It was a sunny morning when I saw the blonde woman again. She came to me again and I immediately ran towards her. This seemed to please her and she stroked me again."I am very sure," she said to the riding instructor. She nodded and then said, "When do you want to take him?""When can I?" the woman asked. "After the last riding lesson today for all I care."The woman beamed and patted my neck. I hoped she would visit me more often.

The woman stayed for the whole riding lesson and watched us. I really tried hard. When we finally finished, I was looking forward to going to the paddock, but I was unsaddled and led to a trailer by Paige, the nice woman. Was I finally getting out of here?

The drive took about an hour and when we arrived I was taken to a beautiful little farm with a large paddock and a stable with airy, large stalls. I was put out to pasture and Paige watched me meet the two other horses that were there. An Appaloosa gelding called Merlin and a Shetland pony called Grisu. They both greeted me warmly and I was happy. There would be no more children tugging at my reins.

Every day I did calmness training with Paige. I learned not to be frightened by dogs and to stand very still when something loud fell on the floor. She also taught me to lie down on command or to roll over. Paige was a very nice owner. I often saw Paige take Merlin or Grisu out of the pasture and lead them into a round pen. Often sick children came and were then allowed to spend time with them. That's why we also did the calmness training, so that we didn't scare and thus frighten the children. Many of the children had also had an illness and needed to regain their sense of balance. Then Merlin or Grisu put a vaulting harness on Paige and the children sat on their backs. Paige then slowly led them around the circle. I liked the children very much.

One afternoon, when I had already spent about half a year with Paige, she took me out of my box and saddled me with the girth. Then she led me out to the arena. I saw a car pull into the driveway and a seven-year-old child get out with his mother and come towards us. The child reached out for me and I lowered my head so he could stroke me. "Look mum, how soft the horse is!" the girl exclaimed and ran over to her mother. She took her by the hand and stroked me too.

"Such a pretty little horse," she said to her daughter. "Would you like to ride too, Kiara?" asked Paige.The girl nodded eagerly and her mother lifted her onto my back. I stood very still and she continued to stroke me."Hold on to the harness," Paige explained. Then she led me off. I walked very slowly at first so that the girl could get used to my movements. "Mum, I'm riding!" the girl called out. I didn't understand what she was saying, but she seemed happy and that made me happy too.After dismounting, Paige gave the girl pieces of apple to feed me. She held out her flat hand to me and I carefully took the first piece. The girl giggled. "That tickles," she exclaimed. I nudged her and she gave me another piece of apple. "You're a good girl," she said, patting my neck." 

Then she cuddled up to me. After a while, the mother explained something to the girl and she seemed disappointed. She said goodbye to me and then ran to her mother. "Tomorrow I may come again," she called out. The mother laughed and thanked Paige.

In the evening I came back to the box and realised how much happier my new life made me.