Platinum – I’m No Dummy
Can you believe some people think horses are dumb? It’s probably just because they don’t speak horse. Suppose you met someone who didn’t speak your language. Would you think they weren’t smart just because you couldn’t understand them? I hope not! Not only can we comprehend words, we’re also really good at reading body language. Mom used to be as big a chicken as Sonny. She smelled scared and talked about things that frightened her—in front of Trinity! He listened, remembered, and then did everything she was afraid of. Poor Mom. Naughty Trinity.
Some lucky horses find their Forever Homes right away, but many of us never do. Mom was my fourth owner and I hoped I’d found my Home Sweet Forever Home, but I almost destroyed my chances by being lazy and grouchy. Hey, we can’t all be party animals!
When I heard her talking about selling me I knew I’d have to come up with a plan to make sure this wouldn’t happen. Trinity suggested I try to scare away any prospective buyer. “Hey, that’s a great idea!” I told him. “Even better, I’ll act lame and clumsy too!”
The next day a trainer and her client came to check me out. The trainer was sending off really mean vibrations, and although the other woman seemed friendly, I could tell she was a real rookie.
Normally when Mom wants to catch me, I stroll up to her, stand quietly while she attaches the lead line and then walk like a perfect gentleman. Not this time! I reared, bucked, and ran around faster than I’ve moved since I left the racetrack. Mom was looking at me as if I was possessed. “I don’t know what’s gotten into him. He never acts like that,” she said, shaking her head. The rookie looked scared, and the mean one looked angry. “Good!” I thought. “They’re not going to want me!”
When Mom rode me, I did everything I could to seem dumb, lame, and crabby. I must have done a really good job because the girl’s trainer hated me. She was even grouchier than me and pretty nasty to Mom. She thought Mom had lied about me being a safe, talented horse. Mom knew that despite being grumpy, I was skilled and well-mannered. She said, “Why don’t you try him out?”
“Ha! Yeah why don’t you get on!” I thought. I planned to give her the worst ride of her life. She was as nasty as I anticipated. She yanked on my mouth and kicked me really hard. I knew Mom still loved me when she got angry and told her to get off of me. Mom felt so bad after that experience that she promised she’d never sell me, even if I was lazy and cranky sometimes. Come to think of it, I have a much better attitude now. Maybe I just needed to know I’d found my Forever Home.
See, I’m not so dumb after all.
Like millions of youngsters, Nancy Di Fabbio was infatuated with horses and never gave up dreaming that one day she’d be riding one of her own. She eventually realized her dreams and got her first horse, followed quickly by her second, third, fourth and finally fifth. Passionate about sharing her love for this amazing animal, she’s written Saddle Up! – And Live Your Dream, a comprehensive how-to for the budding equestrian which will be released this fall. She also writes a children’s column about the exploits of her herd, but the stories are informative, funny and touching enough to appeal to everyone. You can share their adventures on TheExaminerNews.com website under the heading: NEIGH-borhood Tales
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.