Day one
I yawned as the truck rumbled into place in the mustang pickup lot. I am here to pick up my very own mustang (For the next seventy-five days anyhow) to gentle and train for the Mustang Makeover! So exciting! I've only ever trained a horse 2-3 times before this, so I am crossing my fingers that it will go well.
As the truck jerked to a stop, I put it in park and climbed out. Seeing a lady standing next to the corrals I called out "Where do they want us to load?!", no response. I reached in and slid the key out of the ignition,slammed the door, and proceeded to walk closer to the lady. She turned her head away from the horses and waved as she saw me, "Hello!" She called out "You must be here for the makeover!"
"Yep, I am!" I responded "Do you know where we check in and load?"
"Iindeed I do!" She pointed to a white building a few yards away "That's check in, they will tell you where to load."
"Great thanks!" I smiled.
Quickly turning about, I half jogged, half sprinted to the small white building. Pulling open the door I walked in. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a small window and a few sheets of paper on the counter space in front of it, heading that direction I dug around in my pocket for a pen. Smiling at the man behind the window, I signed my info on the paper. I waited as the man behind the window pulled the sheet towards him, he glanced down to look at my info. passing me a hat he said, "Go ahead and draw your horse number please."
With my finger wound around each other by my leg and my eyes squeezed tightly shut, I slid my hand into the hat. Blinking, I read the number, "#3193."
"Alright Ms. Hannah Holt, Jill will show you to the corrals and point out your mustang. Good luck with him!"
As I spun about I saw the lady I spoke to earlier, meeting her outstretched hand with my own I said, "Nice to meet you again, I'm Hannah."
"Jill Sanderly. Right this way Hannah" nodding towards the door to my right. We walked out towards the pipe corrals and I watched the untouched mustangs shy away as I climbed up on to the second lowest rail. Jill climbed up beside my and pointed over into the middle of the herd. "That guy's yours."
My eyes traveled carefully over his body. About the same size as my current horse standing at 14.2 hands. Gorgeous Silver Dapple coat, with a wide blaze and four white stockings. "When and where do I load him?", swerving my gaze to Jill's face.
She quickly glanced down at her wrist, to her lime green swatch. "It's 8:30 now, so you can go ahead and load up now if you like."
I smiled back, "I'll go get the truck and trailer"
And so I did. Speed walking (Note: Almost running) back to my truck, I sprung in, jabbed the key back into the ignition and quickly twisted it. Not bothering with my seatbelt (I figured I'm only going a little ways), I pressed gently on the gas pedal after the truck roared to life. Weaving cautiously through the grounds I found my way to the loading area and backed in. Shutting of the truck once again and jumping down to the sandy ground again. I walked back to the trailer, I saw that my mustang was in the catch pen already and Jill was walking towards me. I flipped the trailer-door latch open and gently lowered it to the ground. After doing so I walked around to the tack room area of the trailer and popped the door, reaching inside I pulled out a burgundy rope halter and another one of the same color but nylon.I had read online that a lot of times, it was easier to get the rope halter on the horse to start with, but I had brought the nylon just in case. Ii carried the rope halter to the catch pen and climbed on to the rails. I watched my horse tap-dance and toss his head beneath me, in the pen. Glancing at Jill, I slung my arms over the rails and quickly caught his nose in the loop. With him jerking on me, I finally managed to tie the halter securely enough for the ride home. Since my truck was already backed to the catch pen entrance and was already open, the two men standing by opened the catch pen gate. I watched as the horse sniffed the edge of the trailer, eyeing the hay inside. Hesitantly he stepped onto the ramp and inside. Quietly and quickly we shut the trailer door so not to spook the horse.
Back in my truck a few minute later I waved goodbye with a smile, and prepared for the 3 hour drive back to my home ranch.
