totally?
She swung her leg down and got off Dusty, loosening his cinch and walking him for a bit to cool him down before taking him to the water trough. The horse drank deeply then she took him into the barn. She removed his saddle and blanket first and grabbed up a handful of hay wiping him down before taking a brush and working him over until his golden coat glistened.
Then, she unhooked the reins from his halter and hung them on the wall. With a hand on his halter, she walked him to his stall. He waited patiently like a faithful old dog for her to open his door before following her in. She forked out some fresh hay and gave him a double measure of oats as a reward for his hard work. “So what should I do Dust?” she asked him stroking his neck as he nosed the hay she left for him. “I know I could love him but I don’t know how anyone could love me. I’m used goods.” Dejected and not getting any answers from the horse, she walked from the barn noticing Angel and Matt taking care of Stardust.
Stalling for even more time, she decided she had better go talk to her new hands before she and Rick disappeared for that “talk.” “Well boys, what do you think?” She asked as she approached.
“Miss Kat, I think you have a real nice set up going for you here. Mr. Rick was just telling us that you did pretty much all of this yourself. It’s really amazing for one so young.” James answered with praise for her accomplishments.
“I a..agree Miss Kat.” Frank said. “It’s a real n..n..nice place. What do you want that w..w..we should do?”
“Well Frank, we put the cattle fairly close to the house so we can keep an eye on them. We have thirty head total between those two pastures. Over here, I have all my horses. GoldDust is the only stallion that resides on the property. There are a couple of upcoming colts that will need to be gelded and I’ll start on their training before long. I have about six mares that will be coming into season soon that I’ll need to have brought to GoldDust. Fourteen mares out in the west paddock have youngsters with them. Twelve geldings that we use for riding stock are for sale on the northeast side. Feel free to put your horses with the geldings if they have decent enough manners.” She allowed.
“The barn houses GoldDust, StarDust, MoonDust, Dusty Rose, and any of the pregnant mares that are about to foal.” She explained. “If there is ever a fire or anything like that you make sure the barn comes first; even before the house.”
“Any questions so far?” She asked waiting a second before continuing. “We’ll have dinner in the house. As long as you work here on the ranch, you will be part of the family. I don’t believe in hired hands. You are free to leave at any time. Other than that, let’s just play it by ear. You men go ahead and get settled in in the bunkhouse. I have to check on a litter of pups that we had just before we left. Belle could probably use some more food too. Come on up to the house when you’re ready. We’re going to have to make some plans.”
She went back into the barn to check on Belle and the six pups she had just a few days ago. The barn was cool and dark. She felt comfortable surrounded by the familiar scents of hay, earth, and animal. She approached the stall that Belle always chose when she had a litter and made some noise talking to the dog as she came up so as not to startle her. Unlatching the door, she slipped inside and closed the door back behind her. “Whatcha doin mama?” She stroked the dog’s soft coat and scratched behind her ears. “I’m going to check out your babies ok?” She picked them up one at a time examining their markings and tiny features, paying special attention to the little runt.
“Well guys, you are all looking pretty good. Great job Belle.” She praised as
She swung her leg down and got off Dusty, loosening his cinch and walking him for a bit to cool him down before taking him to the water trough. The horse drank deeply then she took him into the barn. She removed his saddle and blanket first and grabbed up a handful of hay wiping him down before taking a brush and working him over until his golden coat glistened.
Then, she unhooked the reins from his halter and hung them on the wall. With a hand on his halter, she walked him to his stall. He waited patiently like a faithful old dog for her to open his door before following her in. She forked out some fresh hay and gave him a double measure of oats as a reward for his hard work. “So what should I do Dust?” she asked him stroking his neck as he nosed the hay she left for him. “I know I could love him but I don’t know how anyone could love me. I’m used goods.” Dejected and not getting any answers from the horse, she walked from the barn noticing Angel and Matt taking care of Stardust.
Stalling for even more time, she decided she had better go talk to her new hands before she and Rick disappeared for that “talk.” “Well boys, what do you think?” She asked as she approached.
“Miss Kat, I think you have a real nice set up going for you here. Mr. Rick was just telling us that you did pretty much all of this yourself. It’s really amazing for one so young.” James answered with praise for her accomplishments.
“I a..agree Miss Kat.” Frank said. “It’s a real n..n..nice place. What do you want that w..w..we should do?”
“Well Frank, we put the cattle fairly close to the house so we can keep an eye on them. We have thirty head total between those two pastures. Over here, I have all my horses. GoldDust is the only stallion that resides on the property. There are a couple of upcoming colts that will need to be gelded and I’ll start on their training before long. I have about six mares that will be coming into season soon that I’ll need to have brought to GoldDust. Fourteen mares out in the west paddock have youngsters with them. Twelve geldings that we use for riding stock are for sale on the northeast side. Feel free to put your horses with the geldings if they have decent enough manners.” She allowed.
“The barn houses GoldDust, StarDust, MoonDust, Dusty Rose, and any of the pregnant mares that are about to foal.” She explained. “If there is ever a fire or anything like that you make sure the barn comes first; even before the house.”
“Any questions so far?” She asked waiting a second before continuing. “We’ll have dinner in the house. As long as you work here on the ranch, you will be part of the family. I don’t believe in hired hands. You are free to leave at any time. Other than that, let’s just play it by ear. You men go ahead and get settled in in the bunkhouse. I have to check on a litter of pups that we had just before we left. Belle could probably use some more food too. Come on up to the house when you’re ready. We’re going to have to make some plans.”
She went back into the barn to check on Belle and the six pups she had just a few days ago. The barn was cool and dark. She felt comfortable surrounded by the familiar scents of hay, earth, and animal. She approached the stall that Belle always chose when she had a litter and made some noise talking to the dog as she came up so as not to startle her. Unlatching the door, she slipped inside and closed the door back behind her. “Whatcha doin mama?” She stroked the dog’s soft coat and scratched behind her ears. “I’m going to check out your babies ok?” She picked them up one at a time examining their markings and tiny features, paying special attention to the little runt.
“Well guys, you are all looking pretty good. Great job Belle.” She praised as
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