Mist Roan gelding
by Mary C.
(OB,FL,USA)
One morning as i got out of my white pickup I found a small my little dog, Rusty, lying there. I picked him up and put him on the front porch. I came back with a warm bottle of milk. So as I grabbed him he started barking.
A mist colored gelding galloped past me!! I ran after him! Soon he got tired and slowed to a stop. I saw a chain was wrapped around his leg. I checked him over. It seemed someone had abused him. I touched his back, and he flinched.
I decided to name him Smokey. I got some iodine to put on his back, and a pair of clippers to trim his hooves and get off that chain. I leaned down and he nuzzled me.
I thought maybe I could train him. I got my halter and put it slowly on him. He followed me as I went to get the lead rope I had forgotten. My round pen had overgrown to the point where I couldn't get the gate open.
I pushed and pulled finally it came open. I led Smokey into the round pen. He walked cautiously Over the weeds. As did I.
He was very fragile. He ate some grass around the round pen. He could walk around no problem, so could I. I picked up the dust crop from the ground and just quietly said, "Trot." He picked up to a trot. I said "halt," down he walked. I said "Canter," and he cantered. I said, "Gallop," and he galloped.
I wanted to teach Smokey some harder words. I taught him how to trot on me saying aides. Canter,Maylong,Gallop Teymay, He picked it up very quickly. I yelled "Stop!!" and he halted.
It was now time for me to ride him. So I got my saddle and my Western bridle and climbed onto him.
He kicked and bucked. All he wanted was to buck but I wasn't coming off. Two weeks later he settled. He was two years when I trained him.
Now he's a Chestnut Gelding and his new name is Star. He is with a loving family and an adopted brother Popcorn. He's the greatest.
