Mandy couldn t remember a when time she hadn t been around horses But now to have her very own horse was almost more than she could stand Her dad had always promised I old her one When feel you re enough to have the responsibility is what he'd always told her So today she was doubly proud Her dad trusted her to care for her very own horse A half hour later she got out of the car She swung open the big gate leading to the Callahan home and nearby stables Mandy felt like running ahead Instead she scooted back into the car and rode the rest of the way up the Callahan driveway But when they both got out and began to walk over toward one of the stable buildings Mandy could wait no longer She ran forward eagerly Wait for me young lady her dad called after her You don't even know what stall she's in Oh Dad Mandy cried You re so slow I'm so OLD he laughed It's the third stall over honey But slow down Don't scare her to death 10
Mandy looked inside at her horse Solana de Omega Mandy was sure that she had never seen anything quite as beautiful Solana had all the fine lines of the Paso Fino breed short inward curved ears large wide spaced eyes with a gentle expression and a thick arched neck all of the finest features She was a buckskin too Creamy yellow in color with a black mane tail and stockings Oh Daddy Mandy whispered she's so perfect Solana's natural curiosity brought her over to the door of the stall Mandy stroked her soft muzzle Dr Wilson looked pleased He said She's a great little horse honey Pasos are very affec tionate you know Sometimes they act more like puppies than horses She'll follow you around once she gets attached to you They re very intelligent too Can I ride her right now Mandy asked eagerly Then her face fell Oh no I don't have any tack Mandy knew how expensive saddles and bridles were That s the best part about Pasos her
father said Solana can be ridden with a rope rein Here slip this on her He removed a handmade rope rein from a nail next to Solana's stall Mandy opened the stall door slipped the gear over Solana's head and led the horse out side Dr Wilson gave her a leg up and Mandy sat tall on Solana's bare back Go on Mandy Give her her head Mandy clucked softly and Solana began a smooth natural relaxed gait As Mandy rode around the yard she marveled at how comfort able Solana's gait was There was no teeth jarring bouncing like other saddle horses just a smooth flowing ride Suddenly Mandy saw the familiar form of her friend Laura hanging over the pasture fence She tugged slightly on the left of the rope rein Solana responded instantly and headed toward the fence Mandy pulled her to a stop in front of Laura Well what do you think Isn't Solana just beautiful Mandy asked eagerly She s okay Laura offered Kind of a runt though don't you think 12
Too 66 HAT do you mean Mandy asked She felt her cheeks become flushed with anger Oh nothing Laura shrugged She seems so much smaller than Diablo Well she is a lot smaller than Diablo W said Mandy Pasos only stand about thirteen to fifteen hands high Laura eyed Solana mentally measuring the distance between the ground and the top of her shoulders I guess she's less than fourteen hands she said Diablo measures in at sixteen Do you want to ride with me Mandy asked changing the subject 13
