You do what you can

For the past 2 weeks, you had been checking the horses. Feeding them hay as the grass had not yet recovered from the winter and checking they had plenty of water. Every other day you would take a different one for a ride to give them enough exercise and to get plenty yourself. The bridle paths around the village were wide and you were able to stay 2 meters apart from any dog walkers or other riders.

Each day before you left the palomino mare, currently in heat, would lift her tail as you were leaving. This exposed to you her winking vulva, a sign of her heat. “Sorry Bell, your stallion is not coming this year.” You would tell her sadly.

It was Wednesday on the third week of the lockdown. This was meant to be a 3-week lockdown, but the virus had got worse and who knew when it would end. You had just got back from riding Pip one of the geldings and was about to head home. Bell, as usual, turned around and lifted her tail but this time instead of the needy whinny you swore, she said “Please.” In a desperate begging tone.