King Of The Mustangs

It would be a usual day at the yard for me, as my parents were huge city-go-ers. Their 'fancy' office jobs,  but I was more of a country girl. I had loved horses for my whole life, also I was an extremely confident rider. So that meant me, at the yard surrounded by horses all shapes and sizes and with my best friend Lauri nothing could be better!

Sometimes Lauri would let me ride her pony, Bell. She was a Dapple grey pony, part Thoroughbred! Most of the time when I was on horseback I was on one of the yard owner's horses. Kio was a 22 year old part Arab, he was a lovely Liver Chestnut colour. I rode Kio most of the time, but only for half an hour each weekend he was too old for any heavy work. Usually I would take him over a couple of jumps with Lauri and Bell in tow. Today I was hoping to do something different.

I had permission from Freyah, the owner of the yard to take Kio for a 2 hour hack, galloping and all! I was so excited! But this meant I couldn't ride Kio for about 2 weeks afterwards, so he could have a break. I had been on hacks before but it was a long time ago, now, my parents 'don't have the time' to book lessons or hacks for me any more. I was 14 years old and more a less lived happily without help. My mother was a Lawyer and my father an Accountant. The good points about this though was because of their generously paid jobs I get more a less whatever I ask for.

Anyway back to the yard...

I was busy tacking Kio up. I carefully slipped the bit into his mouth and slid the rest of the bridle into place, taking care not to catch his beautiful hazel eyes. I placed the saddle onto his back and tightened up the girth, also being careful not to catch his skin. Walking out of his stable I could hear his hooves on the concrete behind me, Kio was the most perfect horse ever. He would follow just abouts anyone, anywhere, a bit like a huge dog!

"Toyah, you ready?" Lauri called me from the other side of the yard where she kept Bell. 

"Ready as I'll ever be!" I replied whilst stopping Kio, pulling his stirrups down and mounting. I gently nudged Kio in the sides and hooked my riding hat off the wall with my hand. Steering Kio with my legs I slid my hat on. Half way down the yard I met with Lauri and Bell. We walked our horses down the driveway of the yard and along the main road, this is the best way to get to the woods...

Finally we got into the woods, cantering along the track was a dream! Kio didn't want to stop! We used the woods to get onto the moor. The air was clean and the ground was perfect for galloping, which is exactly what we did! Once we got back to the yard I untacked Kio and then left him with a haynet and water. I had to leave early today as there was a livery meeting tonight. There was going to be a stable shuffle round, something was happening but no one was telling me what.

I had always found that something felt like it was missing, I was longing for my own horse but so far it didn't look as if it was happening. Well... Apart from when I got home and our house keeper Ms Megee had some news for me...