Too Smart

"Am I square?"

The long-awaited riding instructor workshop and certification loomed in front of me as the weekend approached. As part of the test to certify, I had to ride a pattern. A few days before I left, I saddled Ransom up for a run-through. Before we headed for the arena, I took a few minutes to memorize it. Ransom watched me trot around the courtyard in front of the crossties with a sleepy look that sighed, “Humans. They’re so weird.”

Still, he humored me with some mounted practice. Afterwards, he stood so Alana could take some photos of my balance and alignment. When I dutifully produced my photos for an activity at the workshop a few days later, they of course drew comment on “the appy.” The instructor made a dismissive comment about the breed.

“So you’re not a fan of appaloosas?” I responded.

“I have Andalusians.”

“Ah, you like a horse with a mane.” We both laughed. Then she went on.

“Actually, appys are too smart for me. I like my horses to be a bit dumber.”

I could live with that. To each their own.