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Speaking of babies,
Charlie got along well with all horses, but he
especially loved those babies. He was an
awesome uncle, helping out with the weaning and halter
breaking.He never hurt the pesky little critters,
but he did not let them become nuisances or
disobedient either.
None of us knew anything
about sidesaddle, but the owner of a local tack shop
had a sidesaddle that was
just hanging out in his tackroom. He asked us if
we would like to borrow it. Always up for
something fun,
we said sure. We consulted a friend, read up
about sidesaddle, and saddled up Charlie. That
antique
western saddle had no leaping horn, no cantle, and was
slicker than slugslime, but we were all game and,
of course, chose Charlie to try it out. He was
once again Mr. Perfect, and everyone in the barn had
to
take a ride. Crystal not only decided to show
him sidesaddle, she showed off sidesaddle and rode him
in trail, winning the class. I don’t remember
that she ever won a sidesaddle class on Charlie.
There was
always some horse that was prettier, had purer gaits
or more presence, but there was no one in the classes
who was having more fun or rode more beautifully, so
they always did well. One time his bridle came
undone,
and he finished the class holding the bit in his lips
and continuing to do exactly as he was
supposed to do, even backing up in the line up
when asked. (No, he didn’t win, but
he got 2nd.)
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