Part 2 of Charco’s story.
It was a long way from Prince Albert Saskatchewan to just east of Winnipeg and home. We decided to board Charco at a stable near Regina and get an early start in the morning. After giving the strictest instructions not to do anything with my new fella, we headed off to find a motel. No heat or hot water made for a crappy night, yet somehow seemed to fit with the rest of the trip. Back at the stable, I noticed how the owner and his son maintained a cautious distance from Charco. Clearly, my instructions hadn’t been heeded.
I turned Charco loose in the arena to stretch his legs then we loaded up and were on our way again.
Upon finally arriving home, I put him into the barn, saw that he had hay and water, gave him a nice scratch to the wither and left the barn. I got halfway to the house when all hell broke loose! He was trying to tear the barn down! Running back, I called out to him.
“Hey? What’s going on here buddy? It’s okay.”
He stood there, all freaked out and wild-eyed, snorting and blowing, staring at me with an intensity that was beyond normal. I went over and scratched the strong neck, now glossy with instant sweat. After he seemed to have calmed, I headed for the door again. He started to fuss. I stepped out, he threw a fit. I stepped in, he quieted and watched me. Leaning out the barn door, I called for my hubby to bring me a lawnchair, book and a drink. I was going to be a while. Over the next couple of hours, I slowly moved towards the house. When he would start to fret and fuss, I would reassuringly call out to him. Though the temps hovered around freezing that night, we slept with the window open, so I could call out and let him know I was still there. I believe that because we started off on the right foot, that Charco connected with me. For the rest of his life, if I was anywhere on the property and looked towards his pen, he would be watching me. He loved when I would come over and hang out to have long, one-sided conversations. He would sigh and shut his eyes. Maybe I bored him, but clearly, I soothed too. Here’s a photo from the day I got him home.
Leave a Reply