Bubba and the Chocolate Farm 3- Heartfelt Horses- Where Love is Enoug

by Connie Foss

  “Bubba, it really hurt when the doctor told us that the reason Brett is…well, like he is, is because he has autism.” It doesn’t take long for Meg to begin to unburden herself, telling me how much she is worried.“It is so hard to accept, when he seemed so perfect as a baby. Now he doesn’t talk, he has temper tantrums, he sits and stares like he’s a zombie, and he… Well, there is no reason to keep rehearsing all of this. It is what it is, and we’ll learn to deal with it and help him. He’s still our Brett, and he will always be loved. Come on, Bubba, let’s do some great jumping and throw those bad thoughts right out of the arena.”

  We did, and as we trot back to the stable, I can feel how much more relaxed Meg is. I guess maybe I’m a good therapy horse for Meg.

  CHAPTER FOUR:

  Visitors

  I whinny to Annie, my sweetheart, as we trot along the lane alongside her pasture. She is a beautiful bay, a world-class jumper. In fact, we met at a Class A show and fell in love. Now her owner, Milt, has retired her to have our babies. Seeing her contented in the pasture with the other mares and foals, watching our latest little boy playing tag with his friends, I know I’m a lucky guy. Annie was the therapy horse for Mickey before she had our baby. I expect she’ll be in the therapy barn when she weans our little boy…until we have another one. Life is wonderful when you stop to think about it.

  As I drop to a walk and come into the stable, I notice a young lady and a little girl standing just inside the door, apparently waiting for Meg. Meg greets her and then, hopping down from the saddle, she says to Nancy, who helps take care of us, “Will you please cool out Bubba for me, Nancy, and then put him in his stall? Thanks.”

  After she unsaddles me, Nancy and I go for a little stroll, so I don’t get to hear why the lady and little girl are here. During the evening, after the stable is buttoned up for the night,Tom comes strolling into my stall, hops up on the tailboard and begins to groom himself, while he tells me the latest edition of The Chocolate Farm news. What would I do without Tom? He’s a regular sleuth who makes it his business to keep track of what is going on with all of us. With Tom covering our world from the ground and Mr. O looking down on it, we get the total picture.

  As his tongue slicks down his shiny black hair, I notice he is graying around his muzzle. Not surprising, when you remember he’s getting up there in years. Exactly how old he is, I don’t know, but he’s older than I am. When Julie and I were born, he was already here. Of course, it tornado, and Meg and Bill had this one built, which is so much bigger and better.And now we have the new therapy stable next door, too.

  “Bubba, did you see the lady and little girl who were here this morning?” Tom asks as he begins to clean his paws.

  “I did, but I don’t know who they are or what they wanted. Do you?”

  “What a question. Of course I do. I ain’t just a rat catcher, you know. I got a job to do.” In between lickings,Tom gives us the scoop on the lady and little girl.

  “The lady’s name is Paula something-or-other, and the little girl’s name is Whysper. Neat name, ain’t it? Same name as Nancy’s mare.

  two-pound baby, whose ma didn’t want her. Hard to imagine, ain’t it? I heard Paula tell Meg that Whysper has a slew of problems. I don’t know what they are, but they’re called somethin’ like cerebral palsy, something about lungs, cognitive something or other, and autism. I recognized the last one,‘cause I’ve heard Bruce say that Mickey has that.You know what alcohol is? Well, the problem was that the mother had been guzzlin’ it before Whysper was born.”

  “Sometimes people are pretty stupid, aren’t they?” I say. “Yeah, it’s worse than a rat eating rat poison. He doesn’t know it’s bad, but people know alcohol is a poison. Stupid for sure!” I think about this poor little girl with all of those problems.

  problems?”

  “Ain’t sure.Ya see I was in the stall ‘round the corner, stalkin’

  a mouse and I couldn’t catch it all. Didn’t catch the mouse neither. I

  did hear that it was Mickey’s dad who told them about The Chocolate

  Farm, but I don’t know why they came.They might have been wantin’ to

  buy one of you guys.”

  “Oh, no!” I cry as fear runs through me. “Are we for sale,Tom?

  Do you know something that I don’t know? Surely Meg would never

  sell me.”

  “ Well, she did once,” Tom said, as he returns to his grooming.

  CHAPTER FIVE:

  Whysper

  The rest of the day seems to last forever. I can’t think of anything else but being sold. Where would I go? Would I be pulling a carriage again? Oh, no! I’d have to leave Annie, maybe never see her again and not jump any more! With those thoughts, I roar my fear, my whinny surely heard even by Annie out in the pasture.

  At least it’s heard by Lilly, who comes to check on me and see what all the fuss is about.“Hey, big guy, are you lonesome? Hungry? Well, it’ll soon be time to eat, so just be patient.”

  Lilly is usually pretty understanding, but this time she doesn’t have a clue what I’m hollering about, and I can’t tell her. Only Percy understands, and, though he is usually pretty much only into himself, he does do some sympathetic nickering.

  “Bill, we have a new therapy student,” I hear Meg say, as she and Bill are in the tack room putting away the day’s tack.

  “Good.Who is it? Another veteran for Bubba?” Since Bill and I were in the therapy barn earlier with John, he’s thinking about adults.

  Meg tells Bill what she knows.

  “Did you hear that, Percy? What a relief! Whysper and her mother

  aren’t wanting to buy me or you. The mother, Tom said her name is

  Paula, just wants Whysper to be part of the therapy program.”

  “She has a whole bunch of problems, but, even though she was given a raw deal being born to an alcoholic mother, her adoptive mom, Paula, is super.Anyway, they’ll be starting next week.We need to hustle to round up some volunteers. Jack says the most of the therapy people won’t be like John, for they will need to have two people, one on each side of them, as they learn to function on a horse. So that means that, for each therapy student in a class, we will need three people on the ground, the two with a hand on each of the rider’s legs and one with the lead rope. Jack will be in the center of the ring giving directions. Of course, until we have more than one student at a time, Jack can be the lead person.”

  “But didn’t Mickey’s mom say she could help?” Bill reminds Jack. “She did, but we’ll think of her as a backup, for she’d only be able to come when Mickey is here. I don’t think it’s a good idea to use a parent. During the time her child is with us, she can be relieved of

  Horses. I don’t think it’ll be hard to get volunteers. My mom might have some friends who will be glad to volunteer. I guess it’s really Jack’s job

  Supper is over, with just a little more hay to enjoy, the lights are out, the doors closed and the day is over, a favorite time everyday. With the activity of the day over, the calmness of the night slips silently over the stable, kind of like fog, softening any sound and even any bad thought.The problems of the day melt away, leaving only peace.

  That is, until Boo gives chase to Tom. Remember Boo? He is such a weird guy, with that big lump on top of his nose, and his awkward puppy-like gallop. He’s no longer a puppy by any means, but just as playful and clumsy as though he still is. Both Boo and Tom know the chase is just a game. Even in his wildest dreams, Boo is no match for Tom’s speed and cunning escape strategies. That doesn’t prevent this from happening often for obviously both Boo and Tom enjoy the chase.

  This time it ends abruptly when Mr. O gets into the act. I was noticing him sitting on his rafter, swiveling his head back and forth, following the progress down below.As superior as he appears to be, for him to want to be involved with such a thing never crossed my mind. As Tom skids around the corner of the stall row, with Boo gallumping along behind, Mr. O, with a silent
swoop and no warning, lands on Boo’s back.

  Happy go-lucky Boo lets out a howl, throws himself to the ground, rolling over to submit to whatever demon has grabbed him. Mr. O is back on his rafter, looking calm and undisturbed. Had I not seen it happen, I wouldn’t have believed Mr. O has a mischievous bone in his body. Poor Boo, not knowing what had landed on his back, clambers to his feet, frantically looking around, and, with his tail tucked between his legs, scampers out of the barn.

  Out of the corner of his eye,Tom had seen Mr.O swoop down and was not about to let him get away with that.“You nincompoop, Mr. O. That was a stupid thing to do. You ain’t got near as much sense as you think you do, if you don’t know an attack like that is jes plain mean.”

  Mr. O, regally perched on his rafter, totally ignores Tom, pretending he doesn’t know Tom is talking to him or has an inkling what Tom is talking about.

  In a huff,Tom returns to his nightly mission, and for all practical purposes there is nothing else going to happen tonight.As I relax, I drift

  CHAPTER SIX:

  Feather

  With show season about to start, there’s a lot going on what with getting each of us ready and still keeping the therapy and the breeding going. Annie doesn’t jump any more, so she is still available for therapy clients. Since I only show in Class A All- Breed shows, plus one class in our local Arabian spring show, I am still available for John. Geoffrey is the one who will be going to all the Arabian shows and be the busiest.

  that is okay, but I doubt if Jack will use Geoffrey for Whysper, but she might use Betty or Beauty or Clarence. I heard Jack tell Meg that she has signed up two more therapy kids, both with forms of autism. Yes, Jack and Heartfelt Horses will be busy, too.

  truck pulling a trailer drives up just outside our barn. A white-haired elderly gentleman in worn faded jeans climbs out of the driver’s side of the truck. Using a cane to help him walk, he goes back to the rear of the

  my sister Julie. She is obviously an Arabian, with the wonderful scoop to her nose, the large brown eyes that are brightly looking around, and the

  back and strong hip, and she is a living picture. She doesn’t give the man any trouble, but she does prance around a bit, showing lots of spirit.

  “Mr. Connell, glad to see you.Wow, I guess you were right when you said she is exceptional. Just two years old, huh? Looks as though she’s going to mature out at a good 15 plus hands.What kind of action does she have?” It’s Bill, who has come out to greet the man and his

  She’s too young to be ridden, and too young to breed.

  “I thank you kindly,” says Mr. Connell. “She is the prettiest foal

  we’ve had in the thirty years we’ve been in the Arabian business.As to

  her action, see for yourself,” and Mr. Connell lets the lead rope go out

  to its full length, gives a click with his mouth, and raises his right arm.

  know how it feels for it reminds me of my trot. She knows what knees are for, and uses them as she gets the kinks out of her legs. “Well now. That is something else,” says Bill as he walks up to

  her name?”

  “Her name is Feather, and it seems appropriate, for she has such

  “Good name. I don’t think I’ve ever known a horse with that name.” Bill is walking all around Feather, as she stands obediently alongside Mr. Connell. “If I remember our conversation, you would like us to show her in halter classes at the shows this year, and begin training her for next year’s under-saddle classes?”

  “Yes, the wife and I think Feather is the one that is going to bring fame to our bloodlines.We know it’s going to be expensive, the training and showing costs, but we’ve decided to put off retirement until she has proved herself and our breeding program.”

  Just then Meg comes out of the stable and, seeing Feather and Mr. Connell, she brightens considerably. Something else to think about. Feather has put Brett’s situation out of her mind for the moment.

  “Mr. Connell, how nice to see you again. I’ve seen you at the Arabian shows over the years, though I think we’ve never formally met.

  hands with Mr. Connell.“She is lovely.What’s her name?”

  After Meg is up to date with the conversation and the plan, she says,” What training have you given her up to this point, Mr. Connell?”

  “She goes well on the long line and stands well. She’s very quick to learn so I don’t think it’ll take you more than a few days to polish her

  she’s ready, she will be for the next one. I did go ahead and enter her in the two year-old halter class, and I have kept a blanket on her in the stall all winter, so her coat is pretty good.”

  “It certainly looks good.You and Bill get her settled in a stall and do the paper work. I have a bit more to do in the other barn, and then Bill and I will give her a try. One of us will call you tomorrow. See you later and thanks for trusting us with her,” and Meg walks back into the stable.

  I have kept still entirely too long, so I give Feather a welcome whinny. She answers with a warm, gentle voice, and I’m in love.

  CHAPTER SEVEN:

  Lost

  That evening Tom stops by to check in, hops up on the tailboard, and with a sly grin on his face says, “Hey, Bubba, you’re getting quite a harem, ain’t cha? I saw your new gal over in a stall on the other aisle, and she is one hot babe. How are you workin’ this, getting’ all the gals in the country to visit you?”

  “I expect you’re talking about Feather. I agree. She is worth paying attention to, but don’t give me a hard time. Sadly, she isn’t here to be my gal. She’s in training for the shows.After all,Tom, she’s only two years old. She’s too young for me.”

  “Well, that’s no good. I feel for ya’, but you’ve got enough gals comin’ and goin’.With all your gals, you’ll be so tuckered out when you go to the next show, you’ll not be able to jump.Your head’ll be hangin’, your legs all bruised up ‘cause you ran into the jump instead of jumpin’ it.” Tom is so busy cackling at what he said, that he doesn’t see me moving over to give him a push off the tailboard.

  even, but it’ll be nice to have Feather around.That’s her name, right? The more horses in the barn, the more feed that ends up on the ground and just lies there, waitin’ for the rats to snatch it up.That fattens them up for me! Good timin’, too, for the misses and I are expectin’ again.We’ll need lots of food for the younguns,” Tom adds as he heads out of the stall, starting his nightly rounds.

  That’s news, for sure.The last time he and his wife had a litter, they had ten kittens to feed. Fortunately, Mr. O was more than happy to help catch rats and mice for them. I don’t know if Mr. O will oblige this time.We shall see.

  Suddenly the lights are thrown on in the stable, and Bill is hollering, “Brett! Brett, where are you?” As Bill runs past my stall, he says,“Bubba, Brett is missing.Where could he be?”

  Oh my stars! Brett is missing? Where could he have gone? I haven’t seen him, but I wish I had. For such a little kid to be gone raises all kinds of thoughts, thoughts that are not good.

  The whole stable is awake and murmuring, all of us wondering what could have happened. Mr. O is not on his rafter but out foraging.

  The night doesn’t provide much rest for any of us, but dawn does come, and, blessedly, the sun pops over the horizon bringing hope. At last, Bill and Meg come to start our day and with them the news that Brett is sound asleep in his own bed. It is not until later in the morning that I overhear Meg telling Lilly what happened the night before.

  “Lilly, it was terrifying…not knowing where Brett was.We didn’t know he was gone until we came up to the house after work yesterday.

  get him dressed after his nap, he wasn’t there. She looked everywhere she could think of, and he just wasn’t anywhere. So we started looking. Bill even came down and looked all through the barns, but no luck.Then, when we looked in the attic, I remembered how much he loved our Christmas tree. So I opened the box it’s stored in, and there he was,


  “I don’t know, Lilly. How in the world are we going to handle Brett? He seems to be getting worse. Mom is so patient with him, more so than I am, but maybe none of us is up to this. I just don’t know. I just don’t know.”

  CHAPTER EIGHT:

  PTSD

  “Okay, Bubba, this is our day to give John another ride.You up to it?” says Bill as he comes into my stall. “Since Jack wants John to learn how to groom and saddle you, we’ll just grab your saddle and bridle and head on over to the stable.”

  As Bill and I saunter along, he says,“You need a good grooming, old boy.You must have been doing some lying down last night, for you have straw in your tail. I’ll bet it felt good though, to get the weight off your feet. I sure like lying down. It gets the kinks out of one’s back, too, doesn’t it?”

  “Morning, Jack. Bubba and Bill reporting for duty. John here yet?” Jack does all of the feeding and exercising of the horses in the Heartfelt stable and is just back from turning the last horse out in

  few things with you before he gets here. First, we’ll put Bubba in the crossties for John to do the grooming. I’ll guide him through that, and then you will take over with the saddling and bridling.”

  As she selects the brushes and curry combs that John will need, she says, “I did a little studying last night about people who have the same condition that John has, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I think it’s important that we understand a bit about what he is confronting every day. He may be emotionally numb, not sleeping, and have recurring terror thoughts about his past experience. He may be feeling guilt or shame, be irritable or angry at the world. He is probably on constant ‘red alert,’ and easily startled.All or any of these symptoms are reason

  for him. Happiness is what we need to radiate, letting him know that all is well. Bubba’s warmth and calmness and eventual friendship will be a huge plus in John’s recovery.