Slowly opening his eyes, Tom had an immediate sense of vertigo as he was unusually high off the ground. Anticipating falling, he tried to quickly move his hands out infront of him to catch himself. But he didn't fall. His arms felt stiff and as if they were already outstretched. Confused he looked around and saw he was in a stable. 'What am I doing here?' he started to wonder before remembering the events of the previous day. Swinging his head backwards to see his equine body, his head dropped somewhat defeatedly as he recalled the inner conflict he experienced yesterday between his real self and his new self - Tomfoolery. Emily's horse. Emily's mare. Emily's property.
He didn't have too long to consider the ramifications as he heard the stable door open. Looking around he saw Emily walk in smiling at him.
"Goodmorning Tomfoolery. Did you enjoy your first night in the stables? I bet you did! You look so happy as a horse!"
Feeling something wash over his mind for a second, Tom shook his head before realising he was happy and had enjoyed his night in the stable.
"I've brought you some breakfast" Emily said, holding up a large bucket of hay. "You'll love the taste - it's what a mare like you should be eating!"
Again, a brief hazy feeling in his head. Tom walked forwards and lowered his head into the bucket.
"Good girl Tomfoolery, eat up - you've got a long day ahead of you! Lots of riding today and if you're lucky, an evening date with Maine Star! But first we need to get you some pretty horseshoes, you'd like that wouldn't you?"
Tom, no, Tomfoolery as she was thinking of herself again, was focused of eating the hay. 'Delicious!' 'Have to keep my strength up today for owner Emily, I want to make her happy...' Lost in the thoughts of being a good horse.
Shortly after finishing the hay, Emily returned, placing a bridle and saddle on Tomfoolery before leading her out of the stable, across the courtyard and into another stable at the very end. There she saw a man hammering something and a large selection of riding gear in various states of disrepair. He looked up as he heard them enter and greeted Emily.
As Tomfoolery's reigns were tied to a post in the corner, Emily walked round to her ear and whispered "Time for my beautiful mare to get herself some shoes, then you'll be a proper horse! Now, lift your legs up when asked and stay nice and still for the blacksmith."
Tomfoolery found herself lost in a sea of thoughts. 'Be a good mare. Stay still. New shoes. Proper horse. We're going riding. Maine Star. Make owner happy.' She lifted up one of her rear legs and held it there. Feeling it begin to shake slightly as the nails were hammered in, securing the horseshoe in place, repeating the process with the other 3 legs until done.
After a while Emily came back "Oh Tomfoolery, you look so beautiful with your new shoes, now you're a proper horse!"
Another wave fell over Tomfoolery's mind. 'Beautiful...New shoes...Proper horse...Owner happy'
Emily untied the reins, walked Tomfoolery back out into the courtyard, the clopping louder this time, before hauling herself up into the saddle.
Leaning forwards and running her fingers through Tomfoolery's maine "OK Tomfoolery, we're ready for today, let's go!"