A Baby Boomer Dreams of Arabian Horses - Rhythm's Story - Tommy Garland - Part 8

Part One of the Baby Boomer Series

Rhythm's Story starts here

After those first few days at Tommy Garland's facility in Virginia, the Arabian horse settled into his routine. Once Rhythm was convinced that Greg Peak was to be respected as the leader, Greg saw a new side to the horse.

They still had to work on the horse being naughty going down the barn aisle from time to time. Rhythm really doesn't want to let go of that stallion behavior and talking to the girls. But throwing his fanny into the stall fronts and grunting isn't really acceptable behavior anywhere and certainly isn't going to fly at Garlands. Personally I'll be glad when that behavior is just a distant memory.

Despite this off and on behavior, the Arabian horse was going to work and doing his job the minute the assistant trainer threw his leg over the horse. Greg was now beginning to see the other side of this horse. The trainer was impressed with the horse's talent, the quality of his education and his work ethic. It was clear to Greg that the plan would probably go off just as scheduled.

Brittany called once a week to see how her boy was doing. She could tell by the reports exactly how things were progressing. Having gone through her own initiation to earn the horse's respect, she knew where the horse was in his process and what was coming next.

There was some comfort in this. With so much going on at Garlands since the other groom had quit and a new one had not been found, the workload was overwhelming for the poor assistant trainer. Greg had promised Brittany that her horse would get worked regardless. She could tell from the reports that the trainer was sticking to his word.

With the horse not arriving at Garlands until the second week in January and the big Scottsdale All Arabian Horse Show in February, the horse was only ridden for two weeks. Then the serious preparations began getting horses and equipment ready for the Scottsdale Show.

When the crew left for Scottsdale, the assistant trainer had schooled the gelding enough to know that Rhythm was indeed ready to go into the western bridle. Not only that, but he was pretty sure the horse was going to be one of those rare individuals who locked in like only the super stars can do.

There is nothing that Rhythm would like more than to never have the reins lifted putting pressure on the bit or having legs applied to his sides. Once he knows his rider is boss, he will do anything to please and avoid direction.
When he's fit and schooled regularly, just a twitch of a thigh muscle will cause the horse to roll over and go slow. Rhythm will gladly respond to a verbal cue to avoid a physical one. You couldn't ask for a lighter softer western horse.

By the time Greg Peak left for Scottsdale he knew exactly what he had. He also knew that if Tommy Garland figured it out, Greg wouldn't get to show the horse. Horses like this don't come along that often. Tommy Garland wouldn't let this one slip by.

But first Tommy Garland would have to figure out that Rhythm was capable of this. I'm not so sure that will happen. Knowing Rhythm and the way his behavior has been since he left here, I think that he would make Tommy prove that he deserves that kind of respect. Also knowing Rhythm, I think he'd make him work for it just a bit. I'm not sure that Tommy can see through that side of the horse. Brittany's wish that Greg get to show the horse will probably come true. We'll have to see what unfolds as the horse gets put into the bridle.

To be continued....................



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