New Beginnings

November had come yet again to the region and Blythe’s coat had once again got quite poofy, the thickness would protect her from cold and snow that the following winter months would bring. Blythe was a Loshenka mare, and Today though, wasn’t as bad. She woke up happily in the comfort of a stall, stood up and shook off the sawdust from her mostly black coat. Nibbling at the white “belt” in her midsection as sawdust ALWAYS stuck to her white belly. Blythe picked up her beige hooves and started waking towards her water bucket.

“I’m absolutely parched”  she thought to herself as she drank, “I’m also starving I wonder when breakfast is coming.” 

Except her usual  breakfast of grain, supplements and fresh hay wasn’t coming this morning, a horse trailer was instead. Unbeknownst to Blythe, though. 

She flicked her slick black ears forward to listen for any sounds coming from the front of the shed row, hearing nothing she delivered a swift kick from a stockinged black leg to the back of her stall, exclaiming her protest on behalf of a late breakfast. 

Granted, she was in a section of the stables no other horses were near, so it’s not like any other horses could hear or respond to her. But maybe the two-leggers would. She was at a traders on what the two-leggers quarantine, she wasn’t quite sure what it meant but to her it means she apparently isn’t allotted any friends. 

After spending what seemed like an eternity pacing her stall and occasionally kicking and squealing, she heard the rocks crumble in the gravel driveway, somebody was finally coming! She neighed with excitement and raised her dark tail, the slightly browned ends waving with excitement from her tail twitching, so happy to eat!

The vehicle came to a rest and shut off, after a few moments a door opened and shut and someone walked into the barn. 

“Hello?” It was a woman’s voice, the voice belonged to that of Bridget Viccar.

“That’s not the man who feeds me every morning..?”

The pupils of Blythe’s big brown eyes got huge, she was scared. Who was this complete stranger? The trader wasn’t quite a lovey guy, but he at least made sure she was fed and her stall was cleaned. She flared her pink nostrils and raised her head, snorting before breathing in heavily. Blythe could smell the lady, she smelled like other horses, and dogs, and a little bit of gas and strawberry banan with a hint of vanilla. She smelled safe. Suddenly, she could smell the trader. 

“Where is my breakfast?!” Blythe neighed loudly and once again stomped a stockinged hoof in protest. She tossed her muzzle in the aid hastily and upon bringing her head back down almost caught the white of her snip on the side off he bucket, a close call but that didn’t stop her from continuing to pace and snort.

Within minutes the barn lights gave a little buzz and flickered on, now fully illuminating the shed row for Blythe to see, and she immediately tossed her head out of the stall to look toward the front of the barn. Here comes the lady. 

Blythe backed up slightly, tucking her head just behind the stall guard. She might smell okay, however she is still a stranger. 

“Hi pretty girl”

 The lady spoke very softly and kindly. Not rushed like the trader man was, she sounded like she actually had time. Bridget pulled a treat out of her blue coat pocket and offered it to the front of the stall, on the opposite side of the gate than where Blythe had her head, enticing her to bring her head to the other side. 

Hesitantly, Blythe did and the treat she received for doing so was so yummy! It tasted like peppermint & apples. She wanted another one.

Bridget opened the stall door and let herself in, offering another treat to the beautiful horse before slipping a halter over her head. 

“Ready to go to your new home girl?” Bridget lead the big mare out of the barn and to her horse trailer in the driveway. It was time to load up and head to Blythe’s next chapter.