FEELING FRISKY

Written by Leona Nielsen
Published on February 2013

The morning air was filled with tiny particles of frost crystals as it drifted slowly over the meadows. There was still no sign of winter coming to an end.
“I don’t understand why I am awake so early and just my luck I will be up alone.†Annie thought to herself as she shook the sleep from her body.
“BOOOO!!!!†whispered Baby.
Annie turned around so fast that she tripped over her front hoofs and landed on her bottom.
“WHAT DID YOU DO THAT FOR BABY!†Annie yelled as she got back on her feet.
“Pay back. Remember the time in the field you jumped out of the bushes and I thought it was one of those geese?â€
“Oops, I forgot about that Baby. I guess I did deserve this one.â€
“Pay back is so sweet sometimes.†Baby added with a smile.
“Waking me up is anything but sweet!†Joseph muttered.
“I guess I’m not the only one awake after all.†Annie replies.
“Now that we are all up, what are we going to do today? Did anyone check the weather?†Baby asked.
“I have Baby,†came the voice from the loft.
“Are squirrels always up so early?†Annie wanted to know.
“This is the best time to get food.â€
“Can you tell us what the weather is going to be like Early Riser?†Joseph said.
“Sunny and cold.†answered Gocho.
Baby wanted to see firsthand, so he peeked out through the hole in the window.
“It is sunny out.â€
“Maybe we will be able to get out.†Annie added.
“Yes and then I will be able to get some of that quality time with myself.†Joseph added.
“Joseph!!!â€
“Awww, Baby you are too easy to get going sometimes.â€
“One of these days, Joseph!â€
“You mean I might be going to the moon???â€
Baby and Joseph couldn’t help but laugh.
After breakfast, the activities in the barn began to pick up. Everyone knew it was the week-end. Hay was being stacked up for the coming week. The floors were swept clean and even the tack room was getting a small cleaning job.
“Our owners have been in there an awful long time. We should take a look to see what is going on in there.†Joseph said.
“Good idea. I’ll get right on it and let you know in a minute.†Annie shouted as she ran to the tack room. She felt important as she peeked into the room.
“They look like they are done.†Annie reported back.
“I have my hoofs crossed that we will be going out.â€
“Joseph ,I am standing here looking at you and you don’t have your hoofs crossed.†Annie shouted.
“I know Annie, but it’s all in my head.â€
“Ohhhhh, it is going to be one of those days. Baby, are you thinking the same thing as I am?†Annie asked.
“If you are hoping for those doors to open, then we are on the same page Annie. We need a break.â€
“Is it the same when humans say they need a break from their kids and the kids need a break from their parents?†asked Annie.
“That’s it Annie.â€
“Guess I did my job.†said Joseph.
“What might that be?â€
“Stirring up the pot.†Joseph answered with a big grin on his face.
“You stirred it well too Joseph.â€
“I don’t see a pot Joseph.â€
“Joseph is just being Joseph!†Baby added.
Before they knew it, everyone was smiling. Winter has been hard this time with all the snow, especially for getting out. Just then Joseph perked his ears up as far as they would go.
“What’s the matter Joseph?â€
“Nothing Baby, that’s just it.â€
“I don’t understand.â€
“Listen. Do you hear anything?â€
“You’re right Joseph, there is no noise. Our owners must have gone to the house. Guess we have to go back to the drawing board and figure out what to do to pass the day.†Baby added with a sad look on his face.
Just then the barn doors open and there stood the owners, one carrying a halter.
“HURRAY!!! We are going out!†shouted Annie.
“With the presence of the halter, my guess is we are going for a walk instead of hitting the field for a run.â€
“I‘m alright with that Joseph. It’s better than nothing. “Sometimes that can be fun too.†Baby replied.
“Oh! Oh! I am going first. That’s my halter!†Annie shouted as she jumped up and down.
“You always go first!!â€
“That’s because I am a girl Joseph and girls always go first.†Annie shouted back as she pranced out the doors.
“Well, Joseph, we can look at it this way. If she hadn’t gone first, one of us would be listening to her complaining right now.â€
“Good point Baby.â€
Annie felt so good walking down the road. She knew when they reached the house there would be a treat waiting for her. Silently, Annie was hoping for an apple instead of a carrot. The closer they got to the house, the deeper the snow became. She hated getting her legs wet so, in order to avoid this, she stepped as high as she possibly could. In the end, it was worth it for the apple. A few minutes later Annie arrived back at the barn.
“How was the walk?†Baby asked.
“Oh! it felt so good being out! The snow kept getting deeper and deeper.â€
“And I bet you were walking like you had high heels on, weren’t you Annie?â€
“Why YES! You know how I feel about getting my legs wet!!!â€
Baby and Joseph both laughed as they both had a visual in their minds of how high Annie had been stepping.
Next, it was Joseph’s turn. He was just as excited as Annie but didn’t let his excitement show. He knew Baby would love a chance at teasing him. As he walked down the road, the wind was gently tickling the little hairs in his ears.
Like Annie, he was wondering about the treat. He had to agree with Annie about the snow. All in all the road wasn’t too bad. He was hoping the taste of the carrot would stay for a while. It was a nice treat. As they approached the barn he could see Baby standing waiting his turn.
As Joseph looked at Baby he could see the look The Look of !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Baby’s legs were prancing as the halter was being put on. Baby was always the quiet one.
Annie came around the corner from getting a drink, turned to Joseph ……..
“There’s The Look!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Oh Yeah!, Annie it is there and it is not for an apple or carrot either.â€
“Nope!!!!!†Annie added as she stood by the door.
As Baby left the barn, he could feel the coolness of the air on his face. A small wind passed by causing a ripple effect in his mane as he walked down the road. Baby was beginning to understand what Joseph meant by spending time with himself even though he was kidding. The closer they came to the house, Baby’s thoughts turned from trying to figure out how deep the snow was to wondering if he might get lucky and get his favourite treat. As the steps got closer Baby decided to see how far he could get….just to the step or in the house. Being in the house was fun. Before the owner realized it, Baby had climbed up on the step with just one jump and was pawing at the door for it to open.
“Baby you are really in a rush for your treat aren’t you?†the owner said.
“If you could hear me, the answer would be, “yep and I am going to use my blue eyes too and see if I can get extra.â€â€
Baby continued working at the door and before he knew it the door swung open and he was in.
“Well now Baby, seeing where you are inside, would you like a look in the fridge and pick your own treat?â€
“You don’t have to tell me twice†Baby thought as he made his way to the fridge.
Looking in Baby thought how strangely humans ate. They don’t even have any hay or grain.
Wait just one minute!!!!!
PEPPERMINTS!!!!!!!!
Baby was so quick to grab the bag that he had several in his mouth before the owner could rescue it.
“I think that should be enough for you Baby.â€
Baby didn’t hear a word of what was being said. He was just enjoying the taste of peppermint.
A few minutes later Baby turned and made his way out the door. With one leap he was off the step and back on solid ground again. As he and the owner started out the driveway Baby wished there was a way to let him know how good he was feeling. There is…………..
Half way back to the barn Baby started tossing his head to one side.
“There is nothing wrong with a brisk walk.†Baby thought as he was feeling so good.
It was like 0 to 50 in 5 seconds. Feeling the breeze passing through his forelock and mane, Baby’s steps became faster and faster.
“Joseph! Joseph! Come quickly and see this! Hurry Joseph!!!!!!!! Annie yelled.
“What’s all the noise?†TC asked as she came to see what was going on.
By this time, Baby was almost to a trot. Let’s just say that Baby forgot there was someone on the other end of the lead line. Baby was full speed ahead and the owner was pulling in the opposite direction as hard as he could to slow Baby down. And then……………Annie shouted
“HURRY JOSEPH!!!!!
OUR OWNER IS AIRBORNE!!!!!!!!!â€
Joseph arrived just in time to see the owner’s feet leave the road and for a split second become airborne and finally landing on his stomach on the road. Baby still kept going, not realizing what was going on behind him. He kept dragging the owner, who refused to let the lead line go, along the road.
“BABY !!! BABY!!! STOP!â€
“What, Joseph?†Baby shouted back.
“STOP!!!!â€
“WHY?â€
“JUST DO IT!!â€
“OK.†Baby answered. When he stopped, the owner came to a stop as well.
“Oh, I can’t wait to tell you all about my walk.â€
“You are not the only one who has a story to tell.†Joseph said.
Just then, Baby looked around and saw their owner getting back on his feet.
“Whoops!! I guess I moved out too fast.â€
Annie turned and looked at Joseph, “is that road rash?â€
“Almost, Annie.†Joseph added as he watched their owner brush himself off. There was a large wet spot covered in dirt on his stomach.
“TC, don’t be upset with me, but doesn’t that wet spot look like a target?â€
“Annie, I don’t think we will go there.â€
“Does that mean you are shutting me down?â€
“You could say that, Annie.†TC answered as she walked towards the fence. It wouldn’t have been right to agree with Annie.
Baby was starting to feel bad over what had happened.
“Oh Baby, you are in trouble now!†Annie yelled.
“Annie, when you do something and it is your fault, you have to take responsibility for it and I have to for this one.â€
“We saw the look as you left and we knew that you would get into trouble.†Joseph reminded Baby.
“I shouldn’t have had all those peppermints.†Baby went on to tell them what had happened with the bag of peppermints.
“YOU GOT A SUGAR HIGH BABY!!!â€
“Is that what made me feel so good?â€
“Oh Baby, there is a first for everything and this one is yours. How many did you eat?â€
“Too many.â€
A few minutes later the owner came in. Baby stood with his head down.
“Baby, I have to say that was the fastest trip I have ever made to the barn without having to walk all the way. I should have removed the peppermints from the fridge before you came, but then I wasn’t expecting you to invite yourself in either. Things like this happen and I can’t be totally upset with you. The main thing is that we learn from our mistakes. I have to wonder, Joseph, if peppermints would give you some speed ,in a show.†The owner patted everyone and left.
‘I guess it is a lesson for all of us. We don’t have to get upset every time something happens, just learn for the next time. Baby, will there be a next time?â€
“No TC. I have learned a lesson from this.â€
“And what is that Baby?â€
“To stay away from the peppermints.â€
The clouds passed over the barn and night settled in.
“Good Night Little Onesâ€
“Good Nigh, TC.â€
“Joseph, would those candies really make you move faster when you didn’t want to?†Annie asked.
“ Annie, I think I have to shut you down on this one and say I’m not going there.â€
“Going where?â€
“Good night Gochoâ€

Hi Everyone. We hope you enjoyed our story.
We learned that we should always be responsible and learn from the mistakes we make. Sometimes it may not be easy, but it is the right thing to do.
Next time our story is “Who Is That?â€
See you then and stay safe.
Baby, Joseph. Annie and TC

[caption id="attachment_1426" align="alignnone" width="150" caption="Baby"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1428" align="alignnone" width="150" caption="Joseph"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1430" align="alignnone" width="150" caption="Annie"][/caption]