Smoke & Mirrors

A deep dream of owning a horse takes a long and winding journey.

- BY NAAMAH NORTH

Smoke and Naamah with her prized purple ribbon.

My name is Naamah North. I'm 15 years old and live in Kodiak, Alaska. You could often find me staring out a window completely lost in thought. Sometimes it felt like my dream of owning a horse would never come true. Every time I thought I'd finally found the one, the door was slammed in my face. So while all my friends were getting their dreams answered, my four-legged friend never walked off a trailer. But prayers have a funny way of being answered right in front of your eyes, without you knowing.

After finding out that my friends had just purchased their first horse, Smoke, I felt a twinge of jealousy, although I couldn't help but be excited to meet him. The wait seemed to last forever, but after seeing pictures and hearing stories of him almost every day, my excitement grew, and I couldn't wait to pet his soft gray muzzle.

When the day finally arrived, I saw him for the first time galloping in his pasture, his silhouette dancing in front of that foggy mountain. Watching in awe, I could see his young and brave soul coming out in every buck, while his playful youth dared to race the wind. Some might've said it was love at first sight, and I agree. There was something special about that Quarter Horse.

BONDING WITH SMOKE

As the days turned into weeks, Smoke quickly became a part of his new family's life and adjusted quickly to this new home. But as time passed, Smoke began to show his true nature. Beneath his brave exterior was a 3-year-old who was timid and scared of what this world would offer him.

Smoke would easily become terrified by little things, such as a rope flying over his head, or someone reaching to pet his beautiful face. It was painful to see that someone's tough ways had frightened this sensitive gelding. His bolting soon became faster and farther when he was frightened.