It’s so heavy I can barely lift it. I need that saddle! But it doesn’t matter how much I grunt and strain, I can’t swing it off the stand. I’ll never be able to get it on his back. I’ve always wanted to try riding bareback. Looks like I’ll get my chance. I take down the bridle hanging above it. The curb bit seems big and cold, and I don’t know if Snowball will want it in his mouth. The brown horse watches from the other side of the corral as I come out of the barn. I start rattling the oats. Snowball comes right away, his neck stretched towards the bucket. ‘That’s why you’re fatter than Cocoa!’ I loop the reins over his neck so he can’t run away, and let him nuzzle oats from my hand. His rubbery lips tickle my palm; I’m so excited I can hardly breathe. ‘You’d like to take me for a ride, wouldn’t you, Snowball?’ Looking deep into those brown eyes, I blow my own breath gently into his nostrils, so he’ll know and trust me. He nibbles at the hay sticking out of my hair, and snorts.
