Part 4

Though small rations of water were the fate of desert Arabs, on The Lazy VV Ranch a horse can bathe in it—as shown by KABAR, who unhesitatingly trails a cow and two calves through a belly-deep stream.

KABAR is typical of the horse desired by ranchers and stockmen. He is what is known as the “strong type” Arab. The other two types are the “beautiful” and the “racing.” ZARIFE, RIFAGE and KAHAR belong in the “beautiful” classification. The only “racing” type stallion raised on The Lazy VV Ranch was BAREK, who is making his home with the Mexican Government in Mexico City.

Most of the stud colts sired by KABAR have been sold to individual ranchers, who are using them to produce better stock horses.

The life of an Arab mare on The Lazy VV Ranch differs greatly from her desert sisters’ existence. In the desert, a mare carried her master in tribal warfare, while the stallions stayed at home.

Any mare without a colt at her side is assigned the task of taking Lazy VV Ranch riders over the high, rocky mountain trails. Brood mares are left in the lush pastures to frolic and play with their colts. However, not even the brood mares are coddled; they live and graze in the rugged outdoors, year-round. Lazy VV Arabs must learn to care for themselves.

At the age of one year, these Arabs are halter broken; at two, they are trained on the longe line, and some are driven; at three, they are trained under saddle. Mares of sufficient size are bred at the age of three, and every year thereafter.

From the day it is born, a Lazy VV Arab knows nothing but love and affection. The horse trainers have often said it is a “snap” to halter-break a yearling Arab, because he is so used to arms encircling his neck.

Everyone is encouraged to play with and become acquainted with the Arabs. Such treatment brings out the innate affection of this breed.

Curious, too! Realizing the friendship of man, they will investigate anything new and can make a job hard to accomplish. One colt investigates Jack Kuhne’s camera, when he really wants to get the colt’s picture for “Sons of Courage.” This technicolor short was made for 20th Century-Fox, and is still showing throughout the country. Also still showing is “Arabians in the Rockies,” the technicolor short released by Warner Bros.

When snow covers the pastures, the mares and colts are more anxious than ever for feeding time.

After these heavy snowfalls, RIFAGE must satisfy himself that all are present and in good shape, for some of these colts are his.

Soon after Trinidad established its pure Arab Stud on The Lazy VV Ranch, numerous people would stop by the Ranch with the hope they could “just look at those Arabian horses.” These callers interrupted the routine ranch work to such a degree that the decision was reached to set aside Sunday morning, at which time the public might see the Arabs in various phases of action.

These Sunday morning crowds outgrew the three stands which were originally built to accommodate 150 spectators. The remaining hundreds willingly stand around the railing from 9:45 until 11:30 A.M., to view these gorgeous creatures going through their paces. This opportunity is only provided during the three months of summer—mid-June through August.

Crowds prove the education is worth the discomfort. There is probably no place in this country where a person can see so many Arabs, or learn more about them during a two-hour period than by listening to the announced comments and other information which is given as the Arabs are shown.

It is truly a colorful spectacle to see 1,500 people from all walks of life, dressed in varied attire, so intent and interested as they encircle the Arab horse show ring at The Lazy VV.

Though authentic in cut, these Bedouin robes are not authentic in color. Bright greens, reds, blues and gold add a sparkle to the Sunday showing of the Arabs, while the Bedouins would be donning drab gray or brown colors.

Lazy VV Arabs are not groomed and put up in stalls a day or so before the Sunday crowds see them. These are the same horses that work the cattle, make the various trips over rough mountain trails, or romp and play in pastures during the week.

Festive desert robes are donned to lend atmosphere and color to the Sunday showing. Simulating their ancestors of 2,000 years ago, the Arabs carry the riders of The Lazy VV in true Arabian style. Cameras click and spectators thrill with joy as these jaunty “Arabians” charge into the ring.

L. W. Van Vleet, President of The Trinidad Bean and Elevator Co., does the announcing and tells the Sunday show crowds about the purebred Arab. This takes time and research, but the pure Arab is worthy of proper presentation.

THE LAZY VV RANCH AND ITS SETTING

If you would care to read more about Trinidad’s purebred Arabs, and their home on The Lazy VV Ranch, perhaps your local library can furnish you with the following publications:

Christian Science Monitor—September, 1942 Travel Magazine—October, 1943 Country Gentleman—January, 1944 Liberty—November, 1945 The Horse—March-April, 1944 The Horse—November-December, 1945 The Horse—May-June, 1947 The National Horseman—May, 1948 Denver Post Empire Magazine—June, 1949 Travel—July, 1949 Flair—July, 1950

Also you might prevail upon your local theater manager to arrange a showing of the beautiful technicolor shorts which were made on The Lazy VV Ranch. In them you will see the purebred Arabs at work.

“Arabians in the Rockies” was released by Warner Bros. in January of 1946. “Sons of Courage” was released by 20th Century-Fox in February of 1947. “Kings of the Rockies” was released by Warner Bros. in January of 1950.

These movies are still showing throughout the country. If you haven’t seen them, you should have an opportunity to do so.

Just a Word About TRINIDAD RANCH BEANS

Purchased in all Western growing areas, TRIAD RANCH BEANS are carefully cleaned, sorted and graded. Always select quality, they are identified by the famous COOKQUIK trademark which assures you of easy preparation and good eating.

Delicious recipes are printed on all cartons to enable you to cook these beans the way the cowboys like ’em, the way everyone likes ’em!