and I produced a PRCA
rodeo in Odessa, MO. We moved to Montana
right after that but the community kept it
going for 17 years after we left so I guess
it was a success.
Life
took me in a different direction and for the
last 23 years, instead of cattle and horses,
I've herded and tended a fleet of school and
transit buses as the General Manager for
Southern Oregon Operations for Laidlaw
Education Services. To me my most important
jobs have been that of husband to a
marvelous women, father to 4 wonderful sons
and daughter-in-laws, grandpa to 9 perfect
grandchildren and a son to 2 loving parents
and 2 very special in-laws.
I started
performing Cowboy Poetry in Sept. of 2005 in
Baker City, OR. The very talented AK Moss
was kind enough to take a chance on an
unknown poet and give me some time at her
Gathering. AK, Smoke Wade, Dallas McCord,
Tony Reed, Howard Norskog and Charlie and
Cathy Camden have taken me under their wings
and have guided and mentored me since that
time. Their unselfishness has blessed my
life in ways that I never expected. Since
then I've had the opportunity to participate
in Gatherings and events in Rupert and
Lewiston, ID, Eugene and Creswell, OR,
Colfax and Kennewick, WA and Brigham City,
UT. In Brigham City I was honored to receive
2nd place in the Sons of Utah
Pioneers Cowboy Poetry Contest for "Sixteen
Horses". Collen Sweeten took first place. I
was honored to even be mentioned with that
great Cowboy Poet! With a helping hand from
Dallas McCord I've had the opportunity to
become a regular at the Emerald Valley Opry
in Eugene, OR. and at the Creswell Opry in
Creswell, OR. I took the opportunity to do
Open sessions at Elko this year and was
invited to perform in the evenings at the
Dunkin Little Creek Gallery. It has been a
wild and exhilarating ride for this old
cowboy and one that has been full of
enjoyment. I never envisioned anything like
this happening in my life.
I also need to acknowledge some other folks
who gave me great opportunities to develop
my style and encouraged me to take the step
to performing. Of course my wife, Kathy,
what a great support she is. Rod Nichols,
Hal Swift and the other Pards at the Rockin'
R Cowboy Poetry Board have been a major
influence and source of inspiration. Margo
and the crew at cowboypoetry.com have been
very supportive and offered great
encouragement. Bette Wolf Duncan who has
kindly show-cased my poem Sixteen Horses on
this great website. It's the people that you
meet in life that make life worth living and
all of these folks have added great value to
mine.
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You can read more of his poetry at:
http://www.cowboypoetry.com/vancriddle.htm
 Van_Criddle@lpsg.com
Under copyright protection. The poem on this web page may
not be excerpted, copied, or reproduced, used or
performed in any form (graphic, electronic or mechanical)
without the express written permission of the author.
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