One place I always feel comfortable and content is is around horses. Whether I'm out in the field or in the barn, horses just seem to sweep all the worries of the world away. To me, they are my four-legged angels.
     Ever since I was little I always wanted to learn to ride horses. Once I got into junior high, my parents were able to afford weekly lessons for me at $20 a lesson. Every Wednesday I would got to Watauga Stables after school to improve my riding skills. There were many horses to choose from: Smokey Joe, Taylor, Little Bit, and Vera were all a delight to be around. But the one horse that captured my heart and soul was Cinnamon.
     Being half-Arabian, she was a hyper creature. Her bay head was held up high and proud when she trotted, and her tail was like a silky banner when she ran. Her eyes were black and beautiful, while her body was thin and wiry. She could be clumsy sometimes, but she always took care of me when I was on her back. And when I did fall off, she would turn around and sniff me to see if I was alright. She was the only horse at the barn that craved molasses, and she would just about jump over a six-foot high fence to get to some. I used to pour a big glob in my hand and she would lick it spotless with her warm, pink tongue. Any person who says animals don't have a soul never saw the look in Cinnamon's eyes when I told her I loved her. I knew she loved me too, and we were always inseparable.
     Besides my darling Cinnamon, Smokey Joe was the first horse I ever rode at the barn. He was a paint pony of unknown origin, with big sploches of black and brown on his stocky body. His mane and tail were so thick you could knit a sweater out of his hair. His coat got long and flugfy in the winter, and he shed hair everywhere like a cat. His head was thick and bony, while his hooves were large and strong. Hor such a small horse, he could have a big temper tantrum. I remember having to scold him a lot when I rode him because he liked to do whatever he pleased. He had a smooth, even trot, and most of the time he was steady and level-headed. He was an old man in horse years, but he still had the spunk of a two-year old.
     To me, horses are the most wonderful, beautiful animals that ever walked the earth. They care for you, love you, listen to you when no one else will, and they are always there when you need them. When you need a shoulder to cry on, they are more than welcome to give you theirs. They are a lifelong companion that is much more than "man's best friend." They are your four-legged guardian angels.