She laughed as the wetness slapped her, once, twice. The girl’s pigtails swished as she danced and grinned, and though the mare’s ears were pinned the horse allowed the toddler to stroke her nose. The girl held out her hand, and when the mare tried to nibble on it, gentle as a dove, she squealed as tears of laughter dribbled from her eyes. A woman’s hand reached out to clasp the toddler’s waist, and the girl giggled as she was lifted up. The mare’s head followed, and she slurped her tongue over the girl’s arm before retreating to the calm of her paddock.