THE ODD COUPLE

Jesse came to me as a gift. Kathy and I had met while playing on a bank softball team She was going back to college and could not keep up with her horse like she felt she should. She knew I was an animal fanatic, and decided to entrust me with her friend. Jesse was a seven year old, registered Quarter horse gelding that had been used to run barrels in competition. As can happen, Jesse was "ring sour" meaning he was on strike and no longer could be dragged into the ring for barrel racing. He had the stubbornness of a mule.






When Kathy posed the proposition of me becoming Jesse's new owner, I was thrilled but also scared. I hadn't ridden or cared for a horse since Trigger when I was twelve years old. There was an over 25 year horse-hiatus there. She took me to meet him and for a trial ride. Jesse was a small horse but a bunch bigger than Trigger had been. But like Trigger, to me, he was gorgeous. Unlike Trigger, he was gorgeous to all who saw him. He was a handsome sorrel, with a white snip on his forehead. Big gentle eyes assured me that all would be well. I climbed aboard my new horse and trust me, it is just like bicycle riding, you don't forget. Fear dissolved into love.






Jesse, like any herd animal, wanted a herd. None being available, I became his herd. He followed me every where. If I were gardening and started to feel around behind me for a tool, looking up I would find a garden claw dangling from Jesse's mouth as he watched me. Often as not, he would wander off with the tool which cleverly made me quit what I was doing and pay attention to him.

This is Jesse in his supervisory capacity.

His love of company showed the most if I hosted an outdoor party on my acreage. As with all parties, people gathered in groups of mutual interest or attraction. Jesse would wander from group to group, sticking his head in for all the world like he was contributing to the conversation. I know he enjoyed the company but the bigger draw were the Fritos and soft drinks. He loved them both. I once saw a poor girl who was unfamiliar and frightened of large animals, running for her life with Jesse in hot pursuit, Fritos flying everywhere. Only yelling for her to drop the bag ended the chase. That might have been the first time as an adult that I peed my pants laughing.









Knowing I could not throw daily parties to satisfy his herding instinct, I decided to get him a friend. A girl at work had a pony that her children had out grown and wanted to know if I would take him. I was thrilled but again scared. (Why do these emotions always seem to run hand in hand with me?? Think I need go to the land of Oz in search of courage.) However, if they did not get along, it could be really ugly. Still I gratefully agreed and went to meet Prince.






Aww, he was so cute. He was black and white, small and with a typical pony attitude. Ponies really do not care to be bothered and have mastered the "eye roll". He did not like having his lunch interrupted and reared up as I tried to load him in the trailer. Delighted, I realized that even "short stuff" me could man handle the little guy. What a feeling of power.


Loaded up, we took the trip home for the meeting of equines......