Setting Up For Business

 Friday....Well I said I would open for business when I had three horses, and now I have so I got busy on my laptop designing a web page to put on the Internet advertising Thistledown Farm Riding Stables. It was still early in the morning about five a.m., and I hadn't bothered to get dressed. Lets see....I included my email address and the phone number linked to my answering machine. I would be able to switch it over to take calls when I was busy elsewhere.

I Love My Laptop

 Life pushed her nose into my hand and whined. Guess I was ignoring her as all my attention was being focused on getting the wording right, including the date of the opening day I was planning, when all who wanted to, could come and visit to see what exactly I had on offer. They would find out where we were located and meet the horses...and Life. Schooling lessons seemed a good starting point with half hour and one hour lessons. Perhaps I could plan out a small trail ride lasting between an hour to an hour and a half depending on the experience of the clients. I would need local help with that as I still wasn't all that familiar with the lay out of the land. There were lots of dirt paths which criss-crossed nearby. One led to the beach while another led the opposite way through a valley with trees. Some of the trees were lying on the floor stripped of their bark and others were quite dead.
 Life licked my toes, which tickled me, "Ease off Life, I won't be much longer." She sat up straight and put a paw on my lap. "Ouch, be careful." There, all sorted. I sent an email off to my brother telling him to check out the site on the web. As life liked watching the television, I went through to the living room and switched it on for her to watch while I had a quick shower and got dressed.

 Better check on the horses. I went and brushed my latest acquisition while Smokie and Lady watched.
 My cell phone rang. It was Bodie, my brother."You've seen my web page ?...Yeah, I thought I would have an open day on the following Friday....Do you think you can come and offer me some support ?....Great....Yes, bring Kayley too, oh , say hello to mom and dad....Okay catch yer later then, bye."

 Bodie was eight years my senior and had his own business, a body shop. He was more interested in cars and what made them tick. Kayley, his wife, helped out in his office. Hmm, dad had got me a job where he worked to keep an eye on me....his way of keeping me out of trouble, but I don't want to go into that at this time. I had been working as an accountant for a large construction company in Bridgeport...perhaps you've heard of it, 'Miller & Miller Construction Group' ? , sounds like a bakery, anyway I was more interested in the opposite sex there....actually the riding stables turned out to be not just a way of getting out of my parents clutches, but away from bad influences too.
 And so....on with the job of designing posters ! I made a few copies, got into my car with Life and drove into Pleasantville. A few were only too happy to oblige and stuck 'em in the windows for me, the rest I nailed to trees or tied them on the streetlights. "Hope the sheriff approves." I grinned to myself. A group of kids passed by. They stopped to read the poster I had just put up.
 On the way home I grabbed a couple of 'submarine' sandwiches from the local Subway shop. I was gonna enjoy these !
 Afternoon already....time to tack up the horses and work them a bit....I....needed the exercise ! 
"Come here Lady, time to do a bit of work". We did a bit of moving up and down the 'gaits', only I was confusing the horse with my way of riding. I'll have to get some one who can do english riding....meantime , I'll just have to read up about it. That book will come in handy, think I'll ask at my next private lesson if I can ride Lady and do some english riding. Smokie only needed lunging so he got out of having his saddle on. Sure Smokie was laughing at the other two !

 Next was the little liver chestnut gelding. Hope I hadn't goofed up. What was he like to ride ? I bribed him with an apple and tacked him up. Hey, he was real friendly....but then it could of been the apple I had given him. Okay, now to mount....up I go. Can you believe it, I started talking to him asking his advice. Shall we try a fence ?

 Wheeee! this was fun. Very responsive to my aids. A novice would feel safe on him, even one who liked riding fast would not be disappointed. This was a good little horse ! Let's see about a name for you. I reeled a few off at him and he seemed to prick his ears up when I said Flint ! So that's what I called him. I ate supper, watched NYPD on the television, eventually....fell into bed with the days events going round and round in my head....till I fell asleep.

AUCTION

 Thursday morning....I got up, had a quick shower, gave Life her breakfast and scrambled a couple of eggs to go on my toast. Made coffee, mmmm, a nice aroma filled the kitchen. What's on the agenda for today ? Ah! Almost forgot. Today I was going into Hidden Springs to the horse sale or auction. Just time to loose Smokie and Lady into the field. Glad they had each other for company. 'Hey Life, come here'.....I loaded Life into the truck I had rented, I didn't want to take my car as I might come back with some bits and pieces needing more space than I had in my car. Glanced at my road map. Hmm, should take me about an hour to get there. First I drove to Twinbrook, then another half hour should see me In Hidden Springs. Like as hell did not!

My Car

 By the time I arrived at my destination, it had taken me all of one hour and a half after getting hung up in traffic. With not much time to get organized, I registered for my number I would use for bidding in the auction and grabbed me a catalogue. In the catalogue was some photos of some of the horses and ponies for sale.
 Horse auctions are a great way to get a quality horse you so desire for less than you may expect to pay. At a reputable horse auction, the horses have been properly checked out, and you can rest assured that you are purchasing a quality animal. Of course you must be prepared to pay for the horse as while there are many deals to be found at an auction, prices are still high. Let's see....I liked the pinto mare....also a black gelding. I'll put a mark on those. There was a striking looking gray mare too, but I probably would be out-bid for her. Still, I circled that one too. I made some scrawl marks. Lots had just descriptions with accompanying numbers.

A Satisfied Customer

 There was a brown appaloosa, a few mares in foal, a youngster described as 'cow horse prospect', another said 'your next barrel horse'. Well I was after horses for trekking, beach riding, jumping and clients wanting lessons, so I think I should look at horses that have been part of a commercial horse riding enterprise. These would no doubt be used to having riders of different experiences on their backs as well as being friendly and being used to strangers riding them.
 The loud speaker announced the start of the sales. Everyone shuffled forward to get a better view of the corral where the horses would be shown in. So did I. Everything was happening at a great pace. I had my card with a number on it to rise in the air to indicate a bid.
 Wait....who was that I just saw ? It was Goldie, and who was that cute chick with her ?
 They were about ten metres away. I shouted but they didn't seem to see me. I waved my catalogue etcetera in the air to attract their attention. Surely they would see me now!
 "Hang on there, let me see your number", exclaimed a guy with a clipboard.
 I think he wrote my number down against something or other but I was trying to get to where Goldie and her gorgeous friend were...."s'cuse me, s'cuse me", I muttered, pushing my way through the crowd.
 "Oh hello mister McCormack. I see you bought a horse then".
 "Did I ? When ?"
 "Just....that little dark liver chestnut horse with the flaxen mane and tail".
 "Um, yeah". A puzzled look came over my face.
 "Sorry have to go, lots to do, must get on. See you next week....for your lesson."
 I smiled at her friend, "Catch yer another time then. Call round my place anytime, here, let me give you my number". Hastily writing my cell phone number down, I pushed it into her hand and holding on to her hand added, "Sorry I didn't catch your name, my names Kyle".
 "Kate Winsley, nice to have met you....bye".
 Did you see that ! She smiled back at me. Hey, think she was kinda smitten with me. Well I can't help looking so....handsome.
 I paid $650 for the horse I had....bought what a bargain , and arranged for it to be transported to my home. I got back to Thistledown Farm in time for an early tea as I had missed out on lunch. Life went about chasing imaginary rabbits outside.





Smokie meeting my latest acquisition

 My latest horse arrived. Bill and Hillary walked up my drive  to take a look at him, we chatted about my next move, like setting up a web page to advertise my business and making a few posters to put in the shop windows. I invited them to stay for supper.
 After working a little on the laptop....I fell into bed....dog tired ! And....I felt Life snuggling up to me. Wish it had been Kate, I smiled in my sleep.

Tack Sale And A Mare


Tuesday morning. Life got me out of bed in her usual manner. I had no need to set my alarm clock.   Today I was being taken to a tack sale in Twinbrook. Goldie lived there, perhaps our paths will cross.

Thistledown Farm

Bill and Hillary told me I could get some real good bargains if I went early enough. So we all set off in Bill's truck just after seven thirty am. We arrived just after eight am. 
Hillary was meeting a friend to go clothes shopping, while Bill followed me around giving me tips on what to be aware of when buying second hand tack. Making sure the stitching was intact, and haggling, I bought two headstalls, a box of assorted bits, a side-pull bridle with a curb bit, numerous saddle blankets and two western saddles. I also bought a selection of brand new grooming brushes. We took these back to where the truck was parked.
 "You'll need saddle soap and may be neatsfoot oil too."
 "Oh yeah, almost forgot." I disappeared for a while then found Bill again. " I think I have more or less all I came for Bill. Sorry I was gone for so long, I've been talking to Goldie Horne. She was telling me about a horse sale at Hidden Springs in two days time, I might go and take a look, see if there's a horse or two I fancy." I didn't realize I was scowling. "I really need to get things moving."

 Bill raised his eyebrows, and reminded me that it was time to meet up as planned with Hillary at 'Frankie's Diner', as it was around noon.....I checked my watch, and tapped it. Sure it must be wrong. 

 Bill and I ordered a double whopper with fries and a glass of beer, while Hillary chose a cheeseburger and fries with a glass of soda. The sun was out and we all got into the truck. As we went along home we started singing to ' Ring of Fire', that was now blaring away on the truck's radio. We drove through Pleasantville town.

The Driveway To Thistledown Farm Stables

 Hillary got dropped off and Bill carried on up my drive to Thistledown Riding Stables. Bill helped carry all the things I had bought into the barn. I thanked him. Nothing was too much trouble for him. Nice when you have neighbors like him ! I set to work cleaning the saddles etcetera.
 It was now....four pm. I fancied a pizza so dialed out for one. I ate it, switched on the television, and settled down to watch 'Dallas' with Life besides me on the sofa. A knock on the door made Life bark and I woke up with a start. I turned off the television set and went to answer the door. A youth stood at the door as I yawned and ran my fingers through my hair.
 "What can I do for you missy ?"
 "I heard you were buying horses for your riding school you're gonna start up"
 "You heard right, um you want to sell your mare over there ?" I noticed that now her eyes were beginning to fill up with tears. She explained that as she was going to university, she needed a car more than her horse. With tears rolling down her cheeks, she managed to get the words out that she hoped I would buy her with the proviso of buying her back if and when she was in a position to do so. 
 I had to wipe the....the dust out of my eyes....really, it was just dust and we went over to the mare. She looked sound and well cared for. I gave her the once over. Her teeth matched up with the age of eight that Poppy had conveyed to me. She had had Lady, the mare, since a young filly and had trained her in the english manner and wore an english saddle and bit. Poppy lunged Lady for me. Wiping her nose with her sleeve, Poppy asked me what I thought. 
 With the english saddle and bridle still on the mare I said, "Hop on, show me what she can do." This mare was good as Poppy easily took her through her paces, and over the jumps I had got.
 "Okay, Poppy, she's just what I need, and Smokie will be pleased to have company too! How much were you thinking of selling her for with the tack ?"....I gave her $1200 in total. I just hoped and prayed that I would get clients who would want to try out riding in english style.
 Poppy scurried off down the drive, blowing her nose and dabbing her eyes on a tissue. I had told her to write me, when she got settled at Uni, and I would keep her updated on her special mare, her first horse, Lady.

 I brushed Lady, talking to her all the while then put her in in the stable next to Smokie.
 Night fell and I tapped away at my laptop how much I had spent and my thoughts of the day which included words like this....one more horse and I would open my school !