The next morning broke frosty and still. I groomed and saddled
Coquetta. As the sun rose we took off to the west and north,
up a sandy wash toward South Mountain. She begged to move fast,
gliding smooth as silk, flaring her nostrils and looking about,
ears swiveling like radar dishes.
About 2 ½ miles later we had circled to Gail West's ranch.
She was in front of the barn grooming one of her prize-winning
paints. (A paint horse has pinto markings and bloodlines that
are a mix of Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred.)
"Gail! I finally got a horse."
"Horse? That's a pony."
"Yeah, she's kind of ugly, too."
"Ugly? She's not ugly."
I thought of Coquetta's big ears and nose, then admired Gail's
perfect paint. Was I ever going to own anything except mustangs?
Gail looked me in the eye. "She's a different kind of
horse. That's all." |
Diana with Coquetta, soon after the mare arrived at Rattlesnake
Acres. South Mountain is in the background.
|