Since the day The Horse became a part of my life I have regaled my nan with tales of The Horse and our escapades. She has often said it is the highlight of a visit when I tell her of all the ways The Horse has failed to horse, and has been my greatest champion in encouraging me to write these stories.
One day my parents decided that it was time my nan met the source of her amusement.
There was little warning, and anyway, how does one prepare a horse to meet its biggest fan…?
At the time The Horse had a room with a big window where we could see everyone who entered and left the yard. The Parents arrived with Nan and I decided to play it cool.
“Hey look, Dad is here. And Mum! Does she have food?”
Of course The Horse noticed, he’s too nosy for his own good sometimes.
I greeted Nan while The Horse eagerly looked between The Parents trying to work out whether he would be getting a fuss or food.
“Do you want to meet him? He’s much bigger up close.” Dad asked Nan. She didn’t have much choice. Before I knew what was happening Dad was excitedly taking The Horse out of his stable to meet Nan properly.
“Where are we going? Are you taking me out? Are we going for food? Why are we going the wrong way?” I suspect are some of the questions that The Horse was asking, but I wasn’t there to hear it.
Finally, they reappeared approaching Nan and Mum. Nan didn’t look so sure – The Horse is big and dark which can make him seem intimidating at first.
The Horse, on the other hand, became bored by the introduction within moments.
“Why are we standing here? Are we going for a walk? Am I getting food? I’m bored now, I want to go in my field.”
Mum suddenly says”Give him a treat.”
“He’s already had one.”
Mum looked at me meaningfully.
Oh!
I grab a carrot and rush out to be with my family. Nan declines feeding The Horse (understandable, she prefers animals at a distance and all fingers attached) and I coax The Horse down from giraffe practice with a snap of the carrot.
“You have food! Gimme!”
Dad asks Nan jokingly “Do you want get on him?”
The Horse roars “You’ve got to be kidding!”
Nan then fairly keels over laughing.
I think she enjoyed her introduction to the horse.