Heaven

[april]

The fog is still covering the ground on a beautiful misty morning as I ride Heaven out on the trails. Heaven enjoys the new schedule, loving the cool of the mornings and evenings. She arches her neck and dances so happily under me. She’s a living image of joy, and she wants to show off what a special horse she is by prancing and showing her spirits. I pet her and say “Take it easy sweetheart. Just a light work today.” She blows happily, and tugs at the reins just as a tease, but obeys my slightest signal more than willingly. She always does all she can to please me, mixing sugar- sweetness with near electric energy and high spirits. We take a long but slow tour of the trails, building up endurance while not tiring her out in the least. I ride her bareback the way I love too, feeling the close connection with her that I love so much. We ride along beside the stream, and the sound of the gurgling water gets her high spirits up even more. She prances so merrily that she’s practically doing the passage. “That’s good girl. You just keep on being so happy,” I say, and hug her neck and pet her as we continue on. I get as much pleasure out of seeing her happy as I do from riding her. I let her have a little trot off and on so her spirits won’t build up and make her jittery, but when we head back to the stables she’s as fresh as before.