Hello,
My name is Jacqueline and I am a very proud grandma.
I write stories for my grandchildren and I am very happy to share them here with you too.
So make yourself comfortable,
Settle back because the story is about to begin.
A Ride on the Horse Cart Fiona only lived a few minutes walk away from Blues Field and today she was in a hurry to get there as she was getting Blue ready for a very special treat.
Arriving at the field she could see her horse way up at the top fence.
She placed the bag she had carried with her down on the ground and climbed upon the gate.
Fiona whistled and then smiled with pride as her beautiful chestnut brown horse came trotting down towards her,
Winneying just as he arrived at the gate.
Fiona reached out and rubbed her friend's long soft nose.
Good morning,
Blue,
She said as she gave him a piece of apple from her pocket.
We have a fun day ahead of us.
Fiona climbed over the gate and jumped into the field.
She stretched her arms out wide and gave Blue a big hug.
We are going to a birthday party to give the children a ride on the cart.
I need to get you ready before Dad comes with a horse box to take us there,
She said,
Giving him one last squeeze before reaching through the gate to open her bag.
Fiona took out a lead rope and then placed it over Blue's head and then tied the rope securely to the fence.
Reaching back into her bag,
Fiona took out a grooming brush.
Okay,
Boy,
I have to get your coat as shiny as I can,
Said Fiona as she put her hand through the band on the brush and started brushing Blue's rump,
Followed by his back,
Neck and finally his legs.
Eventually she was happy that Blue's coat was nice and shiny,
So then she started work on his tail.
She brushed it a few times and then took a comb out of her bag and combed the hair until all the tangles were gone.
Blue's tail was very long and nearly reached the ground.
Fiona loved it hanging loose as it looked so wonderful when it flew out behind them as they galloped across the fields.
But today Fiona decided to braid just the top section of it and allow the rest to hang loose so that it looked neat and tidy.
It was a little difficult to braid as it was so long,
But Fiona had done this many times and was used to the long length and very soon Blue's tail was finished.
Fiona moved on to Blue's mane,
First brushing it and then combing it,
Making sure there were no knots or tangles left.
She then braided a few sections and weaved in some pretty blue ribbon.
Finally Blue was ready.
Fiona stood back and looked lovingly at her horse.
Blue,
You are so handsome.
The children are going to love going for a ride with you today.
She led Blue over to his stable where she tied him to a metal ring hanging outside on the wall and then hung a net filled with hay.
Munch on this while I go and get changed,
She said.
I have to look smart next to you.
And she went to get herself ready.
Fiona's dad arrived with the horse box just as Fiona had finished getting changed.
You look nice love,
He said to his daughter.
Fiona was wearing a pair of black jodhpas,
A cream jacket over a white shirt and had tied a blue neckerchief around her neck.
She had put her hair up in a high ponytail and slightly braided the top to match Blue's tail.
Thanks dad,
She said.
Blue's ready,
I'll bring him over.
With Blue settled in the horse box,
Fiona's dad hitched the horse cart to the back of the vehicle and they were ready to go.
Soon they arrived at the house where the party was being held.
Fiona's dad unhitched the cart from the horse box and then Fiona led Blue out onto the road and got him settled in front of the cart ready for her dad to hitch it to his reins.
The cart was designed with a long bench up front for Fiona to sit on so she could guide Blue and behind her two bench seats were situated on either side of the cart for people to sit on whilst enjoying a lovely ride.
With everything ready,
Fiona went up to the house and knocked on the door and immediately was greeted by six very noisy but happy children.
Children shouted hello and ran up to the cart where Fiona's dad was waiting to help them climb on board.
Thank you for doing this for Johnny,
Said the birthday boy's mum who had just arrived at the cart.
They have all been looking forward to this.
It's our pleasure,
Said Fiona,
Getting ready to climb up at the front of the cart.
We will walk around the village and then stop at the corner shop for an ice cream on the way back.
Is that okay?
Johnny's mum clapped her hands together and said,
That sounds a great plan.
It will give me time to tidy up a bit indoors after the mess they have made from Johnny's tea party.
She turned to the children who couldn't seem to decide who to sit next to on the cart and said,
Now quickly settle down and be good,
All of you.
Do as Fiona tells you.
Fiona had climbed up onto her seat and,
Taking hold of Blue's reins,
She flicked them and the horse started to walk on.
The cart began to roll and the children waved to Johnny's mum as they continued giggling and talking non-stop.
The ride was very enjoyable and the ice cream a great treat for all.
Soon they arrived back outside of Johnny's house and Fiona's dad,
Who had waited in the horse box,
Helped the children down from the cart.
As they ran up to the house they all shouted,
Thank you,
Before disappearing inside.
Johnny's mum came up to Fiona and thanked her.
They are having birthday cake now,
Would you like to come in and have some?
Fiona looked over at her dad but knew he wanted to get going.
There was only so much time he could spend with excited children,
Plus Blue would need a rest now.
Thank you for the invite,
She said,
But we really should be going.
I'm glad the children had fun.
Enjoy the rest of the party.
Johnny's mum said goodbye and went indoors.
Fiona held Blue steady with his rein while her dad unhitched the cart from him.
Looking around Fiona noticed a little boy watching from a nearby garden.
He looked longingly at the horse and so Fiona walked Blue over to say hello.
As Fiona got closer to the little boy she noticed he was sitting in a wheelchair.
His eyes lit up as he realised Fiona was bringing the horse over to see him.
Hello,
Said Fiona kindly.
I thought I'd bring my horse to see you.
His name is Blue,
What's your name?
Hello,
Blue,
Said the little boy.
My name's Jack.
Fiona introduced herself just as the little boy's mummy came out of the house and walked over to her son.
Hello,
She said to Fiona.
My name's Jane.
Hello,
Said Fiona.
Hope you don't mind me coming over,
But I noticed Jack looking at my horse.
I took Johnny,
The little boy who lives over there,
For a ride on my horse cart with his friends for his birthday.
My dad and I were getting ready to leave when I thought I'd bring Blue over to say hello before I put him in the horse box.
That's so kind of you,
Isn't it,
Jack?
Jane said,
Ruffling her son's hair.
We've only just moved into this neighbourhood and Jack doesn't know the children around here yet.
Blue bent his head down towards Jack,
Allowing him to rub his nose.
Jack was a little hesitant to touch the horse and see in this Fiona said,
Blue won't hurt you,
Jack.
He's a gentle boy.
Here,
Hold your hand out like this and pet his nose.
Jack followed Fiona's instruction and carefully rubbed Blue's nose.
Blue stood still as if he sensed Jack's nervousness.
He's really soft,
Said Jack.
Yes,
He is,
Agreed Fiona.
Would you like to give him a piece of apple?
It's his favourite treat.
Jack looked over at his mum and asked,
Is that okay,
Mummy?
Of course,
She replied,
But make sure you listen to Fiona and do exactly as she tells you.
You've never been this close to a horse before.
Fiona took a piece of apple out of her pocket and showed Jack how to hold his hand out flat,
Place the apple piece on it and offer it to Blue.
Will he bite me?
Asked Jack,
A little worried.
No,
Blue won't bite you.
He really is very gentle,
Fiona replied.
Just hold your hand still and he will take the apple with his big lips.
Jack went to hold the piece of apple out and then pulled back,
Unsure of the horse.
Look,
Said Fiona,
I'll give Blue a piece of apple first and then you can see how gentle he is.
Fiona took another piece of apple from her pocket and placed it on her hand.
Jack watched as Fiona held her hand out to Blue and ever so carefully he took the piece of apple with his lips.
There,
Said Fiona,
Did you see how gentle he was?
Yes,
Jack exclaimed and without another thought he placed the apple on his palm and held his hand out to Blue just as Fiona had shown him.
Blue carefully leant over and took the apple slowly and gently from Jack's hand and munched on it gratefully.
His lips tickled my hand,
Giggled Jack rubbing his hand on his trousers.
At that moment Fiona's dad,
Who had been watching from the horse box,
Came up behind Fiona and said hello to Jack and his mum.
You done very well feeding Blue,
He said.
Would you like to go for a ride on the cart behind Blue?
Jack looked up at his mum pleadingly.
She put her arm around Jack's shoulders and said,
Jack can't walk at all.
He has to stay in his wheelchair,
So I don't think that would be possible.
I have a couple of planks of wood in my horse box that I use for a ramp,
Said Fiona's dad.
I can use those and push Jack upon the cart.
Then I have some bungee straps to secure his wheelchair to the cart.
Plus you can sit beside him on the bench.
Jack and his mum looked at each other and smiled.
Please,
Mummy,
Whispered Jack.
Always wanting to keep her son happy,
Jane said yes.
Great!
Exclaimed Fiona's dad.
Fiona and I will take Blue back to the horse box and get him ready.
It will only take me a couple of minutes and then we will come and get you.
Jack was so happy.
He hadn't had this much excitement in a long time.
Before long,
With the cart attached to the horse,
Fiona led Blue back to where Jack was waiting,
Followed by her dad carrying the two planks of wood.
Standing in front of Jack's house,
Fiona held Blue's reins and told him to stay still while her dad set the planks of wood in place.
Jack's mum wheeled her son out of their garden and then Fiona's dad took control of the wheelchair and pushed it up the planks and onto the cart.
He put the brake on the wheelchair and then secured it in place with the bungee straps.
Lifting the planks out of the way,
He helped Jack's mum climb on board.
All set?
Asked Fiona from the front seat.
Yes!
Shouted Jack with glee.
Fiona grabbed hold of the reins and said,
Gee up,
Boy!
And Blue walked up the road at a gentle pace.
Blue walked around the village and Jack took in everything.
He did not stop talking on the whole journey and his smile just got bigger and bigger.
All too soon,
They arrived back at Jack's house and Fiona called Blue to a halt.
That was the best ride ever!
Announced Jack.
Thank you so much!
Blue loved it too,
Said Fiona as her dad put the planks in place before untying the bungee straps and then wheeled Jack off the cart.
Back in their garden,
Jack and his mum could not thank Fiona and her dad enough.
Your kindness is heartwarming,
Said Jane.
I haven't seen Jack this happy in a long,
Long time.
It has been our pleasure,
Fiona's dad said.
I hope we can come again soon and take you for another ride,
Said Fiona to Jack.
Oh yes,
Please!
Exclaimed Jack,
Clapping his hands with glee.
That would be wonderful!
Blue winned it as if acknowledging Jack and Fiona fed him a slice of apple for being such a good boy.
We have to get ready to go now,
Said Fiona's dad.
Blue needs some food and water and deserves a run in his field.
It was lovely to meet you both,
Said Fiona as she started to lead Blue back to the horsebox.
Thank you so much,
Said Jane and she put her arm around her son as they both waved goodbye.
I hope you enjoyed listening to my story.
Before you go,
I'd like to ask you a question.
If Fiona brought Blue to visit you and invited you to go for a ride on the horse cart,
Where would you like Blue to take you?
