The Aphelion Moon

Easter

I spent easter with my mother's side of the family. Her brother had a farm. There was a little corn around the outside of three edges of the farm. He had a pin with a bunch of horses on one side and a smaller pin on the other side of the yard but it only had one very big (or at least big to me).

Of course I am about 4 years old and I am curious about the creature and want to find out what made him different to the point he stays by himself. No one noticed me leaving the house to go outside. There had to be 50 people running around (adults and kids). Christine was busy catching up talking to the cousins. My mother did not even notice that I was there.

I made my way to the pin. I pulled some long grass from around the fence post. The horse ran up to me. First I offered him the grass that I pulled. He looked at me a little strange and then started eating it out of my hand. I saw he was so pretty. He had black mane and tail while the rest of him was a light cream color. He was so beautiful. Next I climbed threw the wooden fence so I could be closer to him. He took a couple steps back like he was allowing me room to come threw. I stood up straight in front of him and looked into his eyes. It almost seemed like he was talking to me. I found myself feeling an urge to pick up his hoof. I went by his side and pet his leg. I had never been around horses before. He lifted his hoof again and it was right by my head. I looked at it and saw something shiny I pulled on it and it came out. It was a nail no wonder he looked like he was hurting. He put his foot down and took a couple more steps back and started trotting around in a circle nodding his head.

Next thing I know I hear my uncle telling me to slowly take steps back towards the gate. So I did, not knowing why he said I should do that. All of a sudden I feel him yank me out of the pin and put me on the ground. My grandfather rushed over with while my uncle kept asking me if I was ok. Yes I told him over and over I am not hurt.

My grandfather asked my uncle what was going on. My uncle replied "the horse is wild no one has ridden him or even stayed on him very long." My uncle said they have tried to break him and the horse won't have it. He was by himself so he would not spoil the others. "He is a leader I was hoping he would lead the team when I got him but in this state he would make the others unuseable." "Can I stand now." I asked.

I handed my uncle the nail I had taken out of the hoof. He was not going to hurt me he needed my help this was in his foot. "How did you get that" my uncle raised his voice. I told him " he lifted his foot and showed me". All I did was pull it out. My grandfather looked at me and then my uncle and asked him "Is the horse shoed?". My uncle answered "No he wouldn't let anyone near his hooves."

About then all the cousins started running out. My uncle called the older boys over. My uncle looked at the boys and said there is a saddle in the barn if anyone can get on and ride this horse for one minute I will give you fifty dollars. Of course all the boys run to the barn and get the saddle and ropes. "What are they all doing?" I ask. The boys were trying to get the saddle on, trying to get a bridal or a harness on him, and I couldn't understand any of it. Finally my grandfather told my uncle to call the boys back and have them put the equipment away. My uncle did what was asked. After they were out my grandfather looked at me and said do you see the danger. I said yes those boys are crazy they scare me also. He asked "What would you do differently?" I dont know I would let him tell me it is ok. "How?" he asked. The same way he told me his foot hurt. I just know what he is thinking. He told me to go ahead.

I went back threw the fence. At first I could see my uncle go to grab me again. My grandfather held him back and said watch.

I stood there watching the horse run in circles and stomp and kick. He was scared and was not sure if there was anyone still trying to catch him. Once the horse saw me he stopped jumping around, stood still for a moment making eye contact with me. He walked over and put his head down into my chest. I petted his head still not sure what was going on just knowing when I was scared that's what I wanted. All of a sudden The horse dropped down and was laying on the ground next to me. It was like he was telling me to get on him. I looked at my grandfather as a way of asking what I should do and he nodded at me. His quiet way of saying go ahead.

I walked over to his back and rubbed it. The horse threw his head up and down still laying on the ground. I put one leg over his side and grabbed ahold of his neck. All of a sudden he stood up. I looked down and it was a long way down. I hung on tighter. He

started to slowly walk forward. It was almost like he knew I was scared. My grandfather said now you need to straighten your back and hold your head up. By then some of the aunts, uncles, cousins, and my mother and step father started gathering by the fence. I hadn't noticed because my head was down. All of a sudden my grandmother let out a shriek it startled the horse and I. My grandfather then told me to go in a clockwise circle. I didnt know what I was doing I touched the right side of the horse's neck and he started going into a large circle in that direction. Next he said go the other direction so I put my hand on the left side of the horse's neck and he turned the other direction. By this time my grandmother was hitting my grandfather. He said that's enough now time to get off. I looked at him "How do I do that?" Grandpa said "jump off." I looked down nope! "I need another option" I said. It was like the horse understood and walked to the gate. I could then grab the gate and pull myself off. The horse walked over to the water bucket.

My grandmother was crying and freaking out. My mother and aunts were scalding me. My grandfather yelled "QUIET!" Everyone stopped and was quiet. I ran to Christine and held her leg.

First he looked at me and my mother. He said "You know what this means dont you?" My mother looked at me as though she hated me even more than before. My step father looked at me like I was dead. He looked at my grandmother and told her "She has the gift." I did not know what they were talking about and did not really care.

Next my grandfather looked at my uncle and said I think you owe the little one some money. I hid my head everyone was staring at me. I was used to being ignored. This much attention scared me. Everyone was staring some in awe, some scared, and others like I was in trouble.