As I debated moving closer, I noticed a second stallion. This stallion had one leg crossed over in front of the other with his head and neck stretched under the board fence eating grass on the other side. He looked like a contortionist!
When the contortionist stallion sensed my presence, he disengaged himself from under the fence and began to walk toward me at a somewhat fast clip. Hoping that he was as friendly as he appeared, I stood my ground.
This stallion was a pretty chocolate brown with a mane and tail filled with flaxen streaks but showing darker roots. He had a pretty head and intelligent eyes. Although considerably shorter than the black stallion, this boy had great conformation with an athletic look about him.
With his muzzle about two inches from my face, I decided that he was a friendly fellow just looking for a pat and some kind words.....He got both.
About this time, my husband beckoned me to look at some young colts that we were contemplating in addition to a couple of mares being considered for purchase. A stallion was not on our shopping list.
We looked at the colts, but I could not get the chocolate stallion out of my mind. I went back to look at him while my husband and the farm owner got some grain to lure the mares a little closer.
The two stallions were now playing. Though the taller black stallion had a striking presence, the shorter chocolate stallion commanded your attention. He looked like he was dancing; each movement appeared graceful and flowing. At one point, he looked like he curtsied before the black stallion.
When I asked the owner if the stallions were for sale, he priced both stallions at an equal amount of money. He went on to say that the chocolate stallion was 14.1 hands and needed to be at least 14.2 hands high to certify as a Rocky Mountain stallion. He thought that he would probably meet the height requirement with shoes on; plus, as a two year old, he most likely was still growing.
My husband and I decided to purchase one of the stallions. Practicality dictated that we should buy the taller, already certified stallion who also happened to have a great pedigree and wasn’t bad to look at either; but, my heart told me that I needed that little chocolate stallion who could curtsey and followed me around like a puppy dog.
Legacy has fathered ten foals thus far.....all with great personalities, and a few can even curtsey!
Lessons for Humans:
* Go With Your Heart
* Take Some Chances
* Learn How to Curtsey
(Or some other Slick Move)
UP-DATE: I wrote this story 2-3 years ago. Legacy now has several more offspring than the ten mentioned above including certified mares and a certified stallion. I’m glad that I listened to my heart!
