The polo Ponies by Catherine Manners

Pretty. Majestic. Skittish. The way the three of them stood there looking at me, made me smile. Mary-Ann, Mouse and Char, Char were ready to be exercised. The polo ponies knew exactly where they were going, but Ally, Sally-Ann and me had other ideas!

Sally-Ann owned six pretty polo ponies, all with their own habits and personalities came as a pleasurable package. Mary-Ann, Char, Char, Casper, Mo, Mouse and TC. Out on the road the horses were ready to go. walking quickly, prancing, tails swishing, heads down, ears pricked. I laughed to myself. These three were certainly a handful!

As we approached the common, we slowed to a walk. It didn't tire or prevent the polo ponies from dancing on their toes and getting excited. Snorting and nodding to each other; knowing what they were going to be able to do. On the common, the ground was still fresh and frosty. The grass crunched noisily as the quiet horses passed silently over it.

Ducking under a branch, I regained my position in the saddle and looked up to see a wonderful sight! The sun rising slowly and silently as if it were a great ball of golden amber. It's rays swept up and caught you so unexpectedly, even the horses had to look away from it's splendid sight.

After the beautiful moment had gone, the silence broke. As birds started to sing; Ally, Sally-Ann and I recalled the moment quietly. Walking Char, Char on, Ally and I followed Sally-Ann as she gained gait and slipped gracefully into a rocking canter. Nudging Mouse and Mary-Ann on, Ally and I settled to the rhythm of the third gait as the horses followed Char, Char down the trail.

When we pulled up, I could hear nothing, but the horses breath. They were breathing heavily after the gracefulness of the canter that seemed unreal.

We walked the horses back, and we arrived, PeeWee was waiting. he galloped up to us, barking and winding in and out of the horses hooves.

While Ally and I took our gear off, Sally-Ann had turned the hose on and started bathing the sweat off Char, Char steaming body.

None of three of us spoke. The dog had gone quiet too. We all knew our jobs. What we had to do. Char, Char was done, and Sally-Ann brought her to be tied up. Ally took her and Sally-Ann looked at me. I knew it was Mouse's turn. Untying him, I led him onto the grass and took the hose from Sally-Ann. Putting my thumb over the top of the hose, so it turned into a flat spray, I aimed it for Mouse's back. He flinched, but I carried on, whispering to him quietly. He calmed and allowed me to finish spraying his whole body, removing the sweat which had once formed.

When he was done, Ally, Sally-Ann and I, untied the horses and opened the gate. The road was silent and everything still. We took them across and Sally-Ann opened the gate to the horses' field. The mare and two geldings raised their heads and neighed as the damp horses were led in. Set free at the same time, Char,Char, Mouse and Mary-Ann bolted to rejoin the rest of the herd. Mo, Casper and TC came galloping over and as the two halves joined once again. Happy and tired. Sally-Ann, Ally and I, looked at each other and smiled at the horses playing.

Daybreak had almost certainly arrived, disappointedly turned back toward the stable. Knowing the three were hot, tired and exercised. Back with the others, together as the polo ponies.

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