The Indian horse, Nokota
Don Coldsmith
Monday, May 14, 2007
QUITE A FEW years ago, I was surprised one afternoon by a phone call from a man in Des Moines, Iowa.
“Do you know a horse trainer by the name of Benny Smith?” he asked, sounding a trifle confused. “An Indian horse trainer?”
Benny Smith had taught me more about handling horses than anyone I had ever met. Long ago, Edna and I had furnished a horse for a symbolic ceremony, a presentation to the new president of Haskell Indian University at Lawrence. Benny was the one who had come to pick it up at our place. In the short time he was there, I was thoroughly impressed with his skill in handling the yearling stallion, barely off the big pasture, never been worked with.
I was familiar with some of his moves, but completely in the dark on most of it. And, at this time, we were well known for our horses and I was writing for the horse magazines. I thought I knew a little about horses. After he had coaxed the stallion into their trailer, (the animal’s first time) I ventured to ask.
“Okay, I followed some of your moves, but I’m just not understanding.”
He seemed to ponder a little while and then nodded. “Well, okay. I know you won’t misuse it.”
That was quite a leap of confidence in someone he had just met, but he taught me more in the next few minutes than I had ever learned in any other way. Our trails cross occasionally, always in pleasant context. But now, back to Des Moines —
“We have the biggest horse show in the world,” the caller said modestly. “We’re trying to sign Benny Smith to demonstrate training wild horses. He says he’ll come if you’ll come, to narrate what he’s doing in the ring over the PA system.”
What an honor! I had worked with him a few times, doing a similar job at county fairs, but wow! Good pay and an opportunity to sell some books.
We arrived in Des Moines on schedule and headed for the rooms reserved for us. There, we encountered Benny Smith and his charming wife and in the next few days became much more closely acquainted. Wonderful people!
Benny was to do his demonstration on some horses from North Dakota, a rare surviving type of “Indian” horses. During the time that our government confiscated practically everything by which the Indians could make a living, their horses were killed or the mares bred to draft-horse stock. A few people with insight and sympathy kept aside a few in remote areas.
Benny had been told that the horses on which he would demonstrate were “Indian horses,” which could mean about anything. We went over to watch them unload, Benny still wondering what sort of a challenge these animals would be. He was almost excited when the first trailer opened and the horses spilled out into an enclosure to calm down.
“Those,” he said, “are INDIAN horses.”
They were about the size of a good cow-horse, well muscled, a little different shape through the hips from a quarter-horse. We were both favorably impressed.
All of this was brought to mind recently when there came in the mail a newsletter from the Nakota Horse Conservancy. We had seen some of their literature before. A few dedicated people, determined to preserve the original type and blood lines appear to be making some progress.
Leo and Frank Kuntz, ranchers in the area of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, had brought the horses, now well known as “Nakota” horses, to that event in Des Moines. The Kuntz brothers had been involved with racing quarter horses and some thoroughbreds, but were finding that their competitive animals were “breaking down” after a few years of competition. These “Indian horses” would still be competitive until well past 20 in the rough cross-country races popular in the north country.
Our presentation at Des Moines went well, with Benny demonstrating the taming of a couple of these horses. He spoke a few words over the loudspeaker after he finished and thanked me for my part.
“If you want to learn how to train a horse,” he said, “read Don Coldsmith’s book, “Moon of Thunder.” The book store at the arena sold out in about eight minutes, and what an honor, coming from Benny Smith!
Sometimes, it works. See you down the road.
Author and columnist Don Coldsmith lives in Emporia.
Susan (anonymous) says...
A few years ago I joined the effort to help the Kuntz brothers save these wonderful horses, now I own 3 of them. I wish I could have seen Benny Smith's demonstation. I've been delighted and disappointed in demonstrations with Nokota horses so to have someone with a capacity to understand this type of horse would be wonderful again. Van Hargis from Texas did them justice as does Sam Brown from Pennsylvania and as you can see, the good trainers are far and few between. Results are important but you won't win over a Nokota unless you show them respect, I would guess that Benny knows that.
Please help the Nokota Horse Conservancy save the Nokota horse for our future. www.nokotahorse.org
May 15, 2007 at 11:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )