Yacarandai was a fleabitten grey friend of mine. He taught to me to canter, jump, and gallop. Like any other horse would teach. But here comes the good part. The part where he differed from other horses. Yacarandai was silly. Yacarandai was lazy. And mean tempered at times. Not exactly being the most friendly horse on the planet meant he would buck. Hard. It also meant he would at times, just run around like crazy, and scare me. But one day he just stopped doing those things, at least with me. Trust? Friendship? I wasn't really sure. He would still be crazy and scare other riders. Maybe possibly annoy them. Yet we got along so well. He seemed to be forgiving every one of my beginner mistakes, and gave only his best effort. Galloping and soaring over a high jump, was good effort. Enduring the tight grip I had on his neck instead of his mane was even better effort. But it was when we were walking away calmly from the arena that I really got to know him. He always led me slowly, almost sleepily, to a place next to the stables, where his tack was removed. Sometimes we would just linger around for fun. My fun at least; he was hoping to get some yummy treat after class. Yeah, he was like that.
However, to the dismay of us both, one day I had to leave the stables. I was hoping to come back and take him away so he could be lazy and eat hay. Lots and lots of crunchy hay. So we could just loom around other grassy fields, not really doing anything but walking around quietly. Like we both liked.
...But he died. And yes, I could not even be there at the time it happened. But if there's something I remember about this big fleabitten grey is this: The permanent smile on his face. No matter what. And that keeps me happy. To know that most probably he's still smiling in horsey heaven. And maybe since he probably has these big wings, he sneaks into my kitchen and steals sugar cubes. Yeah, he would do that.
So, Yacarandai, I will always remember you. And your'e always in my heart.
Love,
Your human friend, Valeria
P.S. I know wherever you are, you are cantering in the left lead. Cause nothing made you change to the right. Silly Yacarandai.
Yacarandai 
