The Editor Is pleased to present a new feature of the VOICE , entitled " In Quest of a Blue .” it is a continuing series of stories regarding the trials and tribulations of a Professional Walking Horse Trainer named Lonny Barnes . This is fiction , and is not based on the life of any particular individual . Any similarity to persons living or dead is purely coincidental . by Charles Barry Sanderson
At twenty-eight years of age , Lonny Barnes had acquired a lot of practical experience in working with horses . His folks had moved to Middle Tennessee while he was still in high school , and they had a small farm just outside Nashville . It was here that he had become serious about the prospect of being a professional trainer , and had spent many an hour in and around the various training stables in Middle Tennessee . He had received a lot of help and encouragement from some of the top trainers , who let him work summers until his graduation from high school . The Army had taken two important years from his horse activities when he was in his early twenties , but this gave him time to mature a bit and to think things over . It was while he was in the Army , stationed at Fort Gordon , Georgia , that he met his wife , Helen . They had been married for five years and had found that the life of a family man in the horse training business is somewhat hectic . Their two sons , Lonny , Jr ., four years old , and Ralphy , who was only two , were still in the " horseyhorsey ” stage .
" What you want me to do with these hosses , Mista Barnes ?” came a yell from Little Joe , the newly-acquired groundman at the Barnes Stables . " Just put them in the crossties and pull their tail sets off ,” Lonny said , implying that he wanted to hit them a lick or two before putting them in their stalls . As
Little Joe went about the careful procedure of removing a tail set , Lonny talked to his new customer , a Mr . Larrimore , about his horses . Getting out his record-book , Lonny told him that he was the first official customer for this new corporation . He carefully showed Mr . Larrimore , who by this time was insisting that they get on a first-name basis , how each horse was entered , what he had on when he came into the stable , and any special notes that might need to be recorded . " Red ,” said Lonny , " you have two pretty good-looking horses here . I especially like the three-year-old . Tell me about them .” Red went into elaborate detail to tell about their bloodlines and how he had gotten what he felt was a good deal on both of them . As they were discussing Red ’ s horses , Lonny took time out to tell his painters that the stall doors were to be painted a dark green , instead of white , like the rest of the barn . He also had noticed that they had stopped working just to look over the horses that had come in . He told them that there would be a horse show every Saturday night when the season opened and that they could see all the horses they wanted at that time .
Inquiring into the background of Mr . Larrimore ’ s horses , Lonny learned that they had both been in training with a trainer in Alabama . " Do you know what kind of bit he used on the black mare ?” he asked . " I think it was a medium port with an eight-inch shank ,” said Red , reaching for a bit on the wall that looked about right . " Try this !”
About that time the phone rang . Lonny answered , " Hello — er , ah — LONNY BARNES STABLES .” It was obvious that this was the first time that he had answered the phone for his new business . " Yes , ma ’ am ,” he said , " we have just opened up and are looking for horses .” A pause , then , " Two-year-olds ? I sure could use a few good ones . What was that name again , please ?” As he wrote he murmured , " Mrs . . . . C . . . . R . . . . Spindel . Yes , ma ’ am , we ’ ll corns pick them up .”
" How ' bout that , Red ,” he said , " been in business for thirty minutes and already have four new horses . News sure does travel fast in this business !”
By this time Little Joe had the black mare bitted up and saddled . Lonny checked her over carefully to see how she was shod . " Let ’ s put that little pair of chains on her , Joe , and see what she does .” Lonny was not long in finding out what she would do : nothing ! She just stood there , refusing to move . Clucking to her gently , Lonny gave her both spurs to let her know that they were there . The mare started backing up , making a small attempt to rear . " Whoa , mare !” said Lonny . " You fellows painting : hold up a minute and let ’ s see if that helps .” When the painters had stepped aside into the entranceway , Lonny said in a demanding voice , " COME UP , MARE !” And as he laid a four-foot crop to her side she took one giant step into a bold flatfoot walk , nodding her keen head on the first lick . " Looky here , fellers ,” said Lonny . " Looks like Mr . Larrimore ’ s got himself an aged mare that can-do .”
After working the three-year-old bay stallion for a few minutes , Lonny assured Mr . Larrimore that he had two pretty good horses , and told him that he was sure glad to have them at his stables for training . After getting squared away on charges and billing for the services of the Barnes Walking Horse Stables , Red Larrimore said , " We sure are glad to have you in this part of the country , Lonny . If I can ever be of any help , just let me know .” Scratching his head through a mop of jet-black hair , Lonny admitted that he was going to need all the help he could get .
At that moment Little Joe burst into the office . " Mista Lonny ,” he gasped , " come quick ! That stud hoss o ’ yours done busted that gate and headed for town ...”
( Continued Next Month )
March , 1966 21