The Horse likes the Hunt. When he hears them riding by he wants to join them. He’s never ridden with them, but he likes the idea of running with a herd.
With the sounds of the Hunt fresh on the air The Horse was impatient and unsettled. He just wanted to leave his stable and join them, even though it was 18:30 on a chilly evening.
I greeted The Horse, left the door open as usual and started fumbling around with the padlock on my cupboard.
“I’m just taking a baby step, don’t pay any attention to me.”
The Light is poor in the barn, especially by The Horse, so squinting and fumbling was all I had (I really need to remember a torch).
“I’m not leaving my stable, I’m just very quietly tip-toeing out…”
I freeze as I hear the clop of a shoe against concrete and realise The Horse is trying to leave his stable. What I see when I turn around however, is that The Horse has already left.
“Horse! What are you doing!?”
He startles and looks over his shoulder, already out of his stable and facing the exit “I’m not here! You didn’t see me! You can’t make me come back!”
“Horse, come back.”
“I’m walking away. You can’t make me.”
I grab the edge of his rug by his butt, assuming this will stop him.
“Nope! You can’t make me! I’m running away and you’ll never catch me!” Before I know it he’s trotted through the barn and out of it.
For a moment I consider chasing after him, but I don’t want to give him more reason to run. With a huff of frustration I grab The Horse’s head collar and lead rope, and make my way out of the barn. At the entrance though I find that The Horse gave up his rebellious streak sooner than expected and find him stood in the orange glow of the yard light.
He looks at me “Are you going to tell me off? You are aren’t you.” For a moment The Horse looks like he’s going to run again.
I take a deep breath, determined not to get angry or shout, because The Horse hates being told off. I approach him with reasonable calm and throw the rope over his neck. A brief pat on the head and I lead The reluctant Horse back to his room.
Once inside he’s still restless and uncooperative, but this time I am wise enough to put the chain across the door before I tend to the padlock.
I breath a sigh of relief.
Annoying Horse.