10 Things I Hate About Chica

10. I hate that my generally wonderful mare bucked me off yesterday.

9. I hate that she did it because two other horses ran up behind her, inciting her to bolt, with me hanging on for dear life.

8. I hate that when I asked her to whoa, she responded by bucking me off.

7. I hate that one day I can sit there and talk about how wonderful and trustworthy my mare is, only to have her dump my butt the next day- for the first time in years.

6. I hate that after she bucked me off, she and her compadres all galloped to the front of the pasture, leaving me to stumble my way back by myself- having to pause at least once because I was seriously hurting- while they watched.

5. I hate that when I went to longe Chica, hoping to prove a point by making her run and run, she turned back into her kind self, happily walking, trotting, and cantering on my voice command.

4. I hate that when I got on her after longing her, looking for a fight, she did everything I asked perfectly, forcing me to swallow my anger.

3. I hate that I have to acknowledge that part of this was my fault, as I should not have been riding bridleless, probably. Even though I do it with her all the time.

2. I hate what episodes such as this one turn me into,

1. But mostly I hate the way I don't hate her, not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all.