A Christmas Surprise

The new mare seemed to be adjusting well. She was a little timid at first, but now she’s anything but. 

She trotted around the arena as I held the lunge line loosely in my right hand, the whip in my left. I didn’t feel any pull to use the whip on her, she was moving well. Her snorts sounded like a dragons’ and the way she moved looked as if she thought she was one. The cold air only helped frame the picture of her being a dragon, with every exhale a stream of what appeared to be smoke, but was simply her frosty breath coming out of her nostrils.

She snorted as she bowed her head. “Keep going girl.” I called gently as she kept moving. It was sad that she wasn’t owned by anyone, but I didn’t blame them. This little girl would be a lot of work, and she’s already nine. Not that a horse older than five can’t be taught, but it's a sure hell of a lot more work. She’s currently at low level eventing, which is fine, but no one here wants to put in the hours. Except for me. 

I’ve seen horses come in and out of Whispering Grove. All of them have been treated well. Izzy too, but her problem is she would rather throw you off and be spicy than actually work. Don’t get me wrong, she’s an absolute dream when you’re lunging her, but the moment you get on she really turns into a dragon. Maybe she was started wrong, maybe she just doesn’t like being ridden. Either way I’m restarting her. We’re starting at the basics. 

I have a vision, if she’ll let me teach her. A big if. “Easy girl.” I soothe as she tries going faster. Speed is not the vision. Control, and a well behaved horse is. Not that she isn’t well behaved, it's clear that the stable she was at prior was good to her. That being said though, she’s got a lot to learn if she’s going to even think about being one of the best. 

“I’m telling you, Izzy isn’t the horse you want to put your time in.” Mik says gently, coming up behind me.

“I could say the same thing about Echo.” I roll my eyes. 

“Echo’s younger. She has more time.” Mik tried to reason.

“You have no proof how long she’ll live. She could, god forbid, die next year. Just because she’s four years younger than Izzy doesn’t mean anything.” I say, turning my attention back to my horse. Well, hopefully soon to be my horse.

Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to buy Izzy, but I can’t afford the monetary expenses. I can throw all my time into her, but I don’t have enough in my bank account to buy her. She cost the stable twenty five grand and there’s no way in hell they’ll let her go for any less. They’ll probably want more for her, and I wouldn’t blame them. Not to mention the vet bills, and any sort of other expenses she’ll cost me. 

“Were you listening or daydreaming?” Mik asked. Oops, I completely forgot I was in the arena.

“Sorry.” I sighed. 

“Envisioning owning her?” She asked. 

“Pretty much.” I nodded. 

“How about I make you a deal?” Mik asked, looking at me. My brow raised.

“What kind of deal?” I ask, a rush of hope flowing through my veins, forgetting all the doubt.

“A good one.” Mik smirks. My brow raises even higher.

“How good?” I tilt my head as I ask the question.

“The best deal you’re gonna get for that one.” She says, pointing to Izzy who is still lunging on the line. She’s moving at a good pace around us, her movements precise and beautiful. 

I call Izzy to me. She trots close, slowing down right before she runs us over. I let my hand trail her muzzle as she leans closer. I take off the lunge line, clipping her regular leadline to her halter.

“What is the deal?” I ask as we walk out of the arena. Izzy’s behaving well by my side. She walks nicely. I swear the way she’s walking screams advanced dressage horse. The sound of her shod hooves hitting the gravel seemed so loud to me. Maybe it was because she was a loud and beautiful horse, at least in my mind. 

“I’ll tell you after you put Izzy away, I don’t want you spooking her.” Mik chuckled. I smiled. I might actually get my dream horse. Maybe Mik was actually a good sister. 

Izzy walked into her stall, letting me take off her halter before putting her head down to eat the hay in the corner of her stall. 

“What’s the deal?” I asked again while shutting Izzy’s stall door. 

“You want to own Izzy right?” Mik asked. I nodded, not trusting my voice. “I have enough money to cover the cost of what the stable wants for her, including her boarding fee.” She paused, maybe thinking of what to say next, or looking to see if I was still interested. “I need help. Echo needs help. She’s way too much for me to handle by myself, and I want you to help me.” She continued. My brow raised. I could get a horse for simply helping Mik with Echo? “You train Echo. You work with her for seven hours a week, that’s an hour a day, and I’ll buy you Izzy.” She offered. 

My jaw dropped. “For seven hours a week, you’ll buy me Izzy?” I asked, my excitement barely containable.

“You are my little sister. It’s the least I could do.” Mik smiled. 

“Really?” I asked, grabbing her hand.

“Really, Abby.” She said, still smiling. I gave her a big tight hug.

“Thank you, thank you, you won’t regret this Mik.” I promised. 

“I better not.” She chuckled, pulling me back to get a better look at me. “Merry Christmas.” She whispered, pulling me closer towards her into another embrace. “I love you.” She whispered into my ear.

“I love you too, Merry Christmas.” I whispered, my smile taking up nearly my entire face. I loved Mik, and I was incredibly thankful for her. Where would I be without her? Certainly not owning, or almost owning, Izzy, that’s for sure.

“Don’t tell mom.” She says as she pulls back. I nod vigorously.

“Of course. A secret horse. How fun?” I smile jumping up and down. A secret horse for a Christmas present. Could today get any better?