#5 Frosty the Snowman

A Little to the Left

 Halja stretched her arms up high and let out a long happy sigh as she slowly twisted her upper body to the right, eliciting a series of pops and cracks. After finishing her stretches she started towards the pasture where she could see the snow had drifted into large fluffy mounds. She opened the gate and gave a sharp whistle looking around expectantly. “Snow, come here darling girl!” she called out peering further out into the field. The beautiful blueberry and white cordillera snowflake mare trotted over, her mane ruffling with the breeze. She seemed to sense Halja’s excitement, her ears shifted forward and she huffed quietly. Halja giggled as she pulled out a carrot from her pocket offering it to Snow. “Here girl have a treat before we get started.” Snow’s Embrace took the carrot and happily munched it down. While Snow finished her treat Halja pulled a scarf from her pocket that seemed to be an almost exact match to the blue of Snow’s coat and wrapped it around Snow’s neck before starting to trudge towards some of the larger mounds of snow.

 They arrived at a large mound of soft, fluffy snow. It was the perfect consistency for building, and Halja could feel her excitement bubbling up. She knelt to scoop up some snow, packing it tightly into a ball while Snow’s Embrace watched, nudging her playfully as if saying she wanted to help too. “Alright, Snow! Let’s start your snowman training!” she laughed. Halja rolled the packed snowball across the ground, Snow’s Embrace nudged the growing ball along as if she’d done it a hundred times. Eventually the ball was the perfect size for the base and Halja shooed her back. “Alright girl hold up we’ve got to start the next one.” With Snow’s Embrace keeping her company, she began forming the second, slightly smaller snowball. The horse pranced around her seemingly enjoying the cold crisp air. After a little effort, Halja had the second snowball ready and placed it atop the first, standing back to admire their creation.

 “We’re getting there!” Feeling inspired, she scooped up more snow and shaped the smallest ball for the head. The sun peeked out from behind the clouds, casting a warm glow over the entire scene and making it all the more enjoyable. As Halja carefully rolled the last ball she nudged her horse playfully before gently placing the last snowball on top and then stepped back to admire it. “What do you think girl? I think your first snowman is looking pretty good but could use just a few extras to bring him to life.” Halja opened her coat revealing a small bag that she had hidden from Snow, she pulled out another carrot and two rocks affixing them to the snowman in front of them. She looked around the field for a bit with Snow’s Embrace until she found a couple of sticks that would work for arms. Halja inserted the arms and Snow let out a quiet whinny nipping at one of the sticks seeming to push it in just a bit farther.

 “And now for the scarf! Thanks for holding onto it for me Snow.” Halja unwrapped the scarf from Snow’s Embrace and placed it around the snowman wrapping it so the wind wouldn’t easily remove it. Snow’s Embrace and Halja stood close to each other admiring their handiwork. Halja leaned against her gently and closed her eyes breathing in the smell of horse and snow. “I think you may just be the best assistant when it comes to crafting snowmen darling girl. Thanks for all your help. I think we both deserve something to warm us up now though.” Halja opened her eyes and took another look at the snowman whose stone eyes almost seemed to sparkle with life, she smiled and nudged her horse before walking towards the barn where hot tea and warm mash awaited them.