Well, Tigger was right this time. As summer approached, the horses talked to each other more and more about their vacation plans when they were at turnout. “Gosh, I can almost taste those donuts already!” Scatman said to Big Red. All of a sudden Kristi appeared one day during one of their discussions. She had a piece of paper in her hand that looked like some kind of schedule.

“Wait till you see what fun we’re going to have this summer!” she announced. She then proceeded to tell THE HORSES about all the rides they would be doing at Horsefeathers’ upcoming summer camp sessions. All their hopes of travel to far-away places were dashed. Happily, horses are very adaptable animals and they took the news in stride.

“Wow, summer camp sounds like fun,” said Rover. “Now I won’t have to miss my buddies, plus there will always be penguins in Antarctica, so I can just go see them another time.” Even Ice didn’t mind giving up his tropical paradise. He decided there would probably be even more horseflies on a beach than in the barn. All the horses agreed that they didn’t mind staying around to make the children happy. Plus Kristi told them that there would be a big July 4th celebration, with treats and games and fireworks. She told them July 4th was a special day where we all celebrate our freedom and appreciation for our great big wonderful country.

The only horse that seemed a little disappointed was Calvin. He had so badly wanted to go out West and run to his heart’s content for miles and miles with herds of wild horses. He did love to work with the children, but he also was the only horse who had to have “special training sessions” with Kristi. He didn’t quite know why, but she told him he was very lucky to have all that extra attention. He really thought he could use a break from all that wonderful attention, and went off sadly by himself wishing HE could have some of that “freedom.”

As he thought more and more about freedom, he got a very naughty idea in his little pony-brain. “I need to break out of my stall some night and find my way out to the famous road -Route 66- which I heard goes all the way to California. I could follow it till I found herds of wild ponies, and I’m sure they’d let me run with them for miles and miles.” He thought it would be OK to do it, as long as he came back after a little while.

Well, one night he got his chance - someone had forgotten to latch his stall door, and he was able to push it open with his nose. He was a little nervous to walk down the aisle at first, but once he got outside, it felt so great to be FREE! He trotted down the driveway, and started galloping once he reached the road. He was so excited he ran like the wind, and somehow found his way to the famous Rte 66 and headed west. He ran for hours and hours and lo and behold - off in the distance he saw a herd of wild horses, just like the ones he had heard about. He was so excited, he ran faster than he ever had before.

As he caught up with them and joined the herd, he was happy to see they were all quite friendly to him. They asked where he came from, and were very impressed when he told them he had run all the way from Chicago. The leader of the herd said he could hang out with them for as long as he’d like. Calvin was just thrilled and thought that perhaps he’d just quit his tiresome job at the barn and enjoy his newfound freedom here forever! Life was good.

He and his new friends galloped and chatted for some time. Then, the leader slowed down and stopped, and they all did the same, as it was time for a rest. Calvin was relieved, as he was very thirsty and hungry after his long journey. “Will the grooms be here with our lunch soon?” he asked. Several of the horses looked at him quizzically. “What is a groom?” asked one. “Well, the grooms bring us our hay and grain and water at the barn every day,” he answered. He told them all about his life at Horsefeathers. The other horses started chuckling. “Oh, Calvin, we don’t have any grooms here, and no one brushes us or puts blankets on us when we’re cold. We have to find our own food and water - and shelter!” said one. Another one told him that they also had to watch out for wild animals that might want to eat them for dinner. Calvin was aghast. He was starving and thirsty and tired - he was not sure he liked this freedom thing so much after all.

His new friends felt sorry for him and said they could help him get back home. One of the wild horses was smart like Ice and knew how to spell. He made Calvin a sign that said “Chicago or Bust!” and told Calvin to stand out on Rte. 66 and try to hitch a ride. By a stroke of luck, a traveling rodeo caravan appeared and said they had room for him in their trailer. Calvin gratefully hopped in, and before long he was happily eating hay back in his own stall at Horsefeathers.calvin

Everyone was so happy to see him back, he didn’t even get scolded for leaving. He had gotten back right in time for the big 4th of July fireworks display. All the horses got to go outside in the arena to watch the show. As the patriotic music played, Calvin happily remembered his wonderful days of freedom, running with the wild horses. He was glad to see what it was like, but he realized that he really had it made at Horsefeathers - even though he had noticed that for some reason Kristi had added quite a few extra “special training sessions” to his schedule!

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