My weekends were full of making sure the homework due on Mondays was done quickly. I would ignore my boyfriend's texts and calls when I didn't see him on Fridays before school was let out. I was currently out in the arena with Ranger, training him on saddle work. He is doing wonderfully with learning. He does have a little bit of the bronco in him, but he would not hurt a fly. He's a very young stallion with a great temperament. His mother was sold at age six months, so his weaning was more effective.
My father got me a saddle just for Ranger for my birthday this year. He and I almost had the same birthday. He was born on the second of August, while I was born on the first. He and I worked the majority of the morning finishing up on saddle training. I brought him into the middle of the arena and put his bridle on. He shook before snorting. "Ready?" I asked him. He booped me as I put my hands on the saddle. I put my foot in the stirrup and stood on the side of the saddle. He stayed still. I did it multiple times with him complying.
I finally stood up in the stirrup before cautiously swinging my leg over and sitting down in the saddle. I scratched his neck before patting him. "Good boy," I told him. I then began rein training him. He was doing wonderfully. I got up to a lope with him being easy on him. He's still a baby and still has a lot to learn. I slowed him down and walked around. My boy is living up to his name.
I dismounted and patted his neck. "Thank you, Ranger," I said to him. He nickered as I led him back to the barn. "How did he do?" Matthew asked. "First successful ride as a three-year-old," I said. "Nice. Next step is riding out to the herd and back without him spooking." He said. "That's the plan after church tomorrow," I said. "Do you have an idea of what you are doing for the science fair yet?" He asked as we brushed our horses. "I think Pawpaw would have been proud of what I decided. I do think that Mr. Malcom should have the fire department standing by in case the school catches fire." I said.
"Good lord, sis." He said. "It's going to be safe enough to do it. It would be an added precaution." I said. "And what is this glorious idea?" He asked. "I decided to boil water and purify it with stones. How a chuckwagon used to clean water." I said. "Any prep work?" He asked. "I will be running water tests with the stones. There is a chance they might explode if the rocks have cracks and holes in them." I said. "And there it is." He said. "And that is why I am going to be testing the rocks before the demonstration at school," I said.
We finished in the barn and went to the house for dinner. Mom had dinner ready when we entered. During dinner, we talked about how the day went. I had mentioned my first ride on Ranger, and everyone at the table celebrated except Katie. She is still scornful that I have the horse she wanted. "Kylie figured out her science project, and it's so meticulous that one small thing can make it explode," Matthew said. Mom and dad looked at each other. Dad more like, where in the hell did we go wrong?
After dinner, I got a shower in Katie and I's bathroom before I did some of my research. A knock at the bathroom door said that it was Katie. "Come in," I told her. She entered and sat down on my bed. "What's up?" I asked her. "I want a more colorful horse. I can't help but look at the more flashy horses and think why I couldn't have one." She said. "We can go to the stockyards in Elkhart; they may have some horses next Saturday," I said. "I wish there were one closer." She said. "Me too."