A Horseman from Kanaka

in Poverty Bay

By Rod Campbell

George had made some type of tin pants he used to strap on his backside. His legs were always folded in front of him as he slid around the cowshed floor from cow to cow, changing the cups.
From the time I knew him he had two different horses, which were both trained to come when called and kneel down beside him to be saddled, then lay down beside him until he could struggle into the saddle - as you can see in the photo. He would lay over it's neck and the horse would roll him back into the saddle as it lifted it's head and stood up.

At the horse sports meetings (where he was an official), when he wanted a rest or to join a picnic lunch with friends, his horse would lay down beside a seat in the shade until he could shift from the saddle to the seat. The horse would feed close by until he was wanted again when he would lay down beside his rider until George was able to get back to the saddle and back to organizing the coming events :
Flag Race - eight flags in a row on short pegs about twelve feet apart, six competitors at a time would have to collect one flag at a time and put it in a small, round container at the starting point. This was done at full gallop.
Bending Race - turning in and out the same type of pegs - up and back to the starting point twice.
Stockhorse Race - turning right around each peg at a time, around one way on the way up and the other way on the way back. This was done twice, as fast as the horse could go.
Potato Race - Potatoes were put on the ground, one where each peg had been. As fast as they could each rider had to spear a potato with a wire on the end of a stick and take it back to the starting point, one potato at a time.
Other events were Maiden Hack, Open Hack, School Pony, Pony Jump, Ladies Hack, Girl Rider, Boy rider, Maiden Jump, Open Jump, Wire Jump, Hunters Jump, Best Paced and Mannered Hack - among many others.

Most people only saw this man at sports events but he must have lived on his horse all year round on the farm, as all his gear and dogs were well weather beaten.

At times someone would offer to ride his horse in one of these events. George would get off the saddle onto a rail while the horse was led away for the other rider to mount As soon as he put his hand on the saddle to mount, the horse would lay down, and the same happened when he wanted to dismount.

There must have been a terrific amount of kindness and love used to have the horse behaving like this. People are now learning the value of riding for disabled people in many countries of the world, but I have never known a disabled person to do so much normal work with the help of his horse. As far as I knew George Swainson didn't have one thought about being disabled, but only thought of being able to do everything he could with the help of his horse and dogs. None of them were ever bored because every day they were doing useful work and enjoying every moment working together.


Photos courtesy of Ross Wilson.