Chapter Eight #2
“I think the riding school was over there when I was younger too. I don’t know what that bit is or where it goes,” she added, pointing to a wide path. “I seem to remember it was a paddock but it doesn’t look like that anymore.”
“Let’s go there,” I decided and we picked our way across the yard, skirting puddles and mud, boot and hoof prints.
The path was bordered with white fencing and another paddock, a stunning black horse cantering and shaking its glossy mane.
It whinnied when it saw us, and trotted alongside the fence until it seemed to realize we didn’t have any goodies to feed it.
Now that we were halfway along the path, I could see a mechanical horse walker walking horses in a circle.
There was the sound of clunking somewhere nearby, and a whir like a machine at work.
The tall iron gate into the yard was closed, a No Entry sign zip-tied to the frame, a padlock hanging loose on the cross bar.
I swung the gate open and we continued through, ignoring the sign, and turning into a smaller yard with its own twin paddocks at the far end and an uncoupled horse trailer, the big hook-like fastening resting on stacked bricks.
A dozen stables set in another L-shape, a small gap between the two rows, were only partially occupied, the horses large and finely muscled.
“Hello,” I said, scratching the muzzle of a brown horse that stretched its neck towards me.
“What are you doing in here?” asked a man’s voice. “What did I tell you?”
I whipped around, finding Harvey standing in the center of the yard, his hands on his hips, watching us with a stony face.
“We didn’t want to bother you while you were giving a lesson so we were familiarizing ourselves with the farm,” I said, sticking to a partial truth. The horse behind me butted my shoulder with its nose so I patted it.
“This area is off limits,” said Harvey. “The horses can be very skittish. How did you get in here? Didn’t you see the sign on the gate?”
“No, sorry,” I lied, then pointed to the path we’d taken. “We came that way and the gate was open.”
The horse behind me snickered and butted my shoulder again. I reached around to pat its nose and it rewarded me with a velvety lick.
Harvey’s eyes narrowed. “This is the rehab yard I mentioned. As you can see, we try and keep it a quiet space. Now you’ve seen it, I’ll escort you out,” he said, sweeping his arm towards the gate we’d entered by.
“I’d like to…” I started.
“Please,” he insisted, sternly nodding to the gate.
Lily and I exchanged looks, then headed towards the gate.
“Sorry for being abrupt,” he continued as we walked ahead.
“It’s been a terrible day as you know and I’m getting a headache.
I want to make sure the horses are settled in so I can help Joel and Yvette with whatever they need. ”
“Of course,” said Lily readily and friendly. “That’s why we didn’t want to put you or anyone else out to give us a tour.”
“I can tell you’re a thoughtful person,” he said and Lily beamed.
“So you’ll understand that we want to help the injured horses get better.
As you know, horses can be very skittish and since they can get frightened by just about anything, we try and keep noise and movement to a minimum here.
A couple of regular stable hands, and riders if needed, and me for the rehab training, and that’s all we allow. ”
We passed through the gate and I only realized Harvey hadn’t followed us through when he shut the gate between us, slid the bolt, and padlocked it. We stopped and turned.
“Sorry for wandering in,” I said, “we didn’t realize where we were.”
“Not at all. You couldn’t have known. Just don’t trouble yourself about coming in again. All the horses and riders you’ll be working with are in the main stables.”
“Lexi can help you as well, if you want,” said Lily. “If you need a second or third opinion on anything? I’m sure you’ll be pretty busy for a while.”
“Oh, yes, I can.” I nodded enthusiastically. “And it would be great to see you at work. I’m always keen to pick up new techniques.”
“I thought an expert like you would be certain of her own techniques,” he countered. “I wouldn’t want to impinge on your schedule either.”
“I am certain.” I straightened my back, pulled back my shoulders, and lifted my chin, trying to produce an air of gravitas. “But a good trainer should always be open to new methods.”
“Very true,” he said. “Take care, ladies. Enjoy the rest of your exploring. Most of the stable hands will be up at their clubhouse relaxing but I’m sure someone will help you out if you need it.” He was gone before I could engage him further. Then Lily poked me in the boobs.
I crossed my arms across my chest and scowled. “What did you do that for?”
“They were puffed out so far, I thought you wanted me to pop them.”
“I was trying to be authoritative.”
“With your boobs?”
“They usually help.”
“Not this time,” Lily said as we watched Harvey retreat into the quiet of the rehab stables.
“Guess not,” I agreed. “C’mon. Let’s see the rest of the farm before we lose the daylight.”