When our son, Patrick, was old enough to begin showing horses in 4-H, his Granddad presented him with a 5-year old Appaloosa gelding named Dandy. A roan with a snowflake blanket over his hips, Dandy was an intelligent, athletic, horse with just a hint of the Roman nose and wispy tail prevalent in the old-style Appaloosa bloodlines.
The thing that set Dandy apart, however, was his personality. He could be friendly and affectionate, lowering his head to Patrick’s 10-year old shoulder and nudging him until he nearly fell over, but he also had an independent and impatient streak that could surface unexpectedly and at the most inconvenient moments.
It was this combination of characteristics that always made taking Dandy into a show ring an adventure.
One of the classes at which Dandy generally excelled was “Showmanship”. In this event the young exhibitors would march into the ring on foot with their horses next to them on a lead line. The pair would then be required to follow a series of commands from the show judge designed to indicate how well the horse responded with its rider on the ground and only a rope affixed to the halter for control.
On this particular day it was evident that Dandy was “on” from the moment he and Patrick walked into the ring. Responsive to Patricks every soft cluck and twitch on the lead, Dandy walked, trotted, stopped, backed, and set up flawlessly. With ears pricked forward and near eye glued to his young master, Dandy was the picture of a responsive, well-trained horse. He and Patrick soon found themselves at the head of the show order while the judge walked up and down the line placing the rest of the class.
After some time standing still in the hot August sun, however, Dandy began to tire of the whole exercise. Figuring he had performed long enough he began to fidget and throw his head. Keeping an eagle eye on the judges’ location, Patrick would correct the horse with a tug on the lead and whispered admonition to settle down. This worked for a couple of intervals but finally as if to say: “this has gone on long enough” Dandy stamped a front hoof, bared his teeth, and reached forward and bit Patrick on the upper left chest.
Now I’m not certain how many of you have been bitten by a horse, but it is a painful experience. From the bleachers I could see but not hear the involuntary gasp leave Patricks’ lips as he struggled to maintain his composure. Dandy settled neatly back into his stance, evidently satisfied he had made his point. His face a mask of determination, Patrick set his horse up and turned to face the judge. It was then I noticed the blood beginning to soak through his shirt.
Busy at the far end of the line, the judge had not witnessed this series of events. Soon he finished his work and stepped back to acknowledge the winners. The first number called was Patricks, and as he led Dandy forward to collect his prize he moved his free hand up to cover the dark spot on his shirt. If the judge noticed he didn’t say anything. As the ribbon girl handed him the purple champion rosette Patrick nodded and smiled grimly, and then he and Dandy double-timed it out of the arena to where appropriate comfort and first aid awaited.
Stay tuned for part 2!
Wards Corner Whimsy 