The Shaking Horse
Nikki Bustamante

I do it to get away from everything, to quiet the voice inside my head. Riding is my passion and I have the best riding partner there is to have. He is the cure to all my stress and all the pressure. His attitude helps lift my spirit all on its own. Without trying he brings a smile across my face. He’s pure beauty and love! His name is Bambam, to some he is just horse but to me...he’s my world!

After a hardworking day, I head home to relax and once I accomplish that I pop into the car and drive off into the sun anticipating my arrival. Every evening after dinner I visit Bambam and work with him. I’m hoping to barrel race with him and he’s coming along great.

One specific day, I was riding him up and down the narrow gravel trail. Trotting at first and then galloping, having the time of my life. It began getting a little dark and the stars started to appear across the night sky. I walked him to his tub of water. It was near sunset, so I began to spray him down because he worked up quite a sweat. My kids had tagged along that day bringing our family dog, Tortilla. They absolutely enjoy playing with him and watching him do his little tricks. Nikki and Joey, my children , were standing only three or four feet away from Bambam and were asking Tortilla to shake hands. Bambam was just gazing at Tortilla as he did what he was told. And to my surprise he lifted up his front left leg and just let it hang there. I slowly edged my hand around it and began putting it down. He quickly jerked it up but only a little bit. Finally, he put his leg down and just stood there, watching and waiting for me to make my move. Out of the corner of my eye I saw my kids in front of the sunset under the dark sky which was painted with a purple asking Tortilla to shake. With no hesitation I snuck my hand in front of Bambam’s hoof and opened my mouth letting the word “shake” slip out. He lifted his leg and I caught it and shook it up and down!

That night was amazing and ever since then I have been working with him on his shaking and he has improved. Bambam is an extremely talented paint and I am very proud of him. I guess that day Tortilla taught him something that would have been hard to learn on his own. I’ve got a strong bond between Bambam and he seems to know that I’ll always help him. It’s as if invincible strings that sparkle like that of a spider web connect us! Bambam even rolls over right next to me and isn’t scared to do so. He truly does have eye popping talent and that’s so great.