Yearning for a Horse

Yesterday my friend Mary contacted me with an unusual question. Her horse loving granddaughter had been doing a school project where she researched what horses eat, and then (with a little help from her mama) she had baked some horse treats. Mary wanted to know if I would like to have them for Abby since Charlotte does not have a horse.

This photo of the box of treats and Charlotte's little signature absolutely melted my heart.

A little girl yearning for a horse of her own? I was that girl, too. (I had a mason jar on my dresser labeled "Horse Money." Inside the jar was a note that said, "Dear Thief, This is for my horse. Please do not steal.")

I told Mary that I would absolutely love to have the treats and have invited Charlotte and her Oma to come with me and help me give them to Abby and the herd. I sure hope they can come.

A Crabby Abby

I love my mare, but I am not blind to the fact that she is sassy and that she can be a bit of a diva. And I freely admit that I contributed to the diva aspect - she always gets the best and most treats of the herd. (She also gets the first and the last treat. Yep. Diva.)

This morning Lisa and I went out early to the barn for a visit before church. Hokey was in a far part of the pasture away from the other horses, and did not seem to want to walk around the old barn and come up. Instead, he stayed at the far gate and looked pathetic.

It worked.

Lisa took pity on him and walked down the lane to ensure he, too, got a carrot.

Naturally, Abby followed the food.

 She tagged along, right at Lisa's left hip.

 Hopeful that Lisa might slip her something to nibble.

 Then Diablo decided that maybe Abby had the right idea.

 And she followed a ways.

Before deciding it wasn't worth the slog through the mud and turning around and coming back by me.

Leaving Abby once again as the first in line for treats.

 But, wait!! Lisa slipped under the fence away from Abby!

 No longer able to be in range of the treats, Abby turned back.

 She was not happy about missing out on "her" rightful treats.

 Not only are her ears back, look at those nostrils! They're also pulled back in disgust.

A good nip on Diablo's flank further indicated her crabbiness.

But she wasn't crabby for much longer. Lisa returned and before we headed back to the car, everyone got one last nibble. 

Except for Abby. 

She got two.