Read Online Comeback by Jessica Burkhart - Free Book Online Page B

proper training. Even though Mr.
     Farley seemed nice, I was très protective of mon amour (my love!), and I was going to watch every
     second—as much as I trusted Mr. Conner to have a top farrier on call.
    Mr. Farley picked up her hoof and cradled it between his knees. He reached
     into his apron pocket and pulled out a pair of tongs. I tried to cross my toes, since my
     hands were busy. I peered to the side and saw Mr. Farley run his thumb over her hoof,
     pressing on the frog, or V-shaped part. Whisper didn’t react to his touch. Nor did
     she move when he applied more pressure with the metal tongs.
    â€œLooks fine to me,” Mr. Farley said. “I don’t see
     any hint of soreness.”
    â€œYay,” I said quietly, stroking Whisper’s cheek. In my
     gut, I hadn’t thought she was sore, but I knew I’d never feel at ease until
     Wisp got a once-over from a professional.
    Mr. Farley kept her hind leg in his grasp and trimmed
     her hoof with a pair of nippers. Whisper didn’t mind this part. After trimming, he
     used a hoof knife to slice and trim around the frog and sole of her hoof. Then he picked
     a shoe out of his apron, eyeing the fit. He released Whisper’s hoof, moved to the
     portable forge, and stuck the shoe inside. Soon the metal shoe was red-hot. Mr. Farley
     used his anvil and a hammer to shape the shoe, then dunked it into a bucket of cold
     water, making the metal sizzle. Many farriers I’d watched would place the hot shoe
     on the horse’s hoof for a few seconds to see if the fit was right, but I liked
     that Mr. Farley was doing a mix of hot and cold shoeing.
    Whisper’s ears had gone back when the hammering started, and she
     swished her tail when the horseshoe sizzled.
    â€œIt’s okay,” I said. “None of this hurts,
     remember?”
    Mr. Conner stood, silent, watching the process. I wondered if he was
     sticking by in case I needed help with Whisper.
    Mr. Farley lifted her back hoof again and placed the shoe on the bare
     hoof.
    â€œPerfect fit,” he said. “I’m going to hammer it
     into place now.”
    â€œOkay,” I said. I grasped Whisper’s
     halter a little tighter. “We’re going on a trail ride after this.” I
     raised my voice so she could hear me above the hammering. “It’s going to be
     really fun, and it’ll be practice for the show. Sound
     like a plan?”
    I kept talking and was deep in conversation with Whisper about my newest
     beauty find from Sephora when I looked up. Mr. Farley and Mr. Conner were standing
     together by the forge, smiling at me.
    â€œLauren, what was the name of that nail polish you were about to
     share with Whisper?” Mr. Conner asked. He laughed kindly, and Mr. Farley joined
     in.
    â€œYou’re finished?” I asked.
    Mr. Farley nodded. “She’s good to go. She was so well behaved,
     Lauren. I look forward to shoeing her again.”
    Pride made me smile. “Thank you, sir. I appreciate your time and
     being gentle with her.”
    I unclipped Whisper from the cross-ties and led her back to her stall.
     Then I took out my phone and BBMed Drew, Khloe, Clare, and Lexa.
    Lauren:
    Whisper has new shoes & I’m gonna tack up.
     Meet u outside soon?
    While I gathered Whisper’s tack, I got messaged back from everyone
     that they’d be ready soon.
    Since Whisper was already groomed, I tied her to the
     inside of her stall and picked up the bubble-gum-pink saddle pad that I saved for fun
     occasions. It took minutes to get her saddled and bridled.
    Whisper lifted her hooves high as we went down the aisle to the main
     entrance. I was glad she’d have time to get used to the new shoes before the
     show.
    â€œKnew it!” I said. “You heart your shoes.”
    We exited the stable and stopped at the side of the double doors. It was
     the perfect day to trail ride. The late September air had the slightest