Out Our Way: Doc or Babe?

Out of our way, besides pastoring a small church, I also rode with Charlie on the Tiger Ridge working Big Mike’s herd. I had two horses back then, Doc and Babe.

Doc was big — 17 hands and 1200 pounds they tell me. He had a terrible gait — like riding a jack hammer. And 4 left feet (hooves), constantly tripping over himself and often tossing me. Babe was smaller — a beautiful sorrel paint and as smooth a trot, canter, or gallop as even the worst rider (yours truly) could handle. Yet I rode Doc on the Tiger.

For all her beauty, smoothness and gentle gait, Babe was not a cowpony. She was afraid o...