A Dark Horse (Part 1)

***

“No, don’t!” I shouted as he threw his arm back with the whip for another lash to the black coat.

I saw him hesitate before taking the next swing, leaving another welt upon the flesh.

The young horse half reared and jumped sideways in order to avoid the blow, but his head was still forced into the circle by the boy’s grip on the long-line. He couldn’t get away.

I ran up and grabbed the kid’s wrist, forcing him to drop the whip. It slid to the ground. The lead fell from the other, hitting he sandy surface of the floor with a muted plop. The young horse ran to the furthest corner.

“Stop it!” I cried. “What are you doing?!”

***

I knew Kip from around the barn but rarely spoke to him. Basically, I tried to avoid him. He was known for his short temper. He fancied himself a horse trainer whose skills were sought after by many people to turn out a “solid broke” horse, and anyone who disagreed with him in any way was deemed “just jealous.”

Whenever I saw him, my practice was to change direction and move quick the other way, but this act I could not ignore.

His gray eyes stared at me incredulously, then narrowed in anger as he shook off my grip.

“Now look what you did! That dumb colt got away when I was teaching him a lesson!”

The colt stood trembling and sweating in the far corner. The whites of his eyes showed his fear as he kept us in his watchful view, ready to take flight again as needed. My heart wept at the terror he must have felt.

Kip picked up the whip and intended to go after the colt. Nearly in a panic myself, I needed to think of something fast to stop him.

“Kip!” I I said sharply, then hesitated. “Um. I was coming to see if you could look at my horse and give me your opinion about why she’s acting up.”

His eyes kinda lit up as he turned to me. “Sure. Just let me go get this colt first.”

“Just let him be for a minute. He’s not going anywhere. Besides, looks like he could use a rest. Maybe think about what just happened." I attempted to appeal to Kip’s feeling of self-importance. “Maybe he’ll figure out who’s boss.” I winked. A friendly conspirator.

“Yeah. Good idea. I was just thinkin’ that.” He looked toward the sweaty colt, then back at me. “So, show me your horse. What’s it doing?”

Not that I really wanted his advice, but I knew he wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to show off his knowledge.

“Well, first off, it’s a she,”

Kip interrupted me with a guffaw. “Ha! There’s your first problem! Mares …” He shook his head as if their difficulty was common knowledge. It’s a ludicrous idea.

“Well, I’ve had her for five years now, and she’s never acted like this. I’m wondering if you could look her over and maybe watch me ride her to see what you think. Maybe it’s the way I ride.” I shrugged. “She’s just not the same as she used to be. When I ride her now, she doesn’t seem to want to do what I ask.”

They stopped in front of the mare’s stall, who greeted them with a soft nicker. I rubbed her forehead and held a cookie to her lips. She took it gently.

“This is Jewel.” I introduced her. “Jewel, this is Kip. He’s going to take a look at you.” I rubbed her face again and put the halter on.

“So, she’s spoiled.”

I gave him a short look with raised eyebrow and led the mare from the stall. “Maybe.”

I put her in the cross ties in the aisle way so Kip could get a good look.

I already suspected I knew what was wrong. Jewel was getting old and starting to feel the effects of arthritis.

“She looks okay to me,” declared Kip. “Let’s see her go.”

“Okay.” I got the saddle and bitless bridle on and headed for the arena. Kip looked skeptical.

***

Our ride was pretty typical and anti-climactic. Jewel went along as willing as ever, but now the stiffness of the arthritis settling in made it more difficult for her to move out in a more collected fashion, or she had trouble bending in certain ways as asked. g. There were just becoming certain things I didn’t ask from her anymore. She was too willing, but her body had become resistant.

“I think you need a bit and some spurs to make her just do what ya want. Like I said, she’s spoiled, but you can fix her. Show her who’s boss.”

“Thanks, Kip. Maybe I’ll try that. See if I can’t get her to mind me better.” I slipped down from the saddle and patted the mare on the neck. “Good job, Jewel,” I whispered. I had no intention of taking Kip’s advice, but I needed to distract him from beating more on that colt.

“Let me put Jewel away and then I’ll come back to the arena to see how things go with that colt.”

“Okay,” Kip said. Maybe he’s learned some respect by now.”

I watched him walk toward the colt, and the colt walked away from him. I hurried Jewel to her stall and back to the arena. I knew Kip would be losing his temper again.

When I went into the arena again, Kip was still trying to get ahold of the colt, and the colt was avoiding him. I could see the frown on Kip’s red face.

I was walking toward the center of the ring when I felt the colt’s presence behind me. I stopped. I felt the colt nudge my back.

Kip shot me a look of rage. “What do you have, a pocketful of treats, or something?” His voice hissed.

Astounded and insistent, I stammered, “I... No…,” while turning to softly rub the horse’s muzzle.

“Fine – you deal with him!” Kip stomped away, leaving me and the relieved colt alone.

***