Ash, I have literally whatever treats you like!

I heaved the saddle onto Nico’s back and fastened the girth tight. I heard a whinny from the other side of the yard and chuckled softly as I saw Bren leaning his head over the fence, clearly annoyed to not be the one being taken out for a ride. I had debated who would be best for this job, but while Bren was easily the fastest horse I had, Nico was more reliable – I could trust Nico to not get so excited by the fast pace that he forgot what he was doing. Plus, we’d done this routine so often now that we had it down to a fine art. Nico nuzzled my arm as I slipped the bridle on him and I rubbed his nose affectionately. There was no horse I trusted more than him. He stood ready, ears pricked, and I double checked my pack and everything that was attached to both my belt and Nico’s saddle. Bell ribbons? Check. Lasso? Check. Supplies in case it took us a while to find the mare? Check.

Finally, all set, I lifted myself into the saddle and Nico surged into action beneath me as we set off at a trot. It was misty this morning and I preferred it to the endless sun we’d been having. I had no doubt that it would burn away in the next hour, but for now I rejoiced in the cold mist. Nico shook his head, also seeming to enjoy the coolness. It had been misty a few days ago too, when I’d first spotted the mare. It had been early morning, and I’d blinked a few times, not certain that my eyes weren’t just playing tricks on me. Partially gray, she had blended into the mist, and had watched me for a little while before disappearing back into the fog. She’d shown her face a few times since then, and I’d spent the last few days weaving some bell ribbons to have a go at catching her.

I let Nico decide the route we took, since I had absolutely no idea where the herd were at the moment. I’d checked in with people in the village yesterday, but oddly nobody seemed to have any clue. It wasn’t unheard of, the herd not being seen for a few days – especially if they’d managed to find a remote field with tasty grass. I trusted Nico’s instincts, and he’d never let me down before. After about an hour of trotting purposefully, his ears twitched and he broke into a canter. I recognised the set of his neck as meaning he’d heard something and was tracking it down. The field we were on slanted strongly downwards, and I leaned back to not overbalance Nico. He gave a snort and picked up more speed. The ground finally levelled out and the mist seemed to have gotten much thicker, as though it had pooled in this valley. I saw a tree emerge from the fog a mere 10 feet ahead of me and realised how impossible this was going to be. Nico slowed to a trot, listening intently, before turning slightly and heading around the tree. With a sudden burst of noise, a pony emerged from the fog to gallop away right in front of us, disappearing within a few feet. God, this was going to be impossible. I unhooked the lasso and grabbed a bell ribbon, letting Nico guide the way. If the gray mare was the next to emerge from the fog, I intended to be ready for her. Nico picked up speed again, settling into what I affectionately call his ‘endurance canter’, the fast past he could keep up for hours if necessary. He seemed to have a better sense of what was around us than me, avoiding the sudden trees with ease.

I was staring into the fog, desperately trying to tell whether that was actually a dark shape I could see or if it was simply a darker patch of fog. Whatever it was seemed to get a little closer before veering away. Nico’s attention drawn, he wheeled to the side and got a little faster. Slowly, we seemed to catch up to the dark shape – first, the tip of a tail came into view, and then the rump – gray on brown – it was her! The gray mare!

‘Yes Nico, let’s do this!’ Encouraged by my voice, Nico burst into a gallop, twisting aside for trees and bushes but slowly gaining on the gray mare. We drew alongside her head and Nico kept the pace, so the two horses were galloping side by side, to the mare’s intense displeasure. I hooked my leg in the stirrup like we’d practiced, and leaned out, my body weight fully over the side, and reached out. My fingers brushed the very tips of her mane. Not close enough.

‘Closer, Nico!’ With a snort, he obliged, swerving so the two horses were almost belly to belly. I quickly reached over and clipped the bell ribbon into her mane, even giving it a little tug to make sure it was secure. It didn’t move. I shifted over, back into the saddle, and gave Nico a hard pat on the neck. Nico swerved away from the mare, who disappeared into the fog almost instantly, and slowed to a trot. I had a massive grin on my face, and as we headed up the nearest hill, the sun broke out of the clouds and lit the way ahead in liquid gold. Today was going to be a good day!