Calling horses by name in old-time Phoenix


Walk with me. This morning, as usual, I will be meeting some friends down at old McDonald's farm in old-time Phoenix.

Every morning as I would pass by the livery stable I would greet the horses simply with a nod, or a wave. I would sometimes just say, "Good morning, horses!" But after I met Fernando, who works there, I started to learn their names. Yes, or course horses have names, my favorite is Irene.

I asked Fernando why she had that name, and he just shook his shoulders and smile. What a question! She's Irene, that's all. Go ahead, you can pet her. She's a good old girl, and I know that she's happy to see us.

I really have no idea how old she is. I've heard that you can tell by looking at their teeth, but if I looked at her teeth, all I'd see are teeth. Ten? Maybe twelve? Well, besides, it's rude to ask a lady her age, you know.

I've forgotten the names of the other horses, I hope they don't mind. I could ask Irene, I'm sure she would know. Look at those beautiful eyes! I can tell that she's nice and gentle. What kind of a horse is she? I don't know, she's a horse. She's Irene. I talked to the owner of the stables and he tells that her name comes from a book that he had read, and it's pronounced I-rEE-nee.

Come on, let's get going, our friends are waiting for us at McDonald's!

Image at the top of this post: The Gold Eagle Livery Stables, 2nd Street and Washington, Phoenix, Arizona.
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