Her boots clicked on the wooden floor as she returned to the kitchen. “Okay, I’m ready.”
Ryan checked out her spanking new boots. “You’ll get those dirty. Hope you don’t mind.”
Kaylie shook her head. “Nope. That’s what they’re made for.”
He grinned. “Well, okay, then. Let’s go. Grab your coat, a hat and gloves. It’s cold outside and will be colder still up on the horse.”
She took her parka off the hanger on the wall by the back door, pulled a stocking cap from a coat pocket, and then followed him outside.
The weather was brisk, but they hadn’t had much in the way of snow. That made getting around easier, but was very bad for the water supply. Montana was in a drought, and they needed the snow badly.
As they walked to the barn, she kept her hands in her coat pockets for warmth. She had gloves but they were leather and unlined, she thought they might be specifically made for riding and holding the reins. They were included with her parka and hat.
When they reached the barn, Ryan opened the large doors and then turned on the lights.
They went to the stall with a white horse with a golden mane.
“He’s beautiful.”
Ryan smiled. “She’sa Palomino. This color is rare, so she doesn’t get out in the pasture much unless she’s being ridden. She’s called Goldy, is very gentle and she’ll be perfect for your first ride.” He opened the gate and brought her out into the middle aisle.
Kaylie stood back. “May I touch her?”
“Of course. She loves to have her ears scratched. Like this.” He scratched her ears and then between them and on down around her jaw.
Kaylie walked up to the horse. “Hi, Goldy. I’m going to scratch your ears. Please don’t bite me.”
Ryan laughed. “She’ll love it. Trust me.” He came behind her and lifted her hand to the horse’s head. “Here you go. Now just scratch all around.”
She did as he said, and the horse nickered.
“See? She likes it. She just told you so.”
Kaylie grinned and moved her fingers around her jaw and under her head. Then she petted her down the front of her head and over her nose. “Oh, my gosh. Her nose feels like the softest velvet.”
He nodded. “I know. Wait until you feel the nose of a foal. It’s even softer. You just want to kiss it all the time.” He laughed, then grabbed a round metal thing with a handle.
“What is that?” She pointed to the tool in his hand.
Ryan lifted the object. “This is a curry comb. I run it over her back to make sure there’s nothing on her back that will irritate her when I saddle her. After this, I’ll brush her to remove what I just stirred up.”
He curried the horse and then brushed her. Then he grabbed a blanket from a sawhorse across from the stall.
“I’ll saddle her today, but I want you to watch. First, place the blanket on her back. This will protect her from the saddle.” He placed the blanket and smoothed out all the wrinkles. “Next, put the left stirrup in the saddle. I usually hook it over the saddle horn. Then lift the saddle and set it on the horse’s back. Cinch the straps under her belly very tight. I don’t want the saddle to come loose while you’re riding.” He put the left stirrup down. “Usually, I bridle them first, but I got ahead of myself today, so here is how to bridle her.”
He placed the bridle on her teeth, which she’d closed. He rubbed the metal on her teeth and she opened her mouth and he placed the metal behind her back teeth. He pulled the bridle leather over her ears and buckled it loosely behind her jaw. Then he pulled the reins and criss-crossed them over her neck.
“There you are. You’re ready to ride.”
She clasped her hands together. “I’m ready and not even scared…well maybe a little.”
“This first time, I’ll help you up and then get the stirrups the perfect length for you. Then next time you can mount by yourself. Go take hold of the saddle horn and the back of the saddle.”
She did, and it was a stretch to do so.
Ryan came behind her and with his hands on either side of her waist, he lifted her into the saddle. Then he adjusted the stirrups so they were the right length for her to ride. He looked up at her and brushed his chin whiskers with his fingers. “You’re legs are shorter than I thought. You might not be able to lift your foot into the stirrup. Let’s see. Lean down to me.”
She turned her body to face him, leaned over and closed her eyes.