curtesy and respect
After meeting our horses Tim took his hat off again and asked us if we were ready for lunch if so he would walk us over and have his lunch as well. I was curious so I asked him why he always took his hat off when talking to us. He smiled and said it's just a habit to always take your hat off to a woman when talking to them just like you always address a woman as either miss or mam around here its a curtesy, and you will notice that the off hand is always used that way if danger comes along you can get to your gun faster to protect them. Deb's asked what's a danger here you don't mean from the men. Oh no miss but remember you aren't in a city and we have both wild animals as well as snakes it just pays to be careful. D and I just looked at each other and I laughed and said our city side is showing.
Lunch on the ranch is a spread out picnic style so Tim showed us where to sit and explained some of the hands will be becoming up and introducing them selves to you it's not a testing the waters thing more to the fact that you are the ones protecting the lady Jane so they will want to talk a bit to reassure themselves you are good enough. Deb's stiffened and asked because we are women? Tim laughed and said no that has nothing to do with it, its the fact that it's the lady she is the hart of sir James and therefor the hart of the ranch so we worry about her all the time if you haven't noticed all the men are out and about walking and talking at a distance and about half have rifles'. (We did notice but did not mention it to him) about half of them maybe two thirds are normally resting or sleeping at this time several are on the overnight watch they protect the herd and the house overnight from predator's. What predators, sorry ladies that's not for me to say. He was right after we ate people came up two and three at a time to size us up.
After lunch Tim brought us over to the barn and in back to the tack room to show us the saddles. He had us try them one at a time till we found two that fit us. He then explained all the different attachments. We sat down and Tim said I am impressed with you both you managed to attract two war trained mounts that says a lot to me. War trained are the highest trained horses we have here maybe they sensed you are warriors at hart. I don't know but I do know that they are 4 years old and have never even come up to anyone before. So I will have to give you more intense training to handle them you will need to work with them daily and hard for the rest of the month so you will be sore for awhile but it will be worth it. These horses are trained to protect and defend there owners they will stand at your back or over you if they see that you are hurt. There are more hand and voice signals they know they are smarter then other horses as well as being bigger. If you pull your rifle they will stand head down and perfectly still till you fire no matter how winded they are when you do it. If you are hurt they will lay down and wait for you to crawl on them they will wait for you to strap yourself into the saddle before getting to there feet and slowly walk you home. or if they find a town they will wait there to get some one to help you before coming home. If they sense you have died they will pick up speed to get you home. The less intelligent ones we use as pack horses. We are breeding these horses for brain as well as strength. Any questions?
How old are you Tim? That you can train horses this well. Long story short after my father died our ranch got into trouble with me going to school full time and not leaving enough time for me to train the horses Sir James stepped in and paid for all the horses brought them here and brought me with them became my guardian having known my father from the army I guess he felt responsible for me being here I got my G.E.D and have been working here since I was 15 in charge of the training. I started working with horses when I was about 11 with my father we come from a long line of trainers my great great grandfather trained horses for the army and my grandfather after him then my father bought a small ranch and trained horses and showed me so here I am now. What can you tell us about the owner this Sir James? He frowned looked down and thought about something for a while then nodded his head looked up and said well I can say this that man can either be the kindest most gentile man you will ever meet or the deadliest enemy. Have you ever herd the expression big surprises come in small packages that is sir James. Either of you ever seen the movie the quiet man that in part will tell you what he is like very hard to anger but if you manage to do it run and keep running till the day you die, that kind of says it all he will not forget but he will forgive most things. and don't look to deep into his eyes you might see the monster there the one Jane has kept tamed and restrained that's why the lady Jane is so important to us I have seen the monster come out once not at me thank god but once seen not something ever forgotten. well lets go back the the main house it's Friday and that means early dinner and if you want come to the bunk house tonight if you feel like dancing and letting loose normally the bunkhouse is off limits except Friday and Saturday nights that when we let go.
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