Taste of The Wild: Life Through the Eyes of a Wild Mustang

Chapter 2

          I remember that morning. That morning when it seemed alright. My sister, Saige was grazing with a friend, her black mane and tail moving with the wind like a banner. Her strawberry roan coat was dirty with dry mud from the previous night's rain shower. Her small star in the middle of her head seemed to be getting brighter in the morning sun. My sister was three years older than me, making her six.

          Her new filly peeked from behind her. She had named her Strom because she was only born last night. Strom looked like a new penny, with a huge white star. My father had stolen my sister back from another stallion who was Storm's father.

          I knew today would be my last in my father's herd. He watched me like a hawk from under his big cream forelock. His golden coat had many scars on it, indicating that he was the strongest stallion in the range. His name was Boulder.

         My mother, Fern, was standing in the sun, half asleep. Her coat looked like dark red clay which was down the mountain where the bachelor stallions lived. Her mane was jet black. She was the lead mare and had a foal that was due any day.

        The purple flowers were springing up from the ground, and the yellow dandelions were everywhere, and I thought that if I could be a photographer, I would take this picture. Instead, I seared it into my brain.

        My eyes scanned the scenery, and stopped and rested on a yearling mare. Her name was Ivy. She was the most beautiful mare around, and her dark gray mane and tail just as beautiful as a sunset. Her coat is like that of a dandelion. I often thought she should be in a painting. Ivy was so delicate that if she one sore throat, it was likely she would die. If there was a traumatic event, she would likely get sick and die.

       She was so delicate that her herd didn't want her. Not even the bachelor stallions wanted her. No one wanted her but me. She often hanged out around our herd, and my father didn't mind.

       He once told me, "Flint, sometimes it is good to let things that are neglected come into the herd. Meaning horses and people."

       Those words stuck with me for a long time. "To let things come into the herd." Now, what on earth could that mean?! I found myself thinking that when I heard a loud sound. It hurt my ears so much. Then, something came over the hill. Something that I had never seen before. It had the largest blades coming out its head. The head was made of glass, and it had a big steel tail. 

       The whole band (herd) started running. I followed and looked to see where Ivy was. She was running ahead with all her might. I could see she scared. Saige was running with her foal, guarding her with her body. Storm had a hard time keeping up. Several times my father had to snake her. 

       I learned that the name of the huge thing was a helicopter, and know was just a few feet above our heads. If one of us bucked, it surely would've hit the big thing. It now was leaning to my side, and I hated it. Saige saw the opportunity to leave and veered off to the side and into the woods. The foal was too scared to realize and kept running. Saige had to come back, and get Storm to safety. 

       I tried to follow Saige, but the helicopter only cut me off. I let out a nick to show my madness. When we got to the low country, a new helicopter came and escorted us to the open plains. There, we fanned out and separated. I tried to go with Ivy, but I couldn't find her anywhere. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a tan bullet zoom out off my vision. 

       Ivy!! No!!! Stay with me!! You'll be safer!!! I screamed out to nobody. They all ran for their lives. I then somewhat understood what my father meant. I wanted a herd. I wanted Saige, Mother, Ivy, and my Father.

For the first time in my life, I was alone.