Chapter One:
Chapter 1: How to Choose a Child of Your Own
Note to the reader. When you see an asterisk, *, before a word, there is a definition of that word in the picture glossary at the back of the book.
My Story begins one Saturday in the spring of 1990. I was standing in the corral on a ranch near Whitehall, Montana. I was a yearling filly, halter broke and FOR SALE. My coat was and is a shining red gold and my mane and tail are red mixed with blond. I wondered where the next phase of my education would take me. Then up drove an old pick-up truck and out popped a man, a woman and three boys. It must have been a tight fit for they really popped out! The middle boy, Jon, had just finished the eighth grade and had saved enough money to purchase a horse. He wanted a gelding and had come to look at my two half brothers. I knew right away he was the boy for me.
With a determined air, Jon kept trying to look at my brothers. He stated, “I want a gelding, no cranky mares.” He tried to stand back and assess my brothers’ legs, shoulders, and hips. I would step between Jon and my brother every time. I showed him my graceful neck and trim throatlatch. I presented my shining flanks and flowing tail. He kept pushing me away and looking at the colts. I was getting desperate. Finally, I squeezed between Jon and my brother, put my chin on his shoulder, and gazed into his eyes. Jon threw up his hands and said, “I’ll take the mare”.
Jon’s parents and brothers cheered with approval.
A week later the old pickup and horse trailer pulled into the yard. I was thrilled. I galloped around and whinnied for Jon. He was my very own boy and had come to take me home. Jon was of medium height, slim and wore a cowboy hat. I love hats. He had lots of energy but was quiet around horses. I was so proud of him. I showed him to my brothers who were aggravated because I had snatched him out from under their muzzles. I reminded them I had put forth the effort to catch Jon. They had stood passively by and waited for life to come their way.
Jon put a brand new *halter on me, snapped on the *lead rope and loaded me into the trailer. Away we went to our new adventure.