Hide and Seek!

I recently entered a contest in which the challenge was to think from your horse’s perspective and write about one adventure you’ve had with him/her. I entered the story posted below and won! So, I thought I’d share it here too…

My horse, Dancer (an Appaloosa gelding) would have many stories to tell! I’ve had …him since he was just a foal and we’ve had countless adventures together! But, if he could tell just one, he would probably want you to sit down, make yourself comfortable, and listen to his story about the time that he played “hide-and-go-seek” with me. (He thinks it’s hilarious!) He would probably say something like this:

“Once upon a hot summer day – I was only 2yrs old at the time – my human, Lauren, came out to continue with our training. I had just learned all about saddle pads, girths and that strange thing they call a “saddle”. We had been practicing for weeks and she started climbing up on my back, sat into the saddle and we learned how to work together as a team. It was great! And I was pretty good at it! But, this particular day, I just didn’t want to do anything. It was so hot outside and the birds that hung out in the indoor arena and swooped down on me as I entered had threatened to steal all of my food if I stepped one hoof inside their territory again. So, I decided it would be best to hide from Lauren when she came so I didn’t have to do any work! I thought about it all morning, and by the afternoon I had the perfect plan! You see, there were a few trees inside of my run and I just knew that she couldn’t see me if I stood behind one of them. I tried it a few times, and I couldn’t even see anything when I stood behind the furthest tree from the gate! It was genius! I waited until I heard her voice in the barn and then took my position. I stood as still as I could, and hid my head directly behind the tree. She would never find me!! And then it happened…I heard her laughing. Laughing like some sort of wild animal. She called out to her mom and then she started laughing too! I had no idea what was going on, but I was determined not to give away my whereabouts. But it didn’t matter. Somehow, she had found me! She came strolling up with the halter, still giggling, and asked what I thought I was doing? I don’t know how she saw me, but she must have appreciated my creativity because she said that if I was that serious about not doing any training that day, we could have a break. So, she ended up grooming me and giving me treats instead. I guess, in a way, my plan did work! But I still don’t know how she ever found out I was there!”

(What Dancer wouldn’t tell you is that the tree was only about 3ft around and that I could see all but his head sticking out from either side!)