Part 2: Taming of the Shrew~A Horse Tale

For those following along from Taming of the Shrew~Part 1 you will be pleased to find out that good things were in store for all of the 2-legged and 4 legged characters in this story.

Cast:
Petruchio: My wonderful neighbor friend, Val
Katherina: Baby Doll, the beautiful painted mare
The rehabilitated, back-on-the-wagon Drunkard: Me
Petruchio's lovely Arabian Mare: Fantastyk Gal (Annie)

Not long after Petruchio's gentle, yet firm, equine taming session, the Drunkard decided it was a grand afternoon to saddle up Katherina and see if she was less stubborn and more compliant when out for a beautiful trail ride.

The Drunkard rode Katherina among, through, and around the trees and bushes in the pasture. Katherina was only wearing her Dr. Cook's Bitless Bridle, yet she gave her head willingly and was quick to follow through in any requests given from the Drunkard.

As the Drunkard and Katherina strolled among the trees, they spied Petruchio, riding along the country lane, on her beautiful white Arabian mare, Nadia.
When Petruchio asked the Drunkard if she'd like to come over for a ride, Katherina and the Drunkard happily agreed.

Petruchio changed mounts and rode out on her lovely Arabian mare, Fantastyk Gal (Annie). The four of them rode around the arena, over a log, around barrels, and circling poles.

As the beautiful New Mexico sun was setting, Petruchio suggested that a trail ride would be a wonderful way to end the day. It was time to truly test if Katherina's taming had been successful.

So off they went.

Petruchio has been able to take the lovely, yet spirited Fantastyk Gal out on the trails only a handful of times over this past year. The biggest roadblock has been having someone to ride with her and Fantastyk Gal. Someone with a calm, experienced, non-spooky, level-headed horse to help relax the spirited Arabian while out on the trails. The beautiful Katherina did her best at fulfilling this role on this day.Katherina walked Fantastyk gal through any potential spooks. And even when a few dogs bounded out of the trees alongside of the path Katherina kept her calm composure.
But best of all, was how Katherina refrained from stealing her head, and even when the green grass beckoned, a firm, but kind reminder from the Drunkard on her back, caused her to move on. The Piece de Resistance happened when the barn was straight ahead and Katherina looked longingly and leaned toward the direction of her home, but willingly accepted the Drunkard's request to travel down a different path in the opposite way.

No tugging, no circling, no head tossing, no balking and no ears folded tightly back against her lovely equine head. Katherina was the picture of obedience, acceptance, and calm.The happy, yet sober, Drunkard was so proud of her four-legged friend, and she truly enjoyed the ride that she and Katherina shared. The Drunkard was also very thankful to have such a wonderful friend in Petruchio. A friend with a beautiful smile.The Drunkard is quite happy that she moved in right next door to kind Petruchio, a friend with whom she can share her love of horses. And a friend with whom, Petruchio can share her equine knowledge and experience with, as well. After their wonderful trail ride, Petruchio and the reformed Drunkard rode their mounts again in the arena until the sun went down. It was dark and quite late when they called it a day. The Drunkard had a wonderfully warm feeling inside as she and Katherina rode back to their own barn for the night........and it wasn't caused by the imbibing of liquor.
~~~~~~~~~The End~~~~~~~~~~