One Bay Later

Chapter 4

“Y-you bought her?” I stuttered, shocked.

Dad smiled proudly and said, “Yes I did, isn’t she a beauty?”

“She is,” I breathed, she was absolutely gorgeous but that didn't matter.  I still had a question, “What about Click?”

He smiled and said, “I have contacted Lydia and she hasn’t replied yet.”

I nodded and said, “Will we still be able to buy Click?”

He winked at me and said, “Maybe.”

I sighed.  I really hoped we bought Click.

“What’s her name?” I ask, walking up to her slowly to not startle her.

“Actually, she doesn’t have a name,” the man holding said.  It might have been just me, but he seemed kind of dubious about it.  Another man who had closed the trailer door began pulling off her shipping boots, her tail wrap, and the poll guard.

How can you train a horse without giving it a name?!  I count back how many years and she is five.  It had to live over four years without a name since we gave it to the trainer.

“Well, you can choose her name at least,” Dad pointed out.

How long has it been since I chose a name for a horse?  I can’t recall ever getting the chance to name a horse.  It has to be perfect.

I nodded.  She was beautiful.  Practically perfect conformation, shimmery coat, and a long silky mane and tail.  A horse anyone would dream of owning.  A horse that anyone would want or love.  One that looks amazing...or at least from the outside.

She looked well trained, standing still, but I couldn’t tell until much later.  She was fit and well muscled.

The man held the lead rope to me and asked, “You want to walk her around?”

I nodded and took the lead rope.  I clicked and asked her to walk forward.  She stepped forward with excitement, trying to step ahead of me.  I pulled back and walked even slower than I already was.  She didn’t slow down.

“Whooooa,” I murmured but she didn’t slow.  She skipped a bit and spooked.  I circled her in small circles thinking she must be testing me.  As all mares, there is a hierarchy and they must test each other to see who is the leader.

I’ve been through this is a few times but it was quick.  “Easy girl,” I muttered to her.  Her ears flickered back and forth.  Either she was testing me or she was unused to her new surroundings.  I guessed that she wasn’t used to her new surroundings but I could never tell.  It was difficult to understand horses sometimes.

“Whooa,” I halted her and she skittered to a halt and stood squarely.  That was something needed for a halter horse.  “Good girl,” I reached up and stroked her shaped, arched neck.  Her coat was soft and smooth.  I smiled.

I looked over to my dad and he came over and said, “I already discussed all of her needs and if we are having trouble we can always call them.”

I nodded, trusting my dad to know what to do.  He bought and sold a lot of horses.  The man nodded and he talked with Dad and left.  “Where is she going to live?” I asked.

“For now, I’m going to put her in Pasture D.”

I pursed my lips.  Pasture D was the only pasture we didn’t use.  It was mostly empty and we only used it occasionally for some foals that we keep longer to wean.  “Okay,” I said, “Should I put her there right now?  Wait what about stabling?”

“You can put her in there.  I’m going to wait until she is used to some of the horses before stabling her,” Dad nodded and left.

I looked over at the mare who stared at me through her large black eye.  She was standing so quietly now.  I ran a hand down her arched neck.   She was a bright bay with a shining coat and clear markings.  Her markings were very defined.  Not fuzzy at the edges as some horses had for their markings.