During the Black History Month, we have honoured John Ware, the legendary cowboy from Alberta. In 2020, the National Film Board of Canada released the documentary ‘John Ware Reclaimed’ showcasing his life. For this month’s feature, we share the story of the movie’s lead horse star, Cody, who in his 30th year, has an amazing story of his own. 

Horse of the Month: “Cody”

Cody and world champion calf roper Fred Whitfield make their star appearances in John Ware – Reclaimed
Photo Credit: Mike McLean

Submitted by Lee McLean of Keystone Equine in Pekisko, AB

I first met Cody when he was 18 years old. Before then, the registered Quarter Horse gelding had put in a lifetime as a working ranch horse for my soon-to-be son-in-law. Southern Saskatchewan’s huge community pastures call for big, free-moving horses who can stay sound under punishing miles, partners who can be trusted to hold the ropes taut while their rider dismounts to one-man doctor range cows and calves, a day’s ride from the corrals. Cody was just this sort of horse.

By the time we’d crossed paths, both he and I were staring bleakly at retirement. Cody, turned out to pasture honourably, was making way for younger, stronger horses with far less mileage. Me, battling depression and a life change, because I’d just survived a stroke. We were both fixing to hang up our spurs, when my son-in-law decided that Cody was the horse who was going to keep me in the saddle. I can remember waiting excitedly for the sight of the truck and trailer lights coming up our dark and snowy driveway, that bitterly cold Christmas Eve when he arrived.

Little did I know that more than a decade later, my new horse and I would still be making miles.

Horse of the Month: “Cody”

The Quarter Horse gelding Cody and McLean riding through the field
Photo Credit: Mike McLean

I think it comes as a surprise to many people who have spent their lifetimes riding, to discover that after serious illness, there can be a fear and debilitating lack of confidence about getting back in the saddle again. When we’re looking to make our way back to this thing we’ve so loved, we’re needing a very special horse to help make it happen. Cody was this horse for me.

Never once did the proud old fellow put a foot wrong. My husband used him to rope calves at spring brandings. I enlisted his help to teach dozens of women to ride sidesaddle. I learned to ski—well, sort of—so that Cody and I could stay in shape with traditional skijoring, during our long winters. We went in every parade for miles around, waving and prancing with his old silver bridle and my 1885 sidesaddle. Never once, did Cody let me down. Never once, did he give me reason to question him.

Horse of the Month: “Cody”

Cody and McLean skijoring
Photo Credit: Iain McLean

If the big sorrel had a life’s mantra, it would be ‘you’re not getting older, you’re getting better’. Cody convinced me that I still had a life among horses, becoming a huge part of my business of starting, training and selling ponies. He mentored the colts because not only did I wholly trust him, his was the sort of personality that I wanted them to copy. They say ‘the real cowboys are the ones you can’t see from the road’ and this is probably also true with real ranch horses. Cody now has an online following of over 37,000, as he appears regularly in posts and videos for Keystone Equine. It’s quite an accomplishment, for an old ranch horse who has never once competed in a horse show!

At age 25, Cody was featured as the sidesaddle centrefold in the American Quarter Horse’s official publication, America’s Horse. At 26, he carried me proudly to the centre of the arena to sing O, Canada before a performance of the RCMP Musical Ride. Little did I know that he was fixing to upstage me, for during my heartfelt solo, the old horse enjoyed a great, long pee—complete with a lusty groan at the very end. The crowd cheered him on and Cody stood happily receiving his standing ovation, when we were both done.

Horse of the Month: “Cody”

Cody carrying McLean to the centre of the arena to sing ‘O Canada’ with the RCMP Musical Ride in the background
Photo Credit: Janice Storch

At age 27, Cody made it to the silver screen. Still handsome, with good energy, he appeared in the award-winning National Film Board documentary, John Ware Reclaimed, as the main cast horse. There is a breath-taking moment after the opening credits when Cody appears over a panoramic windblown, grassy ridge, carrying Fred Whitfield. The eight-time world champion calf roper played the lead part of John Ware, Canada’s legendary black cowboy.

Fred picked up Cody’s reins and seeing the old horse bob his head softly in answer, he drawled, “Yessir, now this is a hoss!” I have a wonderful memory of the great roper handling a century-old rawhide riata on Cody, twirling all the kinks out, while my gelding stood proudly ready, quietly champing at the bit. Fred proved himself a marvellous horseman, not just a household name, for he reset the saddle regularly during shooting and dismounted to lead Cody over gravel roads and while they waited for the next shot. 

Horse of the Month: “Cody”

A close-up of Cody looking out towards the mountains of Alberta
Photo Credit: Lee McLean

During our sidesaddle racing series that culminated at the Calgary Stampede, Cody carried interested city reporters who wanted to ‘give it a go’. I knew that they would get a firsthand feel for riding aside, without any worries as to their safety. In a radio interview with the CBC about sidesaddle racing, you guessed it, I spoke not from a sound studio but from Cody’s back. It felt like home to me and throughout our interview, you could hear him quietly rolling the cricket in his bit.

My farrier says that, good Lord willing, he’s ready to fit Cody with his summertime shoes, as the dear old horse nears age 30. We plan to keep him busy doing what he loves… All the little jobs around the place, ponying out a few colts, checking fencelines and bringing the cows up and down to water. Cody is not one to retire early, for he feels strongly that he alone runs the show. Still in excellent health, the old man makes his way from the main herd daily, over the hills and up to the yard for his warm mush and if the winds blow cold, for his quilted blanket. While he considers himself a real tough guy, he has grown to love the finer things in life and happily comes in, alone, for his daily pampering.

Now, a fifth-generation rancher has joined our family, our little granddaughter, Ruby. Is it foolish for me to hope that Cody will still be with us, still showing us how it’s done? I would so love for Ruby to be able to know this horse. For Cody, for our whole family, it would be such an honourable final chapter in a life lived in service, grace and dignity.

Cody, we’ve been so blessed to have held your reins.

Want to share your story in our EC Insider and see your horse featured as the “Horse of the Month”. Share your experiences with us and the Canadian equestrian community! Contact us with photos and your story to communications@equestrian.ca