#30 An Apple A Day...

It is said that apples are good for your health.

During those early days with the stable, I had many horses in my life. Each had very individual and sometimes comical characters. One such was Apple.

She was the first horse I purchased. A  modest sized, around 15 hands, aged grey mare. White from head to toe with big brown eyes.

Apple had a thick, thick neck and stocky legs. She had mane enough for two horses and an unruly one at that. She made the expression "bad hair day" come to life. To deal with this disorderly tangle, I roached her mane, giving it a buzz cut shave because of its un-manageability. Apple was the only horse in my many years of being with horses, where I cut her mane. I like horses to be as they were meant to be but made the exception in this case.

Her best feature was her trot. This jarring two-step gait can make a rider bounce but Apple's trot, was smooth and comfortable. She was a perfect lesson horse because of this and combined with a sweet gentle nature she was fun to ride.

But Apple was a little different on the trails.

She always knew if the one mounted on her, could or couldn't ride. If you were a could... there was never a problem. If you were a couldn't... she had your number.

Apple liked to eat and was fond of tender grasses in spring or the green bark of a Palo Verde tree the rest of the time. In ways only an equine would understand, she knew instantly when a rider would allow her these treats. Once a trail ride commenced, she'd test the water so to speak and when that rider didn't stop her, she'd begin to nibble from the smorgasbord of tasty trail treats available.

Often the best snacking was off the trail and under a tree. Only here could she find the tastiest treats. She'd make a beeline for these treats, most times beneath tree limbs. Branches which allowed her and sadly, not her rider. It was not that the horse didn't know how much room there was. Apple knew exactly what SHE needed... the rider... had to fend for themselves.

One afternoon I escorted a private ride, myself and one other, a lone college student and Apple was to be her mount. I was told the lady was a novice and this would be a challenging ride. When the lady arrived, it proved more challenging than I imagined.

The young woman was blind.

She was a woman who loved horses passionately and who'd lost her sight a few years ago. A woman who loved the desert and out of doors and who wanted to ride, and ride we did.

We started down the trail and headed for the mountain foothills. The lady wanted to go deep into the desert, to experience nature once more. I'd slipped a lead rope on Apple prepared for her tricks, but discovered I didn't need one. Apple took her special responsibility very seriously.

The grey mare followed along without any problem. She kept walking forward, forgoing her favorite nibbles. I watched her closely and discovered something special. Every low hanging branch was known to Apple and today, she avoided them all. She walked sideways away from any that hung over the trail. The horse placed each foot carefully, never stumbling and eased herself up and down hills.

Apple knew that this rider was precious cargo.

The ride was a great success. My blind trail companion had the time of her life and came back over and over again. Apple always was the mount of choice and always protected this vulnerable girl. The young woman finished school and went on to become an assistant district attorney. A woman for whom an Apple truly did bring good health.

 Apple at the rodeo parade.