First Ride in the Snow (Sort of)

Winter snow may not of struck the barn, but winter cold and frost has seeped into every dusty crack of the barn, every shadowy corner. There is ice now, and my fingers and toes ache. Twilight does not seem to notice the cold, she investigates the snow like a dog, sniffing inquisitively, at the thin layer of winter's skin.  We rode in the falling snow, it fell on Twilight's coat as we galloped around in the outdoor arena, the flakes became trapped in Twilight's mane and it looked like stars were woven in it.                     Lately cantering has felt like riding the wind, Twilight surges into it so smoothly and full of power but she is controlled.            

After riding in the cold all I want is to shower and become warm again, and I can always smell the barn  in the steam. I remember Gretchen always smelled like horses, her house her clothing, everything. Its like horses had soaked into her soul, she couldn't wash the smell away anymore. I want my skin to become that saturated with horses, I want to be able to press my nose into the fabric of my sleeve and smell the dust and the hay and the sweet smell of horse.

   Sights, smells, and sounds are always more tangible at the barn. The sunlight when it breaks through the cold feel warmer and looks like gold suspended in the air. This morning when I brought an orange out to the barn, the smell of the rinds was thick in the air like perfume. Twilight inhaled appreciatively but would not eat any of the sweet citrus fruit, so I had an orange and she had an apple.

After our ride, I rode on Twilight bareback for a bit, I just let her saunter around the barn, her ears and head up and alter. I love riding bareback the feeling of her gait and muscles moving under my legs. The tickle of her thick fur on my hands.

After I put Twilight away (she rolled on both side as usual) I went over to see Lightening.  He loves attention and came right over to me and let me rub his face and tousle his mane. His nose was wet and velvety but he pressed it close to my face so I gave him a big kiss, and then he gave me one back.

Stephenie said he was full of piss and vinegar this morning, in other words he was very energetic. He is long and lanky and a very flirtatious boy, like an adolescent rock star. Stephenie and I like to joke that he was the inspiration for Nickleback's song called Rockstar. Even though he thinks he is the greatest thing on four legs, Twilight refuses to tolerate him.
Stephenie and I went on a trail ride with Twilight and Lightening, she had her ears flat against her skull the entire time and kept snaking her head at him threatening to bite. Lightening was oblivious to her anger, and just walked along side tripping occasionally over his long legs, and walking sideways just because he could.