The first time I saw Homer, he was standing in the corral. His owner hadn’t rode him much, as far as I could tell.

A big red roan and three-years-old; by luck he was for sale. His owner asked four hundred. Seemed a little like blackmail.

But I handed over four green bills, put Homer in the truck. Then I drove him to our holding pen and soon found I’d been stuck.

The doggone gelding looked at me with eyes that seemed to say. Just try and get me out of here. The corral is where I’ll stay.

I rode ole Homer in the holding corral most every day. But when we’d ride up to the gate, he’d brake and shy away.

After ‘bout a week or so he stepped out through the gate. I grinned from ear to ear but had no inkling of my fate.

We’d rode about a mile or so, his chin strap broke away. Homer knew just what to do. ‘Twas my unlucky day.

He chomped down on the bridle bit and locked his jaw up tight. He jerked the reins and took a leap; you’d say we took to flight.

Homer shifted to high gear and headed for the corral. What flew out from his rear was jet propulsion sent from $#&&!

I held on tight for my dear life. There weren’t much I could do. Homer galloped breakneck speed. Looked like my time was due.

When Homer slammed into the gate, I feared I’d end up toast. ‘Cuz when he stopped, I stayed in flight and bounced right off a post.

That day was my misfortune and it hurt my boyish pride. Homer got the best of me. I was thinking “homicide.”

Homer wasn’t injured, but the gate was quite a mess. And I swear my head kept spinning for a week or two, I guess.

Homer finally settled down. He lived a full, long life. He worked up to the lead horse. Never caused a bit of strife.

Most horses have their crazy quirks. And while they’re young, for sure. But, bridling Homer, from then on, his chin strap was secure.

Bryce Angell has lived around horses all his entire life and is a retired registered nurse who still works part time at Ashton Living Center.