End of an Era

I was saddened the other day, when after having a nice, relaxed ride on my favorite horse, to think Pistol's youth had ended.  While riding, I had promised Mr. P that at the end of the ride I would let him out of the yard to "greener pastures" so he could graze on the patches of grass that had recently popped up.  October had brought an unusual amount of rain. 

After Pistol was stripped of his riding paraphernalia and his end-of-ride apple had been voraciously devoured, I walked slowly down the long dirt driveway towards the gate; all the while prompting Pistol, "Come on! There is grass out here for you to eat!"   He just stood by the house, curiously watching me.  I got to the gate and turned to see him still standing there, "Come on!" I repeated.  Pistol responded with a neigh and then slowly walked towards me.

I walked across the narrow dirt road to the empty field and waited for him.  He sauntered up to me and looked at me as if to ask "I am here! Now what?"  But a few seconds later he bent down and began eating the grass.  I  then walked back towards the yard, while telling him that I had to get dinner in the oven and I'd be right back.  I quickly walked to the house and after only being inside for a few minutes, I was surprised to see Pistol standing at the deck in the back yard.   A surprise because he has never passed up a chance to be out of the yard grazing and making his rounds to the neighbors houses to visit -- sometimes walking into their homes-- to beg for treats.  It had been several months since I had let him out to enjoy the freedom to wander; but he would never go too far and I loved to see him come running and bucking when I  would call him to come home.  So on this day it occurred to me that perhaps Pistol wanted the security of his yard and was no longer seeking new adventures.  The end of an era for him and me?  Hadn't this been what I have been waiting for?  An older, mellow horse.