Thistledown Farm

My First Horse.

 Three days later, Chuck, true to his word had called by with Joe and baled the hay. Some into those large round bales and some into regular bales. Chuck had brought Luke with him. I guessed Luke's age as being about eighteen or there abouts. Luke had heard I was after a western saddle and bridle and as it happened, had one for sale. We haggled a bit then finally agreed on a price and sealed it with the usual hand shake.

 The other night, I had been searching a few web sites looking at horses and ponies for sale at a price I could afford. One caught my eye. I hovered over the photo and clicked on it and watched a short film of the gray gelding being put through his paces. Okay so he was fifteen years old and had recently been retired from show life. I emailed my interest in the horse and got an immediate response from the other end. It seems the horse was well trained and would teach me more in two weeks then a youngster could in three months....and as I hadn't rode for eleven years....are you working my age out ? I thought the horse would be ideal both for me to start with and for potential customers to ride. After a while of emailing to and fro, I filled out an holding deposit on the horse and arranged to pay the rest on the safe arrival of the horse.

 Excitement and apprehension shot through me as I glanced at my watch. I would soon be the proud owner of my first horse ! I went and changed out of my coveralls and put my on my new outfit I had bought from McCloud's General Store. Better check myself in the mirror. Yup, that will do. Wish I had bought that cowboy hat though. Maybe next time. Oh ! Here's the horse box now. My heart skipped a beat.

 A young lady in her late teens or early twenties jumped down from the cab of the horse box.

 She had blonde hair and deep blue eyes. "Hi....um, mister McCormack".

 It was more a statement then a question, "My name's Jolene, I have your horse for you. Let's give him a few minutes before unloading".

 I nodded in agreement "My name's Kyle. How was the journey ?"

 "Fine thanks, had no trouble in finding your place".

 Life was where I'd left her in the house, only now she was looking through the window, tail furiously wagging and barking her head off.

 Jolene lit up a cigarette and offered me one which I declined. I thanked her but told her I didn't smoke. I gave her my American Express card details, signed my signature and she gave me a bill of sale, passport and all the other papers. I helped her unload the horse. A beautiful American Quarter horse, dappled gray, two white socks, black mane and tail. "You gonna tack him up and ride him ?" she said with a broad smile.

  That smile so....distracting so....sexy, and I caught her eyeing up my butt. "Um, I'll just let him settle a while in the paddock area adjoining the barn". I was gonna use this area eventually for schooling horses and potential clients learning or improving their riding skills. Besides It was bigger than the corral and I could watch him better.  As I hadn't rode for nearly eleven years....think I already told you that, I didn't want her to,um....watch me incase I fell off and then she might laugh at me. I just mumbled some instructions out to her, and she loosed him into the enclosed area to where I pointed.

 Jolene smiled....or was it a smirk ? She got into the cab of the horse box and waved goodbye. I couldn't believe I'd let her go without trying some of my charm on her. Seems I'm getting out of practice in that direction too ! I lent on the fence watching my horse....my first horse....of many. I day dreamed of what I'd be doing, like running a riding school on the place, may be taking grass liverys in, perhaps holiday stays, anything I could do to make a go out of the place. May be organize beach rides, take on staff, trail rides....hang on....slow down a bit....all in good time ! My horse came over to me and I let him sniff my hand.

 "What shall I call you ?" I looked at the names of some of his blood line. "Nah ! them won't do, think I'll call you Smokie", I said patting his neck. "We'll get along real fine....won't we fella ?"

 I left Smokie to explore his surroundings while I went for Lunch. Grilled pacific salmon with wild rice and steamed asparagus....well thats what it said on the box. I put it into the microwave and opened a beer. To round the meal off I finished off the coconut cream pie.

 Now to tack Smokie up and see what I had remembered....or forgot !

 Thought for the day....Didn't do too bad, might arrange for a few private lessons though.