Buckskin Bandit (18 page)

I rode home with Dad and Lizzy in the cattle truck. Madeline and Mason followed us in the van.

As soon as we turned onto our street, I knew something was up. I leaned out the window and smelled horse. Not just my horses. Lots of horses.

As we got closer, I spotted Hawk sitting bareback on Towaco. Sal was holding Amigo on a long lead, as the Miniature Falabella grazed on our unmown grass. I saw Grant and Eager Star. Catman had my beautiful Nickers, and M was leading Buddy. Barker came walking out of the barn with Annie Goat.

“What's going on?” I asked as Dad turned off the engine.

“You didn't think we'd forget your birthday party, did you, Winnie?” Dad answered. “I couldn't sleep last night, honey. You deserve a real birthday. This morning I called Hawk and worked out everything.” He leaned over and hugged me. “Happy birthday, Winnie Willis.”

“Happy birthday, Winnie!” Lizzy exclaimed. She hugged both of us, then jumped down from the truck. “You're late to your own party.”

“Man, where have you been?” Sal shouted.

“Long story, Sal,” I answered, hopping down after Lizzy.

“The horses started partying without you.” Sal pointed to Amigo, enjoying the grass feast.

“I'll get the cake!” Lizzy said.

“Cake?” I asked, trying to take it all in.

“I hid it in the pots-and-pans cupboard. Didn't think you'd go there.”

“You're right about that,” I agreed.

“Buddy!” Mason jogged over to his filly and hugged her, while M held the lead. M winked at me. Then he and Mason high-fived each other.

It was great to see Mason so happy. I could feel it. Share it.
“When others are happy, be happy with them.”
It was a good thing, sharing joy. I was going to try to remember that. I'd wasted too much joy being leaf-blocked by envy.

“Happy birthday, Winnie.” Hawk grinned at me from Towaco's back. She must have had to call everybody herself to pull off the party.

“Thanks, Hawk.”

“Happy birthday, Winnie,” Grant said, leading Eager Star up so I could pat him. “Summer can't make it.”

“Too bad,” I said, trying not to smile. But Grant smiled back. “Scar acting up on her?” I asked.

“More like Columbus embarrassment, I think,” Grant said.

“Huh?”

“Didn't your sister tell you?” Hawk asked. “Summer got disqualified at the state science fair.”

“You're kidding!” Now I really wished I'd gone to Columbus.

“She got busted!” Sal explained. “Turns out her ‘original' finger-combs were ‘made in Japan.'”

Note to self: Maybe some things aren't so unfair, if you wait long enough.

Catman waved, and Nickers nickered. I went to my horse and threw my arms around her neck. With Catman holding her leadrope, I swung up bareback.

“Cool day of your birth,” Catman said.

“Thanks, Catman.”

From Nickers' back, I scanned our lawn, still filled with junk. But it was also filled with horses and people who cared enough about me to come to my birthday party. The sun was setting, throwing shadows across the lawn and bringing a chilly breeze, and I prayed that my mind would snap a picture of this moment.

Lizzy and Dad came out of the house with a big cake for us and cake-shaped, oatmeal-and-molasses treats for the horses. Next year I'd throw both of them birthday parties.

Out in the road came the
clip-clop
of a horse's hooves. Kaylee was riding toward us on Buckskin Bandit, with Pat Haven walking beside her.

“Winnie, look!” Kaylee cried. “Pat told Mrs. Pulaski about your party, and she wanted me to bring Bandit.”

I waved. Bandit looked happy and calm, at home with his new herd.

As I gazed across the lawn—from one person, one horse, to another—I felt as if God were whispering in my ear:
It's unfair, isn't it, Winnie?

Unfair. With the leaf down, I could see now. I hadn't done anything to deserve a herd like this—friends, family, horses. A God who died for me so I could have a life like this and a God who whispers in my ear.

You're right, God. It is unfair. Thanks.

Horses communicate with one another . . . and with us, if we learn to read their cues. Here are some of the main ways a horse talks:

Whinny—
A loud, long horse call that can be heard from a half mile away. Horses often whinny back and forth.

Possible translations:
Is that you over there? Hello! I'm over here! See me? I heard you! What's going on?

Neigh—
To most horse people, a neigh is the same as a whinny. Some people call any vocalization from a horse a neigh.

Nicker—
The friendliest horse greeting in the world. A nicker is a low sound made in the throat, sometimes rumbling. Horses use it as a warm greeting for another horse or a trusted person. A horse owner might hear a nicker at feeding time.

Possible translations:
Welcome back! Good to see you. I missed you. Hey there! Come on over. Got anything good to eat?

Snort—
This sounds like your snort, only much louder and more fluttering. It's a hard exhale, with the air being forced out through the nostrils.

Possible translations:
Look out! Something's wrong out there! Yikes! What's that?

Blow—
Usually one huge exhale, like a snort, but in a large burst of wind.

Possible translations:
What's going on? Things aren't so bad. Such is life.

Squeal—
This high-pitched cry that sounds a bit like a scream can be heard a hundred yards away.

Possible translations:
Don't you dare! Stop it! I'm warning you! I've had it—I mean it! That hurts!

Grunts, groans, sighs, sniffs—
Horses make a variety of sounds. Some grunts and groans mean nothing more than boredom. Others are natural outgrowths of exercise.

Horses also communicate without making a sound. You'll need to observe each horse and tune in to the individual translations, but here are some possible versions of nonverbal horse talk:

EARS

Flat back ears—
When a horse pins back its ears, pay attention and beware! If the ears go back slightly, the horse may just be irritated. The closer the ears are pressed back to the skull, the angrier the horse.

Possible translations:
I don't like that buzzing fly. You're making me mad! I'm warning you! You try that, and I'll make you wish you hadn't!

Pricked forward, stiff ears—
Ears stiffly forward usually mean a horse is on the alert. Something ahead has captured its attention.

Possible translations:
What's that? Did you hear that? I want to know what that is! Forward ears may also say, I'm cool and proud of it!

Relaxed, loosely forward ears—
When a horse is content, listening to sounds all around, ears relax, tilting loosely forward.

Possible translations:
It's a fine day, not too bad at all. Nothin' new out here.

Uneven ears—
When a horse swivels one ear up and one ear back, it's just paying attention to the surroundings.

Possible translations:
Sigh. So, anything interesting going on yet?

Stiff, twitching ears—
If a horse twitches stiff ears, flicking them fast (in combination with overall body tension), be on guard! This horse may be terrified and ready to bolt.

Possible translations:
Yikes! I'm outta here! Run for the hills!

Airplane ears—
Ears lopped to the sides usually means the horse is bored or tired.

Possible translations:
Nothing ever happens around here. So, what's next already? Bor-ing.

Droopy ears—
When a horse's ears sag and droop to the sides, it may just be sleepy, or it might be in pain.

Possible translations:
Yawn . . . I am so sleepy. I could sure use some shut-eye. I don't feel so good. It really hurts.

TAIL

Tail switches hard and fast—
An intensely angry horse will switch its tail hard enough to hurt anyone foolhardy enough to stand within striking distance. The tail flies side to side and maybe up and down as well.

Possible translations:
I've had it, I tell you! Enough is enough! Stand back and get out of my way!

Tail held high—
A horse who holds its tail high may be proud to be a horse!

Possible translations:
Get a load of me! Hey! Look how gorgeous I am! I'm so amazing that I just may hightail it out of here!

Clamped-down tail—
Fear can make a horse clamp its tail to its rump.

Possible translations:
I don't like this; it's scary. What are they going to do to me? Can't somebody help me?

Pointed tail swat—
One sharp, well-aimed swat of the tail could mean something hurts there.

Possible translations:
Ouch! That hurts! Got that pesky fly.

OTHER SIGNALS

Pay attention to other body language. Stamping a hoof may mean impatience or eagerness to get going. A rear hoof raised slightly off the ground might be a sign of irritation. The same hoof raised, but relaxed, may signal sleepiness. When a horse is angry, the muscles tense, back stiffens, and the eyes flash, showing extra white of the eyeballs. One anxious horse may balk, standing stone still and stiff legged. Another horse just as anxious may dance sideways or paw the ground. A horse in pain might swing its head backward toward the pain, toss its head, shiver, or try to rub or nibble the sore spot. Sick horses tend to lower their heads and look dull, listless, and unresponsive.

As you attempt to communicate with your horse and understand what he or she is saying, remember that different horses may use the same sound or signal, but mean different things. One horse may flatten her ears in anger, while another horse lays back his ears to listen to a rider. Each horse has his or her own language, and it's up to you to understand.