It was a regular winter day. Snow covered the ground like a fuzzy, white blanket. I looked out of the window of the log cabin that I call home. I saw my appaloosa mare, Velvet pacing around her pen. She would stop every now and then and sniff around the ground, desperate to find some grass.  "Looks like she needs more hay.." I mumbled. I got up with a sigh and put my warm hoodie on. I slipped my boots on and tucked my jeans in them. I opened the door, and soaked in the last bit of warmness from the inside, and then closed it.

 I heard Velvet whinny loudly once she saw me heading her way. "Hey girl. Need some more hay, huh?" She touched her nose to my face and I petted her warm neck. I walk away from where we were standing so I could open her gate and go get her some hay. I opened the gate and walked towards the tack room, Velvet following closely behind. She did a little buck and broke into a trot briskly when I started to jog towards her stall. I laughed, "Your such a spunky girl, Velvet." As I got to the stable, I opened the tack room door. I walked in and grabbed 2 or 3 flakes of hay for her. I walk to her stall and throw the hay in the farthest corner. She happily trotted into her stall with a thankful whiny and began to eat the warm, golden hay.

 I go and grab a body brush from the tack room and a comb. I jogged back over to where Velvet stood and while she ate I began to gradually brush all the dirt and snow from her beautiful, spotted coat.

 About 30 minutes later her coat shined bright and clean. As she took her last few nibbles, I brushed out her mane and tail until it was tangle free. After she had been cleaned completely, I stopped and took a step back, admiring my hard work. I smiled, and patted her soft shoulder. "Your too cute, Velvet," I laughed, and then continued patting her.

After a few minutes of just talking to Velvet,  I decided to call my mama to tell her we would be going for a ride. I took my phone out of my hoodie pocket and dialed her number. 

I started speaking at once when she answered. "Hey mama. I'm going on a ride with Velvet down to those trails at the back of her field, okay?" Her mom hesitated for a second and then replied slowly. "Well.. Amelia just be careful, okay? Bring a blanket, some snacks for you and Velvet, and some bottles of water in your saddlebags, alright? If you got lost I would want you to be good for a little while." I smiled, and started talking again. "Alright, i'll get that stuff, and we'll be on our way." I grabbed the stuff while I talked. "I won't get lost mama. I'll be fine. Love you, bye!" Her mother, again, hesitated before replying. "Okay, love you."

 I hung up after she had said a few more things, and slowly walked to grab Velvet's saddle and saddle pad. 

It was about 30 minutes later and me and Velvet were ready for our ride. I had my biggest blanket, like 5 or 6 bottles of water, and plenty of snacks for both of us like mom told me to do. This was gonna be so fun, I loved riding. 

I grabbed Velvet's reins and walked out of her stall with her. I jogged to the gate, and opened it. I mounted her and we set off at a brisk trot. Snow covered my shoulders, and along Velvet's back. I shivered. I didn't like the cold that much. Only that there we no flies, no shedding, and no snakes. Me and Velvet came to her snow covered pasture and I urged her into a smooth canter. We set off across the field, and towards the beautiful, snowy woods. "Doing great Velvet, we're almost there." I said, now noticing we were only a few yards away. I eased her to a trot, then a walk. I stopped her, and dismounted, opening the pasture gate that led to the woods. I opened it and walked her in the woods, closed it a mounted her.