Eun-byul and Ion

"OHHHH UGHH! Okay, that is IT!" Svea's voice echoed across half the estate. "I'm tired of untangling your mane every time I turn you in, Ion!"

 

The stallion stood calmly in his stall, watching his handler as she paced back and forth. Eyes on Me, nicknamed Ion, was not only one of the wildest horses when turned out, but he also happened to be a Wulf. This was Svea's bane; she loved the Loshenka breed's bald heads and despised combing, untangling, and plaiting any type of hair.

 

"Eun-byul!" she called out. "Can you bring me the clipping machine and scissors?"

 

Swift footsteps approached, the sound of high heels echoing in the stable as Svea’s friend and fellow rider hurried toward them. As usual, Eun-byul wore her casual clothes even in the stable, however inappropriately other people found them. Looking into Ion's stall with a firm expression, she exclaimed, "Svea, you will not cut his mane off!"

 

"Yes, I will! I can't stand another day of this nonsense."

 

"Well, you're the one who's doing it wrong," Eun-byul replied, looking sceptically at her friend. "Have you ever tried coat shine spray? Or maybe plaiting his mane before turning him out? No, you haven't!"

 

Svea looked at the floor in defeat. Eun-byul was right, but it felt like too much work, just because one of her horses never shed his mane. She just didn't have the energy. Taking the brush from Svea's hand and fetching a step stool, Eun-byul began spraying and brushing the stallion's long mane, slowly untangling it. After a moment, she looked up and shooed her friend away, implying she should tackle another stable chore in the meantime.

 

"There we go, boy," she said with a smile, beginning to plait Ion's mane. "I'll take care of you now, and we can leave her to handle the baldies instead."

 

When Eyes on Me had arrived at Lysehamn, he had been quite a troublemaker and an insecure horse. Although Eun-byul hadn't been there to witness it, she had heard the Fagerudd family talking about his previously unsafe behaviour. Seeing him relaxed and confidently standing still, even without a halter on, filled her with warmth. He was now a very sturdy and trusting horse, one she hoped to ride one day. For now, though, just standing in silence and caring for him was enough to make her smile and unwind.