Mister, You Got Yourself a Horse: Tales of Old-Time Horse Trading [Paperback]

Roger L. Welsch (Editor, Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1987

Plains folklorist Roger L. Welsch has edited a lively collection of stories by some master yarnspinners—those old-time traveling horse traders. Told to Federal Writers' Project fieldworkers in the 1930s, these stories cover the span of horse trading: human and equine trickery, orneriness, debility—and generosity.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Anyone with a love for horses, the judging of horseflesh, and an appreciation for the history of man''s long association with the horse will like this book."—William E. Koch, Journal of the West

(William E. Koch Journal of the West )

"These tales are gems of humor and wry understatement, displaying American folk-humor at its best. The jargon of horse-trading and early twentieth-century horse lore is fascinating. . .this book will be equally at home on the shelves of a university library or in an applecrate bookshelf nailed to the wall of a ranch bunkhouse. "—Western American Literature

(Western American Literature )

"The thirty or so tales give a clear picture of the folklife of farmers and country people, as well as horsetraders, on the Great Plains during the end of the last century and the early years of this. . .they are told in a direct and economical style."—George Ewart Evans, Folklore

(George Ewart Evans Folklore )

About the Author

Roger L. Welsch has written numerous books. He delivers a "Postcard from Nebraska" on CBS Sunday Morning.

Product Details

• Paperback: 207 pages
• Publisher: Bison Books (February 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803297173
• ISBN-13: 978-0803297173
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #924,781 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating stories of old time horse trading, February 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Mister, You Got Yourself a Horse: Tales of Old-Time Horse Trading (Paperback)

This is a collection of fascinating horse trading, swapping and swindling stories collected during The Federal Writers Project, a part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which in turn was one of FDR's relief programs during the Great Depression.

In the 1930's Government employed writers were still able to interview Civil War Veterans, Oregon Trail Riders, individuals who remembered the Indian Wars, and, for the purposes of this book, horse traders who made their living by travelling and trading horses before the days of the automobile. This book is a collection of the best of those stories.

Back then, due to lack of cash, no cars or trucks or other convenient transportation, and the isolation of the farms in rural Nebraska, travelling horse and mule traders with stock to swap were an important and usually welcome part of rural life. With the trader came the chance to hear some news, socialize, match wits and perhaps come out on top of a swap with some "boot" or hard-to-get cash.

These stories exude the sense of the male ego, of matching wits, and the I-did-it-to-you-first challenge that was a part of swapping stock back then. While buying a used car today may instill fear and loathing in the buyer, back then it was a two way street-both parties thought they had a chance of coming out on top and tried their best to do so. The challenge of the trade was a way of life and all parties knew the rules: watch out!

The Glossary may be worth the price of the book by itself. It not only includes terms used in trading, but also describes in simple terms the many diseases and conditions you don't want your horse or donkey to have. Another part of the book warns about and elaborates on tricks used to cover these things up. Interestingly, these pointers were part of The People's Home Library, an information source that provided advice to the public on lots of things, including how not to be had on a horse trade.

This book is funny, colorful, nostalgic and entertaining. Tall tales or not, it is well worth the reading.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Don't be tricked by the cover!, September 24, 2010

By 

Female Gamer "Gaming since 1991" (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mister, You Got Yourself a Horse: Tales of Old-Time Horse Trading (Paperback)

I have mixed feelings about this book.

Don't be fooled by the cover depicting a man hugging a horse!

This book is allegedly-true stories about horse traders who abused and hurt their animals in ways not tolerated today.

It's a great history and educational book, good for colleges and libraries. One can see glimpses of U.S. States prior to 1920. I appreciate the section explaining how the tales were collected.

It does have a glossary, good if you're writing a story with horses.

However, much of the content is upsetting, especially if you respect horses. The men in these tales abuse sick horses and harm them just to get one over on other traders. I couldn't believe some of their methods: placing rocks in ears to get the horse to shake, burning them with acid, using cocaine on a sick animal to spruce it up. Even if these particular stories are false, you can be sure these tactics were used, and it's very sad. Oh, and it was acceptable to kick your dog too.

The ASPCA existed back then, but wasn't taken seriously, as noted in one account.

Again, this is a good history book, but for tough hearts only.

Not for children or any teens who might act out some of these "horse tricks".

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not happy with Amazon, August 28, 2010

By 

June - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mister, You Got Yourself a Horse: Tales of Old-Time Horse Trading (Hardcover)

The book came in good condition but no dust jacket.

I had such a time trying to order the books with Amazon and I had a gift certificate that I had to back out a couple of times with not knowing what was going on with trying to order.

With all the problems I changed my order and ended up ordering the same book from another place and ended up with duplicates which really upset me.

The one time I went in and had my order done and was suppose to get free shipping and showed that I was to pay $5.97 in shipping............so I backed out.

It was such an upsetting time and all the problems I had with ordering with the gift cert., credit card and shipping that I am not ordering from Amazon again and I am also canceling my Chase.amazon credit card. It was too much of a headachne.

Ethel