At the end of every visit to the stables The Horse gets a treat. A treat could be anything on offer, from fruit and veg, bread and biscuits or a mix of fancy and basic horse treats. Sometimes he gets to choose which he wants, but most of the time I decide for him to ensure nothing goes to waste.
One day, after an enjoyable hack, The Horse was waiting for his treat. But there was also someone else waiting for my attentions – a chicken.
I crouched by the cupboard where I keep most of The Horses belongings, and with his feed bowl beside me, began breaking down some dried bread and carrots into it. The bread was in a paper bag which had ripped, and before I knew it I had an inquisitive chicken beside me. She watched me keenly and carefully approached the paper bag.
“I already gave you some banana skin, Chicken. You can’t want more.”
“What’s in the bag?”
“It’s bread, but this is for The Horse.”
“What about at the bottom?”
“Well…”
“I see crumbs.”
“I suppose you can have that.”
I opened the bag so the Chicken could access it safely, and she dived in gleefully.
Dad, who had been watching the interaction, laughed at what I couldn’t see.
“Quick, give me your phone.”
I handed it over, and he started to take several pictures. Then he handed my phone back so I could see what he had captured. What I had been unaware of, whilst dealing with the chicken, was The Horse reaching with all of his might for me and the food I was giving away.
“Oi, oi, hey, oi, hey! Gimme, hey. Don’t give it to me. I want the food. Hey, hey, hey. Don’t ignore me! Oi…”
He needn’t have worried though as he got his treat seconds later.
Silly Horse.
The Horse and I 