Chapter Nine: Horse

Mason opened his mouth to respond, and after finishing, he walked towards the stable

Mason remained silent as he arrived at the place where the horse was tied, untied the reins, and swiftly mounted the horse's back

Zhang Chi then fell silent. Regarding the attitude of Old Mason, Zhang Chi had no intention of indulging him. In business, there are buyers and sellers; no one is begging anyone else.

Zhang Chi turned to look at Mason and said, "I certainly will not spend a large sum of money to buy it"

Can we give it a try?" Zhang Chi asked

Typically, the area of a horse farm is not very large, as professional horse breeding farms generally do not raise too many horses. For instance, a horse farm owned by a friend of my uncle, which Zhang Chi has visited, only raises about thirty horses. However, most of these horses have pedigree certificates, with a significant portion being registered thoroughbreds.

Merely by glancing unintentionally, Zhang Chi was captivated by the demeanor of this horse

The horse's head is red, a rare shade of red, with a hint of gold, resembling flames.

There is also a type known as the ranch horse, also referred to as the old-fashioned Quarter Horse. This breed is characterized by its agility in turning, calm temperament, and robust physique, which is quite useful for cowboys as it assists them in herding cattle. Therefore, it is also referred to as the favorite of Americans or the most beloved horse among cowboys

Upon regaining my senses, I realized that it was a horse from behind the fence that had stretched its head over to me

"I have just bought some harnesses in my trunk," Zhang Chi said

The Quarter Horse is a breed developed in the United States, generally characterized by two body types. One type is the racing type, which is actually closer to the Thoroughbred. The term 'quarter' originally refers to a unit of length, meaning one-quarter, specifically one-quarter of a mile, indicating that this breed excels at this distance

Mason uttered a phrase and then rode his horse forward

Zhang Chi immediately got into the car, started the engine, and followed Mason as he drove on

Hmm

Amberly gently pushed the cup, and the wine glass glided lightly across the table towards the old cowboy

The old cowboy did not look, his left hand resting on the table slightly clenched into a fist, with the middle and index fingers half-open. With what seemed like a feeble gesture, he intercepted the sliding wine glass, and with a swift motion, he grasped the glass in his hand.

At this moment, Kimberly spoke up

Upon seeing Mason, the horse gently let out a few snorts and then neighed twice, appearing quite pleased to see its owner

Mason paused upon hearing, approached the back of Zhang Chi's pickup truck, took a glance, then hoisted the saddle onto his shoulder and picked up the reins in his hand

Upon arriving at the entrance of the horse ranch, Mason dismounted, opened the large gate, and signaled Zhang Chi to drive the vehicle inside. After Zhang Chi had driven the vehicle in, he then closed the gate.

Zhang Chi is not too convinced, because if this old cowboy named Mason is really as Kimberly described, then he must be wealthy. A horse trainer, especially one who has won so many awards, is certainly not comparable to a middle-class individual. Each time there are prizes, these people can receive a significant portion.

Kimberly said again: "The new ranch that just moved in is located at the foot of the mountain. Since the ranch is just starting out, it needs a horse, right, George"

Zhang Chi finds it somewhat strange that a horse trainer can transform himself into someone like this

Zhang Chi immediately transferred the money for the beer and followed Mason out of the bar

Zhang Chi's attention quickly turned to the horses, as there were several exceptionally fine Quarter Horses in the nearest enclosure to him

At four years old, a gelding, with a sire of Quarter Horse and a dam of Appaloosa... Mason noticed that Zhang Chi really liked this horse, so he began to introduce it.

Mason did not mount the horse again, but instead reached out and gently patted it. The horse he had been riding automatically made its way to a grassy area and lowered its head to graze.

It is a bit expensive. Generally speaking, such horses are priced over 400, and the good ones are only around 500 dollars at most, Zhang Chi said

Old Mason opened his mouth and said: "Six hundred dollars per horse."

It is said that way, but Zhang Chi does not possess such abilities; if he did, he would not be sitting here drinking and gambling.

No matter how much Zhang Chi likes this horse, he would not spend more than 600 dollars on it, not for any other reason, but because his pocket does not allow someone like Zhang Chi, a small fry in society, to be extravagant

The horse's head was very close to Zhang Chi, so Zhang Chi gently reached out his hand and stroked the horse's forehead

From the shoulder all the way to the back, it is pure white, though not entirely so; the area between the shoulder and the belly features a white base scattered with star-like fiery red hairs.

As a Chinese person, who can resist this shade of red

George, you may not know that Mason was once a renowned horse trainer in the league. The horses he trained have won numerous national awards, including the Kentucky Derby twice, not to mention other accolades...

Like a flame burning in the snow

Some people have a special connection with horses, and it seems that it likes you very much, Mason said

Arriving at the fence, he placed the saddle on the wooden rail and entered while holding the reins.

The several Quarter Horses in the enclosure have a very good physique; they are neither tall nor short, and their muscles are impressive. In short, they possess that kind of robust appearance that makes it evident at first glance that these horses are very sturdy.

If the price remains unchanged, then it is easy to discuss. Although it is one hundred dollars more expensive than usual, Zhang Chi can also accept it

Follow me

Mason did not respond, but the hand holding the wine glass hastened to bring it to his mouth, and within a few sips, he swallowed the liquid in the cup.

Zhang Chi still remained skeptical, but he had developed a slight interest in Old Mason. This was because, even if Kimberly was lying to embellish Old Mason's reputation, the old man was at least a professional horse trainer. Up until now, he had never encountered a professional horse trainer.

Zhang Chi entered through the main gate, then parked the car by the roadside and got out of the vehicle

"You should go take a look at Mason's horse before making a conclusion. If you don't like it, I can introduce you to someone else," Kimberly said, noticing that Zhang Chi had remained silent.

Kimberly thought for a few seconds but could not figure out the pronunciation of Zhang Chi, so she decided to go with her mood and made a George.

For a moment, upon seeing similar horses, Zhang Chi was at a loss as to which one to choose. He walked around the fence and took a look, yet he could not decide which horse to select.

After walking along the path for about ten minutes, Zhang Chi finally saw Mason come to a stop

Of course, excluding those on the ranch, which cowboy would not be able to train a horse with both hands? If one cannot, can they still be considered a cowboy?

After putting down the cup, he took a bill out of his pocket and placed it on the bar counter

Keep up

Do you like it very much

Mason stood up from beside the bar, reached for a cowboy hat and placed it on his head, then turned away from Zhang Chi and walked towards the door

He picked up the glass and took a small sip, then placed the glass back on the bar, and his two eyes continued to gaze at the surface of the bar.

At this moment, Mason walked over and stood three meters away from Zhang Chi.

Initially intending to purchase a Quarter Horse, upon seeing this horse, Zhang Chi completely forgot about the Quarter Horse and everything else.

Just as Zhang Chi was selecting a horse, he suddenly felt something behind him. When he turned his head, he saw a huge head, which startled Zhang Chi greatly

At this moment, Kimberly spoke up

Zhang Chi was also unwilling; he did not think that George was just George. Arguing with an American about Chinese pronunciation could be quite amusing. Their tongues seem to tremble like when we Chinese speak Russian.

The horse is a hybrid, resembling a Quarter Horse in build, yet its coloration is characteristic of the American Paint Horse, with a hint of Morgan Horse influence in its head.

May I go and take a look?" Zhang Chi inquired

Of course

Zhang Chi was immediately astonished by the color of the horse's coat.

The path is narrow; if two vehicles meet, everyone must be cautious and try to keep to the side in order to pass.

Truly beautiful

Mason, this new friend named George wants to buy a horse

Putting on the bridle, Mason led out the red and white horse

Moreover, this is the West, and it is not easy to buy a person; that is illegal. However, buying a horse is not difficult at all, as they are abundant here. The horses here are extremely cheap. If you have the time and the ability, you can take the reins and go to the national grasslands to catch them. There are millions of abandoned horses on the national grasslands across the United States

These quarter horses are of the traditional breed, which are typically used for general pastoral purposes.

At this moment, Kimberly did not interject; she was wiping a glass in her hand, gazing at the two men sitting at the bar, her lips curving slightly in a semblance of a smile.

The horse did not retreat, nor did it open its mouth to bite Zhang Chi, but simply allowed Zhang Chi's palm to gently sweep across its forehead.

All of these are acceptable

The old cowboy Mason glanced up at Zhang Chi

Upon exiting the bar, Zhang Chi noticed that the old cowboy was not driving a car, but rather riding a mixed-breed horse, with chestnut-colored fur and a broad white blaze on its nose.

But the body is not red, but white, with mane as red as flames extending from the head to the neck, and this reddish hue begins to blur slightly as it reaches the neck

There are several small enclosures in the horse farm, and each enclosure contains several horses grazing.

Zhang Chi personally placed the saddle on the horse, adjusting the belly strap to the appropriate tightness, and then took the reins from Mason's hands

After leaving the town and walking for about more than a mile, Mason turned into a small path at an intersection, and naturally, Zhang Chi had to follow him in.

Zhang Chi felt that it was a bit expensive upon hearing it

Mason no longer spoke much

Zhang Chi originally thought that the old cowboy was going to stab him, but to his surprise, the cowboy had no such intention. Thus, the hand that had initially retracted was once again placed on the horse's forehead.

A sturdy horse is very important, as the work on a ranch is not a performance of dressage. When a horse is expected to adapt to the demanding tasks of the ranch, physical robustness is paramount. No ranch owner wishes to have a delicate horse in their pasture

Old Mason replied directly: "Other horses are other horses, the horse I trained is worth six hundred dollars"

After taking the last sip, he gently set down the wine glass, which emitted a soft thud as it made contact with the bar.

In Zhang Chi's ears, this was equivalent to seeing the old cowboy draw out a forty-meter long machete; notions of fate and intimacy were merely excuses

Horse racing is a very popular sport in the United States, with events such as the Triple Crown races attracting huge crowds every year, where wealthy elites and celebrities compete for attention, creating an atmosphere akin to a carnival

Zhang Chi nodded and said: "I need a Quarter Horse, with no other requirements, just that it should be well-trained. My riding skills are average, and the price should not be too high"

The old cowboy said nothing, and Kimberley did not ask. She reached under the counter and took out a square glass, using tongs to place a few ice cubes into the glass. Then, with practiced ease, she poured the liquor from the bottle, stopping when the golden liquid had not yet covered the ice cubes.

"Six hundred dollars, I will not change the agreed price," Mason said

Once on the road, Mason walked closely along the roadside, while Zhang Chi drove the car behind him

A small horse farm, not very large, as Zhang Chi observed the surrounding fences, estimating it to be around ten acres or so.