J.B. Moonie – A Horse of a Different Color
The Auction

 

The following three weeks were spent on an emotional roller coaster. Yes, Phil and I both wanted the horse. No, we did not need another horse. Yes, he was gorgeous. No, looks aren’t everything. Yes, he was pretty good with people, especially men (he absolutely adores Phil). No, he didn’t have very good manners. And, did we have the spare cash just lying around for training, feed and the numerous vet bills that loomed ahead? The fund I was building for a new saddle wasn’t going to cut it. We shuffled between heart and head.

I spent my high school years at rodeos and local ropings. The ranchers who put on the ropings would let us barrel race and I learned to rope from an old cowboy, Bob. Bob had a Leopard Appaloosa stallion who was so gentle, all the kids rode him around bareback. That horse taught me to rope and I’ve never forgotten him.

Danny kept in touch, as promised, but we didn’t visit “Spots” at the auction barn. I’ve spent a lifetime avoiding those places and didn’t want to see him in the condition I feared. It turns out he was fine, but I also didn’t want to get attached. Not yet, anyway.

Meanwhile, we talked to trainers and vets. The first job would be gelding, which would make him eligible for registration with the Appaloosa Club of America, presuming he passed their characteristics tests. As an older stallion, he would need a very special trainer. We were in luck – Guy Vernon of Vernon Performance Horses was up for the task. Things were starting to fall into place.

Danny met us at the sale barn the day of the auction. I had spent three weeks brain-washing myself in, “If it’s meant to be it will be. If it’s not, it won’t.” We arrived to a sea of trucks, trailers and a kind of controlled chaos with all the animals – goats, pigs, sheep, cattle and 3 horses.

After a snack in the café, we settled into the auction bleachers, surrounding a small, sawdust filled pen over which loomed the announcer’s booth. We waited, attempting small talk and I watched as “Spots” was led into a stall behind the announcer. Two horses preceded him on the auction floor – a stud pony and a yearling filly who appeared to have a tooth abscess. Finally, “Spots” strutted in, took a dump, and looked around, like “Now what?” He was taking this much better than I was.

My heart was pounding as if I were about to run down a cow at the NRCHA finals. All my brain-washing appeared not to have worked. The first call loomed from the announcer and Phil raised his card. Immediately, there were several other bids, going up and up. Phil kept going, perhaps from me elbowing him in the ribs. At one point, I punched him, he raised his card, and the announcer kindly nodded, grinning, “I got you.” Then suddenly, SOLD, to number 345, Phil’s!

I was so happy I was shaking, grabbing Danny and Phil, tears rolling down my cheeks. Danny smiled at me. “I thought you were ok with all this.” “Me, too,” I said, blushing.

We watched a few of the pig sales, then made our way to the office to settle up. “Now we can name him,” I told Phil and Danny. Danny was telling us about a Quarter Horse who turned out to be an Appaloosa, Joker B. Phil and I looked at each other and shouted simultaneously, “JB!” We love PBR and JB Mauney is one of our favorites. JB has guts, courage, persistence and talent that’s hard to beat.

Why JB Moonie? Moonie is Bruce Sandifer’s horse of California Bridle Horse fame. Moonie is probably one of the sweetest, nicest, most well trained horses I’ve had the pleasure of being with, because Bruce is such a good horseman.

We backed the trailer up to the loading area and waited. I held a halter and lead, pacing. Poor JB was stuck in a pen between the stud pony and yearling filly, not knowing who to squeal at next. It seemed like forever before they finally ran him up through the alley. My plan was to halter him in the alley, then coax him into the trailer. He trotted right past me and jumped into the trailer as if to say, “Get me the hell out of here!”

On the trip to Guy’s barn, I worried about getting him out. Was it safe to go into the trailer with him? Could I get the halter on him? Once we stopped and opened his window, he stuck his head out and patiently waited for me to adjust the halter. Guy led him out and he walked like a gentleman to his new quarters.

Remember the “meant to be” part? Every step of the way, from the moment he asked to come through our front gate, has been a piece of cake – except for my near heart attack at the sale, of course. When it’s right, it’s right and this feels really right. This horse has really touched our hearts, and based on the reactions on Facebook, is touching a lot of other hearts as well. One friend even said she dreamed about him.

Next steps – vaccinations, dental, hoof trims and gelding. He will chill for a few days while Guy competes at the Rocky Mountain Reining Futurity, then go to work.

And now, I can finally sleep!