July 2013 Story Contest
Age 12 and older
NOTE: To be eligible for voting your entry must have a horse or pony in it somewhere.
Jane Crandal & JB
2013-06-30 22:35:06
I Returned To You
By Toby111
1
It was a beautiful summer day. Jamie Hartwell was riding her pony, Peppermint. Peppermint had gotten his name from his spicy attitude and red colouring. Jamie seemed to be distracted by something. I mean, come on, it had only been 1 year since we had seen each other. I had gone from a filly to a strong mare. Yes, it is I, Flash. I had been here for two days. I was waiting for the moment when Jamie would be all alone. This would probably be the right time but I didn’t want Peppermint to get in the way.
I followed behind them, hidden by the trees. Peppermint knew I was here. I’m pretty sure I made him uneasy. He kept tossing his head and not wanting to move out of his trot into a lope. Jamie was getting annoyed. She asked him a few more times before telling him that he had to listen to her. Finally Peppermint moved into a lope. They got to their destination faster, the pond. Jamie tied Peppermint to the tree and walked down the river bank. She was totally and completely oblivious to me. Of course, I was hiding in the trees on the other side of the river. Jamie was in shorts and a tank top, ready to swim. She dove in and I splashed in as soon as she was under. She popped up out of the water, startled. When she saw me, she gasped.
“Flash?†asked Jamie.
“Who else can do this?†I questioned flapping my lips and bobbing my head.
“Oh, Flash! I’ve missed you so much,†Jamie answered in awe.
I strolled closer to her, being careful not to step on her invisible feet. When I was close enough, I half turned so my side was directly in front of her. I turned my head and nudged her towards my back. Jamie knew what I wanted right away. She hopped up expertly and I trotted out of the river stopping so she could untie Peppermint.
2
Jamie knotted his reins loosely around the saddle horn and gave him a light smack on the rump. He knew what to do right away. He wheeled and galloped back towards the ranch. Jamie hopped back up and turned me in the direction of the ranch.
“Let’s race Peppermint. I know we can beat him Flash,†Jamie told me, “But we have to go fast, because he is the fastest pony on the ranch.â€
“Are you saying that there is a PONY that is faster than me?†I nickered playfully.
I waited for her to tell me to go. She did right away. I took off after Peppermint and within 2 minutes I was on his heels.
“Hey Peppermint,†I said competitively.
“Don’t tell me that you are one of those horses that is so full of themselves that they honestly think that they can beat me,†Peppermint answered me as if he was bored,
“I am not full of myself, I am just super fast,†I answered modestly.
He stopped talking to me after that. He was running about a horse length ahead of me. He was snickering and mumbling how I was in over my head. Peppermint was in over his head. The ranch was about a kilometer away now. Peppermint honestly believed that he was the fastest. Oh how I felt bad for him. He was about to be humiliated in front of all the horses that were crowding the pasture fences. Just as we were about 200feet away from the finish line, I forgot about my collected stride and extended it. I past Peppermint within 2 seconds and kept flying ahead. I crossed the finish line and about 30 seconds later Peppermint crossed the line, the ranch horses whinnying with laughter.
“Poor Peppermint,†said a ranch horse sarcastically.
“Shut up Red,†snapped Peppermint grouchily.
3
Jamie hopped down from my back and walked over to Peppermint. He looked at her affectionately. Jamie’s eyes reflected the same feelings. They had such trust in each other. Jamie took Peppermint’s reins and led him over to a post. She hooked his reins over the post and walked into the barn. She walked out with a brush bucket in hand. She undid the cinch and pulled the giant piece of leather off Peppermint’s back and set it on the piece of wood with legs nearby. As she walked back over to Peppermint, I inspected the strange leather thing.
Will I ever wear one of these? I questioned silently.
Jamie was walking back over to me with a blanket.
“That’s a saddle,†Jamie told me.
“A saddle?†I looked at Jamie quizzically.
She started to laugh. She turned and walked back to her pony. Jamie picked up a brush and started working the dust and sweat from Peppermint’s coat. I noticed, now, the strange small piece of leather was off Peppermint’s face and replaced with a piece of fabric with metal rings. I walked over slowly. Jamie picked up a long rope with a metal clip on the end. I immediately backed away and squealed in rage at the rope. Jamie looked at me horrified.
“FLASH!!!†she exclaimed surprised.
“Jamie, get back,†the human I remember as Dane shouted to Jamie. I began a series of bucks and rears.
He was running at me with a shovel in hand.
Jamie shrieked. “Dad, no!!! Stop!!†she called desperately.
But the human named Dane or Dad kept coming at me. Before I knew what was happening, Jamie had lunged in front of me to stop her dad. Dane stopped dead.
“Jamie, get out of the way!†he told her firmly.
“No,†Jamie told him.
“Excuse me?†Dane looked at her angrily.
“I said no,†Jamie said quietly.
“Jamie! That horse was going to kill you!†Dane said aghast.
“No she wasn’t dad,†Jamie said defensively.
It pleased me to see that Jamie was sticking up for me. She had faith in me. She trusted me. Just like I had faith and trust in her. And to see her now, being yelled at by this man, made me angry and annoyed. I took a deliberate step forward so I was standing right next to Jamie. I looked at this man, Dane, and stood my ground. I felt Jamie’s hand rest on my shoulder. I looked at Jamie, my eyes filled with loyalty, trust and love.
“There is no way in the world that this horse would harm me,†Jamie had to work to shift her gaze toward her dad.
“But Jamie, she was acting horribly around you. I just don’t believe you when you say she would never harm you,†Dane said truthfully.
And with that Dane walked into the barn.
“Oh Flash. What would I do without you?†Jamie held my face gently in her hands.
“I don’t know,†I told Jamie in a whicker.
4
Jamie turned unwillingly back to Peppermint to turn him out into the pasture. As they walked, I watched, interested. Would that be me one day? Part of me hoped so, but another part of me kept going back to King, the sleek bay stallion of my new herd.
Well the herd that I’ve lived in for 1 year. Yes during the year that Jamie and I were apart, I had been driven out of my herd and I had found King. He was TRULY a king. He had brains, muscle, power and loyalty. I snapped out of my day-dream and strolled over to the tin holding water. I drank deeply and was startled when an unfamiliar hand touched my belly. My head snapped up and I turned it to see who had dared place a hand on me without permission.
“Pretty horsy,†said a little human.
“James!! Be careful! That horse is dangerous,†called Dane warningly.
The little boy named James continued to pet me, and I didn’t mind. He was so similar to Jamie. He had soft, gentle hands, kind eyes and was great with horses. My instincts told me I shouldn’t let just any human come near me but, James was so much like Jamie and nothing like Dane. I felt…I felt…Well I felt like I did when I first met Jamie. I was safe and content and no had reason to flee.
Dane started to jog forward. I glared at him. He glared right back at me. James seemed to be oblivious to our little show down. Something creaked. I looked towards the pasture and the look in my eyes went from menace to a mix of love and trust. I nudged James’ hand off my belly and backed 3 steps, turned and trotted in Jamie’s direction. Just as I left, Dane scooped James up into his arms and walked him into the house.
5
“You know, we have to work on your fears of ropes. Well at least lead ropes,†Jamie told me knowingly.
“But I don’t wanna,†I complained in a snort.
Jamie giggled gently. “Come on Flash. Let me show you something.â€
We started toward the barn. As we entered there were many startled snorts. I picked out a few that were aggressive (mares with foals) and a couple that were interested (stallions). I nickered a greeting to show that I had no interest in harming anyone here. I made sure to grunt a warning to the stallions, saying that I was taken.
I hadn’t noticed till now that Jamie was leading me by a piece of my mane.
Is it really that natural that I didn’t even notice? I thought to myself.
Jamie left me in the isle to go into a small room. She walked out and she had two of those pieces of fabric with the metal rings. I looked at her harder because she seemed to be hiding something behind her back. She walked further down the isle and I saw she was holding one of the ropes with a metal clip at the end. I followed with extra caution.
As I watched and walked, Jamie strolled up to a stall and walked inside. She returned to me leading a male horse, but not a stallion.
“This is Bear, my mom’s stallion. He is the horse to teach you that lead ropes are safe,†Jamie told me.
Bear stretched his neck towards me. I gave a warning stomp of my foot and touched my nose to his.
“Make a wrong move and I’ll shred you to dog food,†I told Bear.
“I am probably the second most trust worthy horse on this ranch,†Bear replied cheerily.
“Well, who’s the first?†I questioned.
“The pretty mare standing right in front of me,†Bear answered honestly.
“Oh, well…ummm…Thanks I think,†I said, flattered. He was kind of cute. His colouring was a beautiful Buckskin. I was a grulla. There wasn’t much of a difference between our colouring.
“Guys! Don’t go all mushy on me!†Jamie pleaded, jokingly.
I snapped out of my little thought about not going back home. I looked at Jamie, dazed. She giggled and turned to the barn exit, or entrance, depending where you stand. Jamie led Bear and I into a small, round corral.
“Okay, let’s get to work,†Jamie said seriously.
She unclipped the lead rope from Bear’s…
“Hey, ummm…what is that on your face?†I asked Bear shyly.
“It’s a halter,†Bear looked at me like he didn’t mind that I had no idea that a halter was called a halter. I liked that.
“Oh, thanks,†I said not too shyly this time.
Jamie walked towards me, lead rope in hand. I acted on instinct. I backed up till my rear end hit the fence.
“I swear its safe Flash,†Bear told me quietly, so as not to spook me any further. I trusted him, even though I just met him.
I took one last glance at Bear and took a step forward.
“Good girl,†Jamie told me enthusiastically.
“You realize that King would kill me right now if he were here. I am putting all of my trust in you,†I told Bear coolly.
“Who’s King,†Bear asked, seeming let down.
“Just the stallion of my herd,†I answered, uninterested.
Jamie had stayed where she was the whole time, waiting for me.
I sighed. There was no way of avoiding this. I took a step towards Jamie. Then another and another. Now I was 2 steps away from the lead rope. I looked Jamie straight in the eyes and knew that I didn‘t have to worry anymore. I took those last steps and lowered my head so my eyes were even with Jamie‘s.
“See girl, you were okay all along,†Jamie told me.
“Yeah, I guess I was,†I snorted.
Jamie slowly took the extra halter and lifted it to my face. I didn’t look at it. I only focused on Jamie. I noticed that it was over and around my nose and now behind my ears, but I didn’t care. I heard the buckle slide shut and the lead rope clip onto the halter. Only now did I shake my head.
“Come on Flash. We need to go for a walk,†Jamie told me carefully.
She set off towards the gate. Bear stayed where he was until Jamie patted her hip. Bear moseyed beside me. Jamie opened the gate and waited till we were through to close it, all the while keeping hold of my halter.
6
As we strolled across the yard towards the meadow, I began to think.
Would I stay? Would I become a riding horse? Would I go home? Would King come for me? The flood of thoughts just wouldn’t stop.
“Hey, are you okay?†Bear asked, “You look…stressed.â€
“I’m fine…?†My answer came out like a question.
“Flash, you can tell me anything,†Bear told me. He was looking deep into my eyes, like he was reading me. It should have felt creepy, like when King did it, but it didn’t.
“I know,†I told him. I didn’t know how to talk to Bear. I had such feelings for him.
I strangely didn’t mind the halter and lead rope. It was natural. It was like I had been born to become Jamie’s horse. At that moment, I knew. Jamie and I had met because it was our destiny. Wait! That was WAY too corny.
“WHOA!!! Look at that bay stallion on that mountain!†exclaimed Jamie.
My head snapped up.
NOOOO!!!!! I thought in despair. I knew that horse anywhere. It was King.
7
Why? Why now, of all times? I needed to get Jamie out of here. I started to back away.
“Flash? What’s wrong?†Jamie asked curiously.
“Bear!!! I have to get Jamie out of here!†I said in an anxious whicker.
“Why? I don’t understand the sudden fear. I mean, it’s just a stallion,†Bear said to me, totally oblivious to the danger I had gotten them into.
I gave him a look with what I hoped was a, “Hello? I’ve told you about him,†expression.
“Ohh. I see now. Oh. Oh! Oh crap,†Bear said, finally realizing it.
“Yeah,†was all I could get out.
I pulled almost too violently on the lead rope. I had to get Jamie out of here. I turned my side to Jamie and nudged my shoulder. She knew what I wanted. Jamie put one hand in my mane, and the other on my withers. She hauled herself up and, as soon as she was settled, I took off like a shot.
Back at the ranch, I noticed something. Bear wasn’t with us.
8
Peppermint whinnied asking for immediate attention. Certainly someone would come over here. Sure enough, Jamie’s head peeked out of the window. She opened the door and jogged over. I knew immediately that she had been crying. Her eyes were tinted red and they were a little puffy. She needed comfort. I knew what I had to do. I let go of my spicy attitude and rested the full weight of my head on her shoulder. I pulled her close and whickered in her ear.
“Oh! Peppermint!!†Jamie sobbed into my neck.
“Shh. Shh. Everything is fine,†I rumbled.
We stood there. My ears flicked back as a far off neigh was carried by wind towards me. I lifted my head and stepped back. I turned and loped off. When I was a decent distance away I turned back and collected myself. Just before the fence, I gathered my muscles, rocked back on my haunches and lifted into the air. My forelegs snapped neatly beneath me as I jumped. I cleared the fence and gasps filled the ranch.
“Did…†someone started.
“He…†a person put in.
“Just…†they gasped.
“Clear…†another person said.
“That fence?†someone finished.
â€Atta Boy!!!†Jamie cheered.
I didn't stop to listen to the comments. I just galloped to the bridge. I stopped and called them to me. Dane and Jamie hopped on Red and Rusty and loped after me. I whirled and galloped farther away from the ranch. Jamie knew that something was up and she kicked Rusty into a gallop. We galloped on. Jamie was urging Rusty faster and faster.
9
Flash's throat was sore. I was worn out. I was about to collapse when three figures appeared on the horizon. There was a pony and two horses with riders. One of the riders was familiar. I reared and crow hopped. Then I walked over to Bear and stood beside him.
"Flash!" Jamie cried. As she got closer, her gaze locked on Bear's crooked leg. "DAD!!! Bear's leg is broken," Jamie moaned. Before she even finished her sentence, tears were streaming down her face.
Bear lifted his head and gave a distressed whinny. Dane looked at him in pitty. We all knew, including Bear, what was coming.
"Jamie, take Flash and Peppermint home," Dane said dismissively.
"Dad...?" Jamie wasn't sure of something. I bet it was how she was going to get me away. She knew that I would do anything for her, but she also knew that I was torn when it came time for me to choose between her and Bear.
"Flash, you don't want to watch this," and she was right. I stood and nuzzled Bear one last time.
"I love you," I whispered affectionately, lovingly.
He didn't have to say a word. I saw everyone of my feelings reflected in his eyes. Love and Fear were warring for the lead.
I walked to Jamie and followed obediently behind.
As we entered the ranch, the sound that we had been waiting for sounded. BANG!!!!!!! I reacted by balking and refusing to move. He was gone. Gone forever. Jamie had dismounted Rusty and walked over to me. She buried her head in my mane and we stood there, crying.
Chapter 3
The next day, Friday, was the day Jasmine was bringing Magic over. Ali raced through her school day, trying to finish her math problems and history questions as soon as possible. Finally Ali got off the bus at three thirty. She ran into the house and changed into riding clothes…just in case she got to ride Magic…and then went down to the barn. Marie was grooming Emerald, and Jake was measuring feed.
"Hi sweetie, how was school-"
"Fine," Ali said quickly. She was still upset with her mother about Devil’s sale. Marie frowned.
"Alright then…um, would you like to put fresh straw down in Magic’s new stall? It’s the third one to the right." Marie asked, handing her daughter a pitchfork.
"Uh, sure," Ali replied, taking the pitchfork and going up to Magic’s stall. She leaned the fork against the stall and climbed up into the hay loft where they kept their hay and straw. Everyone knows it’s hard to tell the difference, so the hay was on the far left and the straw was on the right. They were separated by a line of duck tape on the floor. Ali grabbed a bale of straw and headed back down to the stall. She began pitchforking it out, getting the straw in all corners of the stall. In a few minutes the stall was ready, with fresh hay and water. Ali looked at her watch and saw it was three-fifty nine. At that moment, the Morello’s blue truck pulled up with the horse trailer that was holding a beautiful horse…that would stay at Ali’s farm! Her heart started beating as she met up with Marie and Jake in the driveway. Sara came out first, smiling as she ran over to hug Ali.
"Ali, she’s amazing! It’s love at first sight," Sara exclaimed as she pulled Ali toward the trailer. Roy hopped out of the truck and smiled at Ali. Ali smiled back. Then Mary started bounding around the trailer and Jasmine opened up the ramp that would let out the horse. Ali bit her lip. What the horse be like? Her dad had always told her that you could tell a horse’s personality by looking at it’s face. And Ali agreed. Take Devil, for instance. One look at him and his eyes and you could tell he was a outgoing but gentle creature. That wild mustang looked like a high-strung stubborn horse, but still, he was wild. The clopping of hooves broke Ali’s thoughts. Magic stepped out of the trailer, her eyes surveying her new surroundings. Ali gasped. The Irish Cob was gorgeous! She wasn’t dappled gray, she was more a light, smooth grayish color with a dark mane and tail. Her muzzle and legs were hinted with a darker shade of gray, and her eyes were so gentle yet very intelligent. Her forelock curled around her forehead and she was very tall. Probably around 16 hands, Ali figured. Magic bent her head and snuffled at Sara.
"She’s already getting used to me," Sara said, grinning. "But it’s probably all those oats I’ve been giving her!" Everyone laughed. Ali knew horses seemed to like you after you’ve given them treats. But she could see that Magic and Sara had a special connection. Ali had always wanted to have a connection with a horse…a strong one. Sure, she loved Devil to death, but he wasn’t hers. She wanted to have a connection with a horse that was her own. Blacky had been her pony for a long time, but he was just a pony. She wanted a horse. Then Ali thought of something. She turned to Sara.
"May I ride her?" she asked. Sara shrugged.
"You can ride her…but I don’t know about today. The person we bought her from said to wait and let her get used to her new home. Besides, you guys have just met." Sara said, watching as Ali rubbed Magic’s muzzle.
"I’m sorry…she’s just such a beautiful horse. I should have thought of that," Ali said slowly. Sara smiled.
"It’s fine! But you could be the one to walk her around…I want her to get used to this entire place," Sara said, her gray-blue eyes scouring the farm. Ali grinned.
"Sure!" she said, taking the lead rope and leading the mare toward the grazing field, where they put all their horses to graze. Sara and Roy followed, and everyone else stayed in the driveway talking. Mary went off to play.
"I saw the wild mustang herd again," Ali said, her eyes shining at the thought. Sara sighed.
"That valley must be beautiful," she said.
"Actually, I didn’t see them in the valley. I saw them in this amazing meadow. It was right below some mountains…and the herd was so…and the stallion…" Ali’s voice drifted off.
"I wish I could see it," Roy said. "It sounds great. You’re totally in love with this stallion, aren’t you?" Ali looked at him and once again found herself staring into his green eyes.
"I’m afraid so." Ali said, leading Magic beside the grazing paddock and up behind the barn.
"Maybe I-and Sara, could come with you sometime." Roy suggested. Ali’s face lit up.
"Yes! You could come with me tomorrow! It’s Saturday, so you could come over at two." Ali said, her eyes sparkling. She could share the secret of wild mustangs to her friends! The secret and wondrous feeling…only it wasn’t that secret. Lots of people probably felt that feeling before. But Ali wondered that maybe…just maybe…not a lot of people did, and maybe…she was one of those people.
"I can’t," Sara said, interrupting Ali’s thoughts.
"Why?" Ali asked, disappointed.
"I’ve got a birthday party I have to go to…a cousin of mine is turning thirteen." Sara explained. "I’m really sorry, Ali."
"I can come…it’s a girly party anyway." Roy said, ignoring Sara’s annoyed looks. Ali thought for a moment. Would her mom let her ride away with a boy? As long as he’s a friend, probably. But what if she didn’t? Even though her family was Christians, her mom had never had problems with boyfriends and girlfriends. But what about the Morello’s? They were Christians, too…she remembered her mom telling her they were.
"Will your mom agree?" she asked Roy. He shrugged.
"Oh, she won’t mind."
"Ali has a point, bro," Sara said. "You’ll be riding in the woods with a girl!" At that, Ali blushed pink. Sara noticed. "Sorry," she said, "what I mean is, well, er…um, you see-"
"I get, it sis. But, I rode out with Maya that time…"
"She was your niece!"
"Same thing…"
"No it’s not."
"They’re both girls!"
"Maya was your niece, Roy…there is a huge difference."
"Well…I guess." Ali stifled a laugh. She had fought with her brother before, but it wasn’t this funny. On the other hand, though, they hadn’t fought about differences between relatives and friends. It was usually horses that they fought about. Ali shook her head and continued to listen to the conversation, which Sara was winning.
"Scientifically Maya is your blood, and Ali is not."
"I know that! I was just saying girls are girls."
"Not ones that aren’t related by blood and you can kiss!" At that both Roy and Ali blushed. Sara bit her lip.
"Sorry…I- a, didn’t mean to say that." Sara apologized, her cheeks red with embarrassment.
"It’s okay." Ali said slowly, her eyes down. Roy sighed.
"Oh, well, I guess I’ll just ask my mom…and she’ll be the one to decide." he said, turning toward Jasmine, who was cheerfully chatting with Marie. Sara and Ali stood in silence, watching Roy walk over to his mother. He tapped her on the shoulder and she turned to him. Roy spoke, his eyes turning from his mother to Marie, to Ali. Jasmine said something, then looked at Marie, smiled and said something else to Roy. Then Roy walked back over to Sara and Ali.
"She said it’s fine." Roy said, and Ali heaved a sigh of relief. She was glad that Sara’s and Roy’s fighting was over, and she was glad she would be able to show him the wild mustangs. She felt embarrassed, though, after what Sara had said. Sara noticed. She walked over to her and looked her in the eye, her bright eyes resembling a foggy spring morning.
"Look, I’m super sorry that I said that. It was totally stupid of me. I’ll say sorry for the rest of my life-"
"Sara, It’s fine. I understand. I say stupid stuff all the time." Ali smiled.
"Well, you see, I’ve never liked a boy before, so I don’t know what it’s like," Sara said quietly because Roy was standing there. Ali shrugged.
"Neither had I, until this past week!" Ali said, a dimple appearing in her cheek. Sara chuckled. Then Ali led Magic toward back toward the grazing pasture after walking her all along the farm. She unclipped the lead rope from Magic’s halter and let the mare gallop out into the pasture. Chance and Windy nickered to the new horse, but the rest of the horses continued to graze. Ali leaned against the fence, staring towards Devil. The stallion was grazing next to Mystery, his black coat gleaming in the afternoon sun. Then a thought popped in her head. "Hey, guys, I’ve thought of something," she said to Roy and Sara, who were next to her. "Devil’s a stallion!"
"Well, um, Ali…we know that." Sara said logically.
"No, what I mean is, he’s in a field with mares!" Ali pointed to Devil who was nuzzling Mystery. Sara gasped and Roy’s eyes got wide.
"Magic’s in there!" Sara exclaimed.
"I know," said Ali, grabbing a halter and lead rope that was draped over the paddock fence. "I’ll put him in the adjoining pasture…it is connected to this pasture but separated by a fence." She went into the paddock and walked over to Devil, who was still by Mystery. She slipped on his halter and led him into the adjoining field. The stallion snorted in protest, galloping along the fence line. Ali walked back over to her friends. "Problem solved," she said.
"Good thing we caught him in time! Or we might have had a foal around here!" Sara said in a exaggerating voice.
"Has he been let out in the pasture with the mares before?" Roy asked. Ali’s eyes opened wide.
"Yes! But he’s always stayed by Mystery. We could have her checked over by a vet." she answered, looking toward the paint mare. Mystery was acting hungry and docile, as usual. Her belly was fat, but that was just because she had always eaten a lot. Just then, Jasmine’s voice interrupted them.
"Sara! Roy! Mary! Time to go," she called. Roy and Sara turned to leave.
"See you tomorrow, Roy," Ali said. Roy nodded in return and Sara waved. Ali waved back and turned to watch the horses. She couldn’t wait for tomorrow.
Ali’s alarm clock buzzed loudly beside her head. Ali groaned and shut it off, staring out her window at the faint early morning light. It was five o’ clock in the morning and Ali knew she needed to get up and do her barn chores. She could see her mom already outside, heading for the barn. Last night Ali had told her mom about putting Devil in the adjoining pasture and about Mystery. Marie had said she would call the vet. Ali sat up in bed and stretched. She pulled on her clothes and brushed her teeth- and hair. Then she went down stairs and grabbed a donut. Then she went outside and joined Marie and Jake for the horse’s feeding and grooming…and not to forget the mucking out of stalls, washing water buckets, and cleaning tack. Ali remembered that Roy was coming at two. She had told her mom about it and Marie hadn’t seemed to mind. But which horse was he going to ride? Ali walked over to where her mom was grooming Emerald.
"Mom, what horse is Roy going to ride when he comes over at two?" Marie set down the curry comb that she had been using on Emerald’s coat and stared for a minute at Ali.
"How about Chance?" Marie suggested. Ali frowned.
"I was thinking more along the lines of Devil…Roy’s an experienced rider…he’s ridden stallions before." Ali replied, twisting her auburn hair around her finger. Marie sighed.
"Well, alright. I do want Devil in good condition for the October auction." Ali sighed. Did her mom have to keep talking about that?
"Thanks, mom." Ali turned and left, wondering if she had done the right thing. What if Devil’s and Roy’s personalities didn’t match? We’ll just have to wait and see, I guess. Ali thought.
At two, Roy arrived. Jasmine was dropping him off and picking him up at four thirty. That gave them two and a half hours to go riding. It seemed like a long time, but Ali knew that time would fly. So she already had Chance and Devil tacked up. Ali was riding Chance because she liked the Palomino’s strong but smooth strides when they were out on the trail. Plus, he wasn’t a mare. She didn’t want to take any chances with Devil. Marie had talked about getting him fixed, but stallions were worth more at auctions. Roy greeted Ali with a friendly smile. Ali led him to the barn where Devil and Chance were impatiently waiting.
"Wow, you hooked me up with Devil?" Roy asked, patting the black horse on the muzzle.
"Yep." Ali smiled. The two led the horses outside and mounted them, and Ali led the way toward the meadow. After about thirty minutes, they came up to the valley and Roy paused, observing the landscape. Then Ali walked Chance up through the small wood, and into the clearing. The herd was there again, grazing contentedly. Ali dismounted and Roy followed, tying their horses’ reins to a tree branch. Then they sat down on the warm September grass a watched the herd.
"Wow, they are amazing." Roy said, in awe of the wild mustangs. Ali smiled.
"I knew you’d like them," she said. She searched the field for the gray stallion, but didn’t see him. Roy stared at the meadow, in thought.
"This meadow needs a name," he said slowly. Ali thought about it for a moment.
"How about Mustang Meadow?" she asked, her nose and cheeks pink from the gentle wind that was nipping at her face. Roy shook his head in wonder.
"How do you think up such wonderful names?" he asked, his eyes flashing. Ali shrugged, a smile staying on her face. The sun was starting to set, and all at once the meadow was transformed into a rainbow of colors. The sky was streaked with deep purples, light pinks, and vivid blues. Ali breathed it all in, her eyes reflecting the sunset and the horses grazing beneath it. Roy looked over at her, his eyes shining. Ali looked over at him too, and she couldn’t help but stare into his handsome green eyes. She slid in closer to him, and they stared into each other’s faces, their breath fading in the cool evening, when they were interrupted by a sharp whinny. The kind that a horse does when it’s in trouble. Ali stood up, her eyes scanning the meadow. The whinny came again, and Ali looked in the direction of the cry. Then she saw the gray stallion. He was laying on the grass, looking like he was in pain. Roy stood up and saw the stallion too.
"Is that the stallion you were talking about?" he asked her, his eyes showing compassion for the hurting horse. Ali didn’t answer. Her mouth felt dry. Then she ran forward, startling the horses, and went straight over to the stallion. When she was at least three feet from him, the big gray horse turned his head and stared at her, his eyes showing fear. All of a sudden he leapt to his feet and stood face to face with Ali. His right foreleg was tucked under him, a huge, gaping cut running along his hock. Ali stepped forward, talking quietly to the horse, ignoring the frantic herd of horses around her and Roy yelling for her to come back. The stallion flattened his ears and neighed. He tried to rear but couldn’t. He snorted at the girl, his eyes rolling. Ali reached out her hand. The stallion gave a frightened neigh and galloped off, his herd following. Ali watched him stumble but continue to run off, his head high. Roy came up to her and grabbed her arm, dragging her away from the wild mustangs. When they were safe in the woods by their horses, Ali noticed that Roy looked scared.
"How could you run off like that? Those are wild horses, Ali, and that stallion could have hurt you." he said, his eyes flashing. Ali looked down.
"His leg is cut, Roy…it could get infected. We need to help him." Roy shook his head.
"We can’t. He’s wild. How can two kids capture a mustang?" Roy answered, his brow creased in sweat. Ali frowned.
"He needs me! There has to be a way. Jake knows how to cut. When we visited our dad in Texas he learned how, and he’s good. He can rope. He even rides western!" Ali said hopefully.
"Ali," Roy said slowly, "I just don’t want you to get hurt. I don’t think we can help the stallion." He touched her arm but Ali shrugged him off. She looked up at him, her eyes sincere.
"Please…I need to help him." she said, her eyes staying on him. Roy sighed.
"If it means this much to you…I guess I can help." Ali smiled and hugged him. Roy chuckled.
"But if it doesn’t work out, don’t blame it on me," he said, untying Devil’s reins from the tree branch and mounting the black horse. Ali followed, mounting Chance. Roy reached forward and patted Devil’s neck.
"Me and Devil really get along. Our personalities are like…the same," he said, urging the horse forward. Ali walked Chance abreast with Roy and Devil.
"Yeah, it’s a shame he has to be sold." she said quietly, not wanting to think about it. Roy’s eyes suddenly lit up. Ali noticed.
"What is it?" she asked. Roy smiled mysteriously.
"Oh, nothing. I just thought of something, that’s all," he said vaguely. Ali shrugged.
"Monday three new horses are coming to our farm. Maybe you and Sara could drop by after school. Then Sara could have a chance to ride Magic." Ali told Roy. Roy nodded.
"Sure." he replied, sitting deeply in his saddle. Ali decided that she would only tell Sara. But for now, she just wanted to enjoy the rest of their ride. Even if they were an hour late when they got back.
Horsesforever12 & Jedi
2013-07-01 22:02:02
Briarwood; Book One
Chapter Three/Four
By Sockylola1
Chapter Three
“I'm telling you, you were amaze,†Lily said for the millionth time. I smiled.
“Okay, thank you.†I turned on my laptop and sipped my smoothie from the 7/11 on campus. “Was I really okay? I mean, our circle was messed up, we lost focus a couple times, and that triple combination!â€
“Abigail Newman,†Lily gasped, mock-shocked.
“Lily Sanders,†I teased. “What? I have a right to be worried.†I added, immediately regretting it, “You shouldn't worry. You're on the advanced team.â€
“Abby, who cares what team I'm on? You're my roommate, and therefore worthy of my worry and gushing.â€
“Maybe I was wrong to be glad you're my roommate,†I mused teasingly. Lily threw a pillow at me, which I ducked.
“Speaking of advanced team. . .†Lily glanced down at her watch. “I've got a meeting with Mr. Harley and the team in the indoor arena in fifteen minutes!†She grabbed some boots and pulled them on over her Peddies socks.
I waved as she rushed out the door. I let out a big breath.
My test—just a few hours ago—had gone pretty well. Or so I thought, anyway. Tomorrow morning I would get the results of my test from Mrs. Salder.
I really wanted to go down to 7/11 and get five more chocolate smoothies to suck down, but I decided to go to the stables instead.
Can't stay away from there, can you? I thought ruefully as I picked up my phone and put it in my pocket. I had changed into a long-sleeved pink V-neck with a white tank underneath, with black skinny jeans tucked into black parka boots.
It was gloomy outside, looking like it might rain. I tied my hair back with one of my many—and I mean many—hair elastics.
As soon as I reached the stables, I went over to Starlight's stall. She stuck out her head and nickered, hay stalks falling out of her mouth.
“How many times have I said not to talk with your mouth full?†I chided her. I offered her my hand to sniff and she nuzzled it, lipping at my palm for treats.
“Don't get fooled by many, do you, girl?†I laughed, pulling out the concealed carrot from my pocket. She took a large bite of it and crunched happily.
“Hi,†a voice said from behind me. I turned. A tall girl with blond hair smiled at me. A guy next to her with black hair and tan skin waved.
“Hello?†I said awkwardly, mentally smacking my forehead.
“I'm Alicia. Is that your horse, Starlight?†Alicia motioned to the nameplate reading Starlight.
“Yup,†I said. My eyes shifted to the guy. He was tall, almost taller than the girl standing next to him. Taller than me for sure.
“This is Scott,†Alicia said. “My very close friend.†Judging by the way she said “very close†I guessed they were BFFs.
“We've been waiting for the owner of Starlight to show up so we can compliment her,†Scott added, smiling.
“What hall are you in?†Alicia asked me.
“Cherryford,†I replied. Alicia gasped.
“Same! I think we're actually next to each other. I might have seen you move in.â€
“Cool!†I said. Starlight nudged me with her muzzle. “Not that you guys don't know her, but this is Starlight,†I said, putting a hand on Starlight's purple halter.
“Nice to meet you, Starlight.†Scott pretended to shake Starlight's hand (aka her muzzle).
Starlight snorted and bobbed her head.
“She says you need to offer her a treat to start a friendship,†Alicia informed him. Scott laughed.
“Sorry, Starlight. I gave my apple to Hunter.â€
“Who's Hunter?†I asked.
“Hunter is my gelding,†Scott replied. “He's white with brown eyes.â€
“My horse is Jigsaw,†Alicia put in. “She's black with a white snip on her muzzle.â€
“Adorbs!†I said. Alicia grinned.
“Ali,†Scott said, using a nickname, “I got to go to Pizza Hut next door. Wait—you can come! Funny how that worked out.â€
Alicia snorted. “Right. So funny.†She waved to me, then followed Scott out of the stables.
I watched them go. Scott poked Alicia in the side and she stuck out her tongue at him. I watched a second longer. I couldn't believe how comfortable Alicia was around him.
Scott is nice, and really cute, I thought. Perfect boyfriend material. . . I frowned at myself. No! You are not going to have a boyfriend! Besides, you think mom and dad would let you?
I sighed and scratched Star's cheek. “Why is everything here so complicated, girl?â€
Star shook out her mane, giving a horsey shrug. “Thanks for your help,†I said with a rueful smile. “Up for a quick groom in your stall?â€
Starlight whinnied and pawed the ground. “I get the idea,†I laughed, letting myself into her stall.
I reached out of the stall, taking a body brush and curry from the grooming bag hanging from a hook.
I started grooming her with circular motions, then swiped the brush over the fur and dirt that came out.
Of course, her sparkling fur didn't need grooming too much, thanks to Briarwood's grooms, but it was more relaxing than sitting around and waiting for Mrs. Salder's answer.
“Abby?†Lily looked inside just as I finished picking out Starlight's hooves.
“Oh, hey, Lily.†I let Star put down her hoof and stood, brushing off my jeans.
“The meeting ended sooner then Mr. Harley thought it would. Everything okay?â€
“Yeah,†I said, dropping the hoof pick in the grooming bag and letting myself out of the stall.
“It's near dinnertime,†Lily told me. “School starts tomorrow, so we should get an early night. Let's go to the caf.â€
Chapter Four
Lily shook me awake. “You turned off your alarm ten minutes ago. Hurry up! We don't want to be late to our first class.â€
I blinked, nodded, then got out of bed. I opened my draws and took out a sky-blue T-shirt, short purple shorts, and quickly dressed and showered.
“I think that was the fastest shower I ever took,†I said to Lily as we picked up our backpacks and left the dorm.
“Really? I've done mine two minutes faster,†Lily said. She locked our dorm, and we hurried down the hall.
We went separate ways, me towards Mrs. O's math class, her towards Mr. J's.
I entered the classroom. Mrs. O wasn't there yet, and only a few girls were seated. I took a seat and took out my math book.
A few minutes later, Scott and Brook entered the room, soon followed by Mrs. O.
Scott sat next to me. “Hi, Abby.†He smiled, then took out his math book and got out a notebook to take notes.
I returned the smile and opened my notebook to the first page. I wrote Notes and To-do Lists as the title of the notebook, then wrote Math Notes on the top of the first page.
“Hello, class,†Mrs. O said. “Welcome to math class. Please turn to the first lesson on multiplying fractions. For a few lessons we will be doing review.â€
A few seats down from me, Brook rolled her eyes. I glanced over at her, and our eyes met. She mouthed, so stupid.
I frowned and smiled at her, feigning polite confusion. What? I mouthed. Review too hard?
She rolled her eyes again and looked forward at Mrs. O, raising her hand. Mrs. O stopped writing on the board and turned to look at her. “Yes, Brook?†she asked.
“Abby is distracting me,†Brook complained. “She keeps passing notes to me.â€
“I see.†Mrs. O looked at me and noticed my open mouth. “Brook, can you show me some of these notes?â€
Brook blinked. “Um, I threw them away without reading them. I didn't think you'd want me to read.â€
“Oh. Well, Abby, please don't bother Brook anymore. Now, let's get back to fractions, shall we?â€
“Really? She actually blew Brook off?†Lily giggled. We were waiting for Mr. Jepp, our history/geography teacher to show up. I was telling her about math.
“Yeah. And after I did it, when Mrs. O wasn't looking, Scott gave me a thumbs-up.†I smiled.
“Ooh, someone likes someone,†Lily teased.
“Ha ha,†I said, poking her shoulder. “But the someone who wishes she could has parents who would kill her before they let her think about it.â€
“Typical parents, right?!†Lily joked. “Have you checked for your placement e-mail from Mrs. Salder yet?â€
“Oh my gosh! I actually forgot,†I said. I took out my phone and checked my e-mail. There was a new message from Mrs. Salder!
I opened it and quickly read it.
Dear Abigail,
Congratulations! You did very well in your test yesterday. It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Intermediate Team. Click on the link to go to Briarwood's Intermediate Riding Team page. Practice times are posted on the website.
Mrs. Salder
I squealed with Lily. “Yes! Intermediate! Starlight's going to be so happy.†I tapped the link and quickly checked Monday's practice time.
“It's an hour after English,†I say. “When is Advanced?â€
Lily took out her own phone and checked. “Canceled. We have morning practice tomorrow.â€
“Ew,†I said. She smiled.
“Don't feel too sorry for me. After our first week of school Intermediate classes ride in the morning.â€
“Ugh! Now I feel great,†I sighed. Mr. Jepp entered the classroom.
“Hi there! Sorry I'm late,†he said. “Okay, take out your Around the World in Eighty Days book and read along with me. I'll call on random people to start reading aloud.â€
We read until chapter two, about fifteen minutes before the bell rang. Mr. Jepp handed out some maps for each of us.
“Okay,†he said, turning on the projector. He had drawn in red pencil a line that went (what a surprise) around the world.
“I want you to copy this onto your maps. As we read, we'll take inventory on what time a boat or train leaves, the date, and the place Mr. Fogg is.†He handed out notebooks. “I want you to use these as diaries. Pretend you're on the adventure with Mr. Fogg. When we finish the book, you'll hand these in and I'll grade them. Make sure your entries are at least one page long.â€
I took out a pen and wrote the date, place, and time, then began writing an entry.
As we wrote, Mr. Jepp kept talking. “Your entries can be about the trip, what you think about Mr. Fogg, his bet, even Passepartout.†Passepartout was Mr. Fogg's French servant. I smiled as I wrote. This was a awesome class!
I looked over at Lily as I closed the notebook and put it away with my maps. She smiled, and I knew she was thinking the same as me.
The bell rang, and I zipped up my backpack, hefting it onto my shoulder.
“Good work everyone,†Mr. Jepp said. “I'll see you all tomorrow. Don't forget to read chapter three and write another entry.â€
As we walked toward Science class, me and Lily gushed about our assignment.
“It's amazing,†Lily said. “He's so creative! I love the idea, and I love the book, too.â€
“Let's face it, Lil,†I said, putting a hand on her shoulder. “You love everything.â€
“So true,†she said with a grin.
As we went inside Science, I groaned mentally. Brook was sitting in the front row. Just. Great.
Me and Lily sat in the back, as far away from Brook as we could get. Mrs. Weaver rang a small bell on her desk.
“Hello, class. I'll take role and then we'll start.†I announced I was “here†when my name was called as I took out my sci book. It had the milky way and planets on it. Wonder what we're studying.
“Turn to the foreword,†Mrs. Weaver said. “Read it to yourselves, and then when you are done I will begin reading chapter one. Be sure to take notes; we'll have a pop quiz tomorrow.â€
Wow. This teacher was tough. A pop quiz on the second day? I sighed, then opened my book and read the foreword. Unlike other books, it wasn't too long, and I finished it pretty quick.
I wrote Sci Notes on the top of a fresh piece of paper in my notebook and looked up at Mrs. Weaver.
She waited until everyone was ready, then picked up her book and began reading.
I wrote down some things that didn't really make sense to me but seemed important.
To be honest, when she finished the chapter I was lost in space somewhere near Venus, far off from the sun which we were studying.
I left science as fast as I could and headed for the caf. I needed to relax.
I took a Dr Pepper, chicken noodle soup, some crackers, and a brownie, then sat at a table near the window.
A few minutes later, Lily sat down across from me. “Hey, you ran off and I couldn't catch up. Anything wrong?â€
“No,†I said. It wasn't really a lie. “Well, a little nervous for riding.â€
“I can understand that.†Lily took a bite of her subway. “I loved sci. Didn't you? The sun just seemed really interesting, excuse me for being geeky.â€
“You understood it?†I said, trying to stop myself too late.
“What, you didn't?†Lily frowned. “Maybe you shouldn't take advanced science. It is sort of tough material, on top of riding and everything else.â€
“You do it,†I pointed out. “No problem.†I continued eating my soup, and Lily started talking about trail riding.
“I wish I could get away from lesson and classes enough to just trail,†she sighed.
“I never thought I'd hear that from a fellow teammate,†Brook said, coming over to our table. “How exactly did you get to the advanced team again?â€
“By her amazing riding,†I said, taking a sip of my soda. “What's your excuse?â€
Lily stifled a giggle and coughed instead. Brook narrowed her eyes at me.
“My excuse is hard work and the fact that I don't wish I could slack off to trail ride somewhere. That's how.†She stalked off to sit by her horde of popularity.
“Wow. That stung,†Lily said, putting a hand to her heart. “Not.†We burst out laughing and I nearly choked on my cracker.
“It's actually a little comical how desperate she is to hurt us,†I said as I stopped laughing.
“And a little scary. She's obsessed.†Lily looked at me with wide eyes, and we started laughing all over again.
I dropped my backpack onto my bed. “So. Much. Homework.â€
“I know,†Lily soothed. She opened my drawer and tossed me my black breeches, white polo shirt, and black Peddies.
“Wear these, you'll look fab.†She grabbed her own clothes, fawn breeches and a black shirt, and headed into the bathroom.
I sighed, sat up, and checked my texts. I drew my eyebrows together as a new message appeared: Scott. How am I supposed to NOT be interested in him if he keeps TALKING to me??
I opened it.
Hey just wanted 2 say hi. How is ur day going?
I replied in two seconds flat.
Not so good but geo/hist is soo fun! Where were u in art? And how did u get my #?
He replied.
Sounds good Mr. jepp is awesome. Had emergency at stables; Hunter has bad limp. Can't ride for awhile. Alicia stole it from the office. Just cant trust that girl. ;)
I smiled. Sorry about Hunter! Hope he gets better soon. C u 2mrrw @ art?
Sounds like a plan. TTYL.
I turned off my phone, still frowning as Lily came out. “What?†she asked.
“Scott got my number and texted me,†I replied.
“Oooh,†Lily said teasingly.
“Didn't I say what my parents would do?!†I replied. “I'm so scared now! I'm going to die!â€
Lily gasped, mock-scared. She grabbed me in a super tight hug. “Oh, no!â€
“Lily, you can stop now,†I choked out. She let go, grinning.
“See? Your mind's off it now. And on RIDING.†I held up a hand in surrender.
“Okay, okay. Just don't hug me ever again.â€
“Deal.â€
I quickly groomed Starlight before throwing on her tack and sliding her bridle on.
“Abby. The bit goes in the horse's mouth, remember?†Lily said gently, squeezing the corners of Starlight's mouth and putting it in.
“Thanks,†I said, putting on my gloves and clipping on my helmet. I took Starlight's reins. “Just nervous.â€
“Yeah, I can tell,†Lily said. She fixed Starlight's girth. “Horses do pick up on your emotions, you know. Star bloated and your saddle would have slided down.â€
“Oh my gosh,†I gasped. “Ugh, I'm so worried about everything. My first lesson! Ever!â€
“Abigail, you need to chill. You're making * me * nervous!†Lily put her hands on my shoulders. “You. Will. Do. Great.â€
“All you need is a pendulum,†I said.
She took an imaginary one out of her pocket. “Done. Now, get in that arena!â€
I grinned and led Starlight forward. She followed willingly and we entered the arena.
Already, Two people I didn't know were warming up. I swallowed, mounted, and gathered up the reins a notch for a working walk.
Starlight walked along at a good pace, tugging at the reins at one point.
“Abby, loosen up your arms. Starlight is only feeling tension in her mouth, instead of directions,†Mrs. Salder said, entering the arena. I nodded and let my hands move with Star's head.
Alicia and Scott led their horses into the arena, laughing with each other.
Mrs. Salder looked at them with an eyebrow raised. They stopped laughing.
“Sorry we're late, Mrs. Salder,†Scott began. Mrs. Salder raised a hand to stop him.
“I thought I was clear enough in the rules. Anyone who enters the arena after me either will do the lesson with no stirrups.†Ouch. I saw Alicia and Scott wince.
After a few more minutes warm up, Mrs. Salder called us to center. “We're focusing on trotting today,†she said. Alicia and Scott both gave a small grimace. They had crossed their stirrups over their saddle's pommels. Trotting would seriously hurt.
“We're going to do a slow jog around the arena at first. Harry, you lead the group to the wall.†The boy I now knew nodded and trotted his palomino to the rail, doing a slow trot. I followed him, and the rest of the Intermediate team fell behind us.
“Alicia, keep Jigsaw trotting, please,†Mrs. Salder called. I glanced over my shoulder. Jigsaw had started walking and Alicia quickly cued her back into a trot.
I felt Starlight start to shift to a walk and I quickly tapped my heels against her sides.
“Abby, please pay attention to your own riding,†Mrs. Salder said. I blushed and nodded.
After a few more laps, Mrs. Salder called, “Okay, faster trot now, Harry. Julia, don't let Magic toss her head like that. She has no reason to do that when changing pace.â€
We trotted around, then did some cantering. Starlight was fussy when horses got near her. Behind me, Magic's muzzle accidentally grazed her tail.
“Oh, sorry!†Julia said, slowing Magic down.
“It's fine,†I replied. Starlight pinned her ears and squealed angrily.
“Abby! Turn Starlight away from the other horses and take the place at the back. She can't act like that around them,†Mrs. Salder ordered. I did as she said and turned her out of line, waiting until everyone had passed. Julia turned in the saddle slightly and mouthed, “sorry!†I gave her a smile and nod.
After a couple more laps, Mrs. Salder called us to center. “Good work everyone. You all worked hard today, including your horses. Go ahead and dismount and cool them.â€
With a sigh of relief I did as she said. Most tiring lesson ever! And this was only the start of the school year. Great.
“I'm sorry you got in trouble because of me,†Julia said, walking up to me. “I let Magic get too close.â€
“It's fine,†I assured her. “I need to work on Starlight on that. She's really fussy.†Julia smiled and led Magic away.
With a deep breath, I untacked Starlight and began to cool her. I began thinking. If this was so hard. . . what about later on? Can I make it? What if I can't? Will I be expelled? Or will Starlight have to go home?! I tightened my grip on Star's leadrope as I thought of life at Briarwood without Starlight. No way. I couldn't do it without her.
I shook my head. “You can do this, Abby. Just. Do it!â€
sockylola1 & Spirit
2013-07-02 18:06:34
The Forgotten: Miracle Foals
ByStarwalker123
Chapter One Star
The night was quit, bitter and cold.
“Clam down Sunny.â€
I rubbed the sweet off the mare’s hot sides. Her gold eyes gleamed in pain. The foaling was running too long. My brown hair was wet with sweat, my green eyes locked on the door of the box stall.
“Come on Jay.â€
Dr. Jay the young black haired blue eyed vet needed to hurry. Sunny shifted in the straw.
“Easy.â€
It was Sunny’s first foaling. The little paliomo mare was a rescue this would be her only foal. My dad and mom were gone for the night. I was 16 and had watched many a foal born. No labor as long and hard as Sunny’s however. I moved to the door of the box stall across the isle a gray head appeared. That was Leo another rescue he was a 3 year old gray and ex-racer. Dr. Jay appeared at the door. I stepped out into the isle. He stepped into the stall. The only light was on over these stalls. But in the other 10 stalls 10 more horses all rescues rested. Clancy a 5 year bay ex-racer, Paris the 5 year red and white overo we saved at the same time as Sunny she was in foal as will, Deck The Halls aka Decker a 9 year old white TB pulled off the slaughter truck, The 2 year leopard appy mini mares Daisy and Belle they are half-sisters the same age, Neon Lights aka Neon the 9 month old chestnut with a snip TB badly stunted Dr. Jay said with may barely reach 14 hands, Rock Off My Socks aka Socks in much the same shape as Neon but with socks and not a snip, Country Cutie aka Cutie a 9 year old dun mustang nearly had been starved to death before we got her, Lady Of Mist aka Misty A 6 year tan colored welsh was staved for the first years of her life, and last was Blast a 4 year old black and white mini rescued with Daisy and Belle. I looked around than peered back into the stall Dr. Jay was couched near her rear. Suddenly he rose to his feet.
“My bag off the seat of my truck Lucy.â€
I headed outside flicking on my flash light at the door. Then I head across the gravel drive to the vets red Dodge. I grab his black foaling big. I race back to Sunny’s stall.
“Thanks. The Foal is miss positioned one front leg is bent back.â€
I step in to the stall and hand the vet his bag. Hand pulls on gloves.
15 minutes later
The tiny black colt raises his black head the tiny 5 point star gleaming on his still wet from.
The vet grins “You have a perfect colt.â€
I open the door and we both step into to the isle.
The tiny colt takes his first steps and them falls down. Sunny cleans his tiny from.
“Star. My Star.â€
Dr. Jay, “See you in the morning.â€
I watch as he leaves. Then Star stands and nurses. I bed down in the tack room.
The Next Morning
I wake up to my dad tossing hay into the feeders. I look around at the tack before stepping in to the isle and over to Sunny’s stall. Dad joins me and we pear in at the tiny black colt long leg tuck up under him in the straw.
“Lucy, Have you named him yet?â€
“Star, Falling Star.â€
“Good Pick. Leo needs ridden do you want to ride him?â€
“Isn’t Luke coming?â€
Luke was the 23 year old stable hand. He had blond hair and blue eyes.
“Not Today. It’s His day off.â€
“OK. I’ll school Leo.â€
“I thought so.â€
I step over to Leo’s stall.
“Hi Leo.â€
The Gray nickers form the rear of his stall. I clip on his green lead line and walk him out into the sun under the maple trees the grass in thick and green. The sun is shining a perfect Kentucky day. I Tie him to the bronze ring on the edge off the meal stable white red tine with the white trim. I walk inside and gather Leo’s tack black jumper saddle and black bridle. Then I get brushes and my dark purple Troxel helmet. I groom Leo under the trees. The wind ruffles his mane. He nickers and stomps a foot unhappily.
“Soon.â€
I finish tacking up and lead Leo to the round pen. I lung him for 10 minutes than I head over to the ring.
Starwalker123 & Star
2013-07-04 02:05:12
Black is the New Pink part 5
By ParelliChick
I hear running footsteps and look at a clock above a doorway, right on time. My path to the exit is blocked by Luke. "Hey. Wait." He's doubled over to catch his breath. "My- mom's going- to let- me ride."
"Cool. I'll help you with the stalls so we can get you on Love. She's an young, but she's a sweetie."
He smiles "Love?"
"Her grandma was Faith, her mom is Hope and she's Love."
We walk to the bus and I describe the beautiful gold mare and how her trot feels like walking on air.
When we get to the house, my dad is waiting. "Um. I, uh, um, Luke? Would you give us a minute?"
Luke nods and squeezes my shoulder in a 'Good luck' gesture. I follow my dad to the tack room and leave Luke to chill with with Pow.
"Hope died." My dad blurts out, then steps in to comfort me, but I step away, turn and instinctively run to Pow's stall. I run into, not a warm, fuzzy horse body, but a person. I look up at Luke and he seems to read my face, I can see the options racing through his mind before he steps back and halter's Pow for me, tying the reins. "Go." I vault onto Pow's back and heel her into a gallop. I hug Pow's neck, sobbing, as she takes me to a waterfall and the cave that is behind it.
After we reach it, I collapse. Once the sobs had stopped coming, I rode home. Even though it was almost dark, Luke sat in the same spot he was when I left. He wordlessly puts Pow away and turns to me. I'm suddenly aware of the tear tracks on my face. "Your dad told me. Wanna talk about it?" I sit beside him on a hay bale and talk about how I learned everything about horses with Hope. How, other than Pow, she was the only horse I went to. Like when Pow broke her leg when she was 2 and we let her heal, every night I sobbed into Hope's mane. I must have been getting overly emotional, because Pow whinnied nervously. Luke and I overhear a phone conversation.
"She'll be fine. Yep, she's gone." Pause. "No, I couldn't do that to her. Not now." Another pause. "She gets too attached. You should have seen her when her horse broke her leg, sobbing and begging us to let her heal." I look over at Luke, my eyes worried. “Yep. We’ll be expecting you tomorrow to look at the facility.†I hear a click of the phone being put down.
“Let’s move.†Luke tugs me up and hurries me out of the aisle and towards the muckheap.
My dad walks out of the barn and looks at us. “What are you doing over there.â€
Luke opens his mouth before I can, “We saw a cool looking lizard coming over here and wanted to see what it was.†My dad nods and walks away.
“What was he talking about?†I ask.
“I was waiting, but I guess now is a good time to tell you.†I was terrified of what he might say. He sees the look. “It’s nothing bad. My parents bought me a horse. He’s coming here. I have no idea how to ride.â€
I smile, “Well what are we waiting here for? Let’s get you on a horse!†I walk to a stall with a gentle dapple grey Quarter Horse mare inside. I stroke her blaze. “This is Magic.â€
Luke kisses her forehead. “Hi sweet girl.†Luke halters her and leads her to the cross ties and starts grooming her. I show him her tack and he tacks her up, I grab a helmet for him and walk Magic to the arena. I show Luke the basics and he rides. Magic does her part perfectly and makes Luke look like he’s been riding since he could walk.
“Heels down! Loosen the reins! No, don’t act all mad, you’re the one that stopped her, not Magic. Lower the reins, you’re jerking her mouth†I instruct. He listens and soon he’s got the walk and trot down. I show him how to cool her down and he untacks and grooms her. He puts her in her stall. “You are going to be SO sore tomorrow.â€
“I do football.â€
I shake my head. “Riding works back, core, leg and arm muscles you didn’t even know you had. The helmet isn’t good on your neck either. You’re going to feel like you got hit by a bus.†At the look of panic on Luke’s face, I add. “Call me if you need any advice.†He nods and his mom pulls up.
“See you at school.â€
______________________________________________________
Thanks for staying with this Saga!
ParelliChick
ParelliChick & Lady of the Mist
2013-07-09 02:31:24
My Horror Day
by Bones
It was sunny day. Michelle bring Silvo for small ride.
"Come on Boy! It's great weather for ride!" say Michelle.
While they were in front of stable, Michelle seen Nicolle , her best friend with her horse Montána.
"Hey, Nicolle!Come with us for small ride!"say Michelle.
"Ok! Hehe..." Say laughting Nicolle.
"Michelle! I chellenge you an Silvo on small race! hehe, are you accept it?" say Nicolle.
"Ya! We beat you!!" say Michelle...
"Ready, Set , GO!" counted down Nicolle.
Both of horses started running an jumping over obstacles.
But sudenly was crack! Nicolle turned Montána an seen Michelle on ground near broken wood obstacle.
"Michelle!! Are you ok?" Screaming Nicolle.
"Uh! I am, but Silvo not!" crying Michelle.
"I call doctors!" Say Nicolle with mobile in han.
After 1 Hour Michelle and Nicolle were in Hospital.
"You are OK, but next time will be couton!" say doctor.
"I will say!" say Michelle.
She run from hospital to stable.
she sit near Silvo body.
"OH! Silvo... All it's my fault!" crying Michelle "Why I bring you toay for ride!".
"No, It's no your fault." say voice from stable.
"Um.. Who are you?" Ask Michelle.
"Me, Nicolle. I ask your mom where you are." Sa Nicolle.
"All is my fault, becouse if I don't chellenge you on race Silvo will be OK." Say sad Nicolle.
"Michelle, don't worry, Silvo will be ok, but he must be one month in stall." say doctor.
"OH! THANKS YOU SOO MUCH!!" Say Happy Michelle.
Neigh Silvo...
"Hehe, he understand the doctor." Say laughting Nicolle.
"I rather go visit Montána, See you later!" Say Nicolle.
"Ok, Bye!" say Michelle.
"Oh Silvo , I love you soo , soo much!" Say Michelle, " Here you are!".
Say Michelle and gived Silvo carrot.
Silvo neigh again.
"Oh! here you are! but if you eat more you will be thick! hehe.." laughting Michelle.
"Now you must rest , see you later Silvo!" Say Michelle.
"I will back soon!!" say Michelle and go home...
Bones & Silvo
2013-07-13 12:57:27
Christie and the Lost Stallion part 2
horsecrazygirl80
The stallion looked in her direction. He glared at her with a cold stare. Christie gulped. No doubt about it, this horse was wild. Christie began to panic, how would she get home? Would anyone find her? Would anyone EVER find her? Suddenly, Christie blacked out and the sky grew dark.
. . . . . . . .
Christie woke up. The sun was glaring in her eyes. She blinked and looked over. Yes, the stallion was still there. "Maybe," Christie thought," maybe I can crawl up the steep valley and walk home" Then remembering her broken crutch, she knew that was not going to get out. Suddenly she heard a growl.
to be continued
horsecrazygirl80 & Flame
2013-07-24 22:48:26
Through The Horses Eyes.
By Atmosphere
The bright sunlight poured through the vast concrete corridor at Oak Ridge Equestrian Center. The horses swung their heads over the stable doors and nickered greetings to each other and knocked the stable doors with their knees as they heard footsteps. I swung my head over the door and looked down the corridor, I couldn't see very well, there was sleep in my eye. Don't get me wrong, I would of wiped it away, but I'm a horse. And if I tried to do that I think Id probably blind myself. So straining my eyes and staring at the figure at the end of the corridor, I finally realised who it was. Angie. I tossed my head up and began paw the concrete in anticipation. "Angie, over here!" She wasn't alone either, she was accompanied by a colossal wheelbarrow piled high filled with haylage. "Angie!" I paced back and forth impatiently, barging the door with my muscular chest. Until finally, she was at my door. "Angie! Boy am I glad to see you!" I whinnied. She scooped an armful of haylage into my stable corner and I dived in, "Are you excited for the show boy?" she cooed to me, stroking the crest of my dapple grey neck. I would of replied, I'm not a rude horse to any extent, but I was so busy eating my haylage I simply nudged her hand in a friendly way. She smiled and slid my stable bolt back so it locked. "Favouritism! Blatant favouritism!" Snorted Arabella. "Oh be quiet Arabella." I muttered as I grazed on my haylage. I listened as Angie made her way past all the horses, dishing out armfuls of haylage. By the time she'd finished I'd finished my armful and was waiting patiently with my head over the stable door looking intently at her. She started to walk towards me, wheeling the now empty wheelbarrow. I nickered gently and she smiled at me "Hey, where do you think you're going!" I neighed as she walked straight past me. How could she resist my dark brown eyes and dapple grey complexion? "Sorry Merlin, I've got to clean your saddle, for the show." She replied softly. I let out a small sigh and rested my head on my stable door. I was quite content staring into the distance waiting for Angie to come back until a dark bay mare called Missy lifted her head over her door to talk to me. "Is this your first show?" she enquired. I turned my head to look at her and came out of my day dream "No, I've been to a couple before." I replied. "How manys a couple?" she asked. "Well... Three... But Angie says show jumpings in my blood." I defended myself quickly, proving it more to myself than anyone else. I was nervous, I wasn't sure what the show would be like. "Need some advice?" she sensed my hesitation. "Yeah, sure." I replied cooly, trying not to act bothered, even though inside I was absolutely terrified. "Trust Angie, she seems nice enough. She wouldn't make you do anything that wasn't safe, she loves you too much." Missy spoke lovingly. "Favouritism!" squealed Arabella.
Missy turned her gaze to Arabella and gave her an unimpressed look. I thanked Missy for the help and continued to wait for Angie. I didnt have to wait long, she was coming my way with her friends, Natasha,Emily and Olivia. Angie slid back the bolt on my stable door, stepped inside and slipped the baby blue head collar over my head and then buckled it up. She led me out of the corridor and outside into the shade of the stable blocks, then tethered me up to a ring. I could hear footsteps and hooves behind me as Cody, a black Connemara pony, about fourteen hands was tied next to me on my left and Coco, a bay 15.2 hand welsh section D was tied to my right. Thankfully Arabella was tied far from me. Angie popped up by my side with a body brush and started to brush along my neck, working her way down my coat. "What do you think she show will be like then?" Angie asked Olivia
"Big." Olivia looked as worried as I did.
With all these thoughts racing through my mind, I stared at the floor in concentration. Fixated on all the things that could go wrong... What if I lose my nerve and refuse? What if I go ploughing through the jumps? Oh no. This is going to be terrible. I shifted around nervously as Angie brushed me until she reached for the unidentified object lying on the floor that I hadn't been able to figure out. Until now. Floating boots. That means its nearly time to load up... And that means its nearly time to set off. She velcroed them on, one by one and I felt my legs go stiff, she led me up the ramp and into the horse lorry. I noticed there was a haynet tied up for me to eat, so I tucked in as she tied me up to the ring on the wall of the lorry. Coco was tied next to me, then Cody and then Arabella. The lorry door started to close and soon we were trapped in the horse lorry, heading to only Angie knows where. The trip was OK I suppose, Coco wasnt at all mareish and didn't mind chatting and calming my nerves. I was relaxing, leaning against the partition wall and chewing on my hay net happily until I heard the irritating whine of a mosquito. I flickered my ears back as I heard it, swishing my tail and tossing my head. "Mosquitoes?" Coco asked, in a happy tone. I nodded. I swished my tail and sent the mosquito flying into Cocos area. It landed on the ground. Squish. Coco had stood on it. "There."
Why hadn't I ever thought of that before?
Before I knew it, we were cruising up a slight hill and into a large grass car park, packed with flashy horse trailers and horses. The rest of the horses seemed unfazed, but I was more excited than nervous now. I felt a tingle rising from my toes up my legs as I paced around excitedly and looked outside through the small window with bars. The ramp was lowered and one by one we were unloaded off the trailer, I whinnied as I stepped off the ramp, saying "Hi everybody!" only a few horses returned the greeting and I suppose the rest were too snooty to reply. "Oh stop it!" giggled Angie as she led me down the ramp and tied me up to a ring on the side of the long horse lorry. I couldn't stand still! I was so excited! My shoulders quivered and I felt like I was super charged. Time passed and the time came for me to be tacked up, I couldn't wait! Angie approached with her arm through the gullet of my dark tan leather jumping saddle and my bridle. But I noticed something different about the bridle... Diamantes.. "She expects me to wear that?" Oh my. As she came closer I saw that there were tiny diamantes along the brow band. There weren't many, but there were still diamantes. If horses could cry, Id be swimming in tears. Angie placed a baby blue quilted numnah on my back and then placed the saddle on top. She reached under my tummy to do up the girth. "Not too tight, please." I let out in a low nicker. She smiled and buckled up the girth on the first hole. Then she unbuckled my head collar and slipped on the hideous diamante bridle and buckled the noseband and throat lash. She gave my forelock a ruffle and smiled at me "You're going to do great today, I know you are." She looked at me dreamily as she held my reins, smiling. "Oowh! Nearly forgot your tendon boots!" she snapped out of her day dream, she took off my floating boots "It'd of been hard to jump a clear round with those on!" she giggled at herself and then she replaced them with lightweight tendon boots. "Angie, we need to walk the course." Olivia reminded her.
"OK, one second." she replied, slipping my head collar over my bridle loosely so I was once again tied to the horse lorry. "See you in a bit, Merlin!"
"See, she loves you." Coco neighed softly. And I suppose she was right, Angie had never put him in a situation that he didn't feel comfortable in. I watched as horse and rider walked past, making their way to the warm-up arena, and I was sure that that's what we were meant to be doing, but Angie still wasn't here! I pawed the grass impatiently, "Come on Angie, where are you...?" I muttered to myself. "There she is!" I whinnied loudly "Angie, hurry up!"
And she looked like she was hurrying. She was buckling her riding hat up as she ran, "Sorry I'm a bit late, we still have fifteen minutes to warm up." She calmed my nerves down slightly as she unbuckled my head collar, ran down my stirrups and tightened my girth three holes. She swung up on my back and I stood statue-still as she adjusted her stirrups to jumping length. Her friends were tightening their horses girths "Hurry up!" Angie pleaded as they rushed to tighten their girths and adjust their stirrups. "I'm not waiting any longer!" I whinnied. "Come on, hes getting restless!" Angie pleaded again. "Right, I'm going without you." She gathered up her reins and we trotted along to the warm-up arena. I broke into a slow canter, my hooves pounding the soft grass. I slowed down to a trot as we reached the arena and a middle-aged woman in a baseball cap, a polo shirt and jodhupurs let us in. The others weren't far behind. We all trotted into the arena in open order, we did lots of twenty metre circles and leg yielding until I felt supple and ready to jump, Angie turned me to face the jump, it was about sixty centimeters, I took off on a forward stride and cleared it easily. "Good boy." Angie cooed as she stroked my neck and we cantered away from the jump and back to the track. Then the jump got raised, it was about eighty centimeters. I turned to face the jump and cleared it effortlessly. "Good boy." Angie praised.
"Can Angie Halshaw and The Magician please make their way to the main arena." the tannoy boomed "Thats Angie Halshaw and The Magician."
"Thats us!" Angie sounded excited. Nearly as excited as I was. We trotted along the path and up to the main arena, it was a large building with a roof and rows and rows of seats, like a theatre. The bright lights lit up the soft sand arena as we walked in, I could still feel the tingle in my toes. "We can do it." Angie's voice sounded slightly wobbly, like she was trying to reassure herself, not me. The bell rang, and we cantered through the flags, the first jump loomed just a few strides ahead, it was a metre high, with the words "North Island Championships" on the side of the wings, the poles were blue and white. Angie gave me a small kick a stride out and I sprang over it, with room to spare. "A lovely jump there" the tannoy commentated. We sped around a corner, it was quite tight. I felt a short tug on my outside rein as Angie told me to slow down, I slowed down to a bouncy canter and flew the spread. "Two down, fourteen to go." the tannoy exclaimed. After that there was a shallow turn, and a double, about one metre twenty. I leapt into the air, confident that I'd make it, but I found that I was about to land directly on the jump. The crowd gasped. I stretched out more, and my hind feet brushed the pole, but it didn't fall. "Hmm, took off from a bit too far back on that one." I gathered myself up and flew the second element of the double. I flew around the jumps, until finally we were at the final two. The first was a medium jump, constructed from blue and yellow poles. It was one metre twenty. I took off and landed perfectly and then flew over the second. "Clear round!" the tannoy boomed. The audience applauded as we cantered back to the gate to leave the arena. "I'm so proud of you, Merlin!" Angie grinned. We walked back to the horse trailer, she took off my tendon boots and she was about to unbuckle my bridle when Natasha came sprinting up to us. "What are you doing? You've got to go into the arena and collect your ribbon! You came second!" she screamed excitedly. Angie mounted back up and trotted me into the arena to collect our ribbon. A skinny lady in a black dress and high heels wobbled across the arena and presented us a crimson red ribbon. We cantered around the arena with the other horses and riders who placed and then exited the arena. We walked back to the lorry, I was slick with sweat and it felt good to stretch down. Angie untacked me and put my light cooler rug on. We were loaded into the lorry and I was given a fresh haynet. As I leaned against the partition wall, I thought over today. How silly it was of me to be nervous about going to the show. What a wonderful day it had been... Until a thought popped into my head. We'd just placed in the North Island Championships... We were heading to the finals. Uh oh... "I think I have butterflies in my tummy again." I nickered.
The End.
p.s: In the next story competition Merlin and Angie will be going to the finals. :D
Atmosphere & Nemo
2013-07-30 09:02:33
Fly Free
By: DragonShadowCave
I was an ordinary horse. I had everything. I lost everything that one afternoon. I waited at my stall for my food, but my rider never came out. People came to the house. They said "It is truly unfortunate, but God called Sara home"
Sara had no family that wanted me, so I was taken to a boarding house. They were the worst people ever. I was crammed in a stall with two other horses. We had no food. No water. No life. The other horses went away. I don't know where. I was sick of it. I crashed through the side of the rotting stall, and galloped away. The people didn't come after me. They didn't love me. They didn't want me.
After weeks of being on my own, I found a friend. He helped me find help. A horse shelter. The SPCA. I would find a home. I would find a family.
I was scared. What if the people were like the boarding house people? I changed my mind. The wilderness was my home. He was my born mate. I stayed with him. We had a filly named Moondancer, and our family thrives in an old ranch, but with kind people, and with plenty of room to fly free.
This is Club Pony Pals, the official Pony Pals game and virtual horse world. Here you can adopt, ride and care for the pony you always wanted. Our site is based on the Scholastic books about three girls by Jeanne Betancourt.
