Post by Melissa on Oct 7, 2007 20:45:40 GMT -5
The sun was just going down when I bounded along out of the barn and down to the paddock where FS Mockingbird grazed with the other colts. Pausing for just an minute I watched the magnificent background that greeted my eyes. Chestnuts, bay, blacks and the occasional grey horse grazed peacefully against the trees that held red and brown leaves with the already fallen leaves scattered about the roots. I took in a deep breath of the crisp fall temperatures and pulled the WB blue and white jacket closer around my body and then rubbed my hands together as I continued on toward the paddock where my pride and joy colt FS Mockingbird grazed with several other two year old colts. Of all the colts in the paddock Jay was my boy more than any of the others were.
Skip, jogging at my heels ears darting from me to the tall chestnut colt who rolled one eye in our direction from beyond the white wash paddock fence. Lifting his head the Oddside son snorted lightly, ears flicking forward lightly. His faded star and stripe flashed as he dropped his head back to the ground, teeth chopping away at the grass underfoot. "I know you see and hear me Jayz." I called softly with a grin. I wasn't annoyed that the colt was pulling a game of tag with me. When I touched the fence paddock Jay ambled away, taking bites as he went and occasionally looking back at me. Skip stopped at the fence and I climbed up to sit on the top rail for a few minutes. J, however, was not fooled by my pause to "get" him and he tossed his head before lightly swishing his tail against his flanks as his hooves shifted aside the fallen leaves.
"Okay, Okay." I grumbled good-naturedly leaping down from the fence into the fallen leaves near the fence of his paddock. By then Jay was about 5-10 feet ahead of me and I tracked the colt's movements carefully. When his head swung to the right, I shifted left a giggle bubbling when he arched his neck and snapped his head in the other direction. I was too quick for him and darted up a few feet to the right. With a squeal he swung to face me with an annoyed look in his eyes. "Gotcha." I said brightly, tugging at Jay's mane before giving him a big hug. Slightly pinning back one ear Jay nipped at my pocket and I laughed at the colt's usual antics of a "search-down". Fishing out an sugar cube from my pocket I offered it to the tall two year old who eyes brightened and he bobbed his head before snatching it up and munching happily. Burying my face into his course mane I wrapped my arms around Jay's copper mane, hugging him tightly, breathing in the familiar scent of an horse. "See you later, big boy." I murmured pressing my cheek against the colt's warm neck for just an instant.
Fluffing up Jay's mane with my hand I wandered back towards the fence, shoving my hands into the pockets of my jeans desperate to keep them warm. As much as I loved fall, the frigid temperatures weren't on the list that I liked about the fall/winter months. J flicked one ear forward before rocking forward slightly and moved into a gentle walk, following behind as I stepped along the frost-tipped grass. Looking back over my shoulder at the chestnut I gave a soft grin, "Looking for another treat?" were my words to the tall colt and J blew out, lifting his head a bit. Pulling out an carrot piece I listened to the colt crunch his reward and slid the leather halter up over the two year old's face and behind his ears. Buckling it up securely I took a firm grip and tugged ever so lightly at the lead rope. FS Mockingbird came slightly unwillingly but he soon was butting his soft muzzle against my hands. Scratching his ears I chuckled, we were a team without an doubt.
Skip, jogging at my heels ears darting from me to the tall chestnut colt who rolled one eye in our direction from beyond the white wash paddock fence. Lifting his head the Oddside son snorted lightly, ears flicking forward lightly. His faded star and stripe flashed as he dropped his head back to the ground, teeth chopping away at the grass underfoot. "I know you see and hear me Jayz." I called softly with a grin. I wasn't annoyed that the colt was pulling a game of tag with me. When I touched the fence paddock Jay ambled away, taking bites as he went and occasionally looking back at me. Skip stopped at the fence and I climbed up to sit on the top rail for a few minutes. J, however, was not fooled by my pause to "get" him and he tossed his head before lightly swishing his tail against his flanks as his hooves shifted aside the fallen leaves.
"Okay, Okay." I grumbled good-naturedly leaping down from the fence into the fallen leaves near the fence of his paddock. By then Jay was about 5-10 feet ahead of me and I tracked the colt's movements carefully. When his head swung to the right, I shifted left a giggle bubbling when he arched his neck and snapped his head in the other direction. I was too quick for him and darted up a few feet to the right. With a squeal he swung to face me with an annoyed look in his eyes. "Gotcha." I said brightly, tugging at Jay's mane before giving him a big hug. Slightly pinning back one ear Jay nipped at my pocket and I laughed at the colt's usual antics of a "search-down". Fishing out an sugar cube from my pocket I offered it to the tall two year old who eyes brightened and he bobbed his head before snatching it up and munching happily. Burying my face into his course mane I wrapped my arms around Jay's copper mane, hugging him tightly, breathing in the familiar scent of an horse. "See you later, big boy." I murmured pressing my cheek against the colt's warm neck for just an instant.
Fluffing up Jay's mane with my hand I wandered back towards the fence, shoving my hands into the pockets of my jeans desperate to keep them warm. As much as I loved fall, the frigid temperatures weren't on the list that I liked about the fall/winter months. J flicked one ear forward before rocking forward slightly and moved into a gentle walk, following behind as I stepped along the frost-tipped grass. Looking back over my shoulder at the chestnut I gave a soft grin, "Looking for another treat?" were my words to the tall colt and J blew out, lifting his head a bit. Pulling out an carrot piece I listened to the colt crunch his reward and slid the leather halter up over the two year old's face and behind his ears. Buckling it up securely I took a firm grip and tugged ever so lightly at the lead rope. FS Mockingbird came slightly unwillingly but he soon was butting his soft muzzle against my hands. Scratching his ears I chuckled, we were a team without an doubt.
