The Great Expedition

Chapter 11

Once the group was back at the farm, Kristie dismounted and led both horses into the barn. In the barn Kristie walked over to Stardust's stall and let her tired horse go in. Once the grey mare was inside the stall, Kristie shut the door and cross tied Amigo. She then took off the saddle bridal and breast plate. Kristie put it in the tack room to clean later and got her grooming kit. After Amigo was groomed, she put his moss green cooler with the words Grand Roping Champion 2016. She then clipped the lead rope to his halter and led him to his stall. SHe then went to Stardust's stall to which she saw that her mare had finished all her hay.

Sweetie that was supposed to be your dinner. If you eat it all now what will you eat later. Stardust just looked at her and blinked.

Will you be ok while I go ride Honeysuckle or to I have to take you with me again? I will see how you are when I come back from getting Honeysuckle. A few hours ago Kristie's mother got tired of Honeysuckle kicking her door so she turned her out in a small paddock with no grass. Kristie walked over to the small paddock and grabbed the halter attached to the palomino's face. She then opened the gate, led her out and up to the barn. Once in the barn she tied Honeysuckle up and quietly walked over to Stardust's stall. Her grey mare did not notice that she was outside and kept trying to rear and pace within the small stall. 

Oh baby looks like I will have to take you with me. Stardust quickly settled down, Kristie led her out and tied her up in another set of cross ties, facing Honeysuckle. She quickly groomed and tacked up Honeysuckle. She then led Stardust out and into the small paddock closest to the ring. It had no grass but once Kristie let Stardust go, she went over to a hay bale and grabbed a chunk of hay. Hopefully if Stardust was busy eating she would not pace or try and rear ultimately injuring herself. Kristie went back into the barn and bridaled Honeysuckle, then led her outside and into the ring for her work out. Once she was mounted she clucked Honeysuckle forward. After about 10 minuets of walking she squeezed her legs against the horses side and Honeysuckle broke into a trot. With every step Honeysuckle increase the speed of the trot until she was almost cantering.

Woah baby soon we will canter but for now we will just trot. Kristie pulled on both reins and Honeysuckle bucked clearly not happy to be asked to slow down.

So that how today is going to go. Thorough out the whole hack Honeysuckle kept wanting to go faster and when Kristie pulled on the reins, she would break out into a series of bucks each one more violent then the last one. At the end Honeysuckle was drenched in sweat and so was Kristie. Do I have enough time to bathe Honeysuckle before I have to do feeds? Kristie thought. Kristie led Honeysuckle in the wash bay and quickly untacked her. Once all the leather was off the palomino, Kristiegrabbed the hose and started to bathe her. After a quick bath Kristie got Honeysuckle's cooler, put it on and put her in her stall. Once Honeysuckle was in her stall, Kristie went back into the tack room and started to clean the tack that had been used today. After all of the tacl was clean and put back in thier respective places, Kristie went to the back door of the barn and went outside to thefeed shed. In the feed shed she grabbed the wagon with all of the grain they used inside. She then pulled it back to the barn and started giving out grain to the few horses that were left. After the wagon was back in the shed and all of the lights were turned off inside, Kristie started to walk up to the house until she heard a pitiful whinny. 

I'm so sorry that I forgot about you in that paddock, Stardust! Kristie ran back to the paddock and grabbed Stardust and led her back up to the barn. Once in the barn Kristie led Stardust into her stall, took off her halter and put on her cooler. She then took a bale of hay and gave a few flakes of hay to each horse and then for the last time walked out of the barn. Kristie walked up to the house. Once inside Kristie's mother said.

Wash up for dinner honey. Your father has already set the table. Kristie went into the bathroom and washed her hands, then went out back into the kitchen. She sat down for dinner and soon the food was served. For a while nobody talked, they just enjoyed the food.

So how was Amigo today? her father asked.

An angel as always. We went into the clearing and galloped a few laps around.

That's good I have someone coming to look at him tomorrow.

How was Honeysuckle today? Her mother asked.

Sassy. She kept wanting to go faster and when I pulled on the reins to slow her down she burst into a series of bucks. 

Ok so we will probably have to work her more. After dinner Kristie helped her mother wash dishes and put them away.

Have you found anyone to give Stardust to?

No.

If you wait to long or you do not find anyone, we said that all the horses that were not sold would go to Rob with the farm.

I will try but I do not want anyone else to own her but me. 

I know honey but we can not afford to trailer a horse and board her at a near by stables. When we get settled down and get more money we will think about buying you a new horse.

I don't want any other horse, I want Stardust. Once the dishes were done Kristie went upstairs and showered. In comfy pyjamas Kristie laid on her bed continuing to red My Friend Flicka. About 9:30 pm her parents came up to tuck her into bed and say thier goodnights. After that was done Kristie fell into a deep sleep.

Author's note    

QOTD: What is your favorite type of cake? or if you do not like cake what is your favorite dessert?

My favorite type of cake is my grandmother's home made Black Forest cake.