Going to See a Man About a Horse

Back in the day, when I was in high school, 'going to see a man about a horse' meant you were going to 'take a leak.' Being a horse person back then I thought it was a pretty dumb expression. Today we went to see a woman about a horse. In Charlotte Court House, Virginia.

Charlotte Court House is the last standing court house designed by Thomas Jefferson. The town is old, with lots of old brick, Federal and Greek Revival architecture. Patrick Henry gave his famous "Give Me Liberty" speech from the steps of that court house, before he delivered the same in Richmond shortly thereafter.

The town is charming and depressed. Derelict plantation manse and mobile homes. There is no cell service, so the GPS navigator did not work, neither did our phones. We got to Dale's place around 12:30 and got out of there at 4:00. In the meantime we literally fought with these horses, convincing them to get into the trailer. They've never been off the property, ever. Born there in the field. O boy.

Beau wasn't as bad as Allie, but neither wanted to cooperate. He gave up after about an hour. I'm no spring chicken, but I certainly did hold my own with a fearful, willful young mare. Finally wearing her down, she decided she would get in the trailer with her brother. It started to rain on the way home. We got home at 9:00 pm.

Neither wanted to get out of the trailer. It was raining, but still warmish. It took them a while to get their land legs back. she was soaked, both were trembling. They spent the rainy night in Field #1.