The Story of Steel Dust

American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame

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Steel Dust…

was just a colt in 1844 when he moved to Texas with his two families from Illinois.

TexasIllinois

Following the covered wagons on the trail to Texas, he saw many new sights.

He crossed rivers and creeks. He saw plants that he had never seen before, such as the feathery branches and seed pods of the mesquite .

Mesquite Tree

They met Indians on the way. They saw wagons carrying supplies for the Army.

There were wild cattle with long horns. They looked so fierce that Steel Dust was happy to stay out of their way.

It was a long trip. Steel Dust was glad when the wagons rolled to a stop at the Ten Mile Creek, and his families decided to stay.

Steel Dust liked the mild climate in Texas, and that there was plenty of grass to eat.

He quickly became a fine stallion. Some of the neighbor’s horses were more handsome than Steel Dust, but he was a very fast sprinter!

There was much work to do, and the young horse was glad when it was time for fun. Sometimes, the families would get together for picnics or fishing trips.

Other times, someone would suggest a horse race for fun. The neighbors liked to see whose horse could run faster. Soon, Steel Dust had many friends.

People in other towns, near Steel Dust’s home. had heard of this fast horse. They came to the town of Lancaster to see him run. Sometimes, they would match their best runners against him.

Once, so many people came to

see the race they had to

camp out.

In 1855, a horse that lived 50 miles to the North of Steel Dust had become popular for his speed as well; his name was Monmouth. The owners arranged to have a match race between the two horses.

No one had telephones, TV, or radios in Texas then, but news of the race spread quickly

from person to person.

By now, Steel Dust was twelve years old and no fans from the North thought that he would have a chance.

The two horses leaped to the start. Monmouth was fast, but Steel Dust still sped out in front. Steel Dust easily won the race that day. He was the Hero of Dallas County!

Steel Dust went back to Ten Mile Creek where no other horse owners dared match their horses against him. He went back to work on the farm.

Eventually, Steel Dust’s owner did find someone for him to race against. Before the race, Steel Dust suffered an injury to his shoulder which never let him race again.

Even though he couldn’t race, Steel Dust became a very famous sire, or father, and his fame spread across the prairies.

Soon, some of his colts were working on ranches with cowboys, and others were winning races.

Pictures borrowed from:• http://www.americaslibrary.gov/assets/es/mn/es_mn_prairie_1_e.jpg

• http://www.locallender.info/images/states/texas.gif

• http://www.saguaro-juniper.com/i_and_i/trees&shrubs/mesquite/06-05blooms4730_lge.jpg

• http://www.nativeamericans.com/QuanahParkerHorseback.jpg

• http://www.quartermaster.army.mil/OQMG/Professional_Bulletin/1998/Winter_1998/art.htm

• http://www.texaslonghornbreeder.com/images/longhorns_the_lineup_r1_c2.jpg

• http://www.senecatrail.org/stlgrass.jpg

• http://www.wunderground.com/data/wximagenew/s/sb/531.jpg

• http://www.stikine.net/images/tent.jpg

• http://artfiles.art.com/images/-/Norman-Rockwell/Gossip-Print-C10032348.jpeg

• http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/images/exhibitions/moore/031.jpg