TC Freezer

Well after a long list of what I wanted, aggravating some folks, learning from others, reading, researching, listening, talking, asking, many ranches, and so on... I decided upon TC Freezer.

We visited the McCoy Ranch today. Amy, Tiny, & I drove up to Tupelo, OK this morning. I've been talking to Cord for a little over a month off & on about Freezer and some other colts he had that might fit the bill.

Let me back up to what I wanted for just a bit. He had to be big; bigger than most. I'm accustomed to a larger horse, so I wanted something that would finish growing around 16 hands. Finding that has been a task in itself. I wanted a roan, but a specific roan. I wanted a bay roan with dark legs, mane, & tail. I wanted a smart & curious horse. I wanted one I could see thinking constantly; taking it all in, all the time. I wanted speed, and spirit. I wanted a prospect, not a finished horse. This horse had to be between 2 and 4 years old maximum.

I took all of that and started searching. I talked to many ranchers. I would not buy anything from a horse trader. I would only buy something that was raised on the ranch I was buying from. I gave many people a lot of challenges. Like anything else I do in life, I wrote it all down. I set my goal. I had the vision in my head. Most importantly, I would not settle on anything less than the original vision.

I talked to, called, emailed, text's, and was referred to many ranches all over Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

So, back to the McCoy Ranch. We went up today to see what Cord & Sarah had to offer. I've been looking at many of their prospects on YouTube. I got to where I was watching TC Freezer's video about once a day. He had the size. I talked to Cord and the rest seemed to match up. I felt Cord was honest about where Freezer is in his training as well. He's green... all green.

We met at the Kountry Store in Tupelo. Cord & Sarah showed up. They were as easy to spot as we were. Their trailer had Cord McCoy on it, and we, well, we were the only ones with Texas license plates. It was pretty easy for all parties to figure out. We followed the McCoy's out to there place from there.

After pleasantries and introductions, we moved on to Freezer. Cord had no problem catching him and walking him to the round pen. All the while, Freezer kept one eye on the Texans, and one eye wide on Cord. Freezer was a bit high-headed, and it wasn't hard to see the whites around his eyes. He was concerned. Cord explained he's all about trust. He's constantly waiting and looking for what is going to move or jump out in this world.

Cord started him lunging in the round pen. Freezer jumped out easy to a right lead, then switched pretty handily to his left with Cord's change request. Cord caught him fairly easy, but with Freezer watching all the while; one eye on me & Tiny up on the fence, and one eye on Cord. Cord took him back to the alley to get on him. Cord talked about he same concepts I believe in with horses... Don't give them the opportunity to make mistakes and let off the pressure when they give you something right. So Cord took the nervous Freezer to the smaller alley way to get on him, & walk him around a bit. Still, paying attention to Cord, but one eye on the Texans. Cord side passed Freezer to open and move through the gate back into the arena. Freezer did fine. He showed the will and eagerness to learn.

It's clear by this point, if I move fast, Freezer is going to respond with an equally fast move or jolt.

Then we moved Freezer out to the roping pen and tracked steers for a bit. All still going fine. Now I can't handle it anymore. I take him & get on. First thing Freezer does when I walk up, he jumps to the side a bit. Whatever. We adjusted the stirrups, two hops, and I get on. Freezer is big! I mean it, I had to hop up to get the stirrups. That made me grin. I need to do everything in a big way, and this horse is no exception. So we ease out across the arena. We trot. I goose him a bit and we are in a quick, but smooth lope. He's got gears and speed for each! We loped one way, changed leads and went the other. He didn't have any buck, or hop. He is nervous the entire time. He reins & responds well to everything I asked.

Needless to say, we loaded Freezer up. That is a small story in itself. Freezer had never been in a fully enclosed slant before. I coaxed him and he came on in after a bit of looking everything over, a few huffs, a sigh, and in he came. So I moved behind the slant to let him go to the front. Problem was, Freezer had never done this before and wanted to look back. I had the slant pushed up against him waiting for him to move into place so I could latch it. He just didn't move into place. He kept looking back and had his head over the slant. A little gentle pushing on his neck and with the slant, he's in. THEN, around to the front to drop the window so I could tie him. That spooked him for sure, but we got it done. A few more handshakes & pleasantries, and we were on our way back home with a horse that fit the bill... to the tee.

I'm pretty happy as you can tell. Tiny is equally happy. She just loves the thought of one more horse as well as her Daddy has a horse to ride with her again. That's our thing, me & Tiny, we ride and work horses together. She's missed that with me, and I've missed it with her.

We are grateful to Cord and Sarah for the deal we worked with Freezer as well as for their hospitality throughout the process. Good people, no doubt.

I'll post some pictures tomorrow, but here's the YouTube video that started us headed to Oklahoma for a horse...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ6WWmQmTQc

http://www.mccoyranches.com/