Beyond the Homestretch by Lynn Reardon

Author:Lynn Reardon
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781608680535
Publisher: New World Library

WHILE OUR RANCH WAS A FAR CRY from Tory’s lush East Coast farmette, I made an effort to tidy up the round pen area for adopter visits, removing the fallen leaves, small branches, and monster weeds that flourished in its perimeter. My horse-grooming skills were sketchy, but I brushed down each horse’s coat and mane, pulling out tail burrs and other signs of pasture living.

The effect was more Kmart than Pottery Barn—but it was the best catalog I could muster. Our round pen was bordered by tall pecan and cedar elm trees, their thick-branched greenery more decorative than any man-made landscaping. While our fields were never fully mowed to perfection, the horses grazed in them happily, the long grass moving softly under their bellies. White cattle egrets in search of bugs wandered with the horses, their delicate orange plumes providing splashes of accent color in the pasture. The ranch’s natural beauty always outweighed any attempted makeover on my part.

Cathy, an amateur polo player from California, was drawn by Sugar-foot’s short stature. She flew from the West Coast to meet Sugarfoot, the first potential adopter to ever visit from out of state. Petite and bubbly, Cathy spent quality time with Sugarfoot, marveling over her sweet face and good manners. A typical Californian, Cathy had a decidedly New Age explanation for the filly’s mellow nature.

After looking up Sugarfoot’s pedigree, she emailed me her theory: “March I foaling date. No wonder she’s a sweet little wimp—she’s a Pisces. I know, I know it’s silly but I swear it works. Aquarian horses untie knots and open latches. Pisces horses are quiet and easy. Aries horses like to run. Geminis are hot. Taurus horses buck and are stubborn. Try it out and see if I’m not right!”

I liked Cathy, astrology and all—but Sugarfoot was sore-footed on the day she visited the ranch, nixing an immediate adoption. The farrier had trimmed Sugarfoot’s hooves the day before Cathy’s arrival, her long toes in need of shaping. Like many horses, Sugarfoot was a little tender after her trim session—her hooves needed some time to get used to their new shape. Cathy flew back to California, urging me to send a video of Sugarfoot when she was no longer sore, her voice warm with appreciation for the filly’s good nature.

Other prospective adopters were still interested, eager to overlook temporary tender-footedness. Anna was a classic horse-show mom. A former competitor herself, she now focused on the promising show career of her teenage daughter, Brittany. With a younger daughter, Caitlyn, clamoring for a horse, Anna was in the market for another family mount. After many emails and calls, Anna sent in an application to adopt Sugarfoot. “Please call my references right away,” she urged. “I can’t wait to be approved and come meet Sugarfoot. She’ll fit in perfectly here. Caitlyn will be so thrilled to have her first horse!”

Delighted with Anna’s enthusiasm, I began calling her references. The second person on the list was Sheila, the show trainer of her older daughter, Brittany.

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