My Icelandic horse

I have a horse named Skuggi. He is a special horse - an Icelandic horse - from Iceland.

Skuggi and I ride a lot with our friend Amy and her horse - Heckla. Heckla is also an Icelandic horse. When we ride together we normally go down Jacks Road.

One day we went really far down Jacks Road and we saw two more roads - one called Heathers Road, and one called Maxs Road. Both the roads looked dark and gloomy with overgrown trees and bushes. The horses were not scared because being Icelandic horses they are very calm and self assured. We decided to go down Maxs Road.

(Do you know that Icelandic horses do not have any natural predators in Iceland. This means that they don't have a 'fight or flight' response like most other horses, because they haven't been 'prey' to any predators for many thousands of years. They are therefore inherently brave and bold).

Down Maxs Road was a big castle. Amy and I went closer to the castle. When finally we were at the gates they opened. Heckla and Skuggi walked through boldly. Out of the castle came this kind looking woman. She asked us if we would like to come inside. We answers "yes please".

The woman told us her name was Christy. Christy was really kind to us and our horses. She gave us home made lemonade to drink, and when we were finished she asked if we would like something for our ponies. She gave us carrots and apples to feed them - she knew what horses liked! We talked with her a lot about our ponies, she was very curious that they were Icelandic ponies and wanted to know all about them.

When it was time to go we said goodbye. She said she had enjoyed our visit. She looked lonely, she didn't get many visitors. We asked if we could come visit again - she said yes!

We got on our ponies and as we turned to ride down the path she warned us to be careful as the grass would be getting slippery with the evening dew starting to fall. We were really careful on the ride home, but Skuggi and Heckla were sure footed so they took care of us.

When we got home to the stables we brushed Skuggi and Heckla all over and we felt good that we had found a new friend - one who shared our love for our Icelandic ponies. We would definately be going to see Christy again.