He was all fur coat and no knickers

Out of all attendees, she picked me. I guess it’s because I was wearing a bright yellow top, pink and blue plaid and mysterious aviators; I chose my outfit carefully for the adventure. I came up to the beast and she gave me the reins. The animal shifted from one leg to another and contemptuously stared into my eyes, as if it knew that today was my first time trying to ride his kind. My group curiously watched how I climbed on top of my stallion and then attempted to do the same.

While they clumsily saddled their horses, I decided to get to know mine. It was a boy, and he was cumbersome. I lightly touched his neck as to not startle him; the short hickory fur was soft, and his long wavy mane was neatly placed to one side. He was beating his long black tail from side to side, trying to rid of the annoying flies that buzzed around him. His pointy ears twitched and turned to every sound, as if he wasn’t a horse, but a cat during a watch.

He really was all fur coat, and no, he was not wearing underwear. But his name was Knickers.

I petted him and whispered to him, making sure he knew my voice. I wanted to make a personal connection with the beast that allowed me to saddle itself. He blatantly stood in the middle of the ranch, and simply did not care. But I knew that he understood me. Gradually, I felt his shoulders relax and we were ready for our ride. When everyone climbed on their horses, on the mark of our instructors I pulled the reins and guided him towards the road.

The saddle was uncomfortable, but soon I got used to it. He paid attention to every order I gave with my reins, and obeyed accordingly. His massive hooves sank in the mud on the road and I jumped in mid-air with every step he made. The road led into a forest and the riders formed a line to get around the mud. Soon we came to a meadow, and our instructors gave us the mark to start galloping. I was ready. I pulled on the reins, dug my heels in, and off we went.

The wind played with my hair as I held onto Knickers and listened to his hooves clatter against the ground. It was awesome.