Sleepy Rosie

Summer has long begun by the time I was out looking for another Teddy Cob. 

It was not anything in particular, like most of the times I have set out to look for a horse to befriend. It was just whenever my uncle, me or both of us felt like we were in a good spot to take on another horse. And that happened to be now, on one of the rare summer days where the sun didn't beat down on my skin and sear its rays into my dark brown hair.

My uncle has been looking to expand his stables, even at his less than ideal age for rearing horses or doing anything strenuous in particular. He says it is all in preparation for whenever I take over the farm, but I think he just wants me to get more Teddy Cobs for him to befriend as well. 

He still got in the truck to drive me into the meadow, but he was far less involved in the taming process now, taking a liking to lying down on the bed of the truck with a newspaper draped over his face to shield his eyes from the sun. He trusts me enough after my handling with Bear and the progress me, Wynn and Soy have made together, in addition to the other times I have tried to tame horses. The newfound freedom was a little terrifying in all honestly, as full responsibility for every horse is mine now, but I feel like I can maybe get a stronger bond with a pony if it is just me and them.

I walked some odd meters away from thr truck, in case the revving of the engine scared off any ponies further into the meadow. And it seemed like that at first, the flat landscape of the meadow making it easy to scope out for any potential horses as they stuck out like sore thumbs. But, nothing stuck out and I was left there with a frown and a longer walk into the meadows. 

All of a sudden though, I turned around to see a white dot in the distance. As I got closer, the unshared blob started to take the form of a horse, with 4 legs and eventually the distinct mane of a horse making its way into view. 

A mare, almost as white as snow save for the brown patch of hair on the bridge of her neck that almost looked liked it stained her hide. Without my glasses and from a further distance, I would have easily mistook it for a dirty spot of mud. She almost looked like when snow started to melt to make way for little patches of dirt to reemerge and expose themselves to the surface and sun they have been deprived of for the entirety of winter. It did not help how serene she looked, sleeping whilst standing up as the world around her barely even rustled, not even a gentle breeze tugged at her mane. 

All of the horses I have tried taming before have been well.. conscious honestly. I did not really know how to approach a sleeping horse; also, I would genuinely feel bad for waking her up from what seemed to be like the most peaceful nap of all time. I wouldn't be able to live with such pressing guilt! I weighed my options. I could either:

1. Leave her alone to sleep and maybe never see her again

2. Gain her favor by leaving behind treats and a little bell, but risk waking her up

Naturally, I chose option 2. It is what my Uncle would have done after all, and he's the best horse tamer I know. And besides, I really wanted to see this horse again. I haven't seen many Teddy Cobs be this sleepy before; or many horses for that matter. It was midday and horses weren't nocturnal the last time I checked, but here this mare was, sleeping away a perfectly good day. It was endearing sort of, there's a certain sense of protectiveness I feel to protect her peace and sleep. But, I also wanted to get to know what other aspects of her personality there were, I'm sure she has more to her than just being sleepy the one day I spotted her.

I got the apples I always had handy on me from my pocket in one hand and a bell in another. I was sure to clasp the bell as tightly as I could, in fear of it making any potential noise. Slowly, I crept forward.

The meadow's plush grass thankfully lended itself handy in muffling my footsteps or any noise that came from me for that matter. It was a test of patience, for any sudden movement could mean spooking the horse and potentially getting myself injured. Inch by inch though, I got closer and closer until I could feel her soft breath on my skin.

I crouched down and placed down the bell and the apple as delicately as I could, like setting down a teacup full of steaming hot tea. The mare was still sleeping soundly. I crept away as cautiously as I did when getting to her and hoped she would be happy to see the treats I prepared for her.