Curt’s Equine
Atom Bomb
by Mike Moutoux, Western Entertainer
& Cowboy Poet

There are two kinds of working horses on a ranch that you will find
Those that really like to work and never seem to mind
They greet you with a nicker when they see that bridle in your hand
You walk right up; fasten it on, while the horse will calmly stand

And then there is the other kind that seem to like to work as well
But there are times with them that it’s kinda hard to tell
It’s their attitude in the morning that I really hate the worst
They’ll work when the bridle’s on, but you have to catch ‘em first

Butch was in the second class and Curt grew tired of the catching game
He’d tried to train the stubborn horse but things remained the same
‘Course he tried the usual tricks: hid the bridle, use some grain
Nothing worked so catching Butch continued to be a pain

But Curt was the son of a cowboy; he was raised to never quit
He devised a simple plan and just knew that this was it
He trapped Butch in the shipping alley and put a steel bar behind
Put a second bar in front and let that sink into its mind

Soon the horse would realize that he was beat and just give in
Curt knew he had the upper hand now and grinned a great big grin
But two things were against him and sweet victory soon turned bitter:
The boards were full of dry rot, and the horse, he weren’t a quitter

Ol’ Butch exploded like an atom bomb and kicked with all his might
Broke every board that he could reach, sent pieces flyin’ left and right
A jagged spear flew by Curt’s ear; he was lucky that it missed
But he didn’t feel lucky—‘cause his father would be pissed!

The shockwave was felt seven miles away; folks talk about it still
Knocked photos off a wall, nick-knacks off a window sill
Some still believe it was a bomb ---the explosion was that loud
Others claim the dust that rose formed a giant mushroom cloud

When his father heard the story, well, he wasn’t mad at Curt
And really was just happy that the young man wasn’t hurt
Sure, he made him fix the damage and now the alley’s good as new
And it goes now without sayin’ how Curt’s reputation grew and grew

He’ll make the Cowboy Hall of Fame, and someday win the Nobel Prize
Be an inspiration to every kid that ever tries
And folks will marvel at the story he tells with such aplomb
How he invented, tested and survived the first equine atom bomb