In the Barn

In the Barn 

Phillip snuffled and blew clouds into the winter air, pawed the snow impatient to get out of the cold. His constant companion, Emily, trotted up beside him. Prairie winters were unpredictable with driving wind and snow that often kept them in the barn. They did both liked winter, but Phillip’s joints were feeling the cold more than his young friend. He had to keep moving while they were outside and envied the energy that Emily had. He would nod his head at her as she galloped around their yard. Even that movement grew more uncomfortable as the days progressed. On the severest cold days, they were only walked around and returned to the warmth of the barn. The two young humans who cared for them always made sure they had clean blankets on, were fed and watered and their stalls cleaned out. 

“Here we are, you two. Emily, time to stop playing and come into the barn. It’s going to get too windy and much colder tonight. You know Phillip is ready to get warmed up.” 

Mischievous Emily turned away and took a run around the corral. Phillip just snorted and walked into the barn. “Let’s get you settled while my brother gets that crazy girl in here. At least you both have good heavy winter coats. She’ll let Harold bring her in when she realizes you won’t be coming out.”

Getting their horses in from the cold was much greater for the brother and sister than just doing chores. The pandemic in their community had isolated them from their school friends and any community events. Their small town had suffered too many losses of friends and some family. Early on there was a general disbelief that the virus was anything more that something that happened to other people in other places. Some didn’t even believe it existed. That is until people started falling ill and being taken into the city hospital. Some didn’t return. 

Phillip and Emily didn’t know anything about why, but they both knew that their humans seemed to walk with the night around them. A night that brightened when they were with the two horses. Emily’s teasing made them even brighter. Phillip’s step was easier when they were around. Harold and his sister, Jenny, always spent extra time with the two horses, even after all the chores were done. The strange, but comforting, relationship between the four always took the edge off of the cold.

“Horses change lives. They give our young people confidence 

and self -esteem. They provide peace and tranquility 

to troubled souls, they give us hope.”

~ Toni Robinson