I was all of 10years old living with my aunt in Tennessee. I love my aunt but I spent most of my time in the barn. My aunt had this painted pony named Salmon. No I have no idea why they named a horse Salmon. But she was beautiful. She was a sweet little mare who loved kids and let every child in the area ride her. From experienced well trained riders to kids who never even saw a horse before. I was one of the kids who only saw horses on t v and in the movies. But I always loved horses they are so noble and loyal animals. Well I lived in Brooklyn NY and to say there werent many chances to ride a horse in Brooklyn is just to easy. I didnt even see a horse till I went to my aunts place. It was the summer after my dad died and I was lost. I missed him so much that all I seemed to do was mope around and cry a lot. Mom hoped that a change in scenery would do us both some good. So I went to stay with my aunt and mom went to Europe with that jerk Jerry she seemed to like but told me she didnt love him. So why go to Europe stay with me at Aunt Judys house. She said she needed this trip and that I would be fine. I never met Aunt Judy till she picked me up at the airport. I guess I was angry with mom going to Europe with Jerry and since I couldnt give my mom a hard time long distance I just sulked all the way to Tennessee. My aunt took me to her house and told me there was work to do before we ate diner. It was two oclock in the afternoon on a Saturday what needed to get done. She told me to follow her and we headed out to the barn. There was this perfect painted pony standing there looking so large to a 10 year old but something told me this mare wouldnt hurt me so I walked right up to her and started to pet her nose. She stood there and let me get to know her. How she smelled and how strong she felt under my small hand. Wow she was the greatest animal I had ever gotten a chance to meet. My aunt handed me a brush and told me to brush her down. I started at the front brushing towards the back my aunt said no start at the top of her back and brush down towards her legs. I watched her and the horse did seem to enjoy that more so I changed my direction. She told me the horses name was Salmon and I started to laugh thats a type of fish not a horse I said..... She told me the old lady who named the horse loved to fish and she always thought that salmon were the smartest and she saw this horse was very smart so she called her Salmon. I didnt get it but I didnt care I loved the horse. I remember sneaking sugar cubes out to the barn. Then my aunt told me horses loved carrots and apples but be careful cause apples can get a horse drunk. Well I bought carrots out every day for Salmon and I mucked out her stall my aunt would scrap out her hooves I didnt even know why matter less how?? She said it had to be done everyday to keep the pony healthy just like brushing and exercise. I said exercise what does that mean you cant make a horse do situps. She explained that a horse needs to move around be riden or being led on a rope but that a horse needed to move around everyday. She taught me how to put a saddle on Salmon. Always remember the blanket she said for the horses comfort. Then make sure you tighten down the tie downs on the saddle so it doesnt slip when your getting on or when your riding that she said could be bad news. After she was done she scooped me up and put me on Salmons back. She handed me the reins and told Salmon to take a walk to the exercise yard. The horse started walking straight to the barn door my aunt opened the door and told me not to worry Salmon would never go faster then I could handle. Boy what a rush. That horse didnt require any urging from me she went right into the yard that was fenced in and started walking in circles then she snorted and started going a little faster almost a trot. Then when my aunt came out to check on us she started to gallop what a feeling . I screamed with excitement and Salmon started to go even faster. I loved it I felt the wind in my hair I felt free and I loved it. After diner I went up to my room and cried I felt so guilty because I had such a good day and dad was still gone. Mom was gone and I didnt know much about aunt Jerry other then she said yes I could stay with her for the summer. My first day was just such a happy day that I felt guilty having a good time. I didnt think that was right so soon after losing my dad. My aunt heard me crying and came to check on me. She said I shouldnt feel guilty that daddy wouldnt want me to cry all the time. That there will be plenty of tears in life but its the smiles and laughter that you needed to hold on to so it could help you through the rough times when all we could do was cry. A week after my arrival I was taking care of Salmon a lot more giving her hay and water twice a day. and taking her to the exercise yard at least twice a day. Finally one day my aunt came out and said Salmon was ready for a trail ride did I feel like I was up to it. I said I didnt know so she said she was going to call a neighbor and ask if she could borrow his horse to show me the trails . Right after lunch a man drove up with a horse trailer attached to his pick-up truck and out came stormy. Stormy was 16 hands of stallion I didnt know what that meant but he was a lot bigger then Salmon. The neighbors name was Bill and he had taken the Stormy out of the trailer and saddled him up for my aunt while she saddled Salmon up for me. After helping me on Salmon she mounted Stormy with ease and without help. I was amazed. She then said follow her I watched every move she made and did the same moves on Salmon. Before I knew it we were walking the trails together. After the first trail ride with my aunt I was allowed to take Salmon out alone. We did go for a ride on the trails everyday. Then one day while we were out on the trail this fog crept in so thick I couldnt even see the trees in front of me. I was scared and couldnt even figure out how to get home I got turned around and didnt know which way I came from. My aunt always said if I ever got lost tell Salmon to take us home and she would. Okay I doubted that would work but Im lost and have no idea what else I could do. So I pet salmon and asked her is she was ready to go home. She snorted and started walking again. After a half hour we were at the lake on my aunts property. Salmon was thirsty so she stopped at the lake to have some water. I climbed down and had a drink to. I figured if the water was good enough for Salmon it was good enough for me and I was also very thirsty. After our drinks I got back on Salmon and said okay girl now its time to go home. So lets go. Stormy started walking slowly and when I went to turn her to the right she stopped. I looked at her and said its okay girl take us home. She trotted to the left and then got back on a trail and took us all the way back to the barn. I was at the barn before I had even seen it in this fog. But thanks to Salmon I never had to admit I got lost on the trail. My aunt was in the barn when I got back she had cleaned out Salmons stall and gave her a clean bed of hay. I filled her water bucket and my aunt tied up a bale of hay. I asked it that was to much and she said no that Salmon knew when she had enough and then she would throw the rest around to make her stall even better at least in Salmon opinion that is....... I fell in love with Salmon and didnt want to ever go home after that afternoon I never worried about anything on our rides again, now I know all I ever have to do is tell Salmon to go home and she would always take me back to the barn. Wow now thats what I call a smart animal.Diana J. Nolan fiction
Posted on: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 16:01:37 +0000
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