June 22nd - First Day -
I remember the day I sent in my form for the Mustang Makeover like it was yesterday….I had woken up to the sound of my lovebird, Loki, mumbling to himself and my parents were sitting in the kitchen watching the Saturday morning shows on our little TV. I said my good mornings, grabbed a bagel and sat down with them waiting for something good to come on. I opened my computer to check my emails when a new commercial came blaring onto the TV screen talking about wild mustangs and how no one could tame them except for the people who competed in the famous Mustang Makeover. I was glued to the TV and when the commercial was over I knew I wanted to enter and tame my own wild mustang. I remember telling my parents I wanted to join and they just stared at me for a while before giving their permission, so I printed out my form and sent it in as fast as I could hoping and praying I would be selected. A week later I got a letter in the mail addressed to me from Cottonwood Wild Horse Ranch and I was so nervous to open it until my best friend, Heather, snatched it from me and opened it. I held my breath as she read over it, her face never changing. I grew worried when she looked up at me until she started screaming and jumping up and down. I remember her telling me I was accepted and I was supposed to pick up my mustang in two weeks. Those weeks seemed to fly by as I prepared everything I thought I would need for my little wild horse.
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I smiled at the memory and hopped into the cab of my step-dads truck and scooted into the middle as my best and closest friend Heather jumped in beside me. I smiled at her and then waved to my mom as we started our 10 hour drive to Cottonwood Ranch to pick up my mustang. I opened up my acceptance letter, skipped to the bottom where they had provided me a little bit of information about my mustang and giggled when Heather began reciting it for me, “Thank you for sending in your forum and congratulations again for being selected in the 2014 CWHR Mustang Makeover. I've listed below a few things I thought you should know about your Mustang. The mustang we have chosen for you is a 14 year old mare who has been wild her whole life.” I shoved her playfully and then finished,” She's a Light Bay Sabino with beautiful markings. We've also noticed she seems to like music so that's something to consider using when you begin your training plan. Hope to see you soon. Signed, CWHR Owner, teresa8oats.” Heather and I burst into a fit of laughter and I heard my step-dad chuckling beside me as I finished my part. Sometime after that I fell asleep on Heather’s shoulder and when she woke me up we were just pulling into the ranch's' drive. I grinned like the Cheshire cat as we passed the sign that read ”Cottonwood Wild Horse Ranch” and then grabbed Heather’s arm when I spotted a round pen full of squirming horses that I assumed were the mustangs. I felt rather then sew Heather smile before she said, “Bree, your mustang is in there somewhere.” I nodded and replied quickly, ”Yeah yeah I know so open the door.” We both giggled as we tumbled out of the truck and sprinted towards the round pen. I was still on the small side, only 5’7”, and the mass of people who were trying to get a look at their mustangs were blocking my view. I didn't notice when a young man, maybe 23 or so, stepped up behind me until he tapped lightly on my shoulder. I turned to him and he asked, “Are you Miss. Bree Robinson?” I nodded and glanced at Heather who was clearly checking him out. He smiled at us both, a little longer in Heather's direction, and said, ”Follow me please your mustang is this way. We separated her as a cautionary measure due to her old age.” I followed him ,with Heather close on my heels, to a small round pen that held a small shabby looking mustang leaning against the fence. I glanced at Heather who looked at me and shrugged, This isn't what I was expecting, I thought to myself. While my step-dad had to deal with a bunch of paperwork and talking to the on-site vet, I watched as the ranch hands loaded up my mare into our trailer, making sure they didn't harm her in any way. I thanked everyone for helping us and then climbed back into the truck where my stepfather and Heather waited.
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After the tiresome journey we finally made it back home in one piece just as the sun was beginning set. I unhooked the trailer from the truck and waved goodbye to Heather as my step-dad took her home. I opened one of the trailer windows and peered inside at my little mustang. The mare look startled but not frightened so I slowly put my hand through the bars offering my palm to her. She snorted and pinned her ears back clearly unhappy with my advance. I pulled my hand back through the bars and stared at her through the bars, I could hear music coming from the barn where our stable hand was probably settling down for the night. I started humming along to the song and the mare pricked her ears towards me and nickered. For a moment I smiled and thought to myself, So you do like music, until my phone started ringing loudly. I scrambled to retrieve it from my pocket and silence it when the mare neighed at me causing the horses in the barn to call out. I silenced my phone and slowly peeked back into the trailer only find I was nearly face to face with the mustang. I smiled and looking down at my phone, searching for the ringtone name until I found it, Zelda’s Lullaby. A grin spread across my face as I looked back at my mare, “That’s your name…Zelda’s Lullaby.” I told her quietly. I closed the window slowly and opened the gate to the round pen and run-in barn. Once I made sure the gate wouldn't slam shut I opened the trailer door and hooked it back before looking into the trailer. Zelda shot past me and skidded to a sudden stop when she reached the fence. I quickly closed the gate and made sure it was latched securely so she couldn't get out. I heard my step-dad pulling into the drive and turned to wave at him as he motioned me over and said, “Let her rest now, the trip was probably long and stressful for her, I expect you to start working with her tomorrow.” I nodded and ran to the barn to get a flake of hay, then took everything back to the round pen and put it in her barn. I filled up her water trough and watched her pace along the fence, whites of her eyes showing and sweat starting to form on her neck. I turned the water off and sat down on the hay bale and began humming again until she calmed down and was watching me curiously. I smiled when she started to slowly walk towards me until she was right in my face. She sniffed me over for a minute before losing interest and moving away to roll in the dirt. I left her like that, calm enough to let her guard down while I was around. I wanted to end the day on a happy note so I went straight to bed, already excited for the training that would begin tomorrow.
