On the way home from auditing the Eventing Team clinic in far away land, Jill stopped by to pat her retired thoroughbred buddy from the 7 year eventing sponsorship. That had been her hayday, ha. He'd retired with back problems to a hunter/jumper barn near his owner's house, and far, far away from Jill's current residence in the university town.
He ignored her as she walked past the paddock the first time, to see if there was anyone in the barn to ask for permission. She seemed to be the only person around. When she spoke, joking to the dogs to go herd him for her, he pratically trotted up the hill to the corner of the paddock she was closest to. Most folks would assume it coincidence, but Jill knew better. Horses remember friendships just like people do and he had been, and obviously still was, as fond as her as she was of him. She was reminded of the saying "There is no secret so close as that between a horse and rider."
She was pleased that he looked fit and strong - she wondered if it was just from daily turn out in the large hilly paddock or if they might actually be working him. She had forgotten how dappled he gets in the summer time. He was so handsome! And, he kissed her! Nuzzling her in their old pattern of affection. She could actually give him some treats because the grass on the other side of the fence was better than the grass inside... it was both a joy to see him and heartache to leave him again. After a half hour of just hanging out there chatting, scratching, patting and all, she got back in the vehicle trying not to cry.
There had been so much change in the colour in the leaves even overnight. It was really a beautiful drive!
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