#2 - Baby, It’s Cold Outside

Sara Gallagher gritted her teeth as she prepared to look at the weather forecast on her phone. The news had been saying that the temperatures were going to drop well below freezing, with winds reaching 30 miles per hour. Sara, however, had been hoping that they were wrong, for the sake of her horses.  As her weather app opened with a ding, she groaned. Temperatures below freezing, yes, but the winds were now predicted to get up to 50  miles per hour overnight. Well, she got her wish. The news was wrong.  Sighing, she pulled on her coat and overalls, and placed several hot packs in her gloves before putting them on. Stuffing her double-socked feet into her snow boots, she opened the back door and headed down to the stable to prepare for the winter storm.

“Hey kids.” Sara said as she swung open the stable door. The big rolling doors were iced closed, so she had to use the walk in door for now. 

As she entered the stable, Prada stuck his head over his stall door with a quiet whicker. He sensed Sara was a little stressed; she usually greeted them with much more enthusiasm.

“Hey sir,” Sara walked over to him with a smile. “How are you doing?” Prada nuzzled himself into her chest, puffing warm air into her hands. She cuddled up to his large head and took a deep breath. 

“Thank you bud. Now I have to get to work.” Sara gave him a kiss on his vitiligo nose, and reluctantly pulled away from his warmth.

Within the hour, Sara had gotten the stable ready for the snowpocalypse. All of the doors and windows had been closed, and those with gaps had towels stuffed under them to keep out gusts of wind. Prada and Gucci, her two Loshenkas, had been closed inside in freshly bedded stalls, with fresh clean water and plenty of space to move. Sara hardly ever put them indoors. She much preferred to give them the opportunity to choose where they wanted to be; anywhere on their 5 acre pasture, in their lean-tos, or in their stalls. However, with the winds being this strong, she was worried that some of the trees in the small forest would be uprooted and fall. The horses loved to hang out in the forest, and she didn't want to risk them getting trapped or spooked by a falling tree or branch. After going around to check that she secured all of the doors and windows, she walked over to Gucci’s stall. The mare stuck her head over the stall door and greeted Sara with a soft whinny. Her soft palomino coat was fluffy and clean, almost glistening. Sara knew that to some people it would look strange to have her horses unblanketed in this type of weather, but Loshenka were made for it, with their thick velvety coats, a trademark of the breed. Sara remembered the first time she saw the breed, years ago at an eventing show. A gorgeous overo stallion had trotted into the ring, a young boy riding him. The announcer had boomed over the loudspeaker, Now entering the ring, Milton Marquis on Leviathan! Leviathan’s coat was a dark seal bay, and his silky tail was held high. No, it wasn’t being held high- the tailbone itself was longer than a normal horses’, with a gentle u-shaped curve to it. As she studied the horse longer, she realized that his mane wasn’t roached like she originally thought. He just didn’t have a mane, period. The lack of hair only emphasized the graceful curve to the stallion’s poll, highlighting the way his muscles flexed as he flew over the jumps. Sara had turned to her mother, eyes wide with wonder. Momma, what type of horse is that?  Sara remembered the way her mothers mouth crinkled when she smiled. That’s a Loshenka, baby. They’re a rare breed from Russia. One of the best horses you’ll ever ride. Young Sara’s eyes turned back to the ring, the horse and rider reflecting in her dark irises. A Loshenka. She would own a Loshenka one day. A Loshenka as gorgeous as the one in the ring in front of her.

Gucci let out a soft snort, drawing Sara out of her wandering thoughts. Sara turned her attention back to her mare, and grinned. She got her wish. She had two gorgeous Loshenkas, both perfect representations of the breed.

“Hey girl,” Sara smiled as she scratched behind the mare’s ears. “I know, I’ll get your dinner soon. Gotta finish making sure you’re nice and cozy first.” Sara swung open the stall door to check that the bedding was evenly spread, with a little extra pushed up around the stall walls. Gucci followed Sara around during her inspection, helping check that everything was up to standard. As Sara went to do the same to Prada’s stall, a huge yawn overcame her. Her silver bay stallion caught on to her exhaustion, and let her lean over his wide back, steadying her weary body. 

“Prada, I’m absolutely exhausted. My bed doesn’t sound nearly as cozy as your stall looks.” Sara adjusted her gloves, then looked at the corner of Prada’s stall. That pile of shavings sure did look like a pillow…

Prada gently lowered down himself next to Sara as she laid down in his stall. 

“Hey bud… Wake me up when it's time for dinner.” She yawned again, and began to drift off, to dreams of Loshenka sailing over stadium jumps. Prada nestled his head against her chest, acting as a fluffy lap blanket. Horse and girl dozed off, warm and cozy as the storm started to blow outside.