Taxi Cab

The greying stallion pricked his ears as the two teenagers entered the clearing. The two girls, Jules and Lorelei, were bundled up in thick jackets, complete with thick mittens and knit hats featuring large pom-poms. 

The stallion snorted, his breath clouding in the winter air. He kept a watchful eye on the girls, but went back to grazing the few blades of grass left after the frost that covered the hills overnight.

“Jules, oh my gosh. Look at that gelding.” Lorelei grabbed her friend’s arm, turning her to look at a small palomino gelding. Jules fumbled with her gloves, pulling out the Teddy Cob guidebook she had printed out the night prior. 

“Says his name is Pablo,” She said, stuffing the guidebook back into her backpack. “Oh, he really is gorgeous.” The gelding walked over to them, his long cream-colored mane flowing in the light snow flurries. Jules laughed as he stopped right in front of her, puffing white clouds of breath onto her face. Lorelei grinned at them, stepping back to give them time to bond. Looked like Jukes had found her horse. Now, Lorelei just had to find hers…

She moved throughout the widely dispersed herd, stopping to greet the Teddies that came up to her looking for cuddles. Despite the many friendly ponies in front of her, none felt like the one. They were all gorgeous and gentle, but none felt like her perfect match. Before Lorelei knew it, she had made a lap around the entire clearing, and had said hello to every pony there. All but one. She turned her eyes to the greying stallion that had been hanging around the outskirts of the herd. He seemed to be keeping watch, making sure everyone was happy. He sensed Lorelei’s gaze, and raised his elegant head, forelock partially covering his brown eyes. He let out a soft nicker, which Lorelei took as an invitation to approach. He gently pushed his head into her chest, and she knew. He was the one. She ripped her mittens off, pulling her bell out of her pocket. Hands trembling from the cold and adrenaline, she wove it into his dark mane. He watched her movements, his soft eyes full of curiosity. She tied off the bell and ribbon, and shoved her hands back into her mittens. The stallion nudged her hands, and she placed them under his mane. Nature’s hand warmer: the space between a horse’s mane and their neck. The stallion leaned into her touch, and went back to grazing as Lorelei warmed up.