I have a new friend and her name is Pringle.
The first time we met was a beautiful moment captured here. I found myself checking on her throughout the rest of the day and night. I fed her carrots, apples, and bananas. Once nighttime came, I got bored, was feeling a little wild, and for some reason I got a hankering to ride her. I mean like I really wanted to. One of my best friends strongly advised against it, we were having the funniest conversation back and forth. I sent a picture to my friend Matthew; he said her ears looked like she was rideable, but even he said not to do it at night. And he lives on island and has done some crazy shit here.
So of course I went outside and asked Pringle if I could ride her and held on to her mane and looked at her and met her eyes and said "Can I ride you? Will you hurt me?" Then she stepped on my toe really hard. I don't know if it was an accident or what, but I took it as a hard sign. I was like "Okay, wow you're pretty strong aren't you?" It hurt. That was the first time I realized how big she actually was and I saw all of her muscles. Not just my little pony.
Looking back, all the way to last night, it's funny that the toe step is what stopped me from getting on her back. It wasn't the fact that I don't even know how to ride a trained horse that has a saddle (she had no saddle or reins) or that it was pitch black outside or that I was alone or that it's not my horse or that I was trespassing in my neighbor's yard. Those are just minor details. I knew I wanted to jump on her and ride around. Did you guys think I did it? You maybe thought for a second, right? I fucking wish. Oh, I will one day.
The first thing I did this morning around 5:30am was check on Pringle. I noticed she kept quivering and stomping every once in a while. Then I realized it was because of the damn mosquitos. I made a natural salve and repellent with apple cider vinegar, water, and eucalyptus oil (so grateful to have had all of these ingredients in my kitchen).
I am now prepared for any animals perturbed by flying insects.
I rubbed it all over her and she seemed to like it. It probably felt cooling and soothing on her skin, hopefully helping with the bites and preventing new ones. I think gentle, physical contact is inherently healing and it probably made her feel more comfortable in some way, shape, or form. I just wanted to keep those pests away from my sweet Pringle!
I came home this morning from the grocery store and Pringle was gone. I guess her owner came back. I am so happy to have spent some time with her and to have fed her and cared for her for a bit. Are her keepers wondering why she smells like eucalyptus? We may never know.
Until then, I will be patiently waiting for Pringle's return and...
