King of the Wimps
My name is Generally Sonny, and I’m a 26 year-old, registered Quarter horse—America’s most popular breed. We can trace our ancestry back to 18th Century America when the colonists’ thoroughbreds had babies with native American ponies. Although thoroughbreds are fast, we can burst into full speed and beat them in the first quarter mile—which is how we got our name. A Quarter horse holds the record for a short sprint, clocking in at 55 mph.
We’re not only fast; we can stop, spin and change direction easily, which is why we’re the cowboy’s favorite breed of horse. My thoroughbred brothers may be tall and elegant, but they would not be as good as me at ranch work.
I See Monsters!
I’m lovable, handsome, and I like to follow the rules, but I’m not perfect. Truthfully, I’m a chicken—not the kind with feathers—the kind that’s scared of everything. I get nervous when I hear strange sounds or smell something bad—like the scent of a coyote prowling around our barn. I’m also petrified of things I can’t identify. Even though I’m pretty sure there aren’t any horse-eating monsters where I live, I’m always on the lookout. You know what they say, “Better to be safe, than sorry.”
One cold, snowy day, Mom was leading me out of the barn when I spotted two of the scariest monsters I’d ever seen standing right next to my paddock. AAAHHHH!! I spread my nostrils wide open searching for monster scents and stuck my ears up straight and tall to listen for monster sounds. I didn’t smell or hear a thing, but I was sure they were ready to attack me.
I spun around on my handy Quarter horse legs and tried to run away while Mom hung onto my lead line, struggling not to slip on the ice. What a relief when we finally made it safely back inside my cozy barn! Mom was not happy with me because I could have hurt her acting like such a big baby. After all, I weigh almost 1100 pounds. Thankfully, she loves me and knows I’m not brave. She said, “Silly Pooh Bear. Those are not monsters. They are Christmas decorations. Wicker deer covered with tiny lights don’t eat horses; they aren’t even alive.”
I felt silly and put my nose against her cheek to let her know I was sorry I hadn’t trusted her to keep me safe. I bet my mom is just like your parents. You can always rely on them to take care of you. Tell them about the things that scare you—even if you do feel silly. Trust me, it helps.
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.