Crown Prince

by Linda Snow McLoon

  Jack shook his head. “There’s no excuse in the world for doing this to any animal. I hope they catch up with whoever left this horse to starve and throw him in jail!”

  “The authorities are looking into it,” Dr. Jenson said, patting the gray before leaving him to join them again in the aisle.

  They turned down a corridor leading to the hospital’s operating room, and once inside, Dr. Jenson showed them the operating table with its hydraulic lift. “Horses that need to be on their sides during surgery are strapped to this table when it’s in a vertical position, and once they’re anesthetized, the table is turned. That way a horse can be easily placed back in a standing position once the surgery is complete. We used this table for the colic surgery on Saturday. Larger hospitals often have special swimming pools, which provide a safer place for horses with leg surgeries to come out of anesthesia. Using the pool, a horse won’t injure himself further if he thrashes around as the anesthesia is wearing off.”

  Sarah found the tour interesting and Dr. Jenson very kind, but she couldn’t help worrying how Crown Prince was doing. She excused herself and went to check on him. He was walking around the stall when she arrived, more alert and appearing glad to see her.

  In a few minutes the others returned, and Dr. Jenson joined her in the stall. “The sedative I gave him wears off quickly, Sarah,” she said. “Would you please put Prince’s halter with his shank back on him? I’ll be right back.”

  Dr. Jenson left the stall, returning a few minutes later with a bottle of what appeared to be water in a jar and a plastic syringe. “It’s pretty easy to rinse a horse’s mouth with this salt-and-water mixture,” she said. Sarah and Kayla watched as she filled the syringe from the liquid in the jar, held the horse’s head up, and squirted the water into his mouth from the side near where the wolf tooth had been extracted. “Do you think you can handle this?” she asked.

  Sarah grinned. “Not a problem.”

  “As I mentioned, just mix a couple tablespoons of regular table salt to a quart of water to make the solution,” Dr. Jenson said. She looked at her watch. “I think that by the time you get Prince’s boots back on, he’ll be ready to travel.”

  “I’ll get them,” Kayla volunteered, and headed to the truck.

  “Don’t forget to take down the hay net,” Sarah called after her.

  “Good,” Dr. Jenson said. “You remembered about not feeding him hay. It looks like he’s in good hands.”

  With Crown Prince once again on the trailer, Sarah, Kayla, and Jack headed back to Brookmeade Farm. In the back seat Sarah was deep in thought. Getting rid of that tooth will be a whole new beginning for Prince, a turning point, she thought. It’s got to be.

  Kayla looked back at her. “Just think, now that the wolf tooth is out, you’ll be riding Prince pretty soon.” Sarah smiled. She liked the sound of that. “I sure hope so.”

  But Jack was quick to add a word of caution. “Best not to get ahead of ourselves here,” he said. “You girls are optimistic, to be sure. But we don’t know how he’ll react until he’s actually bridled with a saddle and a rider on his back. Old habits don’t always fade quickly, and ’tis possible he’ll connect being ridden with the pain he once had, even if ’tis all in his head. We need to be sure his jaw has fully healed before we put a bit in his mouth. Dr. Reynolds has predicted he’ll be fine in only a short time, but he’ll know more when he sees him on Saturday. I promised your father I’d oversee this thing, and we’ll not be in a big hurry to put you on his back.”

  Sarah’s heart sank. She’d allowed herself to believe the tooth’s removal would immediately make all the difference. She sat quietly, looking back at her horse, and thought about Jack’s warning. She and Prince weren’t out of the woods yet.

  CHAPTER 15

  The Troublemaker

  IN LESS THAN THIRTY MINUTES they were back in Yardley and turning into the Brookmeade Farm road. As soon as the truck rolled to a stop near the barn, Sarah and Kayla went to check on Crown Prince. Unlike his first arrival at the farm, when he was extremely nervous, today he seemed quiet and laid-back. Sarah put her hand on his neck. “He’s dry. I guess he’s getting used to traveling in a two-horse trailer.”

  Gus was cleaning a stall near the barn’s doorway. When he saw the truck pull up, he put down his manure fork and came out of the barn. Jack was getting out of the truck as Gus approached.

  “The horse’s new stall is ready,” Gus said unemotionally. “He can go in it now.” With that he turned and went back into the barn, passing Spin and Taco as they came trotting by. Mrs. DeWitt was right behind them, and she hurried over.

  “Tell me how the surgery went,” she said. “I’ve been thinking about it all morning.”

  “Super,” Sarah said, reaching down to pet Spin. She straightened, smiling. “The roots were normal, and the tooth pretty much popped right out.” She picked up a small stick and threw it for the dogs to chase.

  Mrs. DeWitt glanced at Jack, who gave a thumbs-up sign. “So far so good,” he said. “There were no complications.”

  “And the best part is that Dr. Reynolds thinks it will heal fast,” Sarah added.

  Mrs. DeWitt threw her head back and clapped her hands. “I couldn’t be more pleased! And I speak for Chandler as well.”

  “We got to see the other horses at the clinic,” Kayla said, her face becoming serious. “Dr. Reynolds’ new vet, Dr. Jenson, gave us a tour.” She went on to tell Mrs. DeWitt about the horse rescued by the SPCA. “You wouldn’t believe how thin he was. He was starved.”

  “The vets there see many sad cases,” Mrs. DeWitt said. “They try to help every horse, and do a wonderful job in so many ways.”

  “Yes,” Jack said, “‘tis too bad some folks get a horse or a pony with no idea what’s involved in its care. A man in the next town over bought a pony for his three children, thinking that tethering the pony on their front lawn would provide all the food he needed. They gave him a drink of water once a day. I suspect it was really a lawn mower or a babysitter he was wanting. The kids rode the pony hard, and nobody noticed he was getting thin as a blade. He could hardly stand when a neighbor finally called the authorities.”

  “It’s a good thing there are organizations like the Pony Club and 4-H,” Mrs. DeWitt said. “They teach youngsters the right way to care for their animals.”

  Sarah saw that Crown Prince was standing quietly in the trailer, not seeming anxious to be unloaded. She turned to Mrs. DeWitt. “Did you know the new stalls are ready? I suppose Medina will be coming back to the barn soon.”

  “We’re one step ahead of you.” Mrs. DeWitt smiled. “While you were gone, Gus stripped the stall and put in new bedding, making it ready for Medina. I walked her over here just a short time ago. She was content in the carriage shed, but she seems pretty happy to be back in her old stall with her favorite neighbors. Actually, I think she’d have no complaints wherever she was, as long as her hay and grain kept coming in a timely manner.”

  “There’s a window in Prince’s new stall,” Sarah said, frowning. “I hope he won’t break the glass and cut himself.”

  “Not to worry,” Mrs. DeWitt said. “Gus covered the inside of the window with a screen this morning. Prince will probably like watching the horses in the turnout paddocks. Gus did a wonderful job getting the new stall ready. He scrubbed his water bucket and filled it with fresh water. Then he put lots of bedding on top of the thick mats. But there’s no hay in sight. Gus thought the vet wouldn’t want him to have any until his mouth has healed.”

  “He was right about that,” Kayla said. “And once Prince’s mouth has healed….” She grinned at Sarah, who knew what she was thinking. Riding him would be next.

  “Thanks for reminding me, Kayla.” Jack said. His gaze turned to Sarah. “It’s time for you to go back to Atlantic Saddlery to be fitted to an all-purpose saddle. Of course you’ll also have to get the things that go with it. Stirrup irons and leathers, a saddle pad, and a girth are purchased separately.
Be sure to get a big enough girth for a large horse.” For a bridle, I recommend one with a flash noseband—and pick out a five-inch, fat snaffle bit. He paused a moment, looking thoughtful. “We’ll soon be finding out how he’ll react to it.”

  “Well, this is a coincidence!” Mrs. DeWitt said, delighted with the news. “I’m planning to make a run to the tack shop right after lunch, and I’d love to have both of you girls come with me.”

  “Awesome!” Sarah said, feeling excited that the moment was getting closer when she would actually ride her horse.

  Kayla frowned. “I have a lesson with Fanny this afternoon, so I’ve got to get home. In fact, I’d better call my mom right now to see when she’s picking me up.” She pulled out her phone and walked away to make the call.

  Sarah thought a moment before speaking to Mrs. DeWitt. “We’ll be going by my house on the way. Would you mind stopping so I can get the gift card?”

  “Of course not,” Mrs. DeWitt said. “I’ll be at the barn at one o’clock to pick you up,” she said over her shoulder as she turned to walk back to the farmhouse. She whistled for her Jack Russells, and the three of them disappeared around the side of the barn just as Kayla returned.

  “Mom should be here in a few minutes,” Kayla said. “She’s in a hurry and wants me to be in the parking lot.”

  Sarah smiled at Kayla. “Thanks for coming. You helped a lot.”

  “Let’s get your horse unloaded and into his new stall,” Jack said to Sarah.

  Sarah was beginning to feel more comfortable getting Prince on and off a horse trailer. She stepped inside and disconnected the trailer tie after attaching the lead shank to his halter. Once Jack lowered the ramp and unhooked the butt bar, she asked Prince to move backward. He was quieter than usual, and calmly backed down the ramp. This time there was no hesitation as they approached the barn’s entryway, and Prince willingly walked inside.

  “Your horse seems a little on the lackluster side,” Jack said, walking behind them. “Perhaps he’d still be affected by the sedative.” Prince’s racing plates rang on the cement floor of the aisle, and Jack raised his voice to call out to Sarah, “He needs to have his shoes pulled and his feet trimmed when the farrier is here next week.”

  As they neared Medina’s stall, where up until now Crown Prince had lived, Sarah saw the lovely mare standing close to the bars, watching them with her ears pricked. There was no doubt as to her breeding—everything about her screamed Arab. Her large dark eyes, which contrasted sharply with her almost white coat, were set far apart, and her head tapered to a dainty muzzle. Viewed from the side, she had the concave dished profile typical of Arabians. The mare had beautiful movement when Mrs. DeWitt was riding her—with her tail held high, she seemed to skim over the ground.

  Moving with his head lower than usual, Prince didn’t notice Medina until she nickered softly in greeting. He came to a sudden stop and turned to look closely at the mare before answering with a throaty neigh. Sarah tried to get him moving past the stall, but he strained against the lead shank, pulling toward Medina, until the two horses touched noses between the bars. Both sniffed the other curiously, their nostrils quivering.

  Sarah laughed. “I guess Prince has found a girlfriend.” The horses continued to sniff noses until Jack slapped Prince’s rump to urge him forward. He reluctantly turned away from Medina and followed Sarah along the aisle and into his new stall. It looked beautiful! The sun’s rays coming in the window brightened the new wood on the walls and turned the deep bed of pine shavings golden.

  After she removed the shipping boots and left him free in the stall, Prince went immediately to the casement window to look at the horses turned out in the paddocks. Finally turning to the new red feed tub Gus had hung in the corner, Prince found a mash waiting. Gus is on top of everything, Sarah thought. He knew just what the vet would want Prince to be fed.

  Jack must have been thinking the same thing. “Gus usually gets a blue ribbon in the horse care department,” he said.

  Sarah was removing Prince’s halter when she heard Tim Dixon’s voice behind her.

  “Are we playing musical stalls at Brookmeade Farm?” he asked.

  “Hey, Tim,” Sarah said, as she slipped out of the stall and slid the door shut. “What do you think of the new stalls?”

  “I’d say this one is larger than Medina’s. Your big guy should have plenty of room. Do you know if anyone is taking the other new stall across the aisle? It’s huge, too.”

  Jack nodded. “I believe Richard Snyder has reserved the stall for Rita’s horse for the next few weeks. With the show season about to heat up, he wants Rita to have a number of private lessons without having to truck the horse over here each time.”

  “Cool,” Tim replied. He looked at Sarah, who wasn’t thrilled to hear the news. Having a steady diet of Rita wasn’t something she looked forward to.

  “Jack, now that I’m going to get a saddle, should I put it on Prince when I longe him?” Sarah asked.

  “The more you can provide experiences much like being ridden but without any pain the better. But I think for the first time he’s saddled, ’twill be best if I’m the one who longes him. Your new saddle will be far different and heavier than the postage stamp saddles they use at the track, and we need to be sure it fits him. But we should allow him a little more time, at least 24 hours following the surgery. I’ll have some free time late tomorrow morning when we can school him, but make sure you turn him out for a half hour or so before hand.”

  “I’m glad it’s okay for Prince to graze in a paddock,” Sarah said.

  “Once you get your tack, you should oil the bridle, if you’ll be wanting it to last a long time. Hold off on doing anything to the saddle until we try it on your horse. If ’tis not a good fit, you can exchange it for another. I don’t see anything out-of-the-ordinary about Crown Prince’s conformation that will be problematic in fitting a saddle, so pick out an all-purpose that fits you, and then we’ll try it on him,” Jack instructed.

  After Jack left, Sarah and Tim turned to look at Prince in his new stall. He’d finished the mash and was pawing the shavings. As expected, he lowered himself to roll in the bedding, nimbly twisting back and forth on his back. Finally he sprang to his feet and shook like a retriever after a swim.

  “How did the tooth pulling go?” Tim asked.

  “Great! That huge tooth had normal sized roots, so Dr. Reynolds was able to yank it out. Now I can hardly wait for the hole in his mouth to heal so I can ride him. I just hope he’ll be okay with a bit.”

  “Which reminds me,” Tim said, “Rita offered to let me borrow her Dr. Bristol snaffle bit, and she told me she left it with you. That’s what I came to pick up.”

  Sarah’s cheeks warmed with embarrassment. “Oh, I’m so sorry! When Rita asked me to give it to you, I put it in my sweatshirt pocket. So it went home with me. I was hurrying this morning and forgot to bring it.”

  Tim looked disappointed. “I really wanted Jack to see how Rhodes will go with that bit in the lesson this afternoon.”

  Sarah searched for a solution. “I’m not riding with you guys today, and Mrs. DeWitt is dropping me off at my house on the way back from the tack shop. Can you stop by and pick the bit up before your lesson? Will that work?”

  “Yeah, sure,” Tim said, agreeably. “Then I guess I’ll head out. Can you call me when you’re leaving the tack shop?”

  “Not a problem,” Sarah said, wishing she had thought of the bit earlier.

  When she was sure Prince was relaxed in his new stall, Sarah got her lunch from her backpack in the tack room and went outside to the bench in a shady spot. She had just finished eating her turkey sandwich when Mrs. DeWitt pulled into the parking area. Sarah jumped up from the bench and hurried to Mrs. DeWitt’s Mercedes. She was disappointed the terriers weren’t there, but it was just as well. It was too warm on this summer day to leave them in a vehicle while they were shopping.

  Mrs. DeWitt smiled at Sarah when she climbed in besi
de her. “Are you excited to be getting your own saddle?”

  Sarah flashed a broad smile back. “I sure am, because the next step will be riding my horse, just as soon as his mouth has healed.”

  Mrs. DeWitt put the car into gear, and soon they were moving along the farm road, heading to the beach and Atlantic Saddlery. From regularly riding this way on her bike, Sarah was getting to know every rise, fall, and bump on the road. She waved to Kathleen O’Brien, who was coming out of the bungalow as they passed.

  When they turned onto Ridge Road, Mrs. DeWitt became serious. “Sarah, you’ve had quite a week, bringing Crown Prince back to the farm and then dealing with all the problems that have come up. But I think you’ve turned the corner. I feel strongly that having the wolf tooth out will make all the difference for Prince. I won’t be surprised if he’s left all his bad behavior at the racetrack.”

  Sarah was reassured to hear her say that. “I knew when I first saw Prince that he was a special horse.”

  “Did you know that Hank Bolton stopped to see Chandler and me before he left Yardley last night? He told us about the surprise visit he paid to your family. We had no idea he was planning to do that. I hope his call wasn’t upsetting to you.”

  “He caught all of us by surprise,” Sarah said, “but I knew right away why he was there. Sometime yesterday he put a copy of the letter he’d given me in our mailbox, so my parents had read it before I got home.”

  “Hank said you were adamant you wouldn’t give up Crown Prince for anything in the world. He said you never wavered. I must say, that was one sweet deal you turned down, and it must have taken a lot of courage to do that!”

  Sarah was quiet, as the memory of the meeting with Mr. Bolton played back through her mind. It seemed like an eternity ago. She remembered her words and the way she had spoken to him. “I’m afraid I was totally rude. I don’t know what came over me,” Sarah admitted.

  “Hank said he observed something that impressed him a great deal. He told us that your parents backed you up one-hundred percent. Even with the large amount of money involved, they were willing to let you make the final decision. Do you know how fortunate you are to have parents who will stand behind you like that?”