Kwasi and his twin sister, Kiah, stepped off the school bus. As they walked home, Kwasi was deep in thought. Kiah chattered about her day, but Kwasi wasn't listening.
He was thinking about how much he wanted to take responsibility for the family's new horse. As they neared the training arena at the Rocking A Ranch, Kiah nudged Kwasi.
2 "Isn't Spirit beautiful?" Kiah asked.
3 True to his name, the one-year-old Arabian whinnied and reared with his ears laid back and his front hooves pawing the air. Spirit's strong back legs held his nine hundred-pound body upright for a few seconds. He clearly was unhappy about going through his training exercises.
4 The twins watched as the chestnut-colored horse calmed and started cutting a fine circle around Jarod, the Rocking A's horse trainer. With his head up, nose forward, and golden tail streaming behind, Spirit made wide rings. He trotted easily at the end of the thirty-foot strap that connected Spirit to Jarod's hand. Directing his pupil, Jarod used vocal commands to signal the horse's next move. "Walk," he said just loud
enough for Spirit to hear him. Spirit's gait slowed.
5 "Halt," Jarod said, shifting the strap from one hand to the other.
6 "Reverse," Jarod said, tugging on the strap.
Spirit cocked one ear forward and one back. He hesitated, paused for a moment, and stomped
a hoof on the ground. "Reverse," Jarod repeated in a louder voice. Spirit walked backward
a few steps.
7 When the training session ended, Jarod stroked the horse's neck. Then he released Spirit into a nearby pasture. He strolled over to talk to the twins.
8 "Do you think you're ready to take charge?" Jarod asked Kwasi.
9 "I think so," Kwasi said with some hesitation.
10 "Let's get together after you finish your chores. You can tell me everything you know about
caring for horses. We'll see if you are up to the
challenge."
11 When the twins turned eight years old, they started doing chores that included caring for the horses. They mucked the stalls every day to remove manure and lay fresh straw. They neatly hung ropes and checked halters for
flexibility. They made sure that brushes, sponges, hoof picks, and sweat scrapers were clean and orderly. They checked the tack room to see
that first aid kits and other medical supplies
for the horses were in place. They cleaned and organized the horses' tack and equipment. The twins took turns feeding the horses. Sometimes they fed them grains, but usually they fed the horses fresh alfalfa and water.
12 After completing his chores, Kwasi met with Jarod and explained what he knew about horses. He talked about keeping the stable, horses, and