We were led to an enclosed land.

Tall fences boxed us in,and I felt vulnerable.

A gate was locked as we were led in. So many other horses were brought here with us, from many different herds.

I saw Chestnuts, Bays, Greys, Palominos, Duns and Roans.

As I looked at the different horses, one caught my eye; a chestnut stallion with a flaxen mane and tail, dancing and bucking at the end of the rope.

He must have sensed me looking at him, because he stopped and faced me.

He had warm hazel eyes and a whorl of white hairs underneath his parted forelock.

Rhubarb!

He recognised me, too and he whinnied loudly in greeting.

I was stabled next to Feather and Rhubarb.

Rhubarb was really friendly and chatted to me a lot.

Feather was quiet but I made sure she was included in the conversations, too.

Each time Rhubarb and I spoke, it was like a million fireworks exploded in my mind. He was the perfect stallion for me…

Training was a total nightmare. I had to wear a stupid leather thing on my head called a bridle with a horrible metal bit in my mouth.

Then there was the saddle…and the men who rode me weren't exactly ballet dancers!

They weighed a ton.

The other horses told me it was because I wasn't used to being ridden.

I wonder why? I was wild!

Rhubarb caused a panic when he threw off the colonel, injuring him badly.

I whinnied with laughter. Serves him right!

Then it was my turn.

I wouldn't move. I just stood stock still ignoring the rider, no matter how much he whipped me or kicked me.

The other horses found it hilarious, and it was fun!

Eventually, they gave up and took my saddle off, throwing it on to the fence.

"Keep the bridle on!" A soldier called, "we'll try again later."

No they wouldn't!

Rhubarb had somehow managed to escape from his stable and was prancing comically round the arena.

I joined him.

"Hey," he smiled, "good job in the riding arena. They didn't stand a chance!"

I lowered my head in modest embarrassment. "Thanks." I muttered, smiling at him.

I looked into his gentle hazel eyes and suddenly felt as though I was drifting off to another planet.

Planet romance!

I smiled flirtily at him, and he wrinkled his nose and looked confused for a moment, before grinning back and walking forwards towards me.

"Let's go to the barn," he whispered, very gently nipping behind my ear. "It's quiet and nobody seems to go there."

My heart beat faster and faster…