And love

Chap 41 Horses, donkeys & ponies

FLASHBACK

MIDDLE ISLAND, NY (A real community.)

Saddle Rock Ranch (This is a real, non-fictitious business. The names I use are fictional; those at the ranch and any others in the area that come into the story.)

Jamie pulls the Honda to a stop, shifts to park and shuts down. In spite of a good time watching an entire movie, the girls are eager to get out and stretch their legs. Their parents are too.

They head for the door marked OFFICE and enter. They are met by a lovely, vivacious older lady. "Hello there, you must be the Reagan's. Welcome to Saddle Rock Ranch! I am Deborah, my husband Palmer and I are the owners. If you need anything while you are here, just call me. Here is my number; do all these lovely young ladies have their own phones?"

"Yes, they do," Eddie says for the group, as all of them nod.

"Great. Here is a card for each of them. Oh, here Palmer, dear – the Reagan's have arrived. After I take an image of your card, he will take you to the stall barn and get started."

As Palmer and the family walk across the grounds to the stall barn, Jamie and Eddie were taking it all in. The grounds were clean and well maintained. There were no noxious or foul odors that you wouldn't expect on a farm or ranch. The two other employees that they saw were dressed appropriately and appeared friendly. As they approached the barn they could see behind it a larger building; an arena as Palmer pointed out. The stall barn is exclusively devoted to stalls for animals such as horses, mules, donkeys, ponies and other riding animals. Everything was neat, clean and in its place.

They walked through the barn, stalls with animals on either side of their path. From what they could see, the animals were friendly and well kept. The girls were dying to touch and pet them. Not this time, at least not yet.

They entered the adjacent arena and Palmer led them to a group of benches where they sat in a circle. Soon two men came by and stopped. Palmer introduced them. "This is Carroll, my son and my grandson Timmy. They will be assisting me today; in the future you will be dealing mainly with them." After handshakes all around, the other two went back to their duties.

"As I told you on the phone, this 1st day will be mainly getting acquainted; seeing and touching the equipment, safety procedures, commands and some hands on with the animals. As we talk, I may make a suggestion; such as it may be best for your youngest to ride a donkey. Don't get agitated over that; it's just a suggestion today. Actual decisions will be later."

As they sat, Palmer took some tack down off the wall. As he talked about each piece, he let them handle It, passing each around so everyone got a feel.

"Does this hurt the horse's mouth?" Mal asked of the bit.

"At first, a little. But they get used to it."

"The saddle is big!" Cassie exclaims.

"Yes, but we have smaller sizes too." Timmy heard that, and brought one for Mary Rose.

"Oh, that's cute!" Eddie exclaims.

After a break for walking around, Deborah brought out beverages and snacks. They used the facilities, then gathered back in the stall barn.

When they resumed, Carroll introduced them to some of the animals. He had been observing the family, and had gained a perspective on which animal/human pairings might work.

FIRST: He brought out a donkey named Joseph. Maybe for Mary Rose? He already had on a little saddle.

"Oh, Mary and Joseph, you mean?" Mary Rose is thrilled.

"Well, Mary might have ridden a donkey. But it wasn't this one. He is gentle though. Would you like to lead him around a little bit?"

"Yes!" She cannot hold still. Joseph eyes her, then turns away.

Carroll hands her the reins and positions her on Joseph's left side while he slips around to the right. "Now Mary Rose, we are just going to walk slowly back to the arena. Ok? A nice easy pace."

"Ok."

Carroll clicks his tongue and Joseph begins walking. They disappear out the door, headed to the arena.

"Now, Eddie," Tim speaks. "Let's try this grey mare for you." While they were absorbed with Mary Rose and Joseph, he had snuck up behind them. "And no, she isn't the old grey mare from the song. That was her mommy. Just kidding folks; stand up is my evening job! No really, her name is Betsy. For real! She loves to have you gently stroke her neck; or give her some apple."

Tim hands Eddie a half apple; she holds it out to Betsy, who gobbles it in two bites. Jamie smirks, Eddie glares.

"When do we get a turn," Mal whispers to Cassie.

Jamie hears and shushes them. "Be patient, girls." He admonishes them.

Under Tim's watchful eye Eddie leads Betsy to the arena. Once inside she sees Mary Rose making her 2nd lap around. She and Betsy and Tim start around too.

Once around twice Mary Rose and Joseph stop. Carroll brings out a step-stool, and assists her to mount. Then he leads them once around at a walking pace; the 2nd time he jogs alongside, evaluating how the young girl keeps her balance. The 3rd time he goes at a mild run. She does beautifully, holding her balance very well.

Eddie and Betsy repeat the same procedure; Tim walking then jogging then running along with her. Once completing her 3rd circuit she stops, dismounts and joins Mary Rose on a bench against the wall. Their mounts are tetheredd to brass ring on the wall.

Palmer enters walking between Mal and Cassie. Cassie is on a small horse, Mal on a pony. They repeat the same procedure; then dad enters riding a black stallion. Carroll is paying loose attention to this horse and rider. Jamie has some experience as an equestrian officer; so Carroll gives him more 'rein'.

After they have rested, Palmer addresses the group. "That concludes our typical 1st lesson. Since you came all the way from NYC, the boys and I can supervise you as you do laps here in the arena. We will not do any work outside. Though the animals you are riding are calm, gentle and well trained; any mount is susceptible to being spooked. We don't feel that you are ready to handle that, except maybe Jamie. So, what is your pleasure?"

They agree to do some more riding. Palmer instructs them to obey at all times any commands they are given. All nod in assent.

They do laps for another 30 minutes. After toweling off, they head for the car. Just as Eddie slips into the passenger seat Deborah approaches her.

"Eddie, my dear. I just finished some baking; I have some warm whole wheat rolls. Won't you take some home for the family?" She places a clear plastic bag with a dozen rolls into Eddie's hands. "Thanks for coming, you have such a lovely family. Please come again!" By this time the whole car is filled with the mouth-watering aroma of home baked rolls. Eddie couldn't give them back if she wanted too. She'd be lynched! Eddie thanks her profusely, and they are off. The girls fall asleep before dad makes it out of the driveway. Eddie soon follows. He is left alone to choose the music he likes.

A good day on the island!

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OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

But that's not all: During a mid-lesson break, Eddie and Deborah had been talking.

"Eddie, dear. Do you work outside the home? Your three lovely girls might just keep you busy enough."

"I am a paralegal for a 2-person law firm. I work both in the office and at home. I really like it."

"A paralegal? Well, I'll be. Two friends of ours are lawyers, here in Middle Island. Both of them have expressed to us that they wish they had paralegal assistance; especially when a case demands work in NYC. They hate to drive into the city unless it is to appear in court."

"I can understand that." Eddie muses.

"Might you be interested in some part-time work, helping them out?" Deborah's eyes light up.

"Well, that is interesting." Eddie ponders.

"Let me get you their business cards. May I tell them that we met?" She hands Eddie 2 business cards.

"Yes, you may share our meeting with them. Thanks." Eddie heads back to the arena for a couple more laps on Betsy.

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TBC