Chosen Aptitude: The Adventures Of 'Merlin'
When I first came to the FLTAP barn I was quite impressed with both the facilities and the staff. I had been keeping an eye on their website and all of the available horses for adoption for several months. I came to the barn with one particular horse in mind, but after kicking the tires and taking him for a test drive, I decided that we just didn't click, and that it probably wouldn't be a good match. Meanwhile, another horse was being prepared for me to ride, so I cruised the barn like a kid in a candy store. I came upon my better half, Bernie, peering into a stall, saying, "Take a look at this one, I think he likes me."
I had to agree as I watched the handsome bay gelding reach his nose to the bars of the stall door with curiosity.
"Hmmmf"...Kerri commented as she walked by, "He usually stays in the back of his stall when people come by."
"Chosen Aptitude" was his name, and after riding him, I knew that he was indeed the chosen one. I felt like I had been riding him for years, and felt very comfortable with him. Adoption arrangements were made, and we took him home and renamed him "Merlin."
The first time that Merlin went through the fence, I thought, Oh boy, what did I get myself into. My two Percherons watched placidly as he careened through the fence, and continued on into the second half of the pasture. Heart pounding, I fled after him, wondering, where is the Vet's number, and how many stitches will he need. The backend of a horse was all I saw for the next several minutes as I attempted to calm him and get him to slow down long enough to assess the damage. Gasping for breath, I finally caught up to him, and was able to grab his halter. One ding on the forehead and another area on his front leg was missing some hair and skin, but other than that, and being a little wired, he was fine.
Thankfully, things went uphill from there, and Merlin has become a part of both our human and equine family.
Bit by bit, I watched some amazing changes take place as the days and weeks passed. The first thing to disappear was the stress and anxious expression in his eyes. He is no longer in constant motion, as though trying to get away from someone or something. He now has two large buddies to help him watch out for Lions and Tigers and Bears...Oh My! He's become very attached to the Percherons, and feels that antagonizing them on a daily basis is part of his new job. I watch in amusement as he twirls and dances around his pastures mates, throwing out a halfhearted kick or a quick nip here and there. They just look at him as though he's their kid brother; something to be tolerated, even if he's a pain in the neck. They might lumber off to another part of that pasture, but soon he comes prancing over with a new plan of attack. It amazes me that they endure his antics, yet they do, even though they could flatten him at a moments notices with their bulk. He often wedges himself between the massive Percherons; a blob of brown, surrounded by gray on each side; a Merlin sandwich if you will. At any rate, for better or worse, Tessa and Moose seem to have grudgingly adopted him.
Other changes include a new winter coat, replacing the sleek hide that he sported a couple of months ago. Another new fashion accessory is the addition of mud, which he is very fond of wearing. Rolling everyday seems to have been added to his daily hygiene schedule.
I was told at the adoption center that Merlin wasn't much of an eater, and that he didn't care much for treats. That changed on day one! He's a vacuum and he's decided that treats are NOT some human terrorist plot against all equines. In fact, he now seems to think of me as a human vending machine, dispensing goodies on a regular basis.
He seems to enjoy riding the trails, but still gets kind of nervous about leaving his giant bodyguards. I'm sure that the neighbors are thrilled as my horses whinny loudly to one another in sorrowful farewell.
All in all, we are very happy with each other, and each day is a new experience; he's not perfect, but then, neither am I.
I'd like to thank all of those involved with FLTAP for making this union possible. Many Thanks also to Kerri and Carly for taking the time to help me make a decision on finding the right horse. I know that at times it must get overwhelming and frustrating. Maybe there are days when you feel that you don't make a difference, but trust me, you do. Please keep doing what you do best, saving one life at a time.
By: Judy Whyland.
