NCWHMuseum,Larry Mahan interview for the Rodeo Historical Society Oral History Project

Larry Mahan interview by Gail Woerner for the Rodeo Historical Society Oral History Project
Recorded in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Born in 1943 on a farm near Salem, Oregon, Larry Mahan is the 1966-1970 and 1973 All-Around Champion as well as the 1965 and 1967 Bull Riding Champion. Always a rough stock rider, he earned more than a half-million dollars in a professional career spanning sixteen years. Called the "cowboy in the gray flannel suit" by "Time" magazine, Larry Mahan was among the first professional hands to fly his own plane, conduct rodeo training schools, and hand out business cards on the circuit. After retiring from the arena in 1977, Larry Mahan began a successful business career. This hour-long interview was conducted in Oklahoma City at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

The hour-long interview is available for viewing at the Donald C. & Elizabeth M. Dickinson Research Center, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma


National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum website:
http://www.nationalcowboymuseum.org

REASONS NOT TO ASSAULT A RANCH WOMAN

Violence does not scare us. We ride 1,500 pound horses and stare down
An alley full of mad, snot-slinging cows that weigh over 800 pounds

We've held down calves that outweigh you by four times. Don't try to intimidate us. Most of our husbands stand a head and shoulders taller, outweigh us by 100 pounds and we aren't scared of them. Why would we be frightened by someone who can't keep their pants up?
Every time we work cows, our husbands threaten us if we don't get out of the gate. They threaten us if we don't stay in the gate. We are pretty much not impressed by threats. Plus, if you get much closer we may give you some threats of our own to consider and be able to back it up.

Don't wave that knife at me, boy. I castrate when we brand, throw the 'mountain oysters on the fire AND eat them, dirt and all. You probably don't want to go there. Don't threaten to steal my pickup. I work for a living, so have insurance. The chances of you being able to drive a standard are next to none and there is no spare.

I've walked home from the back side of the ranch, I can walk from here you want my purse? Take my purse. It has little money in it because, as I mentioned, I work for a living. You will find various receipts for feed and vet supplies, some dried up gum and the notice for my next teeth cleaning.

The only 'drugs' you will find is something that is either aspirin or a calf scours pill but its been in there so long I've forgotten which it is,
Don't threaten to hurt me. I may look old and fragile to you, but I can ride horse back for 12 hours, with nothing to eat or drink. I have been kicked bucked off, run over and mucked out I've had worse things happen to me in the corrals than you have experienced in the little gang wars you've been through, and still cooked supper for a crew.

You may whip me, son, but you'll be a tired, sore S.O.B. in the morning and yes, I will remember your face because I am used to knowing which calf belongs to which cow. I'll also remember which direction you went and what you were wearing because I've tracked many a cow with less information than you've given me. You are not going to scare me with that little 'Saturday Night Special' when I have a .38 in my boot.

You need not think I won't shoot you. I've shot several coyotes and numerous rattlesnakes. I put down my horse when he broke his leg and shot my pet dog when he killed some sheep. Don't think I won't consider you a rabid dog and go on my way.
Gal has to look after herself!
Photo of T.P.Hickman a FBF.
http://www.Hickmansaddlery.net